Meinl Raker 14" Medium Soundwave Hihat

Group: Hi Hats
Type: Medium Soundwave Hihat
Size: 14 Inch
Series: Raker
Weight: Top: 1010g / Bottom: 1091g

Top: 1004g / Bottom: 1104g

Bottom: 1094g

Years of production: 1987 - ?
Sound file: unknown
Meinl's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Let's look at the cymbals individually, starting with the hi-hats. Both the top and bottom cymbals were quite heavy, and the bottom cymbal was configured with slight, but noticeable ridges (the "sound waves" that give the model its name) completely ringing its outer edge. These are intended to prevent airlock, and the design is successful: I experienced a negligible amount of airlock, and the cymbals produced a loud, clear "chick" sound. The ridged bottom also enabled me to get a particularly clean "sizzle" effect, which I like to do a lot. Though this isn't the kind of playing one normally associates with loudest-of-the-loud rock bands, that needn't prevent one from using these cymbals in ways not necessarily tied to their main mission. And the way these hi-hats sounded went well with the "sizzle."

I should point out that if you're the type who likes to experiment with switching top and bottom hi-hat cymbals, this isn't going to be as feasible with a ridged bottom cymbal. It's certainly possible to play the bottom cymbal on top, but doing so felt strange to me. I also didn't notice any particular acoustic advantage, as is sometimes the case with standard cymbals.

In the case of the hi-hats, their lack of versatility didn't bother me. I wouldn't use them on a jazz gig, but, in truth, I liked the way they sounded, and on most medium-loud to really loud gigs, the individual nature of the hi-hats are frequently sacrificed anyway."

Review written by Brian Alpert ("Meinl Raker Cymbals", Modern Drummer, March 1993, page 36)

Artist/song where it can be heard: unknown