What is the length of the Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm?

The main tube of this specific Gibraltar boom arm is 10 inches long. This compact size makes it ideal for adding cymbals in tight spaces without the bulk of a full stand.

Does this product include a clamp for mounting?

No, the clamp required to attach this boom arm to an existing stand is sold separately. You will need a multi-clamp or rack clamp to secure it to your hardware.

What type of tilter does this arm use?

It uses a ratchet tilter mechanism. This design utilizes interlocking teeth to provide a secure, stepped adjustment for the angle of the cymbal.

Can I use this for a heavy ride cymbal?

While it can hold various cymbals like a Masterwork Iris 21 Ride, its stability depends largely on the strength of the clamp and the base stand it is attached to. It is most commonly used for crashes and splashes.

How much does the Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm Ratchet Tilter typically cost?

The typical price range for this hardware component is approximately £50. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock levels.

Is the boom arm adjustable for both forward and backward tilt?

Yes, the ratchet tilter allows you to tilt the cymbal forwards or backwards. This ensures you can find the perfect angle for your specific playing style and reach.

Can this arm be used with low volume cymbals?

Yes, it is perfectly suitable for mounting low volume options, such as the Gear4Music 5pc Low Volume Cymbal Pack. Its lightweight nature complements these practice-oriented cymbals well.

Will this arm fit into a standard drum rack?

Yes, provided you use the appropriate rack clamp. The tube is designed to fit standard percussion clamping systems used by Gibraltar and other major brands.

Is a ratchet tilter better than a gearless tilter?

A ratchet tilter offers fixed increments which prevent slipping during heavy play. However, gearless tilters offer infinite angle adjustment, whereas the ratchet is limited to the positions of the teeth.

What is the primary benefit of using a boom arm instead of a full stand?

The primary benefit is space efficiency. It allows you to add cymbals like the UFIP Class Series 14" Light Hi Hat or various crashes to your kit without adding more tripod legs to your floor space.

Can I mount Hi-Hats on this boom arm?

You can mount static cymbals like Paiste Giant Beat 14" Hi-Hats in a closed position. However, it is not a replacement for a hi-hat stand with a foot pedal mechanism.

What is the manufacturer's description of this product's purpose?

Gibraltar describes it as an efficient way to add a crash or splash to your set-up. It is designed to offer freedom of positioning and maximum playability through its adjustable boom and tilter.

Gear article

Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm Ratchet Tilter

The Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm Ratchet Tilter is a compact hardware accessory designed to expand a drum kit's cymbal configuration without the need for additional full-sized stands. It features a 10-inch main tube and a geared ratchet mechanism for precise positioning of crash or splash cymbals.

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Overview and Functionality

The Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm Ratchet Tilter serves as a space-saving solution for drummers looking to add cymbals, such as the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash or Masterwork Iris 21 Ride, to a pre-existing setup. The unit consists of a vertical tube and a horizontal boom arm connected by a pivot point.

The primary function of this hardware is to mount directly to an existing cymbal stand using a multi-clamp (sold separately). Once clamped, the 10-inch tube provides the necessary height, while the boom arm extends to place the cymbal in the desired reach of the player. This is particularly useful for cramped stages or complex kits where floor space for tripod bases is limited.

Positioning and Adjustment

The core feature of this boom arm is its ratchet tilter. Unlike smooth tilters, the ratchet mechanism uses interlocking teeth to lock the angle securely in place. This allows the player to tilt the cymbal forwards or backwards to achieve maximum playability.

Despite the relatively short 10-inch main tube, the combination of the boom's reach and the tilter's angular range offers significant freedom of movement. It is designed to hold various weights, from lightweight Gear4Music Low Volume Cymbals to heavier professional series like the Paiste Giant Beat 14" Hi-Hats or UFIP Bionic Series 13" Hi-Hats.

Compatibility

As a modular piece of hardware, this boom arm is compatible with most standard drum racks and cymbal stand clamps. It is frequently used to mount smaller effects cymbals, such as splash cymbals or small crashes like the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash.

Because it does not include its own tripod base, users must ensure they have a stable secondary stand or rack system to support the combined weight of the arm and the chosen cymbal. It is suitable for both high-end professional setups and budget-friendly kits using Meinl HCS or UFIP Class Series components.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to full-sized boom stands, the Gibraltar Ratchet Tilter arm is more affordable and portable, typically retailing around £50. It offers a more focused range of motion than long-reach boom arms but provides greater stability for specific placements than simple 'stacker' attachments that thread onto the top of existing cymbal felts. The use of a ratchet rather than a gearless tilter ensures that once the angle is set, it is less likely to slip under heavy hitting.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the length of the Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm?: The main tube of this specific Gibraltar boom arm is 10 inches long. This compact size makes it ideal for adding cymbals in tight spaces without the bulk of a full stand.
Does this product include a clamp for mounting?: No, the clamp required to attach this boom arm to an existing stand is sold separately. You will need a multi-clamp or rack clamp to secure it to your hardware.
What type of tilter does this arm use?: It uses a ratchet tilter mechanism. This design utilizes interlocking teeth to provide a secure, stepped adjustment for the angle of the cymbal.
Can I use this for a heavy ride cymbal?: While it can hold various cymbals like a Masterwork Iris 21 Ride, its stability depends largely on the strength of the clamp and the base stand it is attached to. It is most commonly used for crashes and splashes.
How much does the Gibraltar Cymbal Boom Arm Ratchet Tilter typically cost?: The typical price range for this hardware component is approximately £50. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock levels.
Is the boom arm adjustable for both forward and backward tilt?: Yes, the ratchet tilter allows you to tilt the cymbal forwards or backwards. This ensures you can find the perfect angle for your specific playing style and reach.
Can this arm be used with low volume cymbals?: Yes, it is perfectly suitable for mounting low volume options, such as the Gear4Music 5pc Low Volume Cymbal Pack. Its lightweight nature complements these practice-oriented cymbals well.
Will this arm fit into a standard drum rack?: Yes, provided you use the appropriate rack clamp. The tube is designed to fit standard percussion clamping systems used by Gibraltar and other major brands.
Is a ratchet tilter better than a gearless tilter?: A ratchet tilter offers fixed increments which prevent slipping during heavy play. However, gearless tilters offer infinite angle adjustment, whereas the ratchet is limited to the positions of the teeth.
What is the primary benefit of using a boom arm instead of a full stand?: The primary benefit is space efficiency. It allows you to add cymbals like the UFIP Class Series 14" Light Hi Hat or various crashes to your kit without adding more tripod legs to your floor space.
Can I mount Hi-Hats on this boom arm?: You can mount static cymbals like Paiste Giant Beat 14" Hi-Hats in a closed position. However, it is not a replacement for a hi-hat stand with a foot pedal mechanism.
What is the manufacturer's description of this product's purpose?: Gibraltar describes it as an efficient way to add a crash or splash to your set-up. It is designed to offer freedom of positioning and maximum playability through its adjustable boom and tilter.