The 12 Best Jazz Hi Hat Cymbals For 2022
If you’re a jazz cat, you know that the hi-hats you play with have to possess just the right amount of crunch, chick and stick definition. At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we understand that every drummer’s ear is a little different, so we’ve put together a list of 12 fantastic hi hats PERFECT for the genre. There’s bound to be a sound you dig in here somewhere! Here’s our picks, in no particular order:
Meinl Byzance Dark Big Apple Dark Hats 15"
Featuring an earthy, natural character, the Meinl B15BADAH Hi Hats sport a smaller bell and thinner top and bottom cymbals than the other Byzance Dark series hi hats. This unique combination of features along with the fully unlathed surface produces a warm, smooth tonality balanced with dark articulation. The 15" Meinl Byzance Dark Big Apple Dark Hats will work well in Pop, Fusion, Jazz, Funk, R&B, Reggae, Studio, World, or Electro music.
Paiste Signature Traditionals Medium Light Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
The Paiste Signature series defines the modern era of cymbals. Years from now, we'll look back at these as the template of the time. These hats are dark, broad, complex, warm, smoky, oriental and sparkling with special emphasis on volume control, dynamics and stick feel. The Traditionals have a soft, responsive feel, with a full, warm, open sound. Loose, soggy chick sound. Perfectly suited for traditional swing patterns, but also well usable for other acoustic styles like Blues, Country, Soul or Gospel.
Sabian HHX Anthology Low Bell Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
Here at the Drum Center of Portsmouth, we carry all the major cymbal brands. There are countless options, and the Sabian HHX Anthology is a new voice in a crowded field but we feel these have something very special to the sound. HHX Anthology is a pinnacle of essential HHX technologies, uniting traditional and contemporary sounds. The 14" HHX Anthology Low Bell Hat's innovative design allows the full spectrum of the hi hats to unfold with no compromise to sound or feel. The unprecedented sonic control and range puts creativity into the drummers hands and opens new possibilities to play their way.
Zildjian K Constantinople Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
The Zildjian K Constantinople series has been somewhat polarizing among the drumming community, but as far as we can see, there are a lot of people who really dig these cymbals. The care going into the manufacturing process is obvious with these, and they sound great as a result. The 14" K Constantinople Hi Hats have received a makeover. Incorporating the same features as the new 15", 17", and 19" K Constantinople Crashes, the K Con Hi Hats now utilize new hammering techniques allowing the cymbal to open up with more dark overtones, distinction, and musicality than ever before. The new pin lathe, added to the top and bottom of each cymbal, serves as an additional tonal groove, adding to the overall complexity of the sound produced. Additionally, the new pin lathe enhances the visual appearance of these cymbals adding a vintage look of the Ks of the past.
Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary Hi Hat Cymbals 15"
The big daddy of tastefully jazzy hi hats, the Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary Hi-Hats are papery thin, with a very quick decay and a trashy, yet controlled wash. To our ears, these magnificent handcrafted instruments are the ideal sound for the most discerning musicians.
Dream Bliss Hi Hat - 15
Dream Bliss hi hats have a lower pitch and more chunk to their "chick sound". An articulate and dynamic stick sound as well as consistent crisp foot chicks without air pockets, splashy open foot sounds, and a truly comfortable foot feel make these a great choice for a larger style hi-hat. Deep and warm and surprisingly responsive for their size. These are also one of the best values on our list!
Turkish Millennium Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
Turkish Millennium hats are specifically primed for the modern recording environment. Thin and light with a controlled sonic throw, Millennium's bright, polished top and bottom begins with a tight bell and extended lathing through the bow to the edge. Their gradual taper and meticulous hand-hammering gives them a darker, richer sound that bridges the gap between tried and traditional to current and vibrant.
Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve Hi Hat Cymbal Pair 14"
The new line of handcrafted cymbals from Meinl is referred to as the Byzance Foundry Reserve collection. It is a NEW, very, limited selection of cymbals that showcases the stunning, sonically rich works of art that their cymbalsmiths create with layers of tonality and nuance; however, that is only half of the beauty, as they are visually striking from the one-of-a-kind hand-hammered marks. The extra hammering creates many deep craters across the surface. When this hammering is coupled with the fully lathed top and bottom, it produces a clear, dry stick-attack note over a lush bed of low undertones – otherwise known as “the roar.” These Byzance cymbals are very limited at Drum Center of Portsmouth and incredibly special. Included with each cymbal will be a letter from Mr. Meinl, a Certificate of Authenticity, a pair of Meinl Stick & Brush Standard 5As, and 100% cotton cymbal protection gloves.
Paiste Masters Dark Hi Hat Cymbals 15"
Since the release of the Paiste Masters series, their popularity seems to have grown exponentially. These days, dark cymbal sounds are in, and while many cymbals on the market embody that sound, the Paiste Masters cymbals project in a way that others do not. These rich, dark and sensitive hi-hats are perfectly suited for light to medium heavy use within Jazz, Blues, Country and other acoustic music styles!
Sabian HHX Legacy Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
Very responsive pairing that delivers clean, crisp stick articulation and solid pedal " chick" , with warm, tonal colour. Like all HHX Legacy models, Sabian 14" HHX Legacy Hats are musically deep, dark and rich. Until HHX, it was impossible to project darkness. But the dark, simmering sound, agitated bite and "Tone Projection" design of HHX makes this series more effective than others. Other cymbals may generate darkness, but HHX stirs up more simmering heat, more musical dirt, more of what drummers want to hear - and projects it. It gets you heard. And felt. HHX "Tone Projection" is an innovative design, created by the Sabian Vault team.
Zildjian Kerope Hi Hat Cymbals 15"
Keropes by Zildjian are hand crafted cymbals that look as they sound...dark, and complex. Reminiscent of cymbals from the 50s and 60s yet distinctly modern and relevant for today's music, Kerope is named in honor of Kerope Zildjian, who presided over one of the most storied periods in Zildjian history. Featuring a traditional finish, The thin weight Kerope cymbals have a dark sound, low pitch and a long sustain.
Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
These 14" Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis Signature Hi Hat Cymbals have a softer, buttery sound with a ton of complex wash. These hats would excel in a smaller group or venue, and will sound amazing when recorded. Check out the full line of Mel Lewis Istanbul cymbals, including high quality audio samples online at Drum Center of Portsmouth!
…and there you have it! 12 of our current favorite jazz hi hats, covering a wide sonic range. This list is just a starting point, however. At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we carry a massive selection of hi hats for every genre. As always, feel free to give one of our drum professionals a call or an email to help dial in YOUR exact hi hat sound!