A Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Mastersound Hi-Hat
Size: 13 Inch
Series: A Zildjian
Weight: Top: 802g (1999 Serial Number) / 1032g (2000 Serial Number)

Top: 828g / Bottom: 1064g (Small cursive A)

Top: 833g / Bottom: 1052g

Top: 835g / Bottom: 1089g (1999 Serial Numbers)

Top: 885g / Bottom: 1085g (Small cursive A)

Bottom: 880g (Small cursive A)

Years of production: 1998 - ?
Sound file: A Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
A Zildjian 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Zildjian is not the first company to offer hi-hat cymbals with edges that have been specially shaped to eliminate air-lock. However, the company has taken a new approach to the way in which the "contact points" between the cymbals are created. Instead of crimping the entire edge of the bottom cymbal (affecting its overall shape), Zildjian employs special hammering on the outer rim of the cymbal. In addition, the outer half-inch of the "underside" of the cymbal (which actually faces up when the cymbal is in playing position) is unlathed.

The idea of this design is to eliminate airlock, and at the same time maximize middle- and high-frequency projection. To that end, the profile of the bow is fairly high, and although the cymbals are based on the classic New Beat design, they are slightly heavier. We tried 13" and 14" models of the Mastersound hi-hats, and discovered that Zildjian has met their goals admirably. There was no airlock, the "chick" sound was solid and cutting, and the "splash" characteristic was great. The 13" models were predictably a little quicker and more responsive than the 14" size, while the larger cymbals had alittle more body and projection, and a slightly lower pitch.

As was Zildjian's intention, the overall tonality of the cymbals was high and bright, owing to the weight of the cymbals. Although these characteristics would serve admirably in any mid- to high-volume situation, the paired Mastersounds seemed to me to be a little too heavy-sounding for use in more subtle situations. So I experimented with substituting a variety of thinner top cymbals in combination with the specially hammered Mastersound bottom. I was able to get more delicate sounds, with no appreciable loss of the advantages offered by the Mastersound bottom's special edge. Zildjian sells their top and bottom hi-hat cymbals separately as well as in pairs, so if the high-powered sound of matched Mastersounds is not to your taste, you could combine a Mastersound bottom with a different top cymbal to get exactly what you're looking for. (I'm told Steve Smith has already paired a Mastersound bottom with a K Custom top.)"
Review written by Rick Van Horn ("Product Close-up - New Zildjian Cymbals", Modern Drummer, March 1999, p.52)
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