A Custom 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Mastersound Hi-Hat
Size: 13 Inch
Series: A Custom
Weight: Top: 823g / Bottom: 921g
Years of production: 1998 - ?
Sound file: A Custom 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
A Custom 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
A Custom 13" Mastersound Hi-Hat
A Custom 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)

Artist/song where it can be heard: Chad Szeliga