6 Best Hi-Hat Stands That Won't Let You Down
Posted in Gear | Last Updated on October 15, 2019
Statistically, of all the parts of your drums, the hi-hat will take most hits from your drumsticks. This means that your hi-hat stand will probably take the toughest love of all your drum hardware. This is why you need it to be in top shape before any performance. You don't want your hi hat stand pedal to give way mid-way through a performance or recording.
Also, we know that there are different scenarios that require a drum performance. While most drummers would perform on stage, some others play during studio recordings. Either way, the hi-hat stand is still an integral part of their performance.
So, how do you select a hi-hat stand? Which hi-hat stands work best for your style? Here are the questions that this article provides answers to, through our top 6 list.
Here are our 6 reviews of the best hi-hat stands:
Gibraltar - 5707 Medium Weight Double braced Hi-Hat Stand
Gibraltar is quite a unique brand on this list. This is because they're specialized in making drum hardware, rather than drums themselves. However, they have created a niche for themselves in this area. The 5707 hi-hat stand is proof of that.
This stand doesn't just look solid; it also feels solid. It is heavier than other so called "medium weight" models. The double brace tripod stand ensures that the stand is well grounded. The rubber tips on the end of the legs make sure that while you're playing, the stand does not move or slide. At the same time, the tension control is superb.
Sometimes, you may need to play on a smaller stage, which means you may have less room for your drums setup. In situations like this, you would need a hi-hat stand that takes less floor space. This is where the 5707 comes in handy. Last but not least, the chain drive has a decent response.
Pearl - H930 [Best bang for the buck]
What stands out with the Pearl H930 is the quality it offers at its price point. This hi-hat stand brings you quality and a lifetime warranty, and you don't have to break the bank for it. It has swivel legs that allow you a more flexible placement. This will be very useful if you have double pedals. It's not just the three legs that can swivel, you can also move the pedal itself left and right to accommodate your double pedal setup or to simply create some room.
This stand gives you top class balance and stability with its double-braced legs and rubber leg tips. Heavy hitters do not need to worry about the hi-hat moving away from them while playing. The response is more than adequate. The spring tension is adjustable.
The H930 is also very good for studio recording sessions. This is because it's relatively quiet. You won't hear pedal noises in your recordings with this hi-hat stands. In its money class it's a perfect choice. Smooth action, sturdy and comfortable.
Pearl H830
This is another Pearl stand that gives you quality for every dime it costs. I say that when I have in mind that we are speaking about lower-end hardware. It is quite compact, yet solid. In terms of weight, it's a little light too. While I wouldn't describe this stand as "heavy-duty," it does its job pretty well.
The long footboard helps drummers who are not really into hell-toe and other techniques. Rookie drummers and learners will find this hi-hat stand quite good for them. This stand also has double-braced legs that ensure stability. However, for heavier hitters, the force of weight may push the stand around while playing. It is a lightweight, and it slides.
The legs also swivel to allow more room for any slave pedal or double pedal system you wish to use. You also get a lifetime warranty with this stand as proof of Pearl's confidence in their product.
Lastly, the H930 features a standard clutch system with a chain drive that connects the pedal to the hi-hat cymbals. All in all, it is a budget choice.
Tama - Speed Cobra 315 Hi-Hat Stand
Tama Speed Cobra 315 is a hi-hat stand that gives you a lot of room to move your legs or place other pedals. This is because it has just two legs, not three. These two legs are typically at the rear of the stand, but they are also swivel enabled, so you can adjust their positions to your taste.
With the two legs at the rear, there's a high level of balance and stability. While drumming, you'll be pushing against the pedal, which tends to make the stand slide backward. The two hind legs push back against your force so that the stand remains unmoved. There is a space for a double kick pedal.
This hi-hat is also really good for mobile use because it's quite easy to dismantle and pack it and to set it up. It shouldn't be much of a problem since it weighs just 3.9kg.
The only time you may reconsider this hi-hat is when you're doing a studio recording. It can be a bit squeaky at times when you step on the pedal. This unwanted sound may end up in your recording.
Smooth action, comfortable, and highly adjustable. Decent spring tension adjuster.
DW - CP7500
This DW stand is quite solid and does what it is built for just fine. Even though it is not double-braced it is a decent model, but let me tell you why. It is lightweight and easy to setup. The three legs of this stand are quite solid, despite being single brace legs. DW says the reason they have used single braced legs is to maintain a lightweight for the stand while achieving maximum balance and stability.
The stands come with two lengths of the upper rods; the 21" and 15" rods. This allows you more freedom to set the hi-hat stand up to fit your needs. His way, you don't need to keep rod lengths that you don't need; simply switch to a shorter rod.
You should also note that the three legs are not swivel legs. If you need to work with other pedals, you must use the room you have, you can't create more space by changing where the legs are. A double kick pedal fits nicely.
DW also added something for the studio session drummers; plastic tube insulators that ensure that the stand does not rattle and give unwanted noises. This allows you to mic your hi-hat and have less rattling or squeaking noise and purer hi-hat sound.
Yamaha - HHS-3 Advanced Lightweight Aluminum Hi-Hat Stand
Here at CGuide, we always say that Yamaha hardware can't let you down. HHS-3 is what we can call a good bridge between lightweight and solid. Everything is very well built and works like gangbusters. We are simply impressed.
If a piece of hardware weighs lighter than the average of its peers, it usually comes with advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes, the lightness comes at the expense of durability and ruggedness.
In the case of Yamaha HHS-3, you get stability, durability and lightness all in one hi-hat stand. Its body is made of aluminum, and its legs have thick diameters. This gives stability and balance. If you are a really heavy hitter you may find that the stand moves a bit forward.
At 4.8 pounds only, it's ideal for mobile use. You can easily dismantle it and carry it around wherever the next performance is. However, even though it's solid, heavy players that perform genres like heavy metal may find it a little flimsy.
Hi-Hat Stand Buying Guide
Genre
The genre of music you're playing directly affects your style of play. If you play jazz, for instance, you may be able to use lightweight stands, but if you're playing punk or death metal, lightweight hi-hat stands may be a frustrating choice.
Additionally, there are genres and styles that require that the drummer uses a double bass pedal. In this case, you would need some space for proper placement. Your best bet here is to go for a hi-hat stand with only two legs, or one that has three legs that can swivel, so that you can adjust them to create the space you need.
Studio or Stage
As a drummer, you can either be performing on stage or rendering your services in a studio recording session.
There are hi-hat stands that will be well suited to either setting. For studio recording, you need hi-hat stands that make less sound when you press the pedal. You need the only sound coming from the hi-hat stand to be front the hi-hat cymbals only.
You don't want the pedal noise or other rattling sound to be recorded by the studio's sensitive mics.
Mobility
If you're a touring drummer that plays different venues every week, you will surely have to love your stuff around a lot. Some hi-hat stands make this easy while others don't. If you're moving around a lot, you should go for hi-hat stands that are easy to dismantle and set up, easy to carry around, and doesn't have a lot of small parts that can easily get missing.
There are some solid stands that are also lightweight. These would be a good pick for you. If your drums are set up in the studio or you don't move them around at all, you can go for the heavier ones. They will last long and they're more versatile; you can use them to play heavy sounding genres and the quieter ones.
![The Best Double Bass Pedal – Look No Further [2020 Reviews]](https://cajonguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/best-double-bass-pedal-comparisons-and-reviews--150x150.png)
![5 Best Evans Drum Heads [Reviews]](https://cajonguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Pack-150x150.jpg)
Recent Guides:
