Best bass drum cymbal mounts | Top picks (2026)

There is now a great selection of bass drum cymbal mounts available. These are perfect if you are wanting to make the most out of the space available on your bass drum.

If you are wanting to mount a cymbal to your bass drum or a small percussion instrument, these are our top picks.

We first wrote this guide in 2021, when Tama and Pearl had just launched a batch of new hoop mounts. Five years on, are they still the ones to buy? Let’s find out.

What has changed since 2021?

The short answer is not much, and that is good news.

• Every pick is still in production. The Tama MC9, the three Pearl mounts and the DW claw hook hi-hat mount are all still sold new.
• The “new for 2021” mounts are now the standard. Tama’s MC9 and Pearl’s hoop-clamp mounts were brand new when we wrote this. They are now the go-to no-drill options.
• We have added rough prices. Prices have crept up since 2021 like everything else, so we have added rough UK and US prices to each pick.
• The DW mount is easier to find. In 2021 it was hard to track down. Most big US drum shops now stock it.

Benefits of mounting on the bass drum

The main reason for mounting anything on your bass is to save space and make your life a little easier when moving your kit about.

The fewer stands you have to carry the better!

This is a huge benefit for street performers or those who love a minimalist setup.

It is already very common that toms are mounted on the bass drum. This is especially the case on lower-end kits.

But it is now becoming more common for small percussion instruments and cymbals to be mounted on the bass drum.

If you are wanting to place something over the top of the bass drum it can be a tricky place to reach with a stand. Having something mounted on the bass drum centrally can solve this issue.

Disadvantages of mounting on the bass drum

The disadvantage of mounting anything on your bass drum is that it can affect the sound of your drum.

Most mounts need to be attached to the bass drum with nuts and bolts. This means drilling into your bass drum to allow for mounting.

Every time you drill into your bass drum you are going to be slightly changing the sound produced.

Often this sound change will be very small but if you have a high-end kit, you will need to think carefully before making a permanent change.

Remember, when you drill into your bass drum this is permanent.

That being said, there are some great mounts on the market for those not wanting to drill into their drums.

Our top picks

If you are wanting to add any mount cymbals to your bass drum, these are our top picks. It is worth noting that there are many cowbell adaptors available.

These are common so in the product recommendations below, we have focused on cymbals mounts or particularly unique mounts.

Tama MC9 Bass Drum Hoop Grip

The MC9 hoop grip was launched by Tama in 2021. This mount is attached to the hoop of the bass drum. To this mount, you can then attach an L-rod or Z-rod. The rod is not included, so budget for one.

This makes this mount ideal for small percussions such as a cowbell or splash cymbals.

The best thing is that this is held on through pressure tightening the grip. This means it can be removed as and when you wish.

There is also rubber to ensure the protection of the hoop, and the rod holder can sit on either side of the clamp.

It is still the cheapest way into this. Expect to pay around £30 in the UK.

Pearl CHB-830 Bass Drum Mount & Cymbal Holder

Pearl have a great selection of bass drum mounting options.

If you are wanting to mount a larger cymbal to your bass drum the Pearl CHB-830 is a great option.

With this mount, you will need to modify your bass drum with two holes. This allows the mount to be firmly attached and able to take more weight than a hoop mounted option.

In the US it is around $90 to $100.

Pearl CLA-130 Mini Closed Hi-Hat Holder

If you are wanting to mount a secondary hi-hat or stack it over your bass drum this is a perfect mount. Launched in 2021, this mount is attached to the bass drum hoop using pressure.

The main thing to note is that you have limited options for customising the placement due to the limited reach.

If you are wanting a central hi-hat on the bass drum this is a great option. It is around £59 in the UK and $70 in the US.

Pearl Bass Drum Hoop Mount Cymbal Holder

This is essentially the same hoop mount as you get with the hi-hat mount, with a cymbal arm in place of the hi-hat clutch. Look for the model number CHB-75CA.

Like the Tama MC9, this would be better suited to smaller cymbals. The main advantage over the MC9 is that you have more adjustment options for getting the perfect placement. The arm adjusts from 330mm to 468mm above the mount, it has Pearl’s gearless UniLock tilter, and it folds flat for your gig bag.

It costs around £55 in the UK and $60 in the US.

DW Bass Drum Hi-Hat Mount Clamp, DWSM2141HHM

Functionally this is very similar to the Pearl Mini Closed Hi-Hat Holder.

The main difference is the way it clamps onto the bass drum. The Pearl one clamps on with pressure whereas the DW clamps on like the hooks on the bass drum head.

This should give you more stability of the hi-hat clamp on the bass drum. DW says it works with 18” to 24” bass drums, and the hi-hat arm is height adjustable.

In 2021 these were hard to come across. They are easier to find now, especially in the US, where they cost around $150 to $160. In the UK you can pick one up from GAK.

Final thoughts

Attaching accessories to your bass drum is a great way of maximising your space. It is good to see more creative uses coming around rather than just cowbells.

Personally, we are still a bit on the fence about adding things to the bass drum, especially on an expensive drum kit. Nobody wants to risk damaging a kit they saved up a long time for.

That is why the hoop clamps are our pick in 2026. No drilling, and they come off when you want them to. If you do a lot of shows and you have a mid-level kit for gigs, they could make your life a lot easier.

If you would rather solve the reach problem with a stand, have a look at the Pearl Curved Boom Arm Stand. And if you are cutting down how much hardware you carry, Tama’s lightweight Spartan hardware is worth a look too.