Why don't they offer these like this anymore?

[Jules]

I have two of these DCS type stands, but in the 600 series. I am amazed that there isn't enough interest in this configuration to be a catalog item. These offer a better way to fly two cymbals without log boom arms sticking out in the way. And even with the lighter (compared to that era of hardware) 600 series, I can get things positioned where they are totally stable.

[Scott_M]

I think it may be because of the move to the modern hardware being limited to a single or double stand.

With the old hardware, just adding some extra parts to your stand meant you could readily hang 2 toms and fly 3 cymbals off the same stand. Not only did it mean fewer stands, but the look had an elegance to it that was distinctly Sonor, and you could do that by installing the parts yourself (instead of it being a "Factory installed option").

With the current hardware design, you have to use another clamp (multi-clamp, clamp with geared tilter, etc) to attach it to another existing upright tube to get the same effect. That can put a fair bit of stress on the clamp (depending on cymbal sizes and angles), and it's not as quick to setup/teardown and doesn't have the same visual elegance.

I absolutely get and appreciate the upgrades from the move to a more "universal" hardware platform though, particularly with the "Backwards compatibility" with their previous hardware. That's made integrating my 600 and 4000 hardware with my Phonic and Performer kits a piece of cake.

That said, there are some things I wish they would have figured out how to keep or use more from the previous generation - the lever-arm tensioners (love them on the 4000 cymbal stands and Phonic tom mounts), expandable tom/cymbal holders (via Z5507c prism clamps) etc.

[SonorBart]

Twenty years ago, I had two 2nd generation Designer double cymbal stands with Z5507c prism clamps and as Scott said, they were very elegant and super heavy duty. However, the lack of memory clamp capability on the top of the blocks for the skinny ratchet arms made them very impractical for gigging. I sold them when I got some like-new 600 series double cymbal stands for a great price from a guy on the old Sonormuseum. I had good success using PH clamps (my all-time favorite Sonor clamps) with those to add more things to a stand. Below is pic from a few years ago with my 70's and 80's band. The 18" crash and 8" tom are on the double stand with the 17" crash and 10" splash on the PH clamps. The rotating leg came in handy for better balance. I use 3000 stands now and no longer use the 8" tom or 17" crash.

[Scott_M]

I had good success using PH clamps (my all-time favorite Sonor clamps) with those to add more things to a stand. Below is pic from a few years ago with my 70's and 80's band.

Can't quite tell in the pic, but is the PH clamp you're describing one of these...?
https://reverb.com/item/78341701-sonor- ... 90s-chrome

THIS is another hardware design I wish they would have kept. I know it's "chonky" and kind of heavy, but structurally they seem like they'd be able to support a lot more weight than the current multi-clamps do, there's indents for memory locks, plus the ability to fit 2 of them together give it a nice look aesthetically.