hi-hats

hey, what do you guys think about 13" hi-hats? I've only owned 14s.

My primary hats are Paragon 13's. I like the sharper chic that you get with them. My 14" AAX Stage hats are dedicated X-hats..

The difference is just enough to make them a little more cutting and crisp..

If I had my druthers and could only select one set, I'd go with my 13's:cool:

I kind of like the 14's better, only because I find it to be a little fuller sound. But it probably varies from manufacturer.

What do you think about them? Yours is the only opinion that matters in this regard:D

I have a pair of 14" Rock hats (A Zildjian) and a pair of 13" Dry Dark hats (K Zildjian)

I think the main difference in sound is due to metal, process, thinness, etc. and not the 1"

I'd love to have a pair of 13" hats I could use in certain situations. 14" hats always sound fuller to me, which works for the rock and blues genres, but if I was going into a pop session, or anything funky or jazzy, I'd be all about a set of 13s!

14" hats seem to be the most versitile. I've heard of some guys wanting more volume who've gone up to 15's.

Still, if you want a little more articulation, maybe 13's are the way to go. I've been using the same hats since 1983, so what the hell do I know anyway?!? My ears are so used to them now, that any other hi-hats sound wrong to me.

I always used 13s, but recently moved up an inch. I like 14s much better for most things.

That said, I have a pair of Zildjian 12" SRs that kick ass.

well they say that an inch can make all the difference

Ive got the sabian aax 14" but they arent matched, ie the bottom hat is thicker than the top, is that norm?

Ive no idea ;S

I've used 13" K's for about a eight years as my main hats.

I think certain hi-hat types are best as 14" and some as 13"... it really just depends on the model.

I've been curious about those FOREVER. Never had the chance to try 'em out.

Can you describe them?

Yes, I believe that is true of most "pairs." I play 15" Zildjian hats; Quick Beat bottom and New Beat top...the bottom is probably around 2x the weight of the top. I've had these a long time and I wouldn't give them up.

If I buy a set of hats in the future, I'll be trying 13's. I think I saw a NAMM video somewhere in which 13, 14, & 15 sets of the same model Sabian hats were demo'd, and I was quite surprised by the difference between them.

I certainly may have exaggerated it a bit at 2x. I've had them for 20+ years, and never weighed them. Just judging by weight in-hand, my 15" QB bottom is heavier than my 17" Rock Crash. It's the heaviest non-ride cymbal I have. The hats weren't purchased as a 'factory' pair, and I believe they are more bottom-heavy than most pairs that are.

I recorded on a set of hats once that was an old K" (med-thin) on top and a 14" Quick Beat on bottom; made for a really cool sound!

I wonder about size difference as well. I just picked up a pair of Sabian Vault hats, 14", and they have that great high end, almost bell-like, but man, they are just a tad too heavy. I wonder if a smaller pair would have had higher pitched chick. No worries; I don't believe they'll be the last hats I buy.

When I first started I used 13" hats. I liked them a lot, my only reason for changing to 14" is my reach. I like bigger cymbals so I can position them were I am most comfortable.

I still have a pair of 13" Dyno Beat's that I use on my DJ gigs.

The K/QB combo is a winner. I've got some 14s that have a K Special Dry on top and a Quick Beat on the bottom. Love 'em.

just curious, how do you use hi-hats as a DJ? or what use does a DJ have for a drummer?

That's not what I expected you to say! Hmm, are they kinda loud and clangy then? Or more just like tight/bright?

my primary ones are 10s with 8s underneath!!!!

If it works for you man, stick with it

I've been using 13" New Beats for at least 10 years now so that is the sound I have engraved into my head.