The Ultimate Guide to Yamaha Drum Hardware!
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A Complete walkthrough of the entire Yamaha Drum Hardware Range we stock at Graham Russell Drums!
The Ultimate Yamaha Drum Hardware Guide!
Yamaha drum hardware has quietly become one of the most common sights in studios, rehearsal rooms and touring rigs. Not because it’s flashy, but because it consistently works. Reliable drum hardware should blend in seamlessly underneath you and let the kit feel natural.
At Graham Russell Drums we see Yamaha hardware chosen by everyone from students building their first setup to working players who gig multiple times a week. The reason is simple: the range covers lightweight portability, medium-weight all-round use and heavy duty touring options, all built around the same smooth feel and compact footprint.
Yamaha Series Explained
Yamaha divides its hardware into 4 main series: crosstown, 600 series, 700 series, and 800 series. Each series is a built around a different balance of weight, stability and portability, giving a great choice of products for any drumming situation.
Yamaha Crosstown Hardware – Lightweight Aluminium
The Yamaha Crosstown hardware range is designed for portability. Built from aluminium rather than steel, it significantly reduces carry weight while keeping enough stability for normal cymbal and snare setups. This makes it especially popular with function drummers, students and players transporting gear regularly.
Crosstown stands use straight designs and compact bases to minimise footprint, making them ideal for small stages and quick setups. The trade-off is that they are not intended for extremely heavy cymbals or aggressive playing styles, but for most setups they provide a reliable lightweight hardware solution.
Best suited for: transport, rehearsals, smaller gigs and lightweight setups.
Yamaha 600 Series Hardware – The All-Round Standard
The Yamaha 600 Series is the most widely used range and often considered the reference point for medium-weight drum hardware. It balances portability with stability, making it suitable for almost any musical situation from practice rooms to regular gigging.
This series includes the well-known 650 hi-hat stand and matching cymbal and snare stands. It handles medium to large cymbals comfortably while still remaining manageable to carry, which is why many drummers settle on this range long term.
Best suited for: general gigging, rehearsals and most acoustic drum setups.
Yamaha 700 Series Hardware – Increased Stability
The 700 Series moves toward heavier duty use while maintaining Yamaha’s smooth adjustment feel. Double bracing and increased mass improve stability for larger cymbals and louder playing environments without becoming excessively bulky.
It is commonly chosen by players who found lightweight hardware moving too much but don’t want extremely heavy touring stands.
Best suited for: louder stages, larger cymbals and more aggressive playing styles.
Yamaha 800 Series Hardware – Touring Durability
The Yamaha 800 Series is designed for heavy use and touring reliability. With reinforced construction and maximum stability, it suits drummers using heavier cymbals or playing at higher volumes where movement needs to be minimised.
Although heavier to transport, the added rigidity makes it dependable for repeated setups and demanding performance environments.
Best Suited for: touring, heavy cymbals and high-energy playing.
Yamaha Hi-Hat Stands Compared
Yamaha hi-hat stands are known for their smooth pedal feel and predictable response. Rather than dramatically changing the playing feel between models, Yamaha keeps a consistent action across the range, with the main differences being weight, resistance and stability.
Yamaha Crosstown Hi-Hat Stand
The Yamaha Crosstown hi-hat stand focuses on portability. The aluminium construction keeps weight extremely low while still maintaining a stable playing platform for normal use. Pedal action is light and responsive, making it comfortable for longer playing sessions and ideal for function work where transport matters.
The trade-off is reduced mass, meaning players using very heavy foot pressure or louder setups may prefer a heavier stand.
Best Suited for: lightweight rigs, transport and moderate playing dynamics.
Yamaha HS650 Hi-Hat Stand
The Yamaha HS650 hi-hat stand is the most commonly used Yamaha model and effectively the middle ground. It provides more stability than Crosstown while remaining relatively easy to transport. The pedal feel stays smooth but slightly more controlled due to the increased weight and steel construction.
For most drummers this becomes the “set and forget” option — stable enough for regular gigging without becoming heavy hardware.
Best Suited for: general gigging, rehearsals and most drum kits.
Yamaha HS850 Hi-Hat Stand
The Yamaha HS850 Hi-Hat stand adds weight and rigidity for louder environments and heavier playing styles. The increased mass helps keep the stand planted and reduces movement when playing aggressively or using heavier cymbals.
The feel remains characteristically Yamaha — smooth rather than stiff — but with a more solid platform underfoot.
Best Suited for: louder stages, heavier cymbals and high-energy playing.
Yamaha Bass Drum Pedals Explained
Yamaha bass drum pedals follow the same philosophy as their stands — smooth action, predictable response and long-term reliability rather than extreme adjustability. The two most common models are the Yamaha FP7210A and Yamaha FP8500, both widely used across practice, studio and live setups.
Yamaha FP7210A Pedal
The FP7210A is a lightweight single chain drive pedal designed for natural feel and simple setup. It has a low-mass footboard and moderate resistance, making it comfortable for extended playing sessions and well suited to a wide range of styles.
Because it avoids excessive adjustment options, it tends to feel consistent immediately, which is why it is commonly recommended as a dependable first upgrade pedal or a compact gigging option.
Best Suited for: general playing, rehearsals, smaller gigs and players wanting a natural response.
Yamaha FP8500 Pedal
The Yamaha FP8500 is the heavier duty alternative with increased stability and adjustment range. The additional mass provides more control at higher volumes and under stronger playing, while keeping the smooth Yamaha pedal feel.
Players moving from lightweight pedals often choose the Yamaha FP8500 when they want a firmer platform without switching to an overly heavy or aggressive feeling design.
Best Suited for: louder playing, heavier setups and players wanting more resistance.
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