Zildjian - K1431 14" K Fat HiHat Top

The Zildjian 14-inch K Zildjian Fat Hi-Hat Top, within the K Fat Hats series and the K family, blazes a rare trail by blending two distinct manufacturing traditions. The resulting tone combines both the warm, velvety quality characteristic of the K series and the sharper, more brilliant sound inherited from the A Zildjian tradition. This dual heritage gives it a hybrid character—neither quite dark nor quite bright—which changes in tone depending on how it is struck.

The B20 alloy forms the basis of this dense material, which retains its warmth even in the higher harmonics. The darker hammering carves deeper into the surface than conventional hammering and removes some of the raw metal to mellow the harshest frequencies. The wide turning, in the A Zildjian style, widens the grooves on the surface and opens up the grain for greater brilliance. The light weight reduces the mass of the top cymbal, allowing it to respond quickly to the stick without straining the wrist. The reduced weight difference between the top and bottom cymbals brings the two pieces of the pair closer together, resulting in a crisper, more defined close-up sound from the hi-hat. The traditional finish and 14-inch (355.6 mm) diameter ensure the set fits the most common format favoured by drummers.

Both in the studio and on stage, this top cymbal is ideal for demanding recordings where the hi-hat must remain audible above the rest of the drum kit. Its compatibility with a range of hi-hat cymbals offers complete freedom to create a bespoke pair, from a tight close hi-hat to wider openings. The result suits both a band seeking a vintage tone and a production requiring a piercing hi-hat without harshness.