There is nothing more embarrassing for a drummer than experiencing the unfortunate drum chase incident.
Just imagine, you are in front of a live audience when all of a sudden, your drum starts sliding away.
This can happen for several reasons like you are playing on a slippery surface without any drum rug or the spurs aren’t adjusted properly.
Whatever the reason may be, if your bass drums aren’t fixed properly, you will not be able to focus on your performance.
That’s why having the best bass drum anchor is a must, whether you play at your home or perform live.
You can either purchase a bass drum anchor or build one yourself.
Today, we will review some of the best drum drum anchors available in the market.
Also, we will share with you a super easy DIY method of building your drum stopper.
Let’s start with the fun part now!
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Best Bass Drum Anchor – Our Top Picks
🏆 Gibraltar SC-4402 Bass Drum Anchor 🏆
Gibraltar is one of the most reliable brands when it comes to drum accessories. Their products are specifically made to bear the wear and tear of frequent traveling.
The Gibraltar drum anchor has been around for decades and was practically a part of every bass drum kit during the ’50s and ’60s.
But, the highlight of this product is, it never goes out of fashion. It can still fit onto any drum, irrespective of type, and brand.
The device attaches to the bottom of the drum and goes into the loop on the front side. The only downside of this product is you need a protective pad on the hoop where the anchor is attached.
Another way to protect your drum from the damage is by leaving the anchors on even when you are not playing.
Constant screwing and unscrewing of the device is not only a hassle but can also damage the hoop. If you are a beginner, this drum anchor can be your best bet as it is very easy to use.
Key Features
- Universal compatibility
- Very durable
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- Fictional
- Reasonably priced
- Easy to use
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- Protective padding is required
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🏆 KBrakes 512 Bass Drum Anchors 🏆
As the name implies, KBrakes work like car brakes but for drums. These are compact in size, lightweight, and extremely durable.
The 256 unique points ensure that your drum stands firm as a rock, no matter how hard you beat it.
The best feature of KBrakes is it is compatible with almost all drum types and brands. Even if you own those classy vintage drums, KBrakes will work just fine with them.
These spur anchors are perfect for frequent gigs as the 180 degrees rotation feature enables effortless sliding into any case.
The installation of this device is pretty simple and does not require any tool. It’s practically like a boot for your bass drum; just slide it onto the drum spurs and adjust the height.
Fasten the wing nuts to secure the drum in your preferred position. You don’t have to take KBrakes off the drum legs every time.
Unlike conventional spurs that have small spikes; KBrakes are flat bottomed, so you don’t have to worry about floor or rug damage.
This design also enables a super tight grip on all types of surfaces, be it a drum rug or wooden floor.
The highlight of this device is its small size and flexible body.
So, if you tour often, we recommend you invest in KBrakes.
Even though some might find it a bit pricey, but it’s a one-time investment and definitely worth a shot.
Key Features
- 256 unique points per piece
- 180 degrees rotation
- Universal compatibility
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- Sturdy construction
- Lightweight
- Compact design
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- A bit pricey
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🏆 KickBlock 🏆
Kickblock is a very popular and extremely convenient bass drum stopping device. It looks like a brick and acts like one.
The sleek design and striking appearance instantly catch the eye. The shock-absorbing feature holds the drum securely in its place, no matter how much force you exert.
When we compare the device with a brick, one can easily assume that it must be heavy, but that’s not the case.
Surprisingly, the device is super lightweight as it is made of durable foam. You might wonder if the foam is capable of stopping a heavy object like a drum, but the Military Grade Velcro ensures a super tight grip.
The foam is also gentle, unlike other drum stoppers, it does not impact the exterior of your drum. The only limitation of this device is it only works with the Velcro-compatible surface which includes closed-loop rugs.
KickBlock is not compatible with wooden floors, so you will have to purchase a drum rug along with it (if you do not already have one).
As the device needs no assembly or installation, it is an excellent option for those who travel a lot.
Key Features
- Shock-absorbing foam
- Velcro bottom
- Ideal for touring
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- Reasonably priced
- Sleek design
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- Only compatible with drum rugs
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How to Build a Kick Drum Stopper Yourself [DIY]?
If you are into DIY crafty stuff, then this is the best option.
You will not only save a lot of money but also enjoy building a kick drum stopper all by yourself.
Even if this is your first ever DIY project; you will have no trouble following the steps.
All you need is a few hardware supplies and some basic tools and lots of creativity.
Here’s a list of things you will need:
Things you will need
Drum Rug
You can easily find drum rugs that are specifically designed for preventing drums from sliding away.
If budget isn’t a problem, then you can get a ready-made drum rug, however, the whole purpose of building a drum stopper is to save money.
So, the best thing to do would be to utilize your available resources.
Look around your house if you can find an old rug wasting away or visit your nearby hardware store and ask for a spare piece of carpet.
But keep in mind that high pile carpets won’t work.
The rug you are using must have a rubber bottom for providing friction.
A small rug will serve the purpose, but make sure it should be large enough to place both the drum spurs as well as your drum stool.
You can keep the rest of the kit on the floor. Small rugs are easily foldable and travel-friendly.
Metal Flange
You can easily find a floor flange from a plumbing store.
We will be using the flange as an anchor fitted on the drum rug.
You will need one piece per drum set, chopped in half to fit both drum stoppers.
Floor flanges come in a variety of sizes, make sure that the one you are choosing will fit the rubber stopper easily.
Although this piece of hardware is easily available on hardware stores but in case you can’t find it, you can also use pedestal rings.
Screws, Nuts, and Bolts
You will need nuts, bolts, and screws for securing the anchors to the base.
The generic nuts and bolts will serve the purpose. For added security, you need lock washers particularly if you are touring.
Lock washers will keep everything in place, sound, and secure, no matter how much you are traveling.
Because here’s the thing:
You don’t want to be putting everything together every time you load and unload your drum set.
Reciprocating Saw
You will need a reciprocating saw to cut the metal flanges in half.
If you own one; it’s well and good good; if you don’t then you can rent it from any hardware store.
If you are using a reciprocating saw for the first time, you might want to add vise clamps to your list of supplies.
You will need these for holding the flanges in place.
Also, wear your protective goggles when cutting the flange to prevent any metal particles from hitting your eyes.
Generic Tools
Lastly, you will need some generic tools like pliers, wrench set, and a scratch awl for tightening nuts and bolts.
You might need to puncture the rug for improving its grip before screwing the flanges to it.
Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you have everything ready, put your work pants on and let’s begin:
- First things first, place your drum in the center of the rug and mark the spots of rubber stoppers. Make sure that you leave enough space for your drum stool.
- Using the scratch awl or any other sharp pointed tools drill holes on the marks. Be careful when doing this, you don’t want to ruin the rug by making multiple holes.
- Mark the center of the flange and using the power saw, cut the metal flange into two equal pieces. Use the vise clamps if you have to for properly gripping the flanges. Make sure that you are cutting the flanges from the center. At the end of this step, you should have two equal-sized metal pieces that you will be using as the anchors.
- Line the flange pieces with the marks you made earlier and use appropriate nuts and bolts to secure the anchors in place. Use lock washers to firmly secure the flanges.
Tada! There you have it, your little masterpiece.
It’s foldable; easy to carry around; and super durable!
Just lay down the rug, fit the drum spurs in the anchors and that’s it.
No matter how hard you beat the drum, it won’t budge an inch.
P.S: Fold the rug when you are not drumming. The anchors are sharp and pointed, if you accidentally step on them, you may end up hurting yourself pretty bad.
Conclusion
If you own a drum rug and think it will be enough to keep your drum from siding forward, then you are wrong.
You will still need to invest in a durable drum anchor system.
But you must consider a lot of factors when choosing the right anchor for your bass drums like construction, weight, durability, affordability, etc.
We have reviewed the best options available right now. Whether you are a beginner on a budget or a professional looking for a travel-friendly anchor system, our picks are for everyone.
And if you cannot make up your mind, ditch the ready-made anchor systems and give our DIY drum stopper a shot.
Happy Drumming : )
