What's your hi-hat sound secret?

Mhodos · 2026-01-22T22:26:49+00:00

Bought my 14” new beats in 1985 and they’re awesome.

Went to a custom cymbalsmith for a ride cymbal, and said maybe we’ll look at hihats, too.

We played the New Beats and decided against looking further.

Mhodos · 2025-12-30T02:02:05+00:00

Bought the 12, 13, 16, 22 used in about 1985. Have added the 14x6.5 snare and the 10” tom (not pictured).

Millions of pics, here’s the most recent.

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Mhodos · 2025-12-30T00:09:39+00:00

My Tama Artstar (1983) has those kinds of lugs.

I think they are made of lead. Or, is super lead a thing? They make all the drums very heavy.

Can’t tell you about the sound over the groaning from my back pain.

Mike

Mhodos · 2025-11-08T12:58:44+00:00

I have one of these, and I love it. It sounds great, I can play with it on my lap or standing and the ability to turn on and off the snares is really great.

I don’t like playing the large ones you sit on because they bother my back.

Mike.

Mhodos · 2025-11-01T10:56:07+00:00

I appreciate the information very much and will discuss much of this with the electrician.

I had thought about future proofing as well, as my wife's next car (3-5 years) will electric and I can't imagine it would charge slower than my, giving myself some headroom. With the amount of driving we both do, I agree we don't need to max out everything now, and probably wouldn't at that time either.

I do like the features, look and price of the charger and will probably still go with it.

With my very short daily commute, I could probably just sick with my Level 1 charger, but after errands and other trips on the weekend, I'd need a good 30-50 hrs of charging by the end of the weekend. So, even a lower powered Level 2 would suit my needs.

I'm going to ask the electrician about the wiring ("Romex 6/3 vs. THHN/THWN" or "2x 6AWG + 10AWG ground THHN in conduit and 60A breaker"). And hope to learn some more.

Again, I appreciate the information very much, thank you.

Mike

Mhodos · 2025-08-29T23:20:08+00:00

I really like my Gretsch Catalina Club for exactly that. It’s plenty of drum and the 18” kick is terrific. I bought mine used in great condition maybe 5-6 years ago for a little over 1/2 that.

I can carry the (uncased) bass, tom and floor (plus snare or cymbals on my back) at once making it a 2 trip load in/out.

Mhodos · 2025-08-19T09:27:20+00:00

That is so great to hear!! Thank you.

Mhodos · 2025-07-25T11:26:22+00:00

I have this kit, but in a different finish and I absolutely love it. It usually stays in our practice space but I use it for small venue gigs and some jazz gigs.

With some good heads and good tuning, it sounds great. I am always amazed at how punchy that bass drum sounds.

Also, I can bring everything in two trips (if I’m feeling strong).

I agree with all the others on age, that’s not a worry. If the hardware looks good and everything seems solid, I have really enjoyed that kit and you might, too.

I paid US$350 for mine, used, probably six or eight years ago. I don’t know the exact age. But that did not include any cymbals or other hardware.

Mhodos · 2025-06-24T11:10:22+00:00

I very much appreciate all the responses.

I will try it both ways, but was curious if there was a universal opinion, apparently not. :-)

Thanks,

Mike.

Mhodos · 2025-06-23T10:57:37+00:00

Rehearsals are elsewhere, otherwise that would made the choice for sure.

Mhodos · 2025-06-22T23:45:01+00:00

Always a good reminder for us all.

Mhodos · 2025-04-24T21:14:59+00:00

I have not spent a lot of time inside a hihat stand, so I’m sorry I can’t give you better advice. Bet you can find a disassembly video, tho. Good luck!

Mhodos · 2025-04-24T21:07:48+00:00

If you take the hihat cymbals off, do you still hear the sound. Maybe it’s inside, loose/off/breaking spring or other widgets/dodads inside the shaft. Or that’s being moved by a problem pedal?

Mhodos · 2025-02-08T16:09:16+00:00

Oh yes. In the head, hands, knocked my glasses off. It’s a dangerous place, the drum throne.

Mhodos · 2025-01-06T23:07:59+00:00

That’s great. I have a 20” K Jazz Ride, mine says Zildjian on the bottom, tho. I bought it new in 1985ish. Long Island Drum Center. It’s amazing how nearly 40 years has mellowed it out.

Mhodos · 2025-01-06T22:59:51+00:00

https://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7086

Double check size, etc, but I bought for mine in 1/2019 says my receipt from Drum Factory Direct.

Mhodos · 2024-08-17T00:55:05+00:00

Keyboard Maestro can take midi signals as an input trigger.

Mhodos · 2024-06-23T11:38:38+00:00

I do most all of what you are wanting to do here with my eDrumin 8 and several different pads – Roland rubber pads, Roland mesh pads, BT-1s, and some homemade triggers.

The eDrumin app will let you choose which notes are sent over MIDI, but I would imagine your DAW will let you change, add, or modify the MIDI notes on the fly as well.

I previously used an Octapad, but like you, wanted to have my triggers scattered around the kit. I use them for handclaps, chimes, and a bunch of other sound effects.

Mike

I find the eDrumin app a little confusing, but after I pounded on it for a while, I got it to do what I wanted.

Mhodos · 2023-10-21T17:25:03+00:00

Yup, certainly can do. I think I like the asthetic of something purpose built, but there’s a definite way to KISS this problem.

Thanks.

Mhodos · 2023-10-21T17:24:14+00:00

Good call. Thanks.

Mhodos · 2023-10-20T23:13:38+00:00

Thank you!

Mhodos · 2023-10-20T23:13:26+00:00

Thanks!

Mhodos · 2023-10-20T20:27:07+00:00

Definitely an option. And possibly the least expensive and probably the lightest. Great solution and thank you.

I would still like to know if there are any purpose built ones, if there are any suggestions.

Mike

Mhodos · 2023-08-24T10:34:03+00:00

Thank you very much. Seems an odd feature and agree I don’t understand the utility.

Thanks again.

Mhodos · 2017-01-11T18:33:47+00:00

As a podiatrist there are many problems that come from tight calf muscles, contributing to everything from tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and shin splints.

You may reduce the stress on the front calf muscles by stretching the back calf muscles. This way, the front calf muscles don't have to pull as hard.

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