Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand Review: The Game-Changer for Modern Drum Setups
If you have ever played a double bass drum pedal, you know the literal “foot-space” nightmare that occurs on the left side of your drum kit. For years, I struggled with the traditional tripod design of standard hi-hat stands. The third leg always seemed to be exactly where my slave pedal needed to live. I’ve spent countless soundchecks trying to awkwardly tuck one leg over a pedal or angling the stand so far away that my hi-hats felt like they were in a different zip code. It’s a frustrating compromise that affects your posture, your balance, and ultimately, your playing. This is precisely why the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand exists. It isn’t just another piece of hardware; it is a specialized tool designed to reclaim that vital floor real estate without sacrificing the rock-solid stability we demand as drummers. Failing to solve this positioning issue leads to muscle strain and sloppy footwork, which is why we decided to put this specific model to the test.
- Quick-Release Hi-Hat Clutch
- Composite Memory Lock
What to Consider Before Buying a Cymbal Hi-Hat Stand
A Cymbal Hi-Hat Stand is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for the foundation of your rhythm. It acts as the mechanical interface between your foot and the most expressive cymbals in your kit. A poor stand feels “mushy,” moves around during a performance, or—worst of all—tips over during a heavy groove. When you invest in a high-quality stand, you are buying consistency. You want the pedal to respond instantly to your touch, and you need the height and tilt adjustments to stay exactly where you set them, gig after gig. In my experience, a stand that lacks a solid base or a smooth hinge will eventually lead to drummer fatigue, as you’ll find yourself fighting the equipment rather than playing the music.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a drummer who uses a double bass pedal or a multi-pedal setup (like adding a cowbell or tambourine pedal to the left of the hats). It is also perfect for gigging professionals who need a medium-weight stand that balances portability with professional-grade durability. However, it might not be suitable for those who prefer the ultra-lightweight “flat-base” vintage-style hardware for jazz gigs, where heavy-duty stability is less of a priority than weight savings. If you are a heavy hitter playing metal or hard rock, you specifically need to look at the bracing and footboard design of the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand to ensure it can handle the punishment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the footprint of the base when the legs are fully deployed. A two-leg stand naturally saves space, but you still need to ensure the base plate and the legs don’t collide with your snare stand or secondary pedals. Check if the legs swivel, as this adds a massive amount of flexibility to your layout.
- Capacity/Performance: Look for the type of drive system (chain vs. strap) and the adjustability of the spring tension. A professional stand should allow you to dial in the “heaviness” of the pedal to match your playing style, whether you want a light, flappy response or a tight, snappy closure.
- Materials & Durability: Chrome-plated steel is the standard for a reason, but the quality of the welds and the thickness of the tubing matter. Double-braced legs are essential for a two-leg design to prevent the stand from wobbling toward the drummer during heavy use.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like quick-release clutches and memory locks save significant time during setup. Also, consider the hinge design; needle bearings or high-quality bushings will keep the pedal silent and smooth for years, whereas cheaper hinges will eventually develop a “squeak” that drives sound engineers crazy.
While the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
Our Top Picks for the Most Reliable and Lightweight Hi-Hat Stands for Gigging Drummers
- 【 Heavy Duty Hi-Hat Stand 】- KINGDO hit hat stand are made of sturdy and stable alloy. The hi-hat pedal is responsive,not a tad heavy feeling. The adjustment is simple,locking in place well once...
- UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL: This hi-hat stand is a game-changer for gigging drummers who want to take their performance to the next level.
- Quick-Release Hi-Hat Clutch
First Impressions: Unboxing the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand
When the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand arrived at our studio, the first thing I noticed was the weight. At 9 pounds, it strikes a perfect “Goldilocks” balance—it’s heavy enough to feel professional and sturdy, but it won’t break your back when you’re carrying your hardware bag into a venue. Out of the box, the chrome finish is flawless, reflecting the high manufacturing standards we’ve come to expect from the DW (Drum Workshop) family. Assembly was incredibly straightforward; I had the stand fully built and ready for cymbals in under three minutes. The needle bearing hinge on the XF extended footboard felt buttery smooth right from the start, and the quick-release clutch is a sophisticated touch that you usually only see on much more expensive flagship models. It feels like a premium piece of kit that punches well above its price bracket, making it a very attractive option to check the latest price and availability for your own setup.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional stability for a two-leg design, thanks to the heavy-duty base plate.
- XF Extended Footboard provides a larger surface area for varied foot techniques.
- Swivel legs allow for effortless integration with double bass pedals.
- Quick-release hi-hat clutch makes cymbal changes and pack-down incredibly fast.
Limitations
- The pull-rod (varilla) does not retract into the main tube for transport.
- The plastic component on the clutch may be a weak point for extreme heavy hitters.
A Deep Dive into the Performance of the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand
To truly understand if the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand lives up to the hype, we took it through several weeks of rigorous testing, including rehearsal sessions and live performances. As a first-person evaluator, I was looking for three specific things: stability, responsiveness, and ergonomic flexibility. Here is how it performed in the field.
The Two-Leg Stability Paradox
The biggest concern most drummers have when moving from a three-leg stand to a two-leg stand is stability. Will it tip over? We found that the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand handles this beautifully through a combination of a solid steel base plate and double-braced legs. When you push down on the pedal, the force is directed into the base plate, which acts as a “third leg” of sorts. I tested this by playing heavy 15-inch hats and digging in with a heavy foot. The stand didn’t budge. Even when I intentionally leaned into the hats, the oversized anti-slip feet gripped the drum rug tenaciously. As one user noted, “it’s actually very sturdy” despite the missing leg, and our testing confirms this. This stability is a feature that really sets it apart from cheaper two-leg alternatives that tend to wobble or “walk” across the floor during a set. If you’ve been hesitant about the two-leg design, this model is the perfect entry point to see its full feature set and user reviews for yourself.
The XF Extended Footboard Experience
One of the standout features we analyzed was the XF Extended Footboard. For drummers who use heel-toe techniques or those with larger feet, standard footboards can often feel cramped. The extended length on the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand provides more leverage and a smoother “throw.” I particularly enjoyed the needle bearing hinge. Unlike traditional pinned hinges that can develop side-to-side play and annoying squeaks over time, the needle bearing design remains tight and silent. This is a “pro-level” spec that PDP has brought down to the 800 series. Whether I was playing tight, crisp “chick” sounds or sloshy, half-open rock grooves, the pedal felt connected to my foot. There is no lag in the chain drive, and the spring tension adjustment allows you to customize the resistance to your exact preference. It’s rare to find this level of tactile response in a mid-tier stand.
Swivel Legs and Setup Versatility
The true “magic” of the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand is the swivel leg mechanism. In our testing, we purposefully set up a crowded left side with a double bass pedal and an auxiliary percussion pedal. By loosening the leg bolt, we were able to rotate the two legs to an angle that cleared the other pedals while still maintaining the stand’s center of gravity. This versatility is a lifesaver on tiny club stages where every inch of floor space is a premium. We found that you can easily place this hi-hat anywhere you need it without the legs dictating your setup. This is a massive ergonomic benefit that reduces strain on your hips and back because you can place your feet in their natural resting positions. If you are struggling with a “cluttered” kit, you should view the current pricing for this solution, as it significantly improves the quality of your drumming life.
Hardware Details and Road-Ready Construction
Finally, we looked at the small details that make or break a piece of hardware over a long tour. The composite memory lock is a great addition, ensuring your height settings stay consistent every time you set up. The quick-release clutch is another highlight; it uses a locking nut mechanism that is far faster and more secure than traditional threaded nuts that tend to spin off mid-song. However, we did note a point of caution: one user mentioned that the plastic part of the clutch broke during a heavy set. While we didn’t experience this in our testing, we recommend that extremely heavy-hitting “power” drummers carry a spare metal clutch just in case. Beyond that, the chrome plating is thick and looks like it will resist pitting and rust for years. The stand folds down into a relatively compact shape, though as one user pointed out, the pull-rod doesn’t slide into the tube, so you’ll need to be careful not to bend it when it’s in your hardware bag. Overall, the build quality is exceptionally high for this price point.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general consensus among the drumming community is that the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand is a “steal” for the price. We’ve analyzed dozens of reports, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, particularly from those who have recently switched to double bass setups. One user highlighted that it was the “perfect solution” for their positioning issues, emphasizing that it remains “perfectly sturdy.” Another reviewer who uses a digital kit mentioned that they love it for their TD-27 setup, noting that it’s “nicely weighted and feels like it’ll go the distance.”
On the negative side, the most common critique involves the transportability of the pull-rod and the durability of the clutch under extreme duress. One user experienced a break mid-set during a loud, heavy performance. This suggests that while the stand is professional-grade, those playing at the absolute highest volume levels might want to swap the stock clutch for a heavy-duty all-metal version. However, for 95% of drummers, the included hardware is more than sufficient. The fact that many users mention it is just as stable as a three-legged stand speaks volumes about the engineering behind the 800 series. It’s a highly recommended piece of gear that you can order with confidence.
Comparing the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand to the Competition
1. Meinl Percussion Cymbal Stand Arm
- EASY AUXILIARY HIHAT SETUP: mounts stationary hihats anywhere on your kit with minimal, quick setup; solid chrome plated steel holds everything in place
- WHY IT MATTERS: you can play grooves open handed instead of cross hand; or place an auxiliary hihat/stack next to your main hats to open up your sound—the options are endless
The Meinl Percussion Cymbal Stand Arm is not a standalone hi-hat stand like our main product, but rather an “X-Hat” or auxiliary arm. This is a great alternative for drummers who already have a main hi-hat but want to add a second, closed pair of hats to the right side of their kit (a common setup for metal or fusion drummers). It’s much more compact and attaches to an existing cymbal stand. However, it lacks a foot pedal, so you cannot open or close the hats while playing. If you need a primary stand with pedal control, the Pacific Drum Co. model is the way to go. If you just need a fixed secondary hat, this Meinl arm is a fantastic, space-saving choice.
2. Gibraltar Double Braced Hi-Hat Stand
- UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL: This hi-hat stand is a game-changer for gigging drummers who want to take their performance to the next level.
- PRECISION AND SPEED: The smooth and fast touch pedal board and chain drive system allow for seamless transitions and precision, so you can focus on your playing without any distractions.
The Gibraltar 5707 is a classic, medium-weight, three-legged stand. It is incredibly reliable and often slightly more affordable than the PDP 800 series. However, it features a traditional tripod base. While the legs on the Gibraltar do swivel to help accommodate pedals, you still have that third leg to contend with. In our comparison, the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand offers superior floor clearance for double-pedal users. The Gibraltar is a “workhorse” for standard setups, but it doesn’t solve the ergonomic issues of a crowded left side as elegantly as the PDP 2-leg design does.
3. Meinl Percussion HCS 12″ Trash Cymbal Pair
- UPGRADE FROM STOCK CYMBALS: replaces the flimsy cymbals most entry-level kits include—Meinl HCS sounds real and feels solid
- WHY IT MATTERS: better sound makes practice more fun—and durable brass stands up to regular playing
This is an interesting alternative for those looking for a specific sound rather than a hardware solution. The Meinl HCS 12″ Trash Stack is a pair of cymbals designed to be mounted on a hi-hat stand or a stacker. If you find that a standard 14″ hi-hat setup is too bulky or loud for your specific gigging needs, switching to these smaller, “trashy” hats on the Pacific Drum Co. 800 series stand would create a very unique, compact, and modern-sounding auxiliary setup. While they aren’t a stand themselves, they represent the type of specialized gear that benefits greatly from a high-quality, stable two-leg stand.
The Final Verdict: Is the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand Worth It?
After putting the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand through its paces, I can confidently say it is one of the best value-for-money hardware upgrades a drummer can make. It solves the very real problem of “pedal clutter” with an elegant, stable, and smooth-operating design. While it has a few minor quirks—like the non-retractable rod and the plastic clutch nut—the benefits far outweigh these small inconveniences. The XF extended footboard and the needle bearing hinge provide a playing experience that feels like it belongs on a stand twice this price. It’s sturdy, professional, and looks great on stage.
If you are a double-bass player, a gigging drummer looking to lighten your load, or simply someone who wants more control over their kit layout, this stand is a “must-buy.” It offers the stability of a tripod with the footprint of a bipod, giving you the best of both worlds. Don’t let a cramped setup hold back your playing any longer. We highly recommend that you pick up the Pacific Drum Co. 800 Series Two Legs Hi-Hat Stand today and feel the difference that a professional, space-saving design makes for your drumming posture and performance.
Last update on 2026-07-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API