Hi Hats: 13" vs 14"

[JayKayAre]

Here's a general question: How would you guys describe the differences between 13" and 14" hats?

[mIII]

Besides being 1" smaller in diameter /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif, with all other thinks being equal, you should also find the 13's will be generally higher in pitch and produce a relatively quicker, more compact sound.

The nicest pair of 13's I ever played was a set of Paiste Sig Dark Crisps. These days, I'm rocking some old-school 15" A's.

[Fletch]

i've been using 13" hats for over 15 years, it's really awkward going back to 14s !! ( easier playing 15"s!!!)
they semm more 'controlled', easier to get various dynamics out of.
besides, i have many 13" old K's/A's tops that i can switch around. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Matt]

I have found bigger hats to be more full sounding, but I have heard 13" old K hats that sound huge.

[bibfortuna]

i love my 13" Isti Agop Medium hats. very responsive, and yet sweetly dark and smooth sounding.

and yea, i too love bigger 15" hats. the darker, the smoother, the better. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[jcymbal]

I tried 13", 14" and 15" old K's and now I just use 15" all the time. I got a lighter pair for soft work a heavier one for big band gigs!!!

[bdbop]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a general question: How would you guys describe the differences between 13" and 14" hats?

[/ QUOTE ]

The 13" hats in general yield a tighter, crisper "chic" or "chup" sound (with certain exceptions), and usually are pitched a bit higher (also with exceptions). The drawback to their quickness of response is the fact that very few 13" hats yield the rich wash that a larger diameter set can. If the 14" hats are heavier and higher pitched, you can get a real "sizzle", and if they're thin and lower pitched, then the wash can be dark and lush. But the wash seems to sustain more, right up to the closure, with the 14" hats.
There are times when 13" hats are terrific, especially if you like to "bark" the hats frequently or you need a super fast foot response and a tight chic. But for general purposes give me the 14" any day.