Drumming Tips and Drumming Techniques: Drumming Articles

Cymbal Mounting Springs - Good or Bad?

Most drummers mount their cymbals onto their stands using the stock mounts provided (i.e., a plastic "stopper" base, plastic sleeve, felt washer below, felt washer above, and a wing-nut to hold everything in place). Although this system has been around for many years - and can work well - it does have flaws. For example, once (especially "crash" cymbals) striking hard can result in bending and/or cracking around the mounting hole (because this is where the greatest concentration of forces is, and even a plastic sleeve can be easily cut). Cymbals aren't cheap either, and cracking is hard to stop from spreading over time.

Conversely, if a cymbal is mounted too loosely, then accomplishing quick multiple hits can be difficult. And the traditional method of cymbal mounting requires a good "touch" between wing nut tension, felt pad thickness, the type of plastic insert used, and proper cymbal striking technique. This is not the case with cymbal spring mounts. They can also help extend the life of your drum sticks.

Since I generally use 16 to 18-inch diameter, thin to medium-thin crash cymbals, I usually use spring mounts on all cymbals of this size of larger - for heavier playing (not splash cymbals though). In doing this, I have never had cymbal cracking occur (even when "really" heavy-handed players have sat in on my kit). Amazingly, most drummers I know have never seen or heard of spring mounts for cymbals? But they want them in their arsenal once try them.  They're actually known as "Cymbal Springs" (if I remember correctly).  And they are made by Aquarian.

They are quite effective if used properly. All you have to do is remove your old mount hardware and slip the cymbal spring assembly over bare shaft of the stand. Next, you tighten down a screw that press-fits the assembly into place (without marring the existing threads). Once attached, you place the cymbal over the lower rubber washer that's attached to a heavy gauge spring, and tighten the upper rubber and felt washer down onto the cymbal. Now, when you strike your cymbal, the spring moves WITH the entire cymbal. Now, rather than the cymbal grinding/cutting against a plastic sleeve on a metal shaft, it is held in pace from the top and bottom. So, the amount of cymbal swing per strike is significantly reduced.

I believe there are three reasons why more drummers don't use this device. First, it's an added cost to the stand, second, they are not very well marketed, and third, critics state that this system reduces the natural ring of the cymbal.

As for the last point, I have noticed this is true if you use the mount system "as is" on smaller diameter cymbals. However, there's actually an easy solution to this for any cymbal; you simply place a small diameter piece of felt against the top and bottom of the clasping system. This reduces the damping effect of the standard mount's rubber washers - while still providing the benefits of the mounting system. The choking issue goes away, and the cymbal can ring as naturally as ever. You will also add years to the life of your cymbals (even ones that are already cracked) as well as your drumsticks. 

Check them out for yourself.

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