Sabian Signature 12" V-FX Distortion Hats

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: V-FX Distortion Hats
Size: 12 Inch
Series: Signature
Weight: Top: 704g / Bottom: 1030g

Top: 706g / Bottom: 1242g

Median Weight: Top: 705g (n=2) / Bottom: 1136g (n=2)
Years of production: 1999 - 2001
Sound file: Signature 12" V-FX Distortion Hats
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Man, did they pick the right name for this pair! The bottom is heavy with a normal bell. The top resembles a slightly flattened pie plate that rises to a bell in the middle. The hammering on top is clustered towards the bell, becoming more sparse as you go out to the edge. Striking the top cymbal produces a sound like a China plate, but with many varied textures when you play it on the different surfaces (and you've got a lot to choose from). When played with the foot pedal, you get nothing like a chick sound. It's more of a ringing "clang.""

Make no mistake, there is no subtlety in playing the two cymbals together. Their interaction produces plenty of raw sound and overtones, and is very cutting. You get pretty much the same effect when you strike them with a stick—only more so (depending on how hard you hit). Just for fun, I set up the Distortion Hats during a rehearsal with "normal" players playing "normal" music, to see how they would react. They yelled and covered their ears as if aliens had landed. Hmm, maybe they had."

Review written by Chap Ostrander ("Sabian V-FX And Richie "Gajate" Garcia Specialty Cymbals", Modern Drummer, December 1999, p. 47)

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