Klassic Counterweight

This counterweight bottom attachment for K-Tek Klassic boom poles weighs only 1.7 lbs (770 grams), but effectively balances and reduces the downward force of a microphone and shock mount at the top of the pole and minimizes handling fatigue.

Even though K-Tek’s graphite boom poles are some of the lightest in the industry, a fully rigged boom pole might actually feel heavier throughout a long shooting day. Due to the length of the boom pole acting like a lever, the relatively low weight of the microphone and mount are amplified.

The answer to the problem is counterbalance and the solution is K-Tek’s Klassic Counterweight. This finely machined foam covered brass, weighs 1.7 lbs  (770 gram) and can be attached to the base of any K-Tek Klassic boom pole. Once installed, the strain on the user is greatly reduced as the tiring off-balance force on the boom lever is balanced out. Although the weight is actually slightly increased, the Klassic Counterweight reduces the stress on the boom operator, so overall the boom feels lighter.

The counterweight is compatible with any K-Tek Klassic boom pole, except for the straight exit XLR verstions. Itattaches to the bottom of any Klassic boom pole before the rubber bottom element. For large payloads at the tip of the boom, multiple counterweights can be stacked.

Also known as a Hodge's weight after Scottish geometry mathematician W.V.D. Hodge, this counterweight is a great tool for boom operators like Ronald Wright. After 7 years working boom on the rigorous Hawaii 5-0, he explains “It saved me the first season when I did so much stuff standing in the water. When I put the Counterweight on, it helped keep me stable in the surf. And on the streets, it helps me keep everything balanced when I work at a distance.”