While buying cymbals is always the most exciting part of being a drummer, buying cymbal stands is something we need to do to keep those cymbals feeling secure. The stands are never as glamorous, but they’re equally as important in a drum setup.
We’re going to have a look at the Gibraltar 9707ML-DP. It comes from Gibraltar’s 9700 Series, which is a high-quality set of stands for all types of drummers. The 9707ML hi-hat stand is one of the standout parts of the series, so you may want to buy it individually.
When buying a hi-hat stand, you need to take into consideration what mechanics it offers, the pedal it comes with, and the small things that add to the quality such as the included clutch and the rubber feet.
The key features of the 9707ML would be the Direct Pull Drive System and the ability to rotate the stand to accommodate other pedals.
Other things to note are that the stand has 3 double-braced legs along with a footboard beneath the pedal.
These are all the qualities of a highly durable hi-hat stand. So, let’s take a deeper look into each of them.
This stand is one of the best hi-hat stands from Gibraltar. The company has a few similarly priced stands, but they all offer slightly different things such as only having two legs.
So, this is the stand to get if you want the highest-quality 3-legged stand that Gibraltar offers. You can distinctly feel the quality it has when you set it up at your drum set. The stability and ease of use make it an excellent part of your set.
The red Gibraltar insignia on the pedal is a unique touch that can only be found on the 9700 Series stands.
The stand has what Gibraltar calls the Direct Pull Drive System. It basically acts the same as a direct drive bass drum pedal. The hi-hat pedal is directly connected to the rod, leading the action of moving the top hat up and down to be very smooth.
Most hi-hat stands have direct drive mechanisms, but the one of the Gibraltar 9707ML tends to work exceptionally well. When playing your hi-hats on this stand, they feel secure, smooth, and nimble.
The 5-step tension adjustment also makes the stand feel very comfortable in your setup once you’ve dialed in the most optimal settings.
The stand has double-braced legs which are fairly standard for pro-quality stands. However, the metal legs are slightly thinner than other pro stands. This makes the 9707ML-DP a bit lighter.
The 5-step tension adjustment allows you to change the stand around in 5 different areas. This is another thing that is found in most stands of the caliber, but we’re most impressed with the bottom part of the stand.
There’s a black piece of metal that connects to the pedal board. This section is what rotates to allow more space for another pedal. It moves around very easily which is great.
You can pick up one of these 9707 stands for just under $200. That’s a very reasonable price for a professional hi-hat stand. You’ll find some higher-quality stands from brands like Pearl and DW, but those will have much higher price tags.
The Gibraltar 9707ML has everything you need, and you don’t need to pay for better features on a stand if you don’t want to. So, we’d say the price-to-value ratio is good here.
If the price tag is a bit much, you can always consider getting one of Gibraltar’s lower-priced options. Gibraltar is actually known as the popular brand for affordable hardware. The 5000 Series hi-hat stands are also fantastic options.
However, it’s always better to invest in a high-quality stand that will last longer. So, we highly suggest getting this stand over a lower-quality Gibraltar stand if it’s possible.
This hi-hat stand is a solid option to use in a studio. There’s nothing bad to say about it, and it’s durable enough to last years of heavy usage. However, it’s sometimes better to get heavy-duty stands to use in recording studios. This is especially true if there are going to be many different drummers coming in and out.
So, if you want the heaviest and most durable stand you can get, it may be better to get a hi-hat stand from DW or Pearl. They’ll be more expensive, so be prepared for that.
The Gibraltar 9707ML is more ideal for live gigs than it is for studio settings. This is because the legs are a bit thinner and lighter than other pro-quality stands, yet the stand feels quite solid.
So, it’s relatively easy to transport around thanks to the weight, but it’s sturdy enough to take a beating at intense live shows. The foot plate underneath the pedal is a huge contributing factor to the stand’s sturdiness.
Gibraltar products are always safe options to go with when looking for drum hardware. Gibraltar is one of the few companies that specialize in making drum hardware and nothing else. So, all the company’s efforts go into making the best hardware possible. A huge benefit is that all the products are relatively affordable compared to other major brands.
If you’re looking for a new hi-hat stand, the 9707ML-DP won’t let you down. It’s a solid option that will work for all scenarios. It’s also fantastic whether you play a single or double pedal.
If you want to read more about Gibraltar, check out our reviews of the GCS-450C drum rack or the Smartphone Gooseneck Mount.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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