Advantages and Disadvantages

[Budiesel]

Sorry if this is a repeat, but I'm going to be getting some new hi hats. I'm kinda debating on sizes thought. Does size really matter with hats lol? I play all music, but mainly hard rock, classic rock, blues, and some punk. Should I just go for what is cheaper?

[44Ronin]

Smaller hats will have less wash , yet more cut

[tynn]

I'd go for a normal 14" in your situation.

Better to spend a few extra bucks than to have to buy a new one because the one you've got is too small, or?

[YamahaDrummerAus]

I agree, the 14" would go well.

I do suggest the Zildjian Hybrid 13.25" Hi Hats. They are essentially a mix of 14 and 13 hi hats. They are really good all round cymbals.

[Cymbalrider]

Actually for your type of music I would recommend 15". 15" work well for classic rock/blues stuff as they are a lower pitched, sweeter, more sizzly sound. You don't have to get the sound wave/mastersound or whatever but it's an option. I would recommend 15" New Beat hi-hats and of course 14" if you go that way. 14" is in the middle between and open and closed sound really. 13" is more of a clangy sound as there is less surface area contact between top and bottom. 13" are great for funk as you can open/close them quickly and they have a controlled sound to match. Just go to Zildjian.com or something and listen to 15" vs. 14" hats. At cymbalsonly.com you can listen to the size difference between different models of brands as well. Sabian just introduced a few models of bigger hi-hats as well. Just pick a model and listen to the differences between 13,14,15 sizes. Some models, like the 15" HHX Groove hats sound better in the bigger sizes than the small ones. Paistes work the same way. You can hear those on their webpage too.
Probably, for that classic rock sound though, 15" should be what you are looking at.

[Drummer Karl]

Also depends on what hats you wanna buy. 13" hats have more cut, sound higher in pitch. I´d like to own a 13" pair as a second set for many musical situations.

Once I listened to a Hi-hat in 13" and 14" diameter and although I like 14" hats for Jazz and especially for Bop I would have chosen the 13" model. The 14" just had too much body for me. So yeah, which Hi-hat would you like to buy?
I can`t say that there is a "must" for a music style...it`s all about the final sound.

Karl

[tynn]

I'm not sure of what you guys are saying:

Does a 13" really have more "cut" or does it just have a higher pitch?
Is this the same? Maybe. Still it's a bit confusing since a 13" tends to drown in the sound of the guitar, is it really still more cutting? hm...

[Class A Drummer]

I would say 14 inch just because you play so many types of music. 14 is the standard probably the most versitile size.

[Budiesel]

Yea, I think I am leaning towards 14". I'm really digging the Sabian HHX Groove Hats, and I think that is what I will go for. Thanks for everyones inputs.

[Skitch]

Actually for your type of music I would recommend 15". 15" work well for classic rock/blues stuff as they are a lower pitched, sweeter, more sizzly sound. You don't have to get the sound wave/mastersound or whatever but it's an option. I would recommend 15" New Beat hi-hats and of course 14" if you go that way. 14" is in the middle between and open and closed sound really. 13" is more of a clangy sound as there is less surface area contact between top and bottom. 13" are great for funk as you can open/close them quickly and they have a controlled sound to match. Just go to Zildjian.com or something and listen to 15" vs. 14" hats. At cymbalsonly.com you can listen to the size difference between different models of brands as well. Sabian just introduced a few models of bigger hi-hats as well. Just pick a model and listen to the differences between 13,14,15 sizes. Some models, like the 15" HHX Groove hats sound better in the bigger sizes than the small ones. Paistes work the same way. You can hear those on their webpage too.
Probably, for that classic rock sound though, 15" should be what you are looking at.

I was kinda thinking 15" New Beats myself; and nothing smaller than 14".


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
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[maddrummr]

How far are you from Paletine Illinois?

Cause the drum pad is out there and they have TONS AND TONS of stock. http://www.thedrumpad.com/

[Budiesel]

I'm about 150+ miles away from Chicago, so probly about 200 miles away I'd say.

[tamadrummer132]

i wanna go to the drum pad.

personally i have a pair of 15" new beats, and they are alright. I think i overall prefer smaller hats because of the control that you have over the open/close side of things.