I have had a pair of Paiste 15" sound edge hi hats since 1980. Love them. I also use 14" A Zildjian new beats as well as a 13" set. Mostly use my 14" out on gigs unless I take the larger 24" kick sets out. I sometimes take the Paiste 15" with the larger kick sets.

I recommend a Sound Edge / Master Sound / etc. bottom. Which one you buy does not matter as much as the fact that it is ridged (one of these). I even recommend a cheap one (if there is such a thing) like even a 404 will have a great effect. An alternative to keep an eye out for is Zildjian 'Max Hat' (offered in ZBT and also Edge or Impulse lines) - it will have bumps all over it - and indeed on the edge - thus making it like a SE / MS. Also be on the lookout for a Meinl Raker Sound Blaster (I think that's what they called it) rippled edge bottom. This was my first bottom like this and it just blew my mind.

Once you have one of these - you can get alot of different cool sounds when using this under a wide variety of tops. In my collection I even have cheaper budget tops - as these tops can be made to sound alot better with one of these bottoms.

AVOID ANY cracks - even hairline ones - especially near the hole. Even if it is a great deal - run the other way as fast as you can (when shopping for hats and see cracking).

Thats helps alot . My son is a student at Berklee college of music as a sound engineer and i am trying to provide him as many different options with what ever money is available. Right now we have 2 sets of 14" 70's new beats and want to build off that.

14" New Beats. My primary set came with my first kit in 1977, but is probably older since it has no logos at all, just the top and bottom designations that are completely faded.

I have two other sets of New Beats that haven't been gigged yet: a 1990s version that's heavier and a hollow logo set that's somewhere in the middle (sounds nice). Those would probably be my go-to set if anything ever happens to the first set.

I regret not buying a set of 14" Bosphorus that I tried while killing time at at Guitar Center a few years ago. And I would pick up a 2002 or Sound Creation Sound-Edge if the circumstances were right.

I`ve been playing 15" New Beats for 47 yrs. and haven`t found a reason to change yet-very versatile hats.I also occassionaly use 14" New Beats-great hats too-love both!

Wayne

Yes New Beat 14's is what I have mostly played.. on my third set now.. but I have been open to picking up some Sound Edge if ever spotted at a good price.. I do like what I have heard ..

Cheers

John

yea i going to be on the look out for some 15's to add to the arsenal.