Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $589
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$200
$501+
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Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, a perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation. These cymbals have a rich, complex sound that transcends genres, making them a versatile addition to any drummer's setup. They are designed to deliver more volume, quicker attack, and faster decay than traditional K Zildjians, ensuring your rhythm cuts through even the loudest mixes.
The Zildjian K Custom Dark Hi Hats are not only associated with jazz but are also loved by drummers across a variety of music styles. The medium-thin top cymbal combined with the medium bottom cymbal produces a harmonically rich sound, whether you're foot splashing or playing half- to wide-open. The stick articulation when fully closed or played on the bell is crisp and clear, while the foot "chick" sound is bright and assertive, providing a balance between the darker, more complex tones and the light, bright cuts.
Experience the power, versatility, and rich sounds of the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, a truly dynamic pair of cymbals that bring a new level of musicality to your drumming.
Key Features:
- Medium-thin top cymbal with medium bottom cymbal
- Darker, complex sound that still cuts through
- Crisp stick articulation when closed and when played on the bell
- Bright and clear foot "chick" and foot splash sounds
- Harmonically rich wash when played half- or wide-open
- Versatile hats that perform excellently in many different genres
Product specs
| Type | Hi-hats |
| Size | 14" |
| Finish | Traditional |
| Top Weight | Medium Thin |
| Bottom Weight | Medium |
| Material | B20, Cast Bronze |
| Sound | Solid Chick |
| Volume | General |
| Sustain | Medium |
| Pitch | Low/Medium |
| Balance | Blend |
| Bell Size | Small |
FAQs
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What sound characteristics can I expect from the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats?
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The Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats offer a warm and mellow sound with a solid "chick" articulation. They are known for their balanced blend and medium sustain, making them versatile for various music genres.
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Are the Zildjian K Custom Dark Hi Hats suitable for jazz music?
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Yes, the Zildjian K Custom Dark Hi Hats are well-suited for jazz due to their warm, dark tone and responsive dynamics, which complement the genre's nuanced playing style.
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What materials are the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats made from?
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The Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats are crafted from B20 cast bronze, known for its durability and rich tonal qualities, providing an excellent balance of warmth and clarity.
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How does the weight of the Zildjian K Custom Dark Hi Hats affect their sound?
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The medium-thin top and medium bottom weights of the Zildjian K Custom Dark Hi Hats contribute to their dynamic response and controlled sound, allowing for a versatile range of expression from tight "chicks" to sloshy open tones.
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What is the finish of the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, and how does it impact their sound?
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The Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats feature a traditional finish, which enhances their warm and dark tonal characteristics, providing a classic look and sound that blends well in various musical settings.
Videos
Memphis Drum Shop
Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hat Cymbals (K0943-1093014I)
Reviews
PROS
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Bright stick-chick sound that cuts through
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Defined dark, trashy, yet musical open sound
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Projects well in both soft and aggressive settings
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Perfect for jazz and funk with heavy, sloshy feel
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Versatile for multiple styles, including punk, rock, and metal
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High power with no loss of tonal color in live settings
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Excellent tone: darker and lower pitched
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Crisp sizzle sound with pleasing wash
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Balanced dark tone that cuts through the mix
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Dense and rich tone, ideal for diverse musical styles
CONS
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Less defined, quieter pedal-chick sound
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Stick marks show prominently on the finish
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Sound might be too dark for some rock settings
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats.
Comparisons
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The 13" version sits better in a mix and cuts well while maintaining warmth, contrasting with the 14" version's broader focus.
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They lack the sharpness and definition of AA Mediums or New Beats and aren't as lively as Groove Hats when sloshed or barked.
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K Custom Dark hi-hats are thinner and darker compared to regular K series, which are thicker and offer more stick definition and brightness.
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Use cases and applications
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These hi-hats excel in soft to medium-loud settings, making them ideal for rehearsals and gigs that don't require piercing volume.
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Ideal for jazz and quieter music due to lower pitch and complexity; not recommended for rock where brighter cymbals are preferred for cutting through the mix.
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Versatile for various genres, but users note the potential need for brighter cymbals when playing pop or rock for better cut-through.
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User experience
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They are described as quiet, especially the 13" version, but are praised for their non-dry, non-trashy, and non-dead sound.
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Owners report that K Custom Darks improve with age, gaining more complex tones and better wash over years of use.
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Transitioning from cheaper bright cymbals to K Custom Darks can be challenging, as their feel and tone are initially quite different.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
On Dominic Howard's artist page, on Zildjian's website, there is a list of the cymbals that Dominic uses. That list features the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats.
At 1:30 you can see these are the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats. You can see the K logo on the hi hats and they also have the distinct custom dark marks and letters.
It can be seen that in the minute 25:25 Will Champion is using the K Custom Dark Hi Hats.
Peter Erskine's page on the Zildjian official website lists the Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats as among his gear.
The description of this video, by the Avedis Zildjian Company, lists 14" K Custom Hi Hats as a part of Eddy Thrower's live setup.
Colm Dowling uses Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, as demonstrated in his drum cover of "Freedom" by Rage Against The Machine on YouTube, where he details his equipment in the video description.
In this YouTube video at around 2:35, Andrew Katz goes through the cymbals he uses. The K Custom 17" Hi Hats are mentioned. He does not specifically mention the diameter of the hi hats, but they appear to be 14".
In an Instagram post by yoakatt, Mike Kennedy's drum setup features Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, highlighting his choice of cymbals for performances.
Lucca Beguerie Petrich uses Zildjian 14" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, as noted in a Twitter post.
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" K Custom Dark Hi Hats, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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