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Thread: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

  1. #1

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    Default Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    I hate mixing and matching brands but I'm seriously considering a pair of non-Sabian hi hats. I've played Sabian cymbals since I was 18 but I'm having trouble finding a pair of hand hammered extra super articulate 14" hi hats.

    My first concern is that they do not cut and slice through the mix. As in, bleed into the vocal microphones. I'm looking for something that will work in a low volume situation.

    I'm hoping to find something dark, not clangy (when half opened), good foot "chick", not too loud.

    I was finally able to make to a music store a few months ago to try out some hi hats I've been considering.

    I was extra hyped to hear the Sabian HHX 14" Click Hats... nope. Too clangy (half opened), too low of a foot "chick", and in no way "clicky" enough, as advertised.

    Sabian 14" HHX Evolution hats... close but not articulate enough and when they took on a Betty Crocker pie pan tonality when I played them tightly closed.

    Sabian 14" HH Vanguard... these were perfect as far as not being too loud in any way but the foot "chick" sound was almost non-existent and they were just too dark. If these were just a bit brighter and had a more pronounced foot chick, I would've bought them.

    I hate not having a place like Rick's Drums or the Drum Center because you can't try out their great selection. They pretty much had anything you wanted to try out. Now I have to listen to sound samples and YouTube videos where the recordings sound completely different and you wonder if the true sound is actually being represented.

    I want a pair of hi hats that won't

    So I'm hoping somewhere here will know what I'm looking for.

    I'm looking for:

    14" Sabian (but will consider another brand)

    super extra articulate closed sound

    not bright, cutting, or obnoxious when played half opened

    good foot "chick" sound

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks!

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    sounds like you know what you want so rather than tell you what I think sounds good I would say try another brand. You need to hear them in person to be satisfied so try every brand you can in person? Also did you try to mix and match within the Sabian brand? Try a hhx top with an HH bottom or vice versa etc etc, maybe that would be the ticket?
    Last edited by MDK; 12-28-2017 at 06:13 PM.
    Ludwig Classic Maple 22x16,10x8,12x9,16x16
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  3. #3

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Drill some vent holes in the bottom hat of the HH Vanguards and you'd probably get what you want. Possibly even mix a polished bottom with a Vanguard top.

    You may try calling Sabian and talking to one of their specialists. They may be able to help you with a custom design.
    -Brian

    "Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"

    Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!

    "I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Back to rocket science. Call Hawking, he may have a idea or 2.

  5. #5

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    Back to rocket science. Call Hawking, he may have a idea or 2.
    LOL

    all the best...

  6. #6

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by N2Bluz View Post
    Drill some vent holes in the bottom hat of the HH Vanguards and you'd probably get what you want. Possibly even mix a polished bottom with a Vanguard top.

    You may try calling Sabian and talking to one of their specialists. They may be able to help you with a custom design.
    I agree.
    I did some vent holes on one of my XS hi-hats and it made a crazy difference!

  7. #7

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    When I think of articulate hats, I think of 13" hats, but vent holes or a wavy edge certainly help larger diameter cymbals.
    Mmm... Saturns.

  8. #8

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by weezy View Post
    When I think of articulate hats, I think of 13" hats, but vent holes or a wavy edge certainly help larger diameter cymbals.
    HHX Evo 13" with vented bottom cup and 8 rivets provide me with the articulation I need.







    Last edited by late8; 01-05-2018 at 11:50 AM.

  9. #9

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by late8 View Post
    HHX Evo 13" with vented bottom cup and 8 rivets provide me with the articulation I need.
    Did you drill those yourself?
    Take care and seeya!

    Jim

  10. #10

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by jgraham798 View Post
    Did you drill those yourself?
    No, I bought the hats new and sent them to the Sabian factory for the modification in order to keep my 2 year factory warranty in tact. It cost a mere $40 USD to have them drill two vent holes in the bottom hihat cymbal cup and to add 8 rivets. I paid for shipping one way and Sabian shipped them back for free. I paid more to have them shipped than what the modification cost. Go figure....

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    Last edited by late8; 01-10-2018 at 09:33 AM.

  11. #11

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    As Weezy says, 13" hats will yield better stick and chick definition. It will come at the cost of some of the nice wash you get with 14s when played slightly open.

  12. #12

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    That's awesome Sabian was able to do that for you Late

  13. #13

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by noreastbob View Post
    As Weezy says, 13" hats will yield better stick and chick definition. It will come at the cost of some of the nice wash you get with 14s when played slightly open.
    I agree....but I must say, I'm blown away by the "total package" of sound I get out of the hybrid Zildjian 13" A/Z
    combo I just picked up. The slightly open wash is better than any set of hats I've ever played. The stick & chick is better as well.
    -Brian

    "Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"

    Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!

    "I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham

  14. #14

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    Quote Originally Posted by SpazApproved View Post
    That's awesome Sabian was able to do that for you Late
    Great customer service with Sabian Spaz!

  15. #15

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    Default Re: Super extra articulate hi hat cymbals...

    I am late to the party, but I would like to add a +1 for vented bottom hat. I used to use a mix of K Custom top hat with an A quickbeat bottom. Gave a real middle of the road timbre. Still had the dark K cusom top. But now I had hats that were slightly dried out, with increased foot chick, and great articulation.
    "The chances of being attacked and killed by a terrorist are less than the chances of being attacked and killed by your own heart"
    Carrying the message to Garcia. Today and everyday.
    Temple Beth Snare Buzz-Head Rabbi

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