Pearl CH-80 Cymbal Holder
Firstly, a little information on the different models in this range.
- CH 88L - Longer boom arm with counter weight & Uni-Lock
- CH 88 - Uni-Lock
- CH 80 - Gear Tilter fitted instead of the Uni-Lock
The 'Gear Tilter' is ruggedly constructed and the tilt angle can be varied easily enough, so just about any tilt position can be quickly obtained. Very fine tilt adjustments would be better handled by the 'Uni Lock' as it doesn't force you into a slot like the Gear Tilter does, but we can honestly say that we didn't notice any real lack of position ability, and was able to tilt to any sensible angle we required.
The memory locking system is a good one, allowing you to lock both the height and reach, so the only thing you have to remember is the arm angle (assuming you don't undo the tilt angle to pack away).
Tubing feels substantial without being overly heavy, and it feels a quality product at first touch.
There is one thing however that lets this product down badly, the joint that connects the stem that your cymbal is attached to, and the socket, at the bottom of the stem is a splind shaft this is held in place by means of a grub screw. The metal is simply too soft in the receiving socket the receiving splinds gradually strip through playing and the joint quickly ends up feeling like a spoon in a bucket of wallpaper paste.
The threads in the grub screw hole suffer a similar fate and strip with even the smallest amount of pressure. This same fault developed in all five units that we tested.
Pros
- Memory locks for the same setup every time.
- Thick but relatively light tubing
Cons
- Quick to wear, on the splined shaft joint. Giving a loose feel after time
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