How to Set up a Boom Cymbal Stand

Setting up a drum set actually involves a lot of parts and assembly, and the boom cymbal stand is one of the more complicated pieces in your set. However, setting up a boom cymbal stand isn't really that hard when you get used to setting up. A series of quick actions will get the stand correctly positioned for adding a crash cymbal.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Set up the tripod stand. In setting up the boom cymbal stand, you're dealing with a series of metal knobs, usually tab shaped, that hold your stand in position. The first of these knobs is located at the base of your three-leg tripod system (at the bottom of the stand). Loosen the knob, open the tripod to the desired width and tighten the knob back up again to lock your tripod stand into place.

2. Use the knobs along the main base of the stand to get the height you want, by loosening, extending the stand and then tightening the knobs again. Lots of stands have multiple height controls.

3. Loosen the knob that holds the "boom arm" (horizontal top portion of the stand). Put the boom arm where you want the cymbal positioned within your drum set, then tighten the knob to lock in the boom arm.

4. Move the "angler," a small piece at the end of the boom arm that will hold the cymbal at particular slant.

5. Take off the top piece at the top of the cymbal stand and fit the cymbal on, then put the top piece back in place to hold the cymbal.

Tips & Warnings

• Before adding the cymbal, do a quick visual check, envisioning where the cymbal will be. Is it intruding into your toms and other drums in just the right way? In some cases, moving the tripod base will get the result you want. Otherwise, go back and adjust the boom arm or angler.
• Keep your drum set gear in "kits." Use one bag for cymbal stands, one for toms and snare and one for kick bass parts. Categorizing the parts will make it easier to set up quickly.