SWM seeks the ever elusive, perfect "chick". And by chick, I mean hi hat sound. I'm interested in Zildjian Ks, but I know Paiste and Meinl make some pretty decent hi hats as well. I play rock mostly, and some jazz...and I use the hi hat pedal a lot in my rythms. What do you recommend for a great sounding hi hat that has a distinctive "chick" sound?
Quote from: iwokojance on November 21, 2008, 03:00 PM
SWM seeks the ever elusive, perfect "chick". And by chick, I mean hi hat sound. I'm interested in Zildjian Ks, but I know Paiste and Meinl make some pretty decent hi hats as well. I play rock mostly, and some jazz...and I use the hi hat pedal a lot in my rythms. What do you recommend for a great sounding hi hat that has a distinctive "chick" sound?
Anything with the Sound Edge Bottom (i.e., Paiste Sound Edge, Meinl Sound Wave, Zildjian MasterSound, Sabian X-Cellerator) will increase your chick sound. Also, Zildjian's Quick Beats and Sabian's Flat Hats (with the vent holes) as well as Sabian's Fusion Hats (with the vent holes on the bottm hat's bell) will also do this.
If you want a more "traditional" type hi-hat, look at hats with a heavy bottom and a medium or medium thin top. The extra "meat" in the bottom hat will help the chick. Also, check to see that you aren't experiencing airlock with your current hats; tilt the bottom hat so that it does not evenly meet the top hat when you close the hats with your foot.
Quote from: Tim vdv on November 21, 2008, 03:22 PM
If you want a more "traditional" type hi-hat, look at hats with a heavy bottom and a medium or medium thin top. The extra "meat" in the bottom hat will help the chick.
I've done that with both old Paiste and Zildjain hats. Good thing I have a lot of cymbals to pick from. Have used them that way for several years. Works great that way. ;)
Before you start looking to replace your HiHat cymbals, make sure that you've got the HiHat stand dialed in for optimal performance. Changing the angle of the bottom HiHat cymbal via the screw on the HiHat Seat, will typically make a BIG difference on how well your HiHats sound when performing a chick.
You may already know this, but wanted to mention it just in case ... and for anyone else that may be seeking the perfect chick. 8)
Also, where the adjustment screw is in relation to your playing. Sometimes just getting new felts can help bring back the "chick". All that being said, I play 14" Zildjian Quick Beats and love them.
I have a pair of 13" K hats 4sale. They work great for both jazz & rock and have a nice chick.
Quote from: Jon E on November 21, 2008, 05:53 PM
Also, where the adjustment screw is in relation to your playing.
That I have always wondered about - were is the optimal position for the adjustment screw? Mine is always to the left side as I am looking at the hat.
Quote from: Mark Pedersen on November 21, 2008, 06:49 PM
That I have always wondered about - were is the optimal position for the adjustment screw? Mine is always to the left side as I am looking at the hat.
Mine is typically always towards me, so when I have the bottom HiHat cymbal angled up, the smallest distance between the top and bottom HiHat is closest to me.
There's no wrong or right. You have to adjust the screw to get the best
chick and/or results from YOUR HiHats. Adjusting the HiHat so there's a slight angle (at least) on the bottom cymbal will help keep it from "sucking air" when opening and closing the HiHats.
The perfect chick is in the ear of the beholder. Ive got some 15''2002 sound edge hats, a pair of 14''Dark/crisp signature hats, and some 2002 14'' heavy hats. The perfect chick doesnt mean loud to me. The sound edge hats can sound brittle. Zildjians 14'' A-custom rippled hats sound much warmer to me. So far as far as chick is concerned the A customs are pretty sounding and THATS a chick i could take home.
Quote from: oxxxeee on November 30, 2008, 01:30 AM
Thought I knew everything about my kit... Wonder what I still don't know. I was planning on buying some sound edge hats since I played them on a friends set. Not now. Bart ya save me about $300 bucks. Thanks
You would be surprised what you can learn here! There are several tons of good information in the VIP area. Give yourself a Christmas presant you will enjoy all year. Sign up now and avoid the shopping crowds. ;D
Quote from: Louis on November 30, 2008, 11:12 AM
You would be surprised what you can learn here! There are several tons of good information in the VIP area. Give yourself a Christmas presant you will enjoy all year. Sign up now and avoid the shopping crowds. ;D
Yeah, the advice here is always top notch. Thanks, btw to all that have given their two cents in this thread. As always, it has helped me a lot. I do have my lower hat adjusted at an angle. I like the tips of my hats to be just barely touching, so that when they're released by the pedal, they "sizzle" just slightly.
I decided to treat myself and buy a pair of the Paiste sound edge hi hats. It was time to upgrade, anyway. I've been using Saluda Mist hi hats for a couple of years, and while they're not bad for the price, they definitely don't sing like some other hi hats do...at least, according to my ears.
Quote from: iwokojance on November 30, 2008, 01:18 PMI like the tips of my hats to be just barely touching, so that when they're released by the pedal, they "sizzle" just slightly.
I prefer my hats open when the pedal is released. When I want that sizzle it is available by slightly depressing the pedal.
I've always used great sounding hats. The rest of the sound comes from how tight they are, how you hit them, etc. Let your ears be your guide and you'll learn many ways to use your hats. ;)
I've heard and seen some players use the heavier bottom hat on top - they claim a bigger chick sound. It's not my preference but seems to work for them. I've got 14" Sabian HHX Evos, loud as I need have some very nice nuance. They sound great. I've also got 13" Meinly Byzance which are a nice change for lighter sound.
Question, do the K Constantinople Hi-Hats have a good chick? I get a killer chick with my ZBT pluses ::) lol.
Quote from: Erk on December 01, 2008, 12:49 PM
Question, do the K Constantinople Hi-Hats have a good chick?
I don't know why not....They're a step up from ZBT as far as I know. You may very well have the cymbals and hat adjusted perfect. Just think, what would high end cymbals sound like? :o
Darker, drier cymbals tend to have a fuller "chick" sound to my ears, which is one of the reasons I like the K Custom Darks. Warning: They can feel heavy and unwieldy if you've been playing light hi-hats all of your life. Even the 14" hats took a little getting used to after playing Quick Beats for so long.
Quote from: iwokojance on November 30, 2008, 01:18 PM
I do have my lower hat adjusted at an angle. I like the tips of my hats to be just barely touching, so that when they're released by the pedal, they "sizzle" just slightly.
I have a feeling that the maximum distance between the cymbals that you're describing may be compromising your quest for that perfect chick. I find there is a sweet spot angle-wise and distance-wise that I shoot for. Too flat, and there's no meat or they choke. Too much angle, and the chick is too wide and sort of flams. Too much height is too unwieldy. Too little height and I've got no dynamic control - particularly on the loud, cut through side.
And if you're already touching at the top of the stroke, then part of the "chick" has already happened before you press your foot down.
I'm not saying lose the slosh, as it is a very useful sound - by I would suggest it is something you might put under "manual" control - by not lifting your foot all the way up when it is desired.
Just a thought.
David
My Sabian HHX 15" Groove hats were delivered yesterday and I got a chance to compare them to my 14" HHX Manhattan Jazz hats, and my 13" K Custom hats. I've never used 15" hats before but I really like that sound... much darker and louder. So, with this new toy, I've definitely moved closer to that perfect chick for my taste. This is now my favorite set of hats!
Istanbul Agop Turk hats. Oh so dark. Beefy chick. And silky smooth. It is indeed a beast. I wanna get my hands on a 15". Holy cow, that would be so dark.