Sabian HH 13" Fusion Hats

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Fusion Hats
Size: 13 Inch
Series: HH
Weight: Top: 822g / Bottom: 1360g

Top: 854g / Bottom: 1436g

Top: 882g / Bottom: 1432g

Top: 892g / Bottom: 1450g

Top: 912g / Bottom: 1410g

Top: 914g / Bottom: 1484g

Bottom: 1614g

Years of production: 1988 - ?
Sound file: HH 13" Fusion Hats
HH 13" Fusion Hats
HH 13" Fusion Hats
HH 13" Fusion Hats
HH 13" Fusion Hats
HH 13" Fusion Hats
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The Fusion Hat package combines a heavy (and I mean heavy) Leopard series (unlathed and hand-hammered) bottom cymbal with either an AA Rock or HH Medium-Heavy top cymbal, in 13" sizes. For added cut (and to eliminate airlock), the bottom cymbal has a special profile with two holes drilled in the bell. Our test group included top cymbals from both the AA and HH lines, in both standard and Brilliant finishes. Generally speaking, any of the possible combinations produced a tremendous "chick" sound when closed with the foot —primarily due to the heavy bottom cymbal and lack of airlock. The top cymbals were a bit heavier than either AA or HH standard hi-hats would be, and this also contributed to the "chick." It also contributed to the very loud, cutting stick sound achieved on the hi-hats when closed. There was a difference in pitch among all of the various top cymbals, as might be expected with cast cymbals, so there was also a difference in closed hi-hat pitch —depending on which combination was employed. But any combination sounded excellent in this regard. When it came to the quick choke sound so dominant in funk or fusion music, these cymbals were terrific. They spoke loud and clear when open, then choked immediately when closed. You couldn't ask for better response for this purpose. If there was any area in which they weren't superlative, I would have to say it might be in the "traditional" jazz-ride department. That is to say, when I tried to play an old-fashioned open-and-closed swing beat ("spang, spang-a-lang,spang-a-lang," etc.), the top hi-hats generally didn't produce or project what I would consider the optimum sound. However, let me point out the physics involved here. The cymbals are heavier than jazz hi-hats would likely be, which means they will produce a thicker, more pointed sound. They are also an inch smaller in diameter than most hi-hats commonly used today, which means that they have less metal to produce spread and projection. They cannot reasonably be expected to perform a swing/jazz ride in the same way a pair of 14" medium or thin hi-hats would. That isn't what they are designed for. Speaking specifically, I expected to prefer the sound of an AA top cymbal over an HH, because I generally prefer cymbals in the AA line due to their higher pitch and brighter sound. However, in this instance, I was surprised. I found the HH top cymbals a bit more responsive, and even a bit more "shimmery" than the AA models. This was the case in either the standard or the Brilliant finish, although even more evident between the HH and AA Brilliants. Perhaps this is due to the fact that an AA Rock cymbal is a bit thicker than an HH Medium-Heavy, and thus will be a bit drier. My personal favorite among all the possible combinations was an HH standard-finish top with the heavier of the two Leopard bottoms that we had available to try. This combination produced an absolutely killer closed or open/choked sound, and a very acceptable open/closed ride sound.If you're in the market for a loud, fast hi-hat for any purpose, you should try Sabian's Fusion Hats."

Review written by Review written by Rick Van Horn (Modern Drummer, pp. 112-113 "Product Closeup", July 1988)

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