Do I start with a New beat hi-hat,and never look back?

[bog_72]

Still working on a good starter set,and am thick into researching cymbals at the moment,which I am convinced,could be a college major,with the amount out there.

So heres the deal,I know its all personal preference,but do you just go straight for a professional hi-hat?
Meaning,sure most of the set can be beginner/intermediate quality,but when it comes to cymbals,maybe more importantly,the hi-hat...should this be automatically pro level?

Can get a used New Beat on e-bay for 125 and up,and of course new,over 300,which is huge money for a beginner for any one item.

I am trying to find the two areas,that you absolutely dont want to skimp.So far I have learned,that shells can sound pretty darn good,even at lower levels,with some decent heads,and rings.
That Stagg and Wuhan can fill crash and china needs

But im having a hard time finding something in a hi-hat,that you can get away with cheap....without jeopardizing your entire sound.

Anyone?

Do I just grab the New Beat,and be set for life,or is there a hidden gem,that helps a beginners budget?

Thanks ahead of time!

[harryconway]

I think you're on the right track. The kick, snare, hi-hat, and ride, are the 4 voices. The foundation of your kit. Buy used, and buy pro level cymbals, and you'll probably never loose money.

I bought a set of 15" Paiste 2002 Black Label hats, back in 1992, for $250. Sold them last year, for $250. Got 17 years use out of 'em, and didn't loose a cent.

Currently, I have 2 sets of cymbals. 1 set is comprised of all Red Paiste ColorSound 5's. The hats are 14", and I paid $81 for them. The other set is all hand hammered Turkish pies. Hats are Istanbul Mehmet 15" Turks, cost me $218.

So indeed, buy what you think sounds good. From what I gather, you're doing your homework. Buy used. Buy pro level. And never look back.

[PeniScott]

You shouldn't just assume that you'll want to keep them forever and ever. Even if they never break it's not a good idea to overlook all other options once you've got new beats, although they are a great starting point and amazing hats in general too.

Being the industry standard for many professionals, they sound good recorded and live, suiting any musical situation.

If you want something cheaper by any chance try the Sabian's XS20 line, very good sounding cymbals and very affordable too, new or used.

xoxo

[WayneWickman]

I played the same pair of New Beats for 20 years, never let me down. Great all purpose hi-hat, cannot go wrong. I recently wanted a different sound and bought some Ks. Still love the classic New Beat sound though.
W

[Drums&Beer]

No doubt, New Beats have that great all purpose sound and feel. I used a pair for years along with a pair of standard K's. However last year I picked up a pair of Bosphorus 14" New Orleans hats and I haven't used my Zildjian pieces since. These hats are that incredible.

[Ferret]

I have a 14in A/Z set that I like more than any other hihat I've tried. Its an A custom "top" hihat on top of a Z custom dynobeat (these hats are the same top and bottom)

The heavy bottom gives great wash/sizzle...

The thinner top gives great stick definition, has a sharp bell )open and closed), and crashes nicely for half open sizzles when you lift the left foot up a bit.

Together they have a great heal splash and chick sounds..and if you accent with the meat of the stick you get a nice clink clink kinda sound, but with it tight you get that tight and defined tit-tit-tit sound, very clear definition.

While they may not be the cheapest new, I bet you can find them on ebay one cymbal at a time, and they honestly sound in context with every genre or porject I've tried them in...from hip hop to jazz to death metal to breakbeat... I'll prolly never buy another set of cymbals.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

I say you've done your homework well and it deserves an A+!

I'm one of those who supports the theory that you can make even mediocre drums sound ok with the right heads and tuning, but cheap cymbals can't be made to sound better. My replies to anyone looking to buy ZBT's and the like reflect this. I highly encourage buying used pro level cymbals. I've bought and sold a few kits in my time, but my snares and cymbals have always remained constants.

Personally, I'd go for it and as you say....."never look back"

[Skulmoski]

Originally Posted by harryconway

The kick, snare, hi-hat, and ride, are the 4 voices. The foundation of your kit. Buy used, and buy pro level cymbals, and you'll probably never loose money.

Ditto; good luck with school.

GJS

[Drifter in the Dark]

Originally Posted by Ferret

I have a 14in A/Z set that I like more than any other hihat I've tried. Its an A custom "top" hihat on top of a Z custom dynobeat (these hats are the same top and bottom)

The heavy bottom gives great wash/sizzle...

The thinner top gives great stick definition, has a sharp bell )open and closed), and crashes nicely for half open sizzles when you lift the left foot up a bit.

He has a good point here. You can look into all sorts of unconventional hi-hat combinations that suit your personal taste. I've been playing an A Custom top with a New Beat Mastersound bottom for the past few years, and I like them so much more than regular New Beats for two reasons: 1) They're more sensitive and responsive. 2) Regular New Beats are STICK KILLERS. The vintage ones have a nice rounded edge, but the new ones do not; the edge is sharp and will chew away at your sticks like a beaver on methamphetamine trying to topple a hickory tree. I know this from experience. Other peoples' experiences may differ, however. Just my $.02.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by Drifter in the Dark

He has a good point here. You can look into all sorts of unconventional hi-hat combinations that suit your personal taste. I've been playing an A Custom top with a New Beat Mastersound bottom for the past few years, and I like them so much more than regular New Beats for two reasons: 1) They're more sensitive and responsive. 2) Regular New Beats are STICK KILLERS. The vintage ones have a nice rounded edge, but the new ones do not; the edge is sharp and will chew away at your sticks like a beaver on methamphetamine trying to topple a hickory tree. I know this from experience. Other peoples' experiences may differ, however. Just my $.02.

For sure mate...and on this point I do agree with you and Ferret to a degree. But I think we're complicating things by throwing out every conceivable hat combination worth consideration.

I really think what the OP is getting at is, is it preferable to pay $125 for a set of used New Beats as opposed to either $300+ for the same set new....OR....$125 for a set of ZBT's. To me it's a no brainer.

[bilkay]

Keep it simple. Get New Beats. I think the best ones are late '60s - early '70s.