Drum hardware

Drum hardware refers to the parts of a drum or drum kit that are used to tension, position, and otherwise support the instruments themselves.

Occasionally, the hardware is used percussively as well, the most common example being a rim shot. John Morrison is noted for his drum solos played entirely on a Hi-hat stand (and occasionally also on other parts of the kit hardware, adjacent furniture, and audience).

Drum parts

Rim

A drum "hoop" or "rim" may be made of metal, wood, or other materials and is used to hold a drumhead against a drum shell, either with bolts through metal "claws" attached directly to a hoop, or bolts through holes in a flanged rim. The bolts, called tension rods, are screwed into threaded "lugs" attached to the drum shell, in order to tighten and tune the drumhead. A drum key is a type of wrench often used to screw the tension rods into the lugs.

Spurs, casings, lugs, tuning screws

(tension rod) tension rod washer. this tightens the drum skin and applies pressure around the rim to create the drum's sound

Drum hardware pack

A drum hardware pack is a collection of drum hardware sold either as a set for use with a drum kit or bundled with the kit.

Bundled hardware packs

Lower-end drum kits are normally sold with all needed hardware and accessories except a stool and drum sticks, and even these and a cymbal pack are included in some packages.

Higher-end kits often come with a bundled hardware pack consisting only of the bass drum and floor tom feet and tom-tom arms to support hanging toms.

Many top lines are available only as individual drums, and all hardware and in some cases even the tom-tom mounts are ordered individually, so there is no bundled hardware pack at all.

Unbundled hardware packs

Many mid and upper level kits have a recommended hardware pack sold separately by the drum kit manufacturer but matched to the kit.

Such a pack for a five-piece kit would typically contain:

In some cases a drummer's stool is also included.