K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Mastersound Hi-Hat
Size: 14 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: Top: 958g / 1446g
- Top: 998g / Bottom: 1451g
- Top: 1057g / Bottom: 1380g
- Top: 1068g / Bottom: 1414g (2003 Serial Number)
- Top: 1069g / Bottom: 1348g (2018 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1080g / Bottom: 1404g
- Top: 1084g / Bottom: 1411g (2018 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1170g / Bottom; 1428g (2005 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1192g / Bottom: 1369g
- Top: 1199g / Bottom: 1368g (1999 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1241g / Bottom: 1458g (2000 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1026g (2014 Serial Number)
- Bottoms: 1374g, 1424g (2016 Serial Number
- Top: 998g / Bottom: 1451g
Median Weight: Top: 1082g (n=12) / Bottom: 1411g (n=13)
Years of production: 1999 - Present
Sound file: K Zildjian 14" Mastersound
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "So just what's the deal with the Mastersound line? Well, in an attempt to eliminate "air lock" (you know, that lousy-feeling and-sounding occurrence that happens when air gets trapped between two closing hi-hat cymbals), Mastersounds have a specially designed bottom cymbal that has little crimps along the edge that let the air that's trapped between the cymbals escape.
Does the design work? In a word, yes. I didn't experience any air-lock problems with the Mastersounds in either the 13" or 14" K or A Custom models. That made for a very consistent chick sound (although not noticeably louder, as you might expect). The hats had a fast, easy-to-move feel to them, even when I was pulsing out fast 8th notes with my foot. And the ol' heel-toe rocking motion on 2 and 4 felt effortless, with no annoying burps bubbling up between the cymbals.
I did notice a couple of general characteristics about the sound of all the Mastersounds. First, the overall stick sound is on the thin side, even in the K line, which would normally be where you'd hear fuller tones. (The 13s in the A Custom line—the brightest-sounding combination—are very thin and glassy sounding.) The chick is not overly "cutting," and the splash sound on all the hats is pleasant, although a little light.
Drummers who like a slightly more controlled-sounding pair of hats, one that won't overshadow the musical setting, will dig the Mastersounds. (I would imagine they'd be a breeze to record.) My favorites of the bunch were the 14" A Customs, and I particularly liked riding on them half-open. Their higher pitch combined with that indefinable A Custom tone made for a killer "wash" sound.
Of course, let's not forget their best feature: no trouble with airlock. The Mastersounds solve that problem.. .well.. .masterfully."
Review written by William F. Miller ("Zildjian K And A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats", Modern Drummer, March 2000, p. 48)
Review: (NOTE: This review takes place after the entire series was re-designed in 2001)
"The 14" Mastersound hats had one of the most articulate chick sounds I’ve heard, with a quick cutoff and no spill. The overall sound was a bit drier than that produced by the Z series hats I’m playing at the moment, but it’s a great jazz sound. The bottom cymbal has a beveled sound edge to prevent airlock,along with a rough hand-hammered-looking finish on the first 11⁄2" in from the edge.
There’s no “sound edge” on the 13" hats, but they closed with a resounding crispness. When played closed, they lacked the fullness of the 14s. This became more apparent when they were ridden open: They sounded a little thin and weak. Although heavier 13" hats (like the K/Z combination) are very popular for pop and fusion playing due to their quickness, thinner “jazz” cymbals don’t seem to work as well in the 13" size. I’ve often flipped what the factory calls “top” and “bottom” cymbals and gotten more satisfactory results riding the slightly heavier one on top. Employing that trick gave the 13s a bit more body."
Review written by Robin Tolleson ("New K Zildjian Cymbals - Myth Meets Reality...Almost", Modern Drummer, March 2002, pp. 36-7)
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