Drummers Guide: Understanding the Impact of Fulcrum on Cymbal Mounting

[karate718]

Hi,

I am a drummer and have a question in regards to mounting my cymbals. If you have a look at this picture to give a frame of reference: https://www.americandrumschool.com/store/images/boom%20stand%20BS-70D.jpg .

Thy cymbal mounts on the top where the black felts are. My question is, if I extend the length of the boom arm, does that make the joint/fulcrum at the top of the vertical part of the stand work harder?

Thank you.

 

[brewnog]

The joint (pivot) would certainly have a harder time of keeping the boom in place.

Strictly speaking, we wouldn't say it's "working harder"; no movement is taking place so no "work" is being done. More correctly, a bigger "turning moment" (or torque) is being encountered at the joint.

 

[karate718]

Got it. Thank you. So by keeping the boom as short as possible I am decreasing the wear and tear on the the joint.

 

[brewnog]

Got it. Thank you. So by keeping the boom as short as possible I am decreasing the wear and tear on the the joint.

Theoretically, yes. However, if you've bought reasonably decent stands, then they'll have been designed to withstand the torque encountered at full extension, and to withstand the repeated adjustments and disassembly/reassembly caused by heavy gigging.

I really wouldn't worry about it.