Why the 17" hi hats are so cool

Bo Eder

Bo Eder

Platinum Member
So I also did a video playing my 17" hi hats primarily so you can hear why I think they're so cool. Steve Jordan was right when he said 14" hi hats tend to cut too much, and can be overbearing. I've noticed this over the years as both the drummer and the audio mixing guy. When a guy comes in with 14" hi hats, I do notice that I don't need to turn the hi hat fader up at all because those hi hats will bleed into everything else. In fact, when I have an inexperienced player, even if I don't bring up the hi hat mic, they're still too loud. They (small hi hats) just exist in that frequency range where nothing else lives, so they cut right through the entire band. Whether you like it or not!

Over ten years ago I paired two A. Zildjian 17" Thin Crashes together to make my hi hat pair, and I've been using them ever since. The thin-ness and size drops the pitch down quite a bit, the crunch and slosh are amazing. But the additional happy result is that they blend in better with the rest of the kit, well, the rest of the band, for that matter. I can actually utilize the hi-hat mic channel at the console and the sound does not want to rip your head off. For me, it just works better. And nobody is running away from me when I start slamming them because of the hearing damage that could occur ;). You do end up with less of a foot "chick" sound, but I think it's a small trade-off to have an instrument that blends better in to the mix.

Of course, I think these sound great, so I may never be able to find a Paiste equivalent, but I have some ideas I'm going to try, but at least I know these will work.

If you have a minute - here's the video:

 
I get it...I have two sets and one is a 15" set, and if they weren't old NS12 and too soft to use regularly, I'd still be using them. But my main set is 14" and I dig it, so I'm going to act like I didn't like your cymbals better and save me some money :D
 
I dig your 17 vibe...they have a nice warm..full..soft sound that seems right for your touch on the drums. What I can't get out of my head though is Gingers sound on White room. Ya know Bo..i think you are finding your own unique sound so stay on track..dont follow the pack 😃.
 
Of course, I think these sound great, so I may never be able to find a Paiste equivalent, but I have some ideas I'm going to try, but at least I know these will work….. buy the Jordan’s be happy .. they will be better in the mix with the masters 24. Just saying..
 
Big hats are great and do indeed seem to sit in the mix better. I'll occasionally gig with 15" hats but the majority of work goes to my 16's. They just work in every situation.

16" and up are still a niche thing, however. I haven't met anyone else who plays hi-hats larger than 15".
 
they sound very bright, i would think the larger diamter would have a lower tone but those are sweeeeeet!!!!
 
Thinner 14s coupled with playing them more quietly can really do the trick. I'm amazed at how hard people hit their hats.

The other thing is that there are often a number of other "hi hat" type things in a mix- a strummed acoustic guitar, a shaker, a tambourine. Things can sound messy when everyone's going "chunka chunka," you know?

Anyway, I like the idea of big hi hats like that. The last pair I tried, 16s, I wasn't crazy about. But hey.
 
Thanks for sharing Bo. Those sound great. Do you think the Paistes will sound that much better though? Anyways, I’m sure there’s a Paiste equivalent.
 
Paul Blood said:
Thanks for sharing Bo. Those sound great. Do you think the Paistes will sound that much better though? Anyways, I’m sure there’s a Paiste equivalent.
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Not sure. But I think the Paiste equivalent would be the Steve Jordan Traditionals - but I’m really trying NOT to spend $800+ on a pair of hi hats.
 
Bo Eder said:
Not sure. But I think the Paiste equivalent would be the Steve Jordan Traditionals - but I’m really trying NOT to spend $800+ on a pair of hi hats.
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Duckduckgo used 17" hats...see if some Istanbul..or Turkish used hats pops up for a less stressful 💰 situation. Somehow while listening to your grooves you come across as a Turkish kinda guy.
 
Wait. Sooooo, to be clear, are these the Paistes you just ordered off Amazon, or your old Zildjians?
 
I like 13 and 14 in hats because they do cut but I can see the advantages of larger hats too. I've never tried larger tbh and since I love playing my hats I should definitely put it on my bucket list. Sounds like you hunted and pecked your Zildjian hats so have you tried brand matched pairs you also liked-I'd like to check them out. I like the idea of a larger area of cymbal real estate to noodle on.
 
I have Paiste 16” and 17” Traditional thin crashes that I absolutely love. I do have some early 80’s original Sabian HH crashes, in those same sizes. I think I’m going to experiment, and see how they sound.

Btw, my go to hi-hats, are early 80’s 15” Paiste SE!
 
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