Introduction

A bass drum riser proves useful in multiple situations. Most commonly on this website for converting a tom into a small bass drum for the purpose of assembling a small footprint or portable drum kit. There are other uses beyond this though. Many jazz / bop kits with 18″ and even 20″ bass drums have a riser simply to facilitate striking the centre of the head. Bass drum risers are used for larger drums too. Not for the center hit factor but for getting the bass drum a few inches off the floor to allow the sound to project free-er. This is also an essential, but often overlooked factor with a smaller bass drum. Getting it a few inches off the ground extends the “reach” of the sound coming from a smaller drum.

There are a few types of risers available. The most common being a cradle for the entire drum, a lift that attaches to the shell on the batter side, and a lift that attaches to the rim on the batter side. The two latter requiring spurs on the audience facing side.

Personally, I enjoy coming up with my own home-made contraptions. This is not necessarily sensible though, since a good riser can be had for $40 or even less and I end up spending hours making one. My own contraptions often end up looking less than aesthetically pleasing too.

I chose to compile this bass drum riser comparison in table form. Actually Dual table form. One for risers and one for cradles. Hopefully I’ve managed to boil down and present all the relevant data. I also hope you will find this bass drum riser comparison useful in easily determining the best riser for your particular application and budget. However, don’t forget to consider the DIY option. there are a few designs on our DIY Bass Drum Risers page, and plenty more on the Internet to get the creative juices flowing.

Google DIY Bass Drum Riser

All prices in US$. Click any image for a full size view

Bass Drum Riser Comparison

 

R2D2? Is that you?
R2D2? Is that you?
Bass Drum Riser Comparison
Ready.. Aim.. STOMP!

Bass Drum Riser Comparison Table

Bare with me… It’s coming. You know how we’ve managed to put those snazzy picture slideshows on some of the pages of this website? Impressive aren’t they? Believe it or not, they are a breeze. A table however, just a simple grid display of data…….   I’ve managed three garbled messes so far…. OK, I think I’ve got it…

 

Brand
Model
ImageStyleLiftList
Street
IncludedCommentsWebsite
Dixson
"The Lift"
Dixson Bass Drum Riser
Dixson "The Lift"
Batter side Cradle?$66
$37
Just "The Lift"No adjustability for shell size or height. No attachment to drumhttp://bassdrumlift.com/
DW
9908
DW 9908 Bass Drum Riser
DW 9908 Bass Drum Riser
Attached to shelladjustable$92
$55
Riser, Mounting screwsAvailable in Black, Gold & Chrome. Adjustable anglehttp://dwdrums.com/
Gibraltar
SC-BDPM
Gibraltar Bass Drum Riser
Gibraltar Bass Drum Riser
Clamps to hoopAdjustable to 2"$46
$25
Just the riserFits 18" and 20"http://www.gibraltarhardware.com
Mapex
AC909
Mapex Bass Drum Riser
Mapex Bass Drum Riser
Clamps to hoop5.5 cm$29
$17
Just the riserHorizontally adjustable
Fits 18"
http://mapexdrums.com/
Pearl
JG16
Pearl Jungle Jig
Pearl Jungle Jig
Attaches to rim with I.S.S. Mount or shell with tom mounting clamp (Not included)Adjustable$60
$35
Spurs, Memory locksPearl JG16 Jungle Jig Full Reviewhttp://pearldrum.com/
Trick
Conversion Kit
Trick Bass Drum Riser
Trick Bass Drum Riser
Attaches to rim?$89
$89
SpursAvailable in 16" and 18" versionshttp://store.trickdrums.com/

 

Bass Drum Cradle Comparison Table

Brand
Model
ImageStyleLiftList
Street
IncludedCommentsWebsite
DW
9909
DW Bass Drum Cradle
DW Bass Drum Cradle
Multipoint Android insect cradleAdjustable$280
$170
Just the spider like contraption of tangled chromeScaryhttp://www.dwdrums.com/
D'Amico Drums
Bass Drum Cradle
D'Amico Bass Drum Cradle
D'Amico Bass Drum Cradle
Four postAdjustable$200
$200
Just the Cradlehttp://www.damicodrums.com/
Danmar
Floor Tom Kick Riser
Danmar Floor Tom Kick Riser
Danmar Floor Tom Kick Riser
CradleAdjustable$205
$140
Just the cradleMultiple finishes availablehttp://www.danmarpercussion.com/
The Kickstand
The Kickstand
The Kickstand
CradleFixed$80Just the cradleSolidhttps://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/214556978/the-kickstand-floor-tom-to-bass-drum?ulsfg=true

 

Summary
Bass Drum Riser Comparison
Article Name
Bass Drum Riser Comparison
Description
Detailed bass drum riser comparison covering all bass drum risers and cradles available in North America. Prices, specs, Lift, Value, Pictures and Tips.
Author
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