Why is the hi-hat rod so long?

[RevWrona]

Does anyone know why the rod on the hi-hat is so long? After I attach my clutch I have eleven extra inches. Would it really matter if the rod was only four inches after the clutch?

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by RevWrona

Does anyone know why the rod on the hi-hat is so long?

Purely so that the hats can be adjusted to varying heights depending on the player. Some guys like 'em down low, others prefer 'em way up in the air. Much like any other cymbal, snare or tom height.....one size does not fit all.

Would it really matter if the rod was only four inches after the clutch?

No.

[Jeremy Bender]

The manufacturer's may do this to compensate for the fact there isn't a height adjustment telescoping tube like the ones found on a cymbal stand. On those stands you can raise or lower the height within a fairly large range. It seems to me the only way to have the range is to a have a long rod.

[Swexx]

Finally someone with the same problem as me!

Though, I've seen a whole lot of players having a really short hihat rod, that continues only a like 1-2 inches above the clutch. They don't seem to have the hihats adjusted especially high.
How is that achievable? Is there something you can adjust inside the stand?
Or have these players just used a saw and cut the extra inches of the rod? What do you think?

[harryconway]

Some companies have rods of different lengths, so you can go "real short" or "real long". If the extra rod gets in your way, or you just don't like the look, a hacksaw can take care of that, real quick.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by Swexx

Though, I've seen a whole lot of players having a really short hihat rod, that continues only a like 1-2 inches above the clutch. They don't seem to have the hihats adjusted especially high.
How is that achievable? Is there something you can adjust inside the stand?
Or have these players just used a saw and cut the extra inches of the rod? What do you think?

Yep, some rods are definitely loger than others. I have two Pearl hat stands and the rod on one is far longer than the rod on the other. Depending on what options the manufacturer has, they are usually an item that can be ordered sperately. If the long one bothers you, see if the manufacturer offers a shorter one. Or mod it yourself and cut it down.

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by Swexx

Finally someone with the same problem as me!

Though, I've seen a whole lot of players having a really short hihat rod, that continues only a like 1-2 inches above the clutch. They don't seem to have the hihats adjusted especially high.
How is that achievable? Is there something you can adjust inside the stand?
Or have these players just used a saw and cut the extra inches of the rod? What do you think?

Yeah, many drummers cut theirs down once they've found a height that they know they'll stick with.

Different manufacturers also make different length rods; with Pearl making the longest ones I know of. The rod on the Pearl H2000 hihat stand is freakishly long!

[Mad About Drums]

"Oh, grandmother, Why is the hi-hat rod so long?"
"The better to adjust your cymbals".




Once you're sure about the setting of your hi-hat's height, nothing stopping you to cut the "extra" bit of rod, leaving enough rod for eventual further adjustement.

I did this to all my hi-hat rods, leaving only about 4" to 6" for adjustements.

[DrumEatDrum]

Because there are people like me who are 6'2" and use pretty much the entire rod.

DW used to sell an extender for people who needed an extra tall hi-hat stand.

Way back when, Mike Terrana had his hi-hat practically above his head:

[caddywumpus]

If you want a shorter rod, but don't want to cut down the manufacturer's rod (for resale or whatever), you can go to a home improvement store and have them cut and thread a rod for you.

[Deathmetalconga]

Originally Posted by RevWrona

Does anyone know why the rod on the hi-hat is so long? After I attach my clutch I have eleven extra inches. Would it really matter if the rod was only four inches after the clutch?

I have chopped mine down to about 1 1/2 inches above the clutch and I have my hats very low, a couple of inches above the snare.

The rods are long because most people put their hats on the opposite side of the body as their hat playing arm, sometimes requiring them to very awkwardly crossing over to reach the hats, which must then be kept far from the snare. Personally I don't think its very ergonomic but I'd say better than 99 percent of drummers play this way.

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by DrumEatDrum

Way back when, Mike Terrana had his hi-hat practically above his head:

I see your Mike Terrana and raise you Col Hatchman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOTkRllJi8

That's a crazy hihat stand (his hats are higher than his crashes!), but the dude can seriously play.

[Bretton]

Jesus crunch cereal that's way up there...

I'm actually planning on having hi-hats on both sides that will be above my crash/rides. but that's 'cause they're going to be at a flat ride level, raised a little for easier crashability. I like having 2 crashes and 2 rides, and I figured my 20" metal crash makes a good enough ride, so it can do double duty, and I'm having Sabian work on a custom one that'll be like a thicker, metal-er omni for the other side.

Hi hats are still only going to be about nipple level though.

[KirbyM]

All of DW's hi-hat stands come with 15" & 21" rods.

[Fuo]

Pearl's come with a 21" rod, but they have a 18" version you can order for like $6.

[MikeM]

I have a DW hi hat stand and many years ago hacksawed it down to an inch or so above where I normally like it. Recently I wanted it higher for a taller set I got. Turns out Guitar Center carries DW hi hat rods so I bought one and I think it was only like 10 bucks.

I say cut it down to where you want it. Want it higher later? Then go get another one! (I still carry the shorter one in my stick bag)

[DrumEatDrum]

Originally Posted by Naigewron

I see your Mike Terrana and raise you Col Hatchman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOTkRllJi8

That's a crazy hihat stand (his hats are higher than his crashes!), but the dude can seriously play.

Dang, that's crazy! LOL!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

where else would you attach your tambourine?

[audiotech]

I like the idea that DW sends two different length rods with their stands. I ended up using the shorter rod. I believe the top rod on my Yamaha stand is a lot shorter than the Pearl or Tama stands.

Dennis

[major_panic]

You can always mount a splash on a hi-hat clutch and fly it above your hats. Saves space and a stand...

[larryace]

My rod was too long and I had to shorten it. It was just too much.

[kettles]

I had to cut the top tube down so I could get the hats nice and low for playing laid back stuff....but I keep the rod long because other times I like the hats to be way up high for more energetic stuff. Works for me.

[Lovetadraw]

I wish pull rod was longer, I wanna put a tambourine and there is no room.

[Zickos]

Originally Posted by Mad About Drums

"Oh, grandmother, Why is the hi-hat rod so long?"
"The better to adjust your cymbals".

I love it! But shouldn't it be "The better to adjust your cymbals, my dear"?

Normally, the rod length is not a problem for me, but on one particular pit job it was in the way. I didn't want to cut mine off for various reason.

A: I might want it taller and they are hard to stretch.

2: I didn't want to mess up the chrome.

I went to my local Ace hardware store with my rod , found a round of the same diameter, a thread die that matched the threads and made one. The most expensive part was the die but I have used it for other purposes. Rod was only a couple of bucks. I think the die was about $8. The whole thing took about 30 min.

[SticksEasy]

It's just for height adjustment - some doorknob cut the rod on my stand down, so I'm forced to play hi hats a few inches shorter than I like until I can afford a new stand for them. The rod was just an inch longer, I'd be satisfied.

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by SticksEasy

The rod was just an inch longer, I'd be satisfied.

That's what she said.

[Mad About Drums]

Originally Posted by Naigewron

That's what she said.

: )

[drumdevil9]

I took a hack saw to mine. No biggie. I left enough room for mounting a tambourine when needed.

Actually my Tama was too long but my Yamaha is fine. Turns out it depends where it connects on the inside. The Tama connection was higher so I cut the rod but the actual rods were the same length.

[Noisivision]

[Autopilot]

I had the exact opposite problem with my DW5000 HH stand. The rod was too short. I went to my local drum shop and they had 3 different lengths. I bought a longer one for $12.

[StickIt]

Because http://youtu.be/ns09x2Qgypg .

Watched this vid yesterday in the Your Playing section...couldn't resist.

[milesmetkodrums27]

For Travis Barker. Ha.

I actually had one of mine cut down cause it was so huge. I play my hi hats lower than average though.

[TTNW]

Originally Posted by larryace

My rod was too long and I had to shorten it. It was just too much.

Originally Posted by Naigewron

That's what she said.

Originally Posted by Mad About Drums

: )

Oh boy I didn't have to scroll too far to see that coming.

Speaking of weird hardware mods. I read that Jose Pasillas from the band Incubus actually shortens the post on his DW thrones. His seat height is around 20 inches.

[ANIMALBEATS]

I like a long rod.

Makes it look like a 1920's structure.

[alparrott]

I cut mine down so that it doesn't interfere with anything else on my left side. I haven't raised or lowered my hi-hats much in twenty-something years, so where I have them is fine for me.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by RevWrona

Does anyone know why the rod on the hi-hat is so long? After I attach my clutch I have eleven extra inches. Would it really matter if the rod was only four inches after the clutch?

That's so our 5' 1" members can mount them over their heads if necessary ;)

[Sjogras]

I cut mine down, leaving about an inch above the hi-hat. Got a big crash above the hats, and it looks more well adjusted I guess.

[audiotech]

Everyone of my hi hat rods are a bit longer than they need to be, all except the rods on my DW 5000 stand since it comes with two different length rods. As long as it's not physically in the way of other cymbals and drums it doesn't bother me a bit. There are many different scenarios that will warrant the use of a longer rod depending on the individual playing the kit and the way the kit is set up. It's better too long than too short.

Dennis

[TColumbia37]

I actually prefer the longer rods. Many people want the option of adding attachments, such as shakers or little tambourine-type deals to their rods. And I play much higher than most people would feel comfortable (Not just obnoxious cymbals in the sky like T-Barker, but everything, including my throne is quite high), so my biggest complaint about stands with shorter rods are that they're too short. I will never buy a stand that doesn't have more than I need, simply for that fact.

[Davo-London]

I'm trying to sell a Mapex hihat stand because it doesn't go low enough!

I found the Tama Road Pro went lower.

As you can imagine I have an extra rod length of maybe 10-12", which looks a bit silly.

Davo