I bought this pad stand around 3 years ago to setup my first basic home practice kit - just a snare pad, a drum throne and double bass pedals. I’ve used it with a 12 inch practice pad. And I’ve been happy with it all this time. It’s lightweight, but sturdy enough to practice - it never tipped over, it doesn’t wobble on a carpet. Actually it’s sturdy enough even to serve as a side table to my son periodically - he would steal it to put his snacks and drinks on while watching tv. It’s not something one would expect from a drum gear review, but here we are.
By the way, to those newbie drummers who hesitate whether to spend money on a pad stand at all - I think it’s totally worth it. Just as a drum throne is. Proper posture during practice helps learn correct technique and keep the back safe and sound in the long run.
Going back to this Meinl pad stand - the only downside to it might be that the mechanism that regulates the height isn’t tight enough and doesn’t hold the pad firmly as high as I need. It just gradually slips down while I play. Maybe it’s because my pad is quite large and heavy. It doesn’t bother me too much though, I just pull it up again from time to time.
All in all, the stand is fine and does its job. I would say it’s a perfect match for smaller sized practice pads. For 10-12 inch thicker pads and for hard-hitters, investing in a snare stand is an option, too. That’s what I’m considering now as I’m planning to buy a yet heavier practice pad. But this Meinl stand still is totally fine and I’m planning to use it with a new smaller workout practice pad in future
TLDR:
Pros:
- lightweight and compact
- sturdy and doesn’t wobble
Cons:
- may be a little weak for heavier pads or harder hits as the telescopic height regulation mechanism does not hold very well
