What is included in the PDP Cymbal Felts & Cymbal Seat Kit?

The kit contains a total of six pieces. These consist of three large felts, two small felts, and one cymbal seat for mounting on the stand tilter.

Will these felts fit cymbal stands from other brands?

Yes, the PDP Cymbal Felts and seat are designed to be universal. They fit onto virtually any standard cymbal stand or cymbal accessory mount regardless of the manufacturer.

Why is it important to use felts on a cymbal stand?

Felts are essential for protecting cymbals from metal-to-metal contact with the stand. This prevents physical damage like keyholing and avoids unpleasant rattling sounds.

How does this kit affect the sound of my cymbals?

By isolating the cymbal from the metal stand, the felts eliminate mechanical noise and allow the cymbal to vibrate naturally. This results in a cleaner tone and better sustain.

Can I use these for hi-hat cymbals like the Paiste Giant Beat 14"?

While these are standard felts for crash, ride, and effect cymbals, they can be used for the bottom cymbal seat of many hi-hat stands. However, specific hi-hat clutch felts are usually smaller.

What is the purpose of the cymbal seat included in the kit?

The cymbal seat is a plastic base that sits on the metal tilter of the stand. It provides a level platform for the felt to rest on and prevents the cymbal from touching the metal post.

Are the large and small felts meant to be used together?

Usually, one felt is placed below the cymbal and one above. You can mix the large and small sizes depending on how much movement you want the cymbal to have.

How often should cymbal felts be replaced?

Felts should be replaced when they become compressed, hard, or flattened. This ensures they continue to provide adequate cushioning and don't 'choke' the cymbal's sound.

Is this kit suitable for heavy ride cymbals like the Masterwork Iris 21"?

Yes, the large felts included in the PDP kit are ideal for supporting the weight of larger, heavier ride cymbals. They provide a stable and secure foundation.

Does this kit work with low-volume cymbals?

Yes, it is compatible with low-volume cymbal packs, such as those from Gear4Music. Protection is just as important for low-volume practice cymbals as it is for standard ones.

Can these felts prevent 'keyholing'?

Yes, by keeping the cymbal centred and cushioned away from the metal threads of the stand, these felts significantly reduce the risk of the centre hole wearing into a 'keyhole' shape.

What is the typical price for this 6-piece kit?

The kit typically retails for approximately £13 in the UK. This makes it an affordable maintenance item for any drummer's hardware bag.

Gear article

PDP Cymbal Felts & Cymbal Seat Kit (6-Piece)

The PDP Cymbal Felts & Cymbal Seat Kit is a 6-piece utility set designed to secure cymbals and prevent damage from metal-to-metal contact on drum hardware. Produced by Pacific Drums and Percussion (PDP), the kit includes a combination of large and small felts alongside a replacement cymbal seat to ensure compatibility with various stand types.

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Overview

The PDP Cymbal Felts & Cymbal Seat Kit is a comprehensive maintenance solution for drummers. It serves the critical function of isolating the cymbal from the hard metal surfaces of a cymbal stand or accessory mount. By providing a soft buffer, the kit prevents 'keyholing' and other structural damage to the cymbal's centre hole while ensuring the instrument can vibrate freely.

Kit Components and Design

The kit is comprised of six specific items intended to provide versatility across different hardware configurations:

Three Large Felts: Typically used at the base of the cymbal to provide a stable foundation.
Two Small Felts: Often utilised on the top of the cymbal or for smaller splash cymbals where less surface contact is desired.
One Cymbal Seat: A plastic or composite cup that sits directly on the stand's tilter to support the felts.

These components are designed to fit virtually any standard cymbal stand or accessory arm, making them a universal utility for drummers regardless of their primary hardware brand.

Acoustic and Protective Benefits

Without proper felts, a cymbal resting directly on a metal stand produces unwanted mechanical noise and rattling, which is particularly detrimental in recording environments. The PDP kit eliminates this metal-to-metal contact, resulting in a cleaner decay and a more natural tone. Beyond sound, the felts are essential for preserving the longevity of professional-grade cymbals, such as those from the Meinl Byzance or Paiste Giant Beat series, which represent a significant financial investment.

Compatibility and Use Cases

This 6-piece kit is suitable for a wide range of cymbal types, from standard crash and ride cymbals like the Masterwork Iris 21 Ride to specialised effects cymbals. While specifically branded by PDP, the sizing adheres to industry standards, allowing it to be used with Gear4Music low-volume packs, Istanbul Agop epoch crashes, or high-end UFIP hi-hats if the mounting hardware requires standard felts.

Maintenance and Replacement

Cymbal felts are considered consumable items in drumming. Over time, they become compressed, hardened, or soiled with stick dust and metal shavings, which reduces their effectiveness. Replacing old, worn felts with the PDP kit restores the proper suspension of the cymbal, ensuring that the instrument is not choked by over-tightening or damaged by lack of cushioning.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the PDP Cymbal Felts & Cymbal Seat Kit?: The kit contains a total of six pieces. These consist of three large felts, two small felts, and one cymbal seat for mounting on the stand tilter.
Will these felts fit cymbal stands from other brands?: Yes, the PDP Cymbal Felts and seat are designed to be universal. They fit onto virtually any standard cymbal stand or cymbal accessory mount regardless of the manufacturer.
Why is it important to use felts on a cymbal stand?: Felts are essential for protecting cymbals from metal-to-metal contact with the stand. This prevents physical damage like keyholing and avoids unpleasant rattling sounds.
How does this kit affect the sound of my cymbals?: By isolating the cymbal from the metal stand, the felts eliminate mechanical noise and allow the cymbal to vibrate naturally. This results in a cleaner tone and better sustain.
Can I use these for hi-hat cymbals like the Paiste Giant Beat 14"?: While these are standard felts for crash, ride, and effect cymbals, they can be used for the bottom cymbal seat of many hi-hat stands. However, specific hi-hat clutch felts are usually smaller.
What is the purpose of the cymbal seat included in the kit?: The cymbal seat is a plastic base that sits on the metal tilter of the stand. It provides a level platform for the felt to rest on and prevents the cymbal from touching the metal post.
Are the large and small felts meant to be used together?: Usually, one felt is placed below the cymbal and one above. You can mix the large and small sizes depending on how much movement you want the cymbal to have.
How often should cymbal felts be replaced?: Felts should be replaced when they become compressed, hard, or flattened. This ensures they continue to provide adequate cushioning and don't 'choke' the cymbal's sound.
Is this kit suitable for heavy ride cymbals like the Masterwork Iris 21"?: Yes, the large felts included in the PDP kit are ideal for supporting the weight of larger, heavier ride cymbals. They provide a stable and secure foundation.
Does this kit work with low-volume cymbals?: Yes, it is compatible with low-volume cymbal packs, such as those from Gear4Music. Protection is just as important for low-volume practice cymbals as it is for standard ones.
Can these felts prevent 'keyholing'?: Yes, by keeping the cymbal centred and cushioned away from the metal threads of the stand, these felts significantly reduce the risk of the centre hole wearing into a 'keyhole' shape.
What is the typical price for this 6-piece kit?: The kit typically retails for approximately £13 in the UK. This makes it an affordable maintenance item for any drummer's hardware bag.