K Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat

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K 13 Mastersound Hi Hat 1.jpg
K 13 Mastersound Hi Hat 2.jpg
K 13 Mastersound Hi Hat 3.jpg

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Mastersound Hi-Hat
Size: 13 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: Top: 820g / Bottom: 1126g

Top: 824g / Bottom: 982g
Top: 828g / Bottom: 1101g
Top: 832g / Bottom: 1104g (2002 Serial Numbers)
Top: 840g / Bottom: 1056g
Top: 849g / Bottom: 1066g (2001 Serial Numbers)
Top: 849g / Bottom: 1021g
Top: 881g / Bottom: 1208g
Top: 884g / Bottom: 1141g (2005 Serial Numbers)
Top: 893g / Bottom: 1177g (2003 Serial Numbers)
Top: 897g / Bottom: 999g
Top: 917g / Bottom: 1094g
Top: 931g / Bottom: 1135g (2000 Serial Numbers)
Top: 933g / Bottom: 1085g
Tops: 844g, 885g, 920g (2004 Serial Number), 953g
Bottoms: 1008g, 1012g, 1025g, 1082g (2001 Serial Number), 1124g

Years of production: 1999 - ?
Sound file: K Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 13" 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)
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