Light weight, dependable, close to being bullet proof is my opinion of the Rogers Swan Leg hi-hat stand. My preference is for the older Swivo period models on the left with the smaller foot boards. If you're a Bonham admirer, you probably know that he preferred the Rogers hi-hats. if you aren't inclined to like the Rogers hi-hat, I would recommend the Slingerland which I used for many years in between the many other years of using the Rogers pedal.

Of the three the Ludwig is the best and, IMO, would be worth seeking out. Even better would be to find a Ludwig 1124 model which was the Atlas version but used the same spring and has the same feel as the 1123-1.

Are you specifically looking for a 1123 model? The 1123-1 is a much more common version.

The 1123 "Ringo" model is difficult to find and expensive when you do. It was only in production for 3-4 years so is relatively uncommon and also in high demand due to the Ringo connection. The 1123-1 model is the same stand with the legs in a different configuration and remained in production for nearly 20 years. It was likely the highest production hi-hat stand model in history and generally easy to find and usually cheap when you do. Even in the UK there should be a fair number floating around.

I have both the 1123 and 1123-1 and I prefer the 1123-1 myself (but the 1124 is my all time personal favorite).

I have both the Ludwig and the Slingerland. The Ludwig is a war horse--it's light and yet tough and works like a champion. The Slingerland is heavier, more solid and also works really well--a very different feel to the response. If you're a heavier player, go Slingerland (despite the extra weight). The Ludwig was a terrific design and I am surprised they haven't revived it--it's pretty perfect.

Thanks for all the replies guys! I reckon I'll stay on the lookout for a 1123-1: they do seem quite rare though and the cheapest one I can find is £90.

I was going to say the same thing. The Rogers 4401 is a great pedal. I've used one for gigging the past few months and it's so smooth and so responsive. I'm putting it away, though, because I don't want to risk damaging it by taking it out too often.

And Bonham 100% influenced my purchase. :D

I bought a Ludwig 1124 stand in the late '60s and still use it full-time today. I haven't played non-stop all those years, but it has had some heavy usage and is still smooth and trouble free. If it ever breaks, I'll be finding another one somewhere!

IMO, the Ludwig 1124 is one of the best lightweight, easy to find, inexpensive hi hat stands available. I refurbish vintage equipment and the 1124 is my number 1 go-to stand these days. I’ve used heavy duty DW and Tama stands but I realized that all that extra weight was totally unnecessary, given that fact that our instrument is heavy enough as it is.

Lightweight stands are the way to go.

LOL nice resurrection of a 5 year old thread...But I have to concur that the Ludwig 1124 is the best. The Rogers LOOKS the coolest, but performance-wise, Ludwig all day long.

Some of the companies started to get back to practical, lightweight stands after years of making those wretched double braced back breakers that started to appear in the mid 70's and never really went away. What were we doing that warranted such heavy stands -playing gigs in a wind tunnel or something? ;) (Actually, I lived in OKC for years and that was kind of a wind tunnel when playing an outdoor gig!)

Interesting discussion, guys! I've only played Ludwig hi-hats and here is (are?) my two-cents worth....The 1121 and early 1123, with the three legs splayed out flat on the floor are troublesome. They "walk" forward on me, and I have to tie them to my seat. The 1121, in my experience, is not stable. It tends to wobble.

The 1123-1 is a good hi-hat, nice and light, and does the trick. I use one now. My only complaint is that the spring tends to get weak with age, and if your high-hat cymbals are the least bit heavy, or if you are using 15" cymbals, the "action" will sag downward a bit. In other words, the footboard won't rise up all the way and thus the top cymbal will sag downward a bit under its own weight.

The 1124 Atlas is my favorite. I play a 1124 regularly. The advantage is that the spring tension is adjustable, and it also has a little spur (pointy thing) that can be adjusted to stick into the floor or carpet to keep the high-hat from "walking" forward on you. The only weakness I have found is the link between the footboard and the "action." One variety has a light-colored (whitish yellow) hard plastic link which will fail eventually. The other variety has a steel link which will not fail. Enjoy!

Regards, MB