K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Mastersound Hi-Hat
Size: 14 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: Top: 958g / 1446g
- Top: 998g / Bottom: 1451g
- Top: 1057g / Bottom: 1380g
- Top: 1068g / Bottom: 1414g (2003 Serial Number)
- Top: 1069g / Bottom: 1348g (2018 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1080g / Bottom: 1404g
- Top: 1084g / Bottom: 1411g (2018 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1192g / Bottom: 1369g
- Top: 1199g / Bottom: 1368g (1999 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1241g / Bottom: 1458g (2000 Serial Numbers)
- Top: 1026g (2014 Serial Number)
- Bottoms: 1374g, 1424g (2016 Serial Number
- Top: 998g / Bottom: 1451g
Years of production: 1999 - Present
Sound file: K Zildjian 14" Mastersound
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" Mastersound Hi-Hat
K Zildjian 14" 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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