How to Buy a Hi-Hat Stand

So, you're a drummer now! You've mastered all the snare drum rudiments, the basics of syncopation and timekeeping, and can lay down some pretty mean grooves. Now you need to pay a little extra attention to a very important, yet often overlooked piece of your gear.

The Hi-Hat stand is often taken for granted until it either breaks, wears out, or cannot perform right when different cymbals are installed on it. Here are a few tips for selecting the right Hi-Hat stand for your style of music.

First thing; what is your main genre of music you plan to pound the skins to? This is important, because cymbals in general are manufactured in different weights for different volumes and styles of music. If you plan to keep time in mainly acoustic situations, buy a hat stand designed for lighter cymbals. If you play mostly loud rock music, then you need a heavy-duty hi-hat stand that can support and control heavier cymbals.

This is very important, because to heavy a stand will require more effort to operate the pedal, and too light a stand will not be able to stand up to a pair of large, heavy Hi-Hats.

Next, are you going to use it professionally? Seriously, why buy a $300 stand if you're only gonna jam to CD's in your bedroom? Conversely, you want to make sure that if you're gonna go out giggin' that you can get one that can not only stand up to nightly operation, but can also stand up to being set up and taken down every night as well.

Rule of thumb: Hi-Hat stands with double or triple-braced legs are alot tougher than single-braced stands, and some can be obtained rather cheaply.

Now consider your drumset: Does it have 2 bass drums or a double pedal? If so, you might want to consider a 2-leged stand (the pedal assembly acts as the third leg) so it can be placed in a much more natural position than a standard 3-legged stand could. If you only play a single bass drum, then a standard 3-leg configuration will suffice.

Maybe you prefer not to cross your arms to play your Hi-Hat, and wish you could put it closer to your ride cymbals. The remote stand allows the pedal and the hats themselves to be placed wherever the drummer wants them. With the cable-driven mechanism, the pedal can be placed near your left foot and the hats can be clamped to the bass drum hoop or a cymbal stand, allowing for more comfortable playing.

Now if you want to save a little money, you can buy one second hand from an individual, pawn shop, or a dealer. Just be sure to take the Hi-Hats you intend to use with you when shopping for a new stand. You will need to make sure the stand can handle the weight and size of your cymbals.

Think of it in terms of automobiles: You wouldn't put a V-8 on a lawn mower, nor would you put a 2-cylinder Briggs and Stratton motor in a semi-truck. Likewise, you won't need a heavy, powerful spring to manipulate a pair of jazz-weight 12" hats.

When pedaled, the cymbals should float, almost like the way a car floats over bumps in the road. The action should be smooth and even throughout the range of motion, with no sticky spots or "catches. Be sure the clutch that holds the top cymbal doesn't slip once it is locked into position, and that it can be adjusted for various amounts of "play" (how freely the cymbal can move within the clutch). Be sure the clutch will stay locked in whatever positions you adjust it for, without slipping or coming undone.

Finally, be sure the cup for the bottom cymbal either has a slight offset, or some kind of screw that can be used to adjust the offset. This is so that the cymbals can make that wonderful "chick" sound when pedaled closed. If the cymbals meet perfectly, they cannot make as strong a sound.

Well, there you have it. Hopefully, this information can help you to make a wise and informed purchase of this important piece of hardware. Just like any other peice of gear, remember; you get what you pay for. It is cheaper to pay more for quality gear once than to pay less for junk twice!