Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $557
High-end/Boutique
$200
$501+
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High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Immerse yourself in the rich, colorful soundscapes offered by the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats. Combining the crisp, sophisticated tonal essence of the A Custom range with a bolder, clearer "chick" sound, these HiHats are designed to cut through the densest mixes. Developed with the expert guidance of Vinnie Colaiuta, these cymbals boast a striking, brilliant finish and light, medium thin weights that resonate with a full-bodied overall sound.
The A Custom Mastersounds HiHats are not just instruments, they are a testament to Zildjian's legacy of over 380 years in crafting premium cymbals. Their unique sound is the result of radical rotary hammering techniques, and an innovative casting process involving raw molten metal. The castings are heated, rolled, shaped, hammered, and lathed to create cymbals that project a rich, full-bodied sound that improves with age, offering greater clarity and durability than any other cymbals.
Key Features:
- Crisp, rich, and colorful sounds associated with the A Custom range
- Bolder, clearer "chick" sound and full-bodied overall sound
- Developed with the assistance of Vinnie Colaiuta
- Made using radical rotary hammering techniques
- Thin weights, and a striking, brilliant finish for crisp, sweet, sophisticated sound
- Cast bronze cymbals for premium tone and projection
- Zildjian's secret alloy composed of 80% copper, 20% tin, and traces of silver
- Suitable for a variety of music styles
- Size: 14"
- Category: A Custom Mastersound Series
- Type: Hi Hats
- Weight: Medium Thin top, Medium bottom
- Finish: Brilliant
Product specs
| Available since | September 2003 |
| Hand Hammered | Yes |
| Finish | Regular, Traditional |
| Alloy | B20 Bronze |
FAQs
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What type of music genres are the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats best suited for?
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The Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats are versatile and well-suited for a variety of genres, including rock, pop, and jazz. Their bright, crisp sound makes them ideal for both live performances and studio recordings.
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How does the hand-hammered finish of the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats affect their sound?
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The hand-hammered finish of these hi-hats contributes to a more complex and richer sound, offering a blend of bright and dark tones that can enhance musical expression.
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What is the primary material used in the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats, and how does it impact their performance?
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These hi-hats are made from B20 bronze alloy, known for its durability and rich tonal qualities, providing a bright and cutting sound that projects well in various musical settings.
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Are the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats suitable for beginner drummers?
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While they provide excellent sound quality appreciated by experienced drummers, their responsive nature and versatility make them a great option for beginners looking to invest in quality cymbals.
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What is the finish type of the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats, and how does it affect their appearance and maintenance?
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The hi-hats feature a regular, traditional finish that offers a classic look and requires standard cymbal maintenance to keep them looking and sounding their best.
Videos
Peter Lewis
Zildjian 14" A Custom MasterSound Hi Hats
Reviews
PROS
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Full sound when open, versatile for various music styles
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Tight, focused sound when closed, suitable for any musical situation
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Exceptional cutting power, can cut through any mix
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Bright, crisp sound, suitable for both rock and jazz
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Flanged bottom enhances volume and projection
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Expressive and warm character, very versatile for different genres
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High-quality construction, maintains appearance over time
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Excellent sound dynamics from pronounced "chick" to beautiful wash
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Complements other cymbals well, fits diverse setups
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Highly recommended by seasoned drummers for its unique voice
CONS
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Slightly heavier sound may not suit all preferences
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Hammered ridges may lead to overly open wash sounds
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats.
Features and functionality
Comparisons
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Compared to Zildjian New Beats, Mastersounds may be less versatile; New Beats are recommended for a more adaptable sound profile.
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A preference for 15" Mastersound hi-hats over the 14" version is noted, with the larger size offering a different, possibly preferable sound quality.
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Newer New Beats (post-2013) are preferred for their thinner, vintage sound, contrasting with the thicker, less favorable 1990-2012 models.
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Mastersound hi-hats provide more volume and cut, making them ideal for rock but potentially excessive for other genres.
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The Quick Beat hi-hats are heavier and share the same top cymbal as the New Beats, making them more similar to New Beats than to Mastersounds.
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User experience
Use cases and applications
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While some find them too bright for personal taste, they're praised for live performances, especially in louder settings.
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The S series hi-hats are often criticized for poor sound quality, particularly when used in rehearsal spaces or smaller gigs.
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The Quick Beat hi-hats are suggested for players seeking a heavier sound, aligning closer with the New Beats' characteristics rather than the Mastersounds.
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The Mastersound hi-hats may not suit heavier music like metal, where a darker series might be more appropriate for the desired heavier tone.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
"The hi-hats that Barker uses are the 14” A Custom Mastersound set, which produces a crisp, tight sound when closed and can reach high volumes when played open. An 11” K Custom Hybrid splash cymbal is also a staple of his drum set, used for accenting and variation."
Matt Helders artist page on the Zildjian official website lists the Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats as among his gear.
In this YouTube video of Matt Nicholls performing Happy Song at Worchester Palladium, Worchester, MA, it states in the description posted by Zildjian his drum set up for the tour.
As seen on the "Artists" section of Zildjian's website about Zak Starkey's cymbals.
Eric Kretz uses the 14" A MasterSound Hihat bottom as a part of his hi-hat combination, as confirmed by an article in DRUM! Magazine titled "Eric Kretz: Revving Up The STP Machine."
In this Facebook post from Zildjian Company, they state that this photo is of Craig using these HiHats.
Album Usage
The Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Zildjian 14" A Mastersound HiHats, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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