Premier might not have the profile in the hardware arena afforded to other makers thanks to the likes of the Iron Cobra, 9000 series or Eliminator pedals (as in the cases of Tama, DW and Pearl respectively). But the Brit brand's metalwork has done sterling service for the owners of APKs, Genistas and Artist Series kits for years - in unassuming style, perhaps, but sterling nonetheless.
The arrival of the 6000 series stands and pedals, however, suggests a rather more concerted effort on Premier's part to make its mark where hardware is concerned. The company points to the 6000 line's "progressive, contemporary designs (and) extreme functionality", and while they would say that, there's no disputing the fact that this little ensemble exudes an air of sturdy sophistication.
Pack it in
By way of comprehensive introduction to the 6000 series, we have a bit of everything for review - a bass drum pedal (the 6073), snare stand (6013), hi-hat stand (6015) and straight and boom cymbal stands (the 6014 and 6016). In fact this array is available as a job lot in the shape of the 6000 Series Hardware Pack, which will save a chunk of cash over buying the bits and pieces individually.
Clearly the specifics of each item's feature list varies with its purpose, but there are several things that the 6000 series pieces share in common. Legs are all double-braced, memory locks have nylon sleeves, wingnuts are all hefty non-slip types and every last bit is reassuringly weighty and feels high-end.
In short, this package creates a very positive first impression.
Making a stand
There's more to talk about where the pedal-related hardware is concerned than straightforward stands, so the kick pedal and hi-hat stand seem to be a good choice for getting stuck into the 6000s. A feature that crops up on both pieces is a 'removable' baseplate that folds away for full collapsibility at the end of a gig (many drummers are renowned for collapsing fully at the end of a night, of course). You can't literally remove the plates, but they can be unlocked from the frames and folded flat, which is a useful space-saver.
Happily, the 6000s are built with enough beef that the swivelling baseplate doesn't cause any extraneous flexing when in use. In fact, both units are very positive and 'direct' feeling. The twin chain bass drum pedal is smooth and offers plenty of scope for adjusting angles and resistance to get it to suit your foot.
It's all very straightforward and unostentatious, but the 6073 feels good and could be made to suit an awful lot of us with a little fiddling. And the fact that it comes complete with Allen and standard drum keys affixed beneath the baseplate is a welcome added bonus. The hi-hat stand also offers much in the way of adjustability as far as feel goes.
The big collar above the pedal frame can dial up tension considerably, or loosen things off for a rather less stiff response. It's not really a one-handed operation though, so you'll need to make sure you're set before the gig. There's no reaching down mid-chorus to up the resistance here...
Arms and legs
Using a resin ball as a mount for a snare drum basket is the surest-fire way of building-in plenty of swivelling action, so you can place your snare pretty much wherever you like. The 6000 series snare stand sports just such a thing, so it's no hard task to nestle your drum in amongst your kit - and the various parts of your anatomy with which it's in close proximity. Furthermore, you can actually move the basket along its supporting rod a short way, allowing for even greater flexibility.
The stand proved sure-footed and wobble-resistant during the time that we played with it, even with the monstrously weighty Keplinger snare perched atop it. Coupled with ease of positioning, that's about all we need from a snare stand, though it's good to note that the 6013 is also capable of scaling the heights. So if you like your snare higher rather than lower, this could be a fine choice.
The cymbal stands are a decent option for those serious about their steel too. The base of both the straight and boom stands is wide, therefore they're not easily toppled, and they're heavy enough to cope with big 20" rock crashes and the like with ease. The boom arm disappears neatly inside the top tube of the stand, which is another neat touch that
reflects the serious aspirations of the range as a whole.
It's not a show-stealer, but it's helpful when packing away in a crowded traps case.
The only thing to watch where the cymbal stands are concerned is the flexible tilter. It offers great movement, and in theory real flexibility when placing your cymbals just-so. But the degree of movement is limited by the fact that the wing nut will foul on the stand itself if the tilting angle is too extreme. No biggie though and there's little else to moan about.
Other brands' stands might have more of a cachet than Premier's, but the 6000 series proves that the Leicester company knows how to design and put together hardware aimed at the top end.
