Bass drum spurs are a type of music accessory that help to keep the drum in place while it’s being played. Rods are placed on the bass drum of a standard drum set to create these accessories. Two bass drum spurs are used on a typical bass drum, one on each side of the drum. The two spurs work together as a sort of instrument stand. The spurs are always attached directly to the shell of the bass drum via the spur mounting brackets, and proper assembly is critical because improper assembly can cause the brackets to be at an unfavorable angle or cause the shell of the drum to be stressed.
Spurs for bass drums are usually made of metal, most commonly stainless steel. The use of this material provides excellent durability while also protecting the spurs from problems like corrosion. Depending on the other metals in his base drum, a drummer might opt for spurs made of different materials. The only real requirement is that the spurs be strong enough to consistently support the weight of the bass drum.
Rubber tips are usually placed on the bottom of bass drum spurs to prevent the spur from slipping on smooth surfaces, resulting in increased stability. Because some bass drum spurs have spiked tips designed to stab the floor in order to grip it, they aren’t appropriate for all venues. Some spurs are combination spurs, in which the rubber tip can be twisted or removed to reveal a spike.
A bass drum spur’s body is usually telescopic, which means a metal rod fits inside and can slide out of a slightly larger tube. The drummer can tighten the inner rod at the proper height within the tube using a screw mechanism roughly around the midpoint of the spur. Drummers quickly learn to tell if the drum is level and which rods need to be adjusted. Another screw near the spur bracket allows the drummer to fold the spur out for performance or back toward the drum shell for storage and transportation.
Bass drum spurs, like any other instrument accessory, come in a variety of grades and quality, and they do wear out over time. Drummers who need to replace their bass drum spurs or spur tips can do so easily going to a local music store or shopping online. Most spurs are reasonably priced, but higher-quality spurs designed for professional use should be expected to cost more.