Paiste New Signature 13" Dark Energy Hats Mark I

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Dark Energy Hats Mark I
Size: 13 Inch
Series: New Signature

Weight:	Top: 765g	/	Bottom: 1180g
	Top: 768g	/	Bottom: 1184g

Median Weight: Top: 766g (n=2) / Bottom: 1182g (n=2)
Years of production: 2004 - ?
Sound file: New Signature 13" Dark Energy Hats Mark I
New Signature 13" Dark Energy Hats Mark I
New Signature 13" Dark Energy Hats Mark I
Paiste's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "New Signature Dark Energy hats are available in 13", 14", and 15" diameters, each pair consisting of a medium-thin top and an extra-heavy bottom cymbal. Like the crashes, these are all labeled Mark I. Visually the top of each cymbal resembles the crashes and the Mark II rides. But the underside of the bottom cymbal (the side that faces up when mounted on a hi-hat stand) has the "unfinished" look of a Mark I ride. The underside of the top cymbal has that same rough look in the center section, but the outer area has the smooth, polished look of a more typical Paiste cymbal.

Starting with the smallest size, I'd have to rate the 13" hats as the weakest entry in the entire Dark Energy line. I generally like 13" hi-hats, but these lack the richness of tone enjoyed by the other Dark Energy models, sounding somewhat brittle. Their strong point was their "chick" sound, which was clean and precise. But when played closed with a stick, the hi-hats sounded very thin. Even when opened very slightly, they lacked body.

By contrast, the 14" Dark Energy hi-hats were the perfect complement to the rides and crashes in the New Signature series. There were plenty of overtones to provide a meaty sound, but it was still a relatively dry sound with an overall dark character. The chick sound was fat and well-defined. and when the hats were played slightly opened they produced that nice "sloshy" sound that recalls drummers like Ringo Starr and John Bonham. The open/closed "bark" sound was also meaty but not overpowering.

The 15" Dark Energy hats were a slightly louder and lower-pitched version of the 14" hats. But they were not so loud as to be uncontrollable, so they could still work in a low-volume setting if you prefer a lower pitch."
Review written by Rick Mattingly ("Product Close-Up - Paiste New Signature Dark Energy Cymbals - New Musical Hybrids", October 2004, p. 35)
Artist/song where it can be heard: Tobias Ralph, Fredy Studer, Nathaniel Townsley, Danny Yamamoto