DW MFG MDD Three-Leg Hi-Hat Stand, Cobalt
The MDD HH3 Cobalt is a three-leg, direct pull hi-hat stand, anodized blue. Its spring tension is adjusted vertically, and that setting, far more than the brand of cymbals sitting on it, decides how much effort your left foot has to put in.
What sets it apart
- Vertical spring tension adjustment, V.E.R.T. system
- Left foot effort matched to the repertoire
- Cymbal reopening speed changed by the same tension
- Tripod with rotating legs
- Anodized Cobalt colour
- Direct pull system with selectable action
What spring tension does to your left foot
On a hi-hat stand, the spring is working all the time. It does not return a beater as on a bass drum pedal: it holds the cymbals open, and your foot has to overcome that force every time it wants to close them. Set it too tight and your left thigh is burning by the third song.
The same setting also decides how fast the cymbals reopen. Tight, the hi-hat snaps shut and springs back open crisply; loose, it lets the opening linger and makes dynamics easier to hold. There is no universal right setting, only the one that suits tonight's repertoire.
Adjusting vertically rather than by turning
DW calls this adjustment V.E.R.T.: tension is set along a vertical axis, instead of by stretching an angled spring that changes its angle as well as its length.
You notice the difference in use. Only one parameter moves, the progression stays even from one end of the range to the other, and you stop fumbling between two extremes hoping to land back on what you had before.
Blue on a part that stands tall
A hi-hat stand is not a pedal: its column rises to chest height and sits in the frame of almost every camera, right next to the drummer's left arm.
A bold colour becomes a deliberate visual element there, not just a detail down at floor level. The anodized Cobalt holds up on the tubes you grab at every setup, where chrome plating eventually pits.
Specifications
| Tension | Vertical adjustment, V.E.R.T. system |
|---|---|
| Legs | Three, rotating |
| Finish | Anodized Cobalt |
| Drive | Direct pull, selectable action |
| Clutch | One-Touch, US patent 9601096 |
| Footboard | Cut-out aluminum, machined |
What it is for
- Long gigs where left foot endurance matters
- Repertoire that alternates tight hi-hat and sustained dynamics
- Drummers who find their hi-hat too hard to hold closed
- A blue setup to match the pedals in the line
- Uneven floors, where the tripod keeps all three feet down
Compare with other manufacturers
How other manufacturers adjust the tension of their hi-hat stands:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | HS1200T | Tension set with a knob, on an angled spring |
| Tama | Iron Cobra Lever Glide | Spring-adjustable tension, without a dedicated vertical axis |
| Pearl | Eliminator Demon Drive | Adjustable tension, setting tied to the base of the column |
| Mapex | Falcon | Dual spring adjustment, more parameters to keep track of |
Frequently asked questions
- What does the tension adjustment on a hi-hat stand do?
- It sets how much effort your foot needs to close the cymbals, and how fast they reopen afterwards.
- What is V.E.R.T.?
- The name DW gives its vertical tension adjustment: the spring no longer changes its angle along with its length.
- Is high tension more tiring?
- Yes. The left foot often holds the hi-hat closed for whole bars, and that is where the effort adds up.
- Does the two-leg version have the same adjustment?
- Yes. DW fits both frames in the line with the same vertical adjustment.
Avis clients
What hi-hat tension do you run over a long show?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.