Lightweight Hardware Guide
Lightweight hardware guide comparing Tama Classic, Yamaha Crosstown, DW 6000 Ultra Light and Tama Spartan. Covers packed size, carry weight, boom reach, cases, and the best set for gigging, students and compact setups, with our in-store price ranking and real-world experience informed recommendations.
The best lightweight drum hardware is not simply the lightest set on paper. Packed size, stand stability, cymbal positioning and the case you carry it in all matter once you start taking hardware to rehearsals and gigs. At Graham Russell Drums, the main lightweight systems we compare are TAMA The Classic, Yamaha Crosstown, the complete TAMA Spartan range, the new Mapex StreetLite pack and DW 6000 Ultra Light.
This guide compares what you actually receive, how each option packs down and where the compromises appear. It also covers one of the most useful combinations we see in store: a Yamaha Crosstown pack with one or two TAMA Spartan boom stands added to the same case. You can also browse all lightweight drum hardware currently available from Graham Russell Drums.
Which lightweight hardware should you choose?
- Smallest complete pack: TAMA The Classic
- Best all-round lightweight pack: Yamaha Crosstown
- Best complete pack with boom reach: TAMA Spartan
- Best protective transport system: Mapex StreetLite
- Best way to add boom reach to Crosstown: One or two TAMA Spartan boom stands
- Best premium flat-base option: DW 6000 Ultra Light
What matters when choosing lightweight drum hardware?
- Packed size: A hardware set can be light but still awkward to carry. Check the case length and whether it has space for a pedal, throne base or extra cymbal stand.
- Carry weight: This becomes especially important on public transport, stairs and long load-ins.
- Placement and stability: Straight and flat-base stands work brilliantly in compact setups, but boom arms give you more freedom when cymbals need to reach over drums or sit in less conventional positions.
There is no universal winner. The right choice depends on whether your priority is the smallest possible bag, a familiar modern stand layout, boom adjustability, flat-base styling or a more protective case for public transport and regular load-ins.
Lightweight drum hardware comparison
| Option | Format | Cymbal placement | Transport | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAMA The Classic HC4FB | Complete flat-base pack | Two straight stands | Small 670 x 180 x 190mm bag | The smallest practical full-pack setup |
| Yamaha Crosstown HW3 | Complete aluminium pack | Two straight stands | Roomy case; total pack weight approximately 7.8kg | A familiar, modern all-round setup |
| TAMA Spartan HS4S | Complete aluminium pack | One straight and one 300mm boom stand | Approximately 7.6kg across the four stands; no bag supplied | A complete lightweight setup with proper boom reach |
| Mapex StreetLite HPSL001 | Complete flat-base pack | Two straight stands | Approximately 10.4kg including the protective Metro case | Drummers prioritising organised, protective transport |
| DW 6000 Ultra Light | Complete flush-base pack | Two straight stands; matching boom available separately | Reconfigurable hardware bag | Premium flat-base hardware and tight stage layouts |
TAMA The Classic: the smallest complete pack
The TAMA HC4FB The Classic Hardware Pack is the “small bag, gets the job done” option. Its flat-base design keeps the stands compact, and the supplied 670 x 180 x 190mm bag is the smallest of the main full hardware packs we carry.
What is included?
- Two HC52F flat-base straight cymbal stands
- One HH55F hi-hat stand
- One HS50S snare stand
- Carrying bag
This is a strong choice for public transport, rehearsals, function work and any load-in where the smallest packed footprint matters more than long boom reach. The trade-off is that the supplied cymbal stands are straight. It suits compact, close-in cymbal layouts best.
The matching compact pedal
The pack does not include a bass drum pedal. TAMA’s HP50 The Classic bass drum pedal folds into a compact shape and fits neatly alongside the stands, making it the natural matching option for a complete lightweight setup.
Yamaha Crosstown: the best all-round lightweight pack
The Yamaha Crosstown HW3 Hardware Pack is one of the best-selling hardware packs we have had at Graham Russell Drums. It uses channel-track aluminium bracing to reduce weight while retaining the familiar layout and adjustment of modern tripod stands.
The pack weighs approximately 7.8kg including the case and contains two CS3 straight cymbal stands, an HHS3 hi-hat stand, an SS3 snare stand and a Crosstown carry case with individual protective sleeves.
The case is roomier than the TAMA Classic bag, but that extra space is useful. It can take additional hardware and, depending on the rest of your setup, often has room for items such as a pedal or throne base.
There is no dedicated Crosstown bass drum pedal. The Yamaha FP7210A single pedal is a sensible lightweight match because its design avoids a heavy solid floor plate and packs down neatly.
TAMA Spartan: a complete lightweight system with boom reach
TAMA Spartan is now a complete lightweight aluminium hardware system rather than just a pair of cymbal-stand options. The HS4S Spartan Hardware Pack combines the new hi-hat and snare stands with one straight cymbal stand and one boom cymbal stand. It is the only complete pack in this comparison to include proper boom reach as standard.
What is included?
- HS70S Spartan snare stand
- HH75DS Spartan hi-hat stand
- HC72S Spartan straight cymbal stand
- HC73BS Spartan boom cymbal stand
The four stands weigh approximately 7.6kg altogether. TAMA uses aluminium extensively, with harder-wearing materials retained at high-stress adjustment points. The cymbal stands use Anti-Walk Rubber Feet and Glide-Tite joints, while the 2kg boom stand adds a 300mm arm with a Duo-Lock tilter that adjusts boom length and angle from one control.
The pack does not include a carrying bag, bass drum pedal or throne. That is worth factoring into the full cost and carrying weight. What it gives you is a matched four-stand system with a useful mix of straight and boom cymbal positioning from the start.
The new Spartan stands and cymbal options
Spartan Hi-Hat Stand
The 2.3kg HH75DS has two aluminium legs, adjustable spring tension and footboard angle, plus storage for the pull rod during transport.
Spartan Snare Stand
The 1.6kg HS70S supports 12" to 15" drums and combines a compact folding aluminium basket with TAMA’s stepless Quick-Set Tilter.
Spartan Boom Stand
One 2kg HC73BS with a 300mm boom. Choose this to add a single flexible cymbal position to Crosstown or another lightweight setup.
Spartan Straight Stand
The 1.7kg HC72S is the simpler option when you can position the cymbal directly above the tripod.
Spartan Boom Stand Twin Pack
Two HC73BS boom stands for replacing both straight cymbal positions in a Crosstown pack or building a more adjustable lightweight rig.
Mapex StreetLite: lightweight flat-base hardware with a protective Metro case
The Mapex StreetLite HPSL001 Hardware Pack takes a different approach. Its four flat-base stands pack into a rigid StreetLite Metro case with a removable internal panel, multiple carrying handles and a pressure-relief harness. That makes it especially appealing when organised, protected transport matters as much as reducing stand weight.
What is included?
- Two CSL001 three-tier straight cymbal stands with gearless tilters
- One HSL001 hi-hat stand with adjustable spring tension, swivel legs and the SafeKeep storage system
- One SSL001 snare stand with a gearless tilter, quick-adjusting basket and SONIClear snare claws
- StreetLite Metro protective transport case
The complete pack weighs approximately 10.4kg including its case. It is therefore not the lightest complete option here on the scales, but the case is a meaningful part of the design rather than a basic soft bag. The supplied cymbal stands are both straight, so choose Spartan or add a separate boom stand if your cymbal layout needs extra horizontal reach. A bass drum pedal and throne are not included.
DW 6000 Ultra Light: premium flat-base hardware
The DW 6000 Ultra Light Hardware Pack combines a retro flush-base look with lightweight tubing and a premium, reconfigurable bag. Flat bases are especially useful on small stages because the legs can sit close to the kit and overlap with neighbouring stand legs.
The pack includes two DWCP6710UL straight cymbal stands, a DWCP6300UL snare stand, a DWCP6500UL hi-hat stand and the DW Ultra Light hardware bag.
The bag can be reconfigured to make room for additional equipment rather than locking you into one layout. A matching DW 6000 Ultra Light boom stand is also available separately. Even so, the range’s flat-base design naturally suits balanced, close-in placement more than very extended cymbal positions.
Our first-hand experience: why I chose TAMA The Classic
I use the TAMA Classic set myself and have built it out with the matching pedal and an extra stand. My setup now includes three Classic straight cymbal stands, two snare stands (one for a rack tom and one for the snare), the hi-hat stand and the bass drum pedal. It still fits into the smallest case of the main packs in this guide.
For me, packed size was the priority. I was travelling to university and needed to get hardware, cymbals and a snare onto a bus without every journey becoming a mission. That experience is why I still recommend The Classic when minimum packed size matters most. If I needed more boom reach, however, I would look seriously at Crosstown with one or two Spartan stands.
Which setup is right for you?
- Choose TAMA The Classic when the smallest bag and a compact flat-base setup are your priorities.
- Choose Yamaha Crosstown when you want a complete lightweight pack that still feels like familiar modern hardware.
- Choose the complete TAMA Spartan pack when you want lightweight aluminium hardware with one straight and one boom cymbal stand included.
- Add one or two TAMA Spartan boom stands to Crosstown when you like the Yamaha pack but need more reach and adjustment.
- Choose Mapex StreetLite when flat-base stands and a structured, protective transport case are the priorities.
- Choose DW 6000 Ultra Light when you want premium flush-base hardware, flexible leg placement and a configurable bag.
Do not overlook used drum hardware
If budget is tight, pre-owned drum hardware can be a sensible way to build a gig-ready setup for less. Hardware sold by Graham Russell Drums is checked and complete, so you are not gambling on missing parts or half-working stands. Lightweight models appear in the used section from time to time, so it is worth checking the category regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lightweight drum hardware pack?
TAMA The Classic is the strongest choice when minimum packed size matters most. Yamaha Crosstown is our all-round recommendation for drummers who want a lightweight version of a familiar modern hardware pack. TAMA Spartan is the complete option when a boom stand must be included, Mapex StreetLite provides the most protective carrying system, and DW 6000 Ultra Light is the premium flat-base alternative.
Can TAMA Spartan boom stands fit in the Yamaha Crosstown case?
Yes. Many drummers add one or two TAMA Spartan boom stands to a Yamaha Crosstown pack because the stands fit in the supplied Crosstown case. This gives the setup more cymbal-positioning flexibility while keeping it compact and manageable.
Are lightweight cymbal stands stable enough for gigging?
Yes, provided the stand is set up sensibly for the size and position of the cymbal. Keep the legs directed towards the cymbal’s centre of gravity, avoid extending boom arms farther than necessary and test the setup before playing. Very large or heavily angled cymbals may still benefit from a more substantial stand.
Do lightweight hardware packs include a bass drum pedal?
The TAMA Classic, Yamaha Crosstown, TAMA Spartan, Mapex StreetLite and DW 6000 Ultra Light packs covered here do not include a bass drum pedal. TAMA offers the folding HP50 The Classic pedal, while the Yamaha FP7210A is a practical lightweight option for Crosstown users.
Does the TAMA Spartan hardware pack include a carrying bag?
No. The HS4S pack includes the Spartan snare stand, hi-hat stand, straight cymbal stand and boom cymbal stand, but a carrying bag is not supplied. Include a suitable hardware bag when comparing its complete transport cost with packs that already come with a case.
Are flat-base stands better than tripod stands?
Neither design is automatically better. Flat-base stands pack neatly and their legs can overlap on tight stages. Tripod stands feel more familiar to many players and can be easier to balance when a cymbal is positioned farther from the centre of the stand. Your stage layout and cymbal placement should decide it.
Written by Joel Smith
I have been part of Graham Russell Drums since I was 15 in 2019 and now work here full-time. Starting on the shop floor, I have built and tuned hundreds and hundreds of drum kits across every price point and playing style, advised everyone from families buying a first kit to international touring drummers, and had my knowledge sharpened further by years of in-store clinics and masterclasses with some of the world's finest players. The advice here comes from that experience, not a spec sheet.
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