As a session drummer, the gear I need to play a gig changes from artist to artist and genre to genre and that directly affects my set up.

The heaviest part of my gear is the hardware and on the occasions where I’m using multiple cymbals, the hardware case is often heavy enough to be used in the World’s Strongest Man competition. So… naturally when Tama brought out the Roadpro Light Boom Cymbal Stands [HC83BLS] I was intrigued but also skeptical. I’m a big guy and I hit HARD (see photo below) so the thought of having single braced hardware that could stand up to the beating I give my kit didn’t seem plausible.

In Tama’s words: “With single braced legs, Roadpro Light stands are 25% lighter than their standard Roadpro counterparts, making these much easier to transport!”

Playing with Raleigh Ritchie at Glastonbury 2016 - The Sonic Stage | Photography by www.andrewtimms.co.uk

Playing with Raleigh Ritchie at Glastonbury 2016 – The Sonic Stage | Photography by www.andrewtimms.co.uk

I recently picked up a few Light Boom Stands from Tama for the festival run and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much of a beating they can take. I’ve used them to mount 20” ride’s and crashes that are just as big and put them to the test. I expected a little bit of movement or jumping (especially where space was lacking on risers and I couldn’t get as wide a base as I would’ve liked) but to my surprise, they were just as solid as my double braced stands.

Now, I will say that I wouldn’t tempt fate and mount toms etc on the stands as I think that could be a bit too much, however I think if positioned right with a wide base they could stand up to that for the lighter players out there.

All in all I think these stands are perfect for small venues and tech-less gigs where load ins are tricky… Them being 25% lighter is noticeable and if the whole collection of stands were of this model, you’d really feel the difference. However, with that said, these stands hold up on the road, can take a bashing and can be trusted to deliver night after night… Hardware really doesn’t get any more reliable or stronger than Tama’s, but that’s no surprise from The Strongest Name In Drums. Tama’s Roadpro Light Boom Cymbal Stand… Any Good? HELL YEAH!!!

My kit set up at MTV Crashes Plymouth 2016 - Front view

My kit set up at MTV Crashes Plymouth 2016 – Front view

Roadpro Light Boom Cymbal Stand Spec:

  • 25% Light Weight Compared with Roadpro double braced leg model
  • 25.4mm Diameter Base Section Tubing
  • Quick-Set Tilter
  • Quick-Set Cymbal Mate
  • Boom/Straight Convertible Tilter
  • Glide-Tite Grip Joint
  • Single Braced Legs
  • Boom Arm Length: 400mm (15 3/4”)
Roadpro Light Boom Cymbal Stand HC83BLS

Roadpro Light Boom Cymbal Stand HC83BLS

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