New to drums,
Just curious if it is hard on the springs in a Ludwig hi-hat stand to support the upper hi-hat in between playing? What is the convention for storing them? Disconnect the Upper hi-hat from the pedal? Leave it alone? I have 15" late 60s hi-hats (Av. Zild), fyi.
Thanks
Surrounded by drummers here! (I am a guitarist.) Interesting question. Guess it really relates to spring rates and metal fatigue over time. That said I've never really had a hi hat spring fail. But I'm sure it happens. If you leave the stand setup with cymbals on it.... I normally loosen the wing nut on the clutch (that tightens to the upper rod) and just let the 2 cymbals rest together with no tension on the spring in the stand. If I'm storing the stand I'll take the cymbals off it, fold up the legs and stash it in the closet. For extended storing I'll break it down all the way as if it's going in a trap case. I have a cheap cymbal bag I keep the cymbals not being used in. I put a old T shirt over each one so they don't rub together as my bag does not have seperate sleeves to seperate them.
It is probably a good idea to release the clutch when not in use so as to not continually rely on the spring. I've never had a spring failure either but it is not difficult to release the tension on the spring so why not.
If I am working with a case that is large enough to leave a hi-hat stand assembled then I do. I pull the upper tube out as far as possible to protect the pull rod from being bent and that tends to work extremely well.
Good question and merry Christmas!
Surrounded by drummers here! (I am a guitarist.) I always release the hat and the snare strainer too. Probably not a big deal but has to reduce wear, probably negligibly. Also less background sound.
I've been using a pearl 880 HH stand since 1987 when it was new & never had a problem . & it has pearl WILD hh cyms on it now.(they sound like PAISTE RUDEs)...from 86-2009 I had sabian Flat hats on it......
Like Tillerva, I release the clutch and the snares on stay at home drums. Both make sense for keeping the springs springy and the strainer unstrained. Releasing the strainer also makes for less sympathetic buzzing from the drum set.
Storing or packing for shipping, I disassemble the top and bottom halves of the hat, and stow them with the clutch attached to the rod. Oh yeah, I keep the rod inside the top tube, to protect it from bending. Sounds anal, but just routine stuff.
Like Tillerva, I release the clutch and the snares on stay at home drums. Both make sense for keeping the springs springy and the strainer unstrained. Releasing the strainer also makes for less sympathetic buzzing from the drum set.Storing or packing for shipping, I disassemble the top and bottom halves of the hat, and stow them with the clutch attached to the rod. Oh yeah, I keep the rod inside the top tube, to protect it from bending. Sounds anal, but just routine stuff.
My kit is always set up and I do exactly the same thing. It takes no time at all to reset the cluth and engage the strainer. I use a Ludwig Atlas II hi-hat stand, Model L-1126 B/O Label. My hats are 15" Avedis Zildjian (early '60's).
