Zildjian Impulse 15" Power Hat

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Power Hat
Size: 15 Inch
Series: Impulse
Weight: Top: 1335g / Bottom: 1320g

Top: 1340g / Bottom: 1320g

Years of production: 1984 - 1986
Sound file: Impulse 15" Power Hat
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The Power Beat hi-hats incorporate the most innovatory feature of the Impulse range. The bottom cymbal has eight small semi-circular chunks cut out round the edge. This is the latest Zildjian idea for achieving a more efficient dispersion of air from between the two cymbals, while maintaining the maximum amount of metal to metal contact. A problem with Paiste's 2002 Sound Edge hi-hats (where the bottom cymbal is crinkled to let the air out) is that the hi-hat sound is diminished by the resultantly smaller area of metal to metal contact.

Now – these Power Beat hi-hats sound fantastic. Our sound engineer advised me to throw my own (very expensive) hi-hat cymbals in the dustbin after hearing these. They came through, completely unmiked, as crisp and clear as if at the front of a very sophisticated mix. But, I found them hell to play.

I hit the hi-hats, as I'm sure a lot of other rock drummers do, exclusively on the side, and I keep them pretty loose. I make sure they get a pretty fair bashing and my stand would be walking off the stage if it wasn't nailed to the floor. What kept happening was that every so often the bottom cymbal would be worked up just fractionally nearer than the top, I'd whack it with the stick sideways on, and catch the bottom cymbal just on the edge of one of the semi-circular cut-outs, causing the stick to glance off at all kinds of awkward angles.

I also broke three sticks (that's £5.25 – accounts please note) and dispersed a lot of air myself cursing this rather off putting phenomenon."
Review written by Johnny Kirke ("Zildjian Impulse Cymbals", One Two Testing, May 1984)
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