Boom stands

Ever notice that they don't put those big counterbalance weights onto cymbal boom stands anymore? Did the laws of physics change, or did manufacturers realize they weren't really necessary?

The laws of physics changed. Gravity is now "optional".

I think that most drummers just realized that unless they were going to be putting a cymbal waaaaay out on a long boom, they weren't necessary.

They still make 'em, but most guys have just figure out that it's easier to change the location of the base of the stand than it is to haul around 5 pounds of "ballast" with every cymbal stand.

Also, most of the huge kits that required really long boom stands are probably now on racks which are much more stable than boom stands.

Yah, I only have one stand with a big boom ass on it and it's an old Gibralter POS. I use it for my china, but incidentally, I don't even need the "ballast" because I set the stand pretty straight up and down. I do the same thing with my ride. The boom arm is pretty much straight up and down and only slightly tilted/angled to get the ride in the place I want. I always try to keep the stands and booms as straight up as possible so it's more sturdy. The only boom sticking out at roughly a 90 degree angle is the one for my splash and that's only because the feet of the other stands get in the way so I kind of have to "plop" the splash in there the best I can.

You can find them around in any good drum shop.....I bought 2 super heavy duty Tama boom stands a few months ago.....love 'em too...I personally like the heavy weighted boom end on my cymbal stands because they give me a feeling of security knowing my cymbals won't fall over during a gig.You can find them also, on eBay as well.