Hi hat Clutch setting

[govind11]

Hey everyone!!
Wanted to know how you guys setup the top hi hat. Is it supposed to be extremely tight or quite loose. What are the pros and cons of both the settings.
I've been experimenting a lot on this and can't figure out which suits me yet.
Let me know yaalll
Thanks

 

[Squirrel Man]

Depends on what you're going for.

The looser the sloshier the sound. Tighter the more bark.

I keep mine a little loose.

 

[govind11]

Okay so there isn't a right or wrong in this? Glad to know . Thanks squirrel man

Depends on what you're going for.

The looser the sloshier the sound. Tighter the more bark.

I keep mine a little loose

 

[MrDrums2112]

Not too tight, not too loose. You want them to be able to move a little. If they are cranked down too tight, I suppose they could, over time, crack. To me, they sound and feel best with a little room to move.

 

[CherryClassic]

Yes, tight I don't believe is good. I believe sound and feel is your best guide.

I like the top hat to move and the bottom at a slight angle. When not in use the top is just above the bottom high side. I play a lot of old country swing which is very similar to the Big Band swing sound. Keeping it close helps to get that nice chick sound and I want the tension on top to be just enough for control for the up movement.

Use your hi-hat foot like a rheostat to control the top hat for sound.

sherm

 

[VintageUSA]

All of the advice above is correct....HOWEVER....
A lot of the comfort you have with your clutch setting depends on the clutch you use.
Not all clutches are created equal -- my current clutch is WAY BETTER than anything I had previously played.

 

[Glassman]

I agree with everyone above. It is highly subjective and depends on the sound/feel you are looking for. I set my clutch so the cymbals can move together somewhat freely if I have the tension from the pedal slightly loose when trying for a "sloshy" sound. In essence, pushing the edge of the hats down with a stick to see some travel. I also use a lot of toe splashes (whether appropriate or not) regardless of what I am playing (rock, funk, jazz) and with cymbals really tight the sound is choked. I have also been doing an 8th note pattern with my left foot on the hat while up on the ride and I would be concerned about strain on the hats doing so if they were not permitted to move at all.

One thing I hate: if I can hold the cymbals together with my hand, raise my foot from the pedal and see the clutch and rod moving through the top cymbal, the clutch is too loose. Thus, I set the tension such that any movement I see is just the felts flexing or compressing.

Probably harder to explain with words than it needs to be.

 

[Dave H.]

I have a 14" Quick beat bottom hat so I don't have to worry about angle of the bottom cymbal. I have several top hats I can use depending on the situation and like most I have the top cymbal a little loose.
Good luck!
Slawman

 

[Reddy]

Set the top a little loose. More if needed. The heavier the top cymbal, the less tension is probably needed. Soundedge bottom cymbals (for paiste users) give a little wiggle room and forgiveness as well. Too tight and the top will sound choked.

 

[doubleroll]

Depends what type of music you playing...for example, for funk you may want to keep it tight. But there is no right or wrong and you can always compensate with the foot pedal...

 

[MrDrums2112]

All of the advice above is correct....HOWEVER....
A lot of the comfort you have with your clutch setting depends on the clutch you use.
Not all clutches are created equal -- my current clutch is WAY BETTER than anything I had previously played.

What are you using?

 

[VintageUSA]

What are you using?

TAMA clutch....

 

[premierplayer]

I play floppy/sloppy, YMMV
Don't over think it, experiment, have some fun with it.
You'll know when you find what works for you.

 

[govind11]

What are you using?

Yeah I'm using the old Tama clutch , with no springs.

 

[rsmittee]

I think of the clutch like my grip on the stick. I want it to hold the top hh loosely, but not so loose that there's slack in the clutch. When there's slack, it's like a grinder key-holing my top hh, which makes me cringe.

 

[Matti P]

Remo clutch can save you. For modern size cymbal holes it’s the best!

 

[MrDrums2112]

TAMA clutch....

I’ve got the Tama Classic hi-hat stand and I like the clutch on that one - better than my DW clutch for sure.

 

[brokenstick]

I went back and forth like everyone did.Always played a 50's to early 80's basic Ludwig stand.Loose engough to fill in when playing three piece and just enough for Funk and Jazz.Mistakes included

 

[DrFrankCoco]

In the middle. I like a bot wobble. Mid tension gives you the most options for chick's, splashes and sloshes.

 

[pwc1141]

I am different to most who posted above in that I like the clutch tight as that gives me the best "chick" for my foot played 2 and 4 in my jazz settings. I guess it has a lot to do with what cymbals one uses and for my Bosphorus Master series 14" hats a tight clutch works best for me. I tend to stomp quite hard while doing this and the cymbals have been in use for 20 years with no damage.....