What First???? New Hats or Ride?

[bradmapex]

Pretty much christmas just happened so i saved up some money, and my birthday is coming soon so i am hoping for some more :). I would like to spend it on my drum set, but i don't know what to get first, new Hats or a new Ride.
I have
B8 14" Hats
B8 20" Ride
B8 18" Crash/ Ride
B8pro 16" Crash
AAX 16" Studio Crash
AAX 16" Chinese
As you can see i need both badly, but which one should i get first. Either way i am goin to trade in my Crash/Ride with either my hats or ride(which ever one i am getting a new on of) to get some more cash off.
Any suggestions of a particular one that you like or think would be good for me.
P.S i play Rock, Funk, Reggae and Hip-Hop
Thanks

[TenPastTen]

Hats. For the music you play, you will use both hats and ride a great deal, but hats are the most personal and signature sound in a drummer's kit.

[mind_drummer]

A good pair of hats will complement nice within your music genre.

[BattleArmor]

I would say Hats. This is how I did it.

[diosdude]

Hats. twenty TWEN twen

[wloeb]

For Rock, I would get the hat's first.

[drums32]

i have all b8s and a wuhan splash and im at your same position too. I feel like my crashes suck so bad i might upgrade a crash before hi hats or ride. Im thinking hi hats then crash then ride. I dont think the b8 ride is that bad but its definetly not that good. The hi hats are ok but kind of suck. The crashes are terrible. Im not sure yet either what im going to upgrade yet but all i know is i have christmas money!!!!

[TTNW]

If you said that Jazz was your #1 genre then I would say ride.

Go with hats, then a ride. Keep that AAX crash and maybe dump the 16 in. B8 crash first then the crash/ride.

[drumhead61]

Pretty much christmas just happened so i saved up some money, and my birthday is coming soon so i am hoping for some more :). I would like to spend it on my drum set, but i don't know what to get first, new Hats or a new Ride.
I have
B8 14" Hats
B8 20" Ride
B8 18" Crash/ Ride
B8pro 16" Crash
AAX 16" Studio Crash
AAX 16" Chinese
As you can see i need both badly, but which one should i get first. Either way i am goin to trade in my Crash/Ride with either my hats or ride(which ever one i am getting a new on of) to get some more cash off.
Any suggestions of a particular one that you like or think would be good for me.
P.S i play Rock, Funk, Reggae and Hip-Hop
Thanks

Really its all about your personal preference...however since you are asking us...definately Hats first ride second

[jimmyakaspanky]

If it everyone else suggesting to get the hats first wasn't enough encouragement...
Get the hats first.
I just got a new pair of hats, and they make everything sound so much better because I use my hats so much.

[bradmapex]

What do u think a good set of hats for my genres would be, (no price limit), and no particular company. I was cheking out a set of Paiste Alpha Sound-Edge hats, you think that they'd do?

[Ainulindale]

Hats. For the music you play, you will use both hats and ride a great deal, but hats are the most personal and signature sound in a drummer's kit.

could'nt say it better myself, good hunting!

[jimmyakaspanky]

I like the Sabian hats myself.
You could try the AAX or HHX series.
I have the AAX stage hats and they sound nice.
Here's a short clip of a rough recording I made (It demonstrates the sound of the hats though):

[jcmuse2089]

Definitely hats. All Sabian AAX hats sound good, but I absolutely love the X-celerator's. They have an air wave bottom for quick air release on funky beats. It's a nice, fast chick. Although with any AAX or HHX hats, you can't go wrong (top of the line). But, I absolutely hate AA hats (AA crashes and rides however, rock). And if you play Hip Hop/Funk, then you definitely don't want to get these. They're just too heavy, and not good for softer styles. But AAX and HHX hats just seem thinner and more musical.

[airsmunch1]

Improving both will dramatically improve your kit and playing. When you feel the groove of your rhythm cymbals, you play better.

I have an old pair of Sabian B20 hi hats that are no longer being made but are the same quality as Sabian's top of the lines that sound great! I paid $100 20 years ago for them!

Most reliable sound however I have found is the Zildjian New Beats.

www.wolvesatthedoor.com

[drumbandit]

I'm having the same dilemma at the moment, but gonna go for a 24" K light ride then get an 18" K con crash to complete my hi-hat set, (on top of an old hand-hammered Turkish pie).

Tom

[Avalanche]

Hats, every time. definitely one of the most important sounds of the kit (along with snare and bass drum), and probably the most used cymbal.

Stick with the lead lines from the top manufactures if you can. Zildjian Avedis, Sabian HH or AA, Paiste 2002, and you can't go wrong. Then it is all about what sounds good to you. -airsmunch1


What he said...

[wloeb]

What do u think a good set of hats for my genres would be, (no price limit), and no particular company. I was cheking out a set of Paiste Alpha Sound-Edge hats, you think that they'd do?

I don't recommend those.

check out the higher line
Paiste- Giant beats, 2002, sig, 20
Ziljian A series
Sabian AA series

[ShaysRebellion]

for hip hop/pop/reggae. i'd get new hats first. Some good Meinls(MB20), or zildjians(A custom).