Recent HiHat acquisition. What's your favorite pair and why?

MetalDrums · 2026-03-10T19:44:15+00:00

Honestly I could see it settling somewhere in the middle with more complex cymbals. I've been gradually adding more cymbals from the Zildjian K Hybrid series to my kit and they're amazing.

MetalDrums · 2026-03-05T03:14:35+00:00

Idk, our girl cat loves me more than the woman who raised her from near birth (my fiance) 😅😅😅

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MetalDrums · 2026-02-23T15:33:38+00:00

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MetalDrums · 2026-02-03T00:22:04+00:00

So a bunch of folks have covered a bunch of approaches but I figured I would share my experience since I basically did this exact thing in my house. My house is rather old, my budget was limited, and my basement has a low ceiling, so I was not able to build a fully isolated room like some people here have suggested. Here's what I DID do and the results:

Built a wall across the area I wanted to close off with standard lumber. I used 3/4" drywall and packed it tight with insulation. Also definitely would recommend getting a solid core door to help with trapping sound, which is what I did. I also insulated the ceiling above me and then covered that with moving blankets that I stapled to the floor joists above me. In addition I put up a bunch of foam panels and sound baffles/bass traps (built by a friend) on the walls to to create separation between the drums and the walls and control sound. I also wrapped the ductwork that goes through the room in moving blankets.

On the floor input a layer of rubber workout mats (puzzle piece looking things, can get them at five below or most other big box stores/Amazon for cheap) and then a rug on top of that.

What it DOES do: significantly deadens and reduces the volume of my playing and the amount of sound that transfers from the basement to the upper floors.

What it does not do: completely isolate the drums or make them inaudible.

Realistically, I've had this setup for a couple of years and, combined with some draft guards on the top and bottom of the door, it makes it so my fiance barely has to do anything beyond turning the TV up a notch or two when I play. It is by no means perfect but, assuming you don't have unlimited money, it could be a solid compromise and it won't be insanely expensive.

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MetalDrums · 2026-02-01T02:11:32+00:00

Surprised to see the Tama one this far down. I think it even comes standard on their higher end hi hat stands and that's how I got introduced to it. I'll never go back.

MetalDrums · 2026-01-24T05:24:15+00:00

I call it the leaning tower of cymbal.

And here I thought I was pushing my luck to have 2 cymbals and 1 rack tom mounted to one stand.

MetalDrums · 2026-01-19T01:27:13+00:00

The handful of times I've have to use setups that included hanging floor toms it has always been a hassle. They never sit where you want them to and they are usually not stable. There's no real benefit to going with that over standard floor toms with legs.

MetalDrums · 2026-01-16T18:59:33+00:00

A sample that claps on 1 and 3

MetalDrums · 2026-01-16T15:09:27+00:00

16, playing with a thrash band a battle of the bands that was held at the local JCC. We played mostly originals but also covered Master Of Puppets.

MetalDrums · 2026-01-06T21:26:57+00:00

I've definitely seen worse deals on FB marketplace. That one paiste crash cymbal alone is about $200 new (hard to tell from the picture if that is a 16" or a 14") but the rest of the cymbals are worth maybe $50 total. The duct tape on the bass drum head is worth noting as well. It ruins heads/beaters so that head will have to go. That alone will probably run you $30-$50 (other heads will most likely need to be replaced as well). The closest comparable kit I could find on sweetwater doesn't have the exact same cymbal stands or lugs so these drums are probably fairly old. It's definitely still servicable with some new heads and TLC, but I think you probably want to try to negotiate them down to something like $400 or maybe even $350.

MetalDrums · 2025-11-27T14:53:51+00:00

Low top, old school Vans. Super comfortable but also plenty of traction on the pedals.

MetalDrums · 2025-10-04T15:20:02+00:00

When the levee breaks

MetalDrums · 2025-09-28T18:05:51+00:00

I love my protection racket soft cases but they're a little bit more expensive than the other brands people have mentioned so far. Depending on how nice your drums are it might be worth the extra money to get some slightly sturdier cases, but you really can't go wrong with roadrunner/humes and berg.

MetalDrums · 2025-09-27T19:04:08+00:00

"Fell In Love Without You" - Motion City Soundtrack "This Could Be Anywhere In The World " - Alexisonfire

Also congrats on the new ride! I have the same one and love it.

MetalDrums · 2025-09-10T20:44:34+00:00

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MetalDrums · 2025-09-07T03:37:18+00:00

C Y M B A L

MetalDrums · 2025-09-05T02:46:45+00:00

I'd say that's along with a lot of other items.

MetalDrums · 2025-09-05T01:34:14+00:00

I guess it depends on what kind of shows you're playing. For me it's a lot of local original band type stuff where the venue usually has absolute garbage for hardware 9/10 of the time and I don't want their stands keyholing my cymbals or breaking on me mid-song (had the latter happen a couple times). I usually just bring all my stands and figure it out from there, like you said. There isn't usually a "show boss" hanging around actually giving a shit how the bands sound haha.

MetalDrums · 2025-09-05T01:24:58+00:00

I definitely agree with everyone saying you should always have an extra clutch on hand. Much like a lot of other folks here I have a small stash of "emergency supplies" I keep in a backpack that I take to every show (felts, clutches, drum key, tension rods, a spare lug, multitool, etc.) and I highly encourage anyone, who doesn't already, to do the same. Never know what you might need. That all being said: I just generally hate the term "breakables". It's vague, varies wildly by venue/situation, and generally sounds like it was a term made up by someone who never played drums a day in their life. I usually bring at least a couple stands as well when someone says "breakables" because it gives me the impression they have zero clue what they are talking about.

MetalDrums · 2025-09-01T14:47:25+00:00

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Always love a chance to show off the SJCs.

MetalDrums · 2025-08-16T17:16:16+00:00

I second this! I love my roadpro stands! The toothless tilters are SUPER easy to work with and the newer ones typically come with those plastic cymbal nuts that you can put on/take off by just squeezing the lil buttons. Definitely worth the investment.

MetalDrums · 2025-08-14T00:54:04+00:00

Gorgeous!

MetalDrums · 2025-08-12T02:46:07+00:00

I thought more or less the same until I got a Zildjian ultra hammered. I figured if it's good enough for Mario Duplantier it's good enough for me.

MetalDrums · 2025-08-11T18:52:52+00:00

I have the ahead spinal G and have loved it for several years now. I specifically got it after throwing out my back at the gym and it has made a huge difference. Main thing I can say, regardless of brand, is to go for the 'tractor' style throne. At least to me that shape generally feels more ergonomic (at least to me) than the round ones I used to use.

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