Hauling gear around is one of the few downsides of being a drummer. The equipment is usually heavy and takes up a lot of space. Many times, you’ll break a sweat before the show even starts! That’s why lightweight drum hardware is such a benefit. It makes the worst part of playing gigs easier.
This is a list of what we think are the best lightweight drum hardware options. They’re not necessarily the absolute lightest hardware you can buy (those are often chintzy), and they may not have the most features (features usually add weight). Instead, these are stands with a good mix of portability, durability, and functionality. There’s a pack included in the list, along with some individual stands. That way, you can lighten your load with one or two items, or buy a whole matching set.
On with the list! These are our picks for the best lightweight drum hardware.
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Yamaha HW3 Crosstown
Hardware Pack
The Yamaha HW-3 Crosstown hardware pack is a game-changer in the drum industry. The company rethought hardware from the ground up when they designed this pack, showcasing their expertise in metallic engineering. Made almost entirely of aluminum, these stands often surprise drummers when they first lift them up. While it’s not a pack for every drummers’ situation, most players can make their gigging lives a lot easier with an HW-3.
The entire Yamaha HW-3 pack weighs about 17 pounds. To put that in perspective, one DW 9000 boom stand weighs around 12 pounds. Those models are made for different purposes, of course, but it demonstrates how light the HW-3 stands are. Broken down, the cymbal stands each weigh 3.3 pounds, the hi-hat stand weighs 4.8 pounds, and the snare stand weighs 3.3 pounds. The included bag fills out the remaining overall weight.
Of course, lightness often results in cheap products with drum gear. There are plenty of student-level stands that are light, but they’re also flimsy and poorly made. The HW-3 is high-quality. The fittings are solid and the adjustments are smooth. Each stand does what most drummers need, while making transport simple. There are limitations to consider, as well. The cymbals stands are straight and the hi-hat stand legs don’t swivel. Harder-hitting drummers are also probably better off with heavier stands.
For gigging drummers who play at medium or light volumes, the HW-3 pack could be a great investment. These stands provide a surprising amount of support, especially with the legs spread wide. They’re great for smaller clubs, jazz and dinner gigs, or anywhere else you just need a straightforward hardware setup. You’ll enjoy loading times a lot more than you’re used to.
DW 6700
Boom Cymbal Stand
If you’re looking for a very functional light boom cymbal stand, the DW 6700 series is our favorite. It’s certainly not cheap, but it’s well-built, has great adjustments, and folds up very tight. It’s also under 6 pounds, which makes it an easy lift. The standard 6700 shouldn’t be confused with DW’s Ultralight series boom, which looks similar. While that version is lighter, we feel it’s only appropriate for very low volumes and light cymbals.
The standard 6700 boom is much more versatile. It can even handle heavy ride cymbals, albeit with a very slight sway if played hard enough. Most of the time, drummers won’t notice any movement. As long as the boom arm is positioned about one of the legs, you’ll get solid support, no matter what type of cymbal might be on the stand. There’s even a memory lock for some added assurance.
One of the biggest perks of flat-based stands is positioning. Flat-based stand legs can sneak underneath a bass drum shell, bringing the stand closer to a drummer. Usually, tripod bases keep the stand at a distance. The benefit of flat-based is particularly evident when using one rack tom. In those cases, you’ll be able to put your ride cymbal in a very comfortable position, then fine-tune with the boom arm. Flat base designs can also clean up the look of a drum set.
The major downside to the DW 6700 is cost. It comes with very high quality and usability, but less-expensive options certainly fit more budgets. Gibraltar makes a nice alternative, with their flat-based 8709 model. It doesn’t have quite the adjustment features of the DW, such as the sophisticated tilter, but the Gibraltar is a very good value if you’re OK with a simpler design.
Tama Stagemaster
Straight Cymbal Stand
The Tama HC42SN Stagemaster cymbal stand is a good option for drummers who want a very basic design. Straight stands with a tripod base are very simple, and single-braced legs keep this stand around only 5 pounds. Plus, the legs pack up a bit tighter when fitting your gear into a hardware bag compared to double-braced styles.
Design simplicity also keeps costs down. This stand is very affordable for being a name brand, and that value is one of the reasons we included it on this list. It’s affordable, but still of good enough quality for most playing situations. Most drummers could use this with just about any cymbal to play at low to medium volumes without a problem. Harder hitters should consider stands in the medium to heavy range.
Even with the HC42SN’s affordable price, this cymbal stand has a couple of nice features. It has 3 tiers, giving you a wide range of heights to choose from. The included top wing nut is Tama’s quick-release QC8, making it very easy to put on and remove cymbals. The height-adjustment wing bolts are also very ergonomic, which is something Tama has improved the past few years.
Overall, the Stagemaster single-braced straight stand is not only popular among drummers looking for practice gear, but for those looking to lighten their load during transport. When this stand is folded up, it’s very compact. At its light weight, it’s easy to carry. While not for every drummer, the Stagemaster stand is an inexpensive way to make your gigs a bit easier.
Gibraltar 4706
Snare Stand
Lightweight snare drum stands can be tricky. It’s nice to have something easy to carry, but you don’t want something that tips too easily. Finding the right balance partially depends on the snare drums you’ll use and how wide you want to spread the base of the stand. The Gibraltar 4706 is our pick for a lightweight snare stand that’s still supportive enough for most drummers.
Like some of the other stands on this list, the lightness of this Gibraltar stand comes from simplicity. It doesn’t have many features, and the parts are thinner than most medium-weight models. However, the Gibraltar is easy to use, and it should do the job in most situations. It’s also fairly affordable.
This stand has an overall weight of just over 5 pounds and it packs up very compactly. The tilter has a standard toothed design. The wing nuts are the same style seen on most of Gibraltar’s stands, which are very ergonomic and comfortable to use. It should be noted that while the base is double-braced, it’s quite light. If you use a heavy snare drum or like to keep your snare stand legs particularly narrow, a heavier stand might be better for you.
Although Gibraltar makes more than hardware, they’re mainly a hardware company. Most of the gear they make is good for the money, and this snare stand is no exception. It would be a good choice if you want something simple, affordable, and light, while still being able to handle a moderate amount of aggressiveness.
Tama Stagemaster
Hi-Hat Stand
Tama’s Stagemaster line has another good lightweight option in their single-braced hi-hat stand. At just over 6 pounds, it’s significantly lighter than most hi-hat stands on the market. It’s packs up tight, as well, with a traditional wire base and slim tripod legs.
This hi-hat stand isn’t sophisticated. It’s on this list because it’s light and has good enough performance and features for most playing situations. The major downside of this stand is the lack of tension adjustment. The feel out of the box is in the middle range, so most players should be happy with it. However, if you want a stand with tension adjustment, the Tama’s Iron Cobra 200 includes that feature for only a bit more money. We would have included that stand on this list, but it’s a couple of pounds heavier than the Stagemaster model.
If you’re OK with a standard feel, the Stagemaster single-braced hi-hat stand is good for the money. It has a couple of nice features. The legs can swivel, allowing you set up your adjacent stands easily. The angle adjustment is nice for the price range, with the same type of design Tama uses on their professional series. The included memory lock is also very handy for setting up.
Overall, the Tama Stagemaster hi-hat stand is a straightforward model that’s easy to move around. It’s probably not the best stand for drummers who won’t move it around much, since you can get something heavier with tension adjustment for about the same price. For drummers who want to lighten their hardware bags, though, this Stagemaster stand will help you lose a few pounds.
Wrap-Up
Those are our picks for the best lightweight drum hardware. Moving drum gear around is never fun, but you can make the job a lot easier with the right gear. Whether you incorporate a single stand or go with a full lightweight hardware set, your back and legs will thank you!
By Peter Treuden – About the Author
Want to make your gigs even easier? Check out our picks for Best Compact Drum Sets!