modifying hi hat stand for older small-hole cymbals?

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hardbat

hardbat

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I have some older hi hat cymbals with small holes. I would like to make them work on my more modern hi hat stand(s), without enlarging the holes.

I have the clutch covered (an old Gretsch clutch that seems to fit fine on the newer stands.

However, the bottom cymbal won't fit over the plastic base, as the plastic tubing is too fat. Is there a replacement base piece available with smaller diameter center tube, that would fit on a newer stand? I have two stands - a Gibralter and a Tama (both single-braced).

thanks!
 
You can buy replacement HH cups from Gibraltar and other sources but I'm not sure which, if any, might accommodate a smaller center hole.
 
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If you are not against modding, just take a hand file and file that plastic post around the outside to make it smaller.
 
it's a pain--- i used to get this problem a lot with pick-up sets and hardware-- even on ride cymbals occasionally. a lot of club hardware's made for heavy duty survival, so generally i put more felts up on the hi hat base . but you could cut the tube right off with a saw blade ---the bottom hat sits fine without it , and without much movement to keyhole it. but the answer is to just open the holes up a bit on the cymbals with a file. not exactly sacrilege, but close,...,.,.or for home playing just make sure you have one of those lovely old hi hat pedals. who needs these high-standing, heavy hernia -inducing things ??
 
Once I hit a gig with my swell new (to me!) 13 " trans-stamp hat pair and my swell new Gibraltar hi-hat stand. Bad moment ..... of course, the bottom cymbal would not fit on the cup stem. So, I appealed to the (small) audience: anyone got a "real" knife? Y' know, like Crocodile Dundee?? A gal stepped up, opened her bag and pulled out a REALLY sharp 6" blade folder. This worked a treat, but ...... the challenge was to whittle the stem down evenly by degrees, patiently avoiding slicing off a finger or two (necessary for proper stick control).

If I'd been on top of this, I'd have turned the stem down on my lathe ......

Mike
 
Help
I have this issue with a yamaha stand, I can file down or cut down the plastic post on seat portion but the clutch is also too thick and it is of course metal and has treading that needs to remain.
Does anyone know of a clutch that is small enough to work with older cymbals but fit over the modern center rod. I found a vintage clutch but it would not fit on the rod for the yamaha.
 
Thanks, I will get down to harborfreight this weekend and get that tool. One of the hats is a 15" late 40s Kcon paired with a trans 1 stamp A and I really want to get back to playing them, and once I widen them a bit I will.
 
One advantage of using older hi hat stands and clutches (pre-1990 or so) is that you likely won't see this issue. I've never had this problem. All my old Tama and Yamaha stands and clutches handle any Zildjian going back into the 1930's. The newer stuff is based on the notion that "no one" uses smaller hole cymbals anymore (ie 1950's and earlier). The drum makers into the 1980's certainly had to accommodate that possibility.
 
drumgadget said:
Once I hit a gig with my swell new (to me!) 13 " trans-stamp hat pair and my swell new Gibraltar hi-hat stand. Bad moment ..... of course, the bottom cymbal would not fit on the cup stem. So, I appealed to the (small) audience: anyone got a "real" knife? Y' know, like Crocodile Dundee?? A gal stepped up, opened her bag and pulled out a REALLY sharp 6" blade folder. This worked a treat, but ...... the challenge was to whittle the stem down evenly by degrees, patiently avoiding slicing off a finger or two (necessary for proper stick control).

If I'd been on top of this, I'd have turned the stem down on my lathe ......

Mike
Click to expand...
You got guts, man! I would have asked if any of you sweet Ladies in the audience had a nail file and I bet there would have been a line out the door! I would think a few minutes with one of them (a file, that is!), would solve your problem!
 
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