Super portable gigging setup

[snipsnare]

I am putting together a gigging setup that is super lightweight and portable. I'm currently working on making a mahogany nesting kit (7x10 12x14, 14x18) that will hopefully weigh around 25 pounds. This includes 6 ply THIN mahogany shells and fully aluminum hardware (except for hoops, which i'm looking for a somewhat affordable option). I am using Yamaha's fully aluminum Crosstown hardware that i have already been gigging with for 6 months and I LOVE them. 2 crash stands, a HH stand, and a snare stand come out to roughly 15 pounds. I am using a 1979 Paiste 18" 602 medium ride, 1974 Paiste sound creations Dark ride and Preserial 602 14" Hihats.
Because this will all be optimistically around 50 lbs, I was wondering if it would be efficient to put the kit and the hardware together in a road case. But, I worry it would be too heavy with a normal road case, so I was wondering if I could build an aluminum road case? I'm picturing something like a dolly with a square case big enough for my bass drum, and then a shallower detatchable top layer that is the same diameter to put hardware in. I can put my cymbal bag just on top of the case, otherwise I will wear it like a backpack.
So I have 2 questions for you folks:
Is there a reason I haven't heard of an aluminum road case before? would it be impractical?
What is a good lightweight drum throne? I love my porkpie but it is HEAVY. Bonus points if it has a back.

 

[CAMDRUMS]

Last I checked, the consensus seemed to be that the Yamaha DS550 is a light, durable, and affordable throne.

 

[multijd]

Weight, portability, size are trade offs with functionality. Ive worked on this for years and settled on light hardware in a hardware bag. Covers for the drums but padded. Recently a Beato pro 1 that holds both toms. I use a hard shell snare case for protection and a cymbal bag (tough traveler). Everything basically lightweight. Then stack it on a rock and roller when i need wheels. I can go smaller with the drum sizes if i have to but most of the time i want standard bop sizes. The nesting idea saves space but is heavier. Trade offs.

 

[Houndog]

Yeah , I used to think a nesting kit was a great thing ….

Nothing beat my old Slingerland 4 piece kit for portability ..Lightweight drums that sounded great ….
One trip in with a cart !!!!

 

[MustangMick]

I've almost the same kit as you are building

Noonan Mahogany/Poplar (Nesting Kit) 10x8,14x12,18x14 - 1.6mm hoops on Toms
If you use an 18x16 Bass drum case, you can put the throne top in there.

BD/Cymbal/Snare case on 2 wheel cart (i also use a Bodhran so its on top)
Yamaha Crosstown Hardware set and barrier mat.
ONE TRIP LOAD IN

Cheers
Mick

 

[MustangMick]

This is also a huge help with lighter drum thrones

FLEECE SEAT COVER 12"

shop.aheadarmorcases.com

Cheers
Mick

 

[NobleCooleyNut]

This is by far the best sounding most portable kit I have ever owned and I truly regret selling this to help finance a Yamaha PHX kit purchase . This Whitney Nesting Penguin 16 weighed under 35 lbs nested in the included Ahead padded bag . I used a Protection Racket rolling hardware bag and backpack style cymbal bag . One trip and in the door . For longer trips in the door I would put all this on my Rock N Roller cart.

These drums have thin 3 ply birch shells and just sound so fat .

 

[Houndog]

Since I never play over a 2 hour gig .
I’m thinking of picking up a cheap lightweight throne ….

 

[flatwins]

This is also a huge help with lighter drum thrones

FLEECE SEAT COVER 12"

shop.aheadarmorcases.com

Cheers
Mick

Nice! Thanks for the info.