SABIAN 16" AA Apollo Hat Top
Share
In stock
- SKU
- 21680AH-1
Description
SABIAN 16" AA Apollo Hat Top
The SABIAN 16" AA Apollo Hat Top delivers responsive, articulate stick definition and tight pedal control with its thin profile and balanced weight distribution. This bright, vintage-voiced cymbal cuts through dense mixes while maintaining musical clarity and projection. The natural finish and B20 bronze construction provide both visual character and the tonal stability needed for professional recording and live tracking sessions.
Studio Tone & Mix Clarity
Engineered with a bright sound signature and vintage styling, this top cymbal sits in the mix without fighting other sources while delivering precise stick articulation. The combination of thin top cymbal weight paired with a medium-thin bottom cymbal creates balanced transient definition and responsive decay—ideal for capturing clean, defined hi-hat parts across genre-focused sessions.
Build Quality & Session Reliability
Crafted from B20 bronze with a natural finish, this pair demonstrates heavy-duty durability engineered for consistent use across tracking and live sessions. The precisely matched weights—1142 grams (top) and 1331 grams (bottom)—ensure stable, predictable response that translates reliably across microphone placement and recording chain variables.
Key Features
- Material: B20 bronze
- Top cymbal weight: Thin (1142 grams)
- Bottom cymbal weight: Medium-Thin (1331 grams)
- Diameter: 16 inches
- Sound character: Bright
- Finish: Natural
- Style: Vintage
- Model Number: 21680AH
- Heavy-duty construction for extended durability
- Balanced pair setup for hat cymbal applications
The AA Apollo Hat Top pairs bright articulation with build quality engineered for studio tracking, delivering the hi-hat definition and predictable response that anchor professional drum recordings.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Cymbal Size | 16" |
| Cymbal Type | Hi-Hats |
| Country of Manufacture | Canada |
Reviews
At a Glance
The SABIAN 16" AA Apollo Hat Top delivers bright, articulate hi-hat tones with vintage character ideal for recording rock, hard rock, and jazz in the studio, where precision and tonal clarity sit well in dense mixes. The thin top and medium-thin bottom cymbals pair responsively for controlled stick articulation and defined decay, making them versatile across dynamic playing and multiple takes. B20 bronze construction ensures these hats record with consistent tone and durability through extended studio sessions.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Jazz
- ✓ Live Performance
- ✓ Studio Sessions
Not the best pick for
- – Metal
- – Thrash Metal
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level are these cymbals suited for?
These hi-hats are designed for intermediate to professional drummers who have developed control and dynamics in their playing. The responsive, articulate character rewards precise stick technique and dynamic range.
Will these work for metal music?
The AA Apollo Hat Top is engineered for rock, hard rock, jazz, and live performance, and is not recommended for metal or thrash metal styles. Its bright, vintage voice prioritizes articulation and musicality rather than the cutting edge and aggression metal requires.
What makes the top and bottom cymbal weights different?
The thin top cymbal (1142 grams) pairs with a medium-thin bottom (1331 grams) to create balanced stick definition and responsive decay. This weight pairing optimizes articulate playing while maintaining stable, predictable response in both live and studio settings.
How do these compare to other budget-friendly hi-hat options?
The AA Apollo Top competes with models like the Zildjian New Beat Hi-Hats and Paiste PST7 Hi-Hats, offering bright, vintage-voiced character and B20 bronze durability at an accessible price point for intermediate to professional players.
Are these cymbals new or refurbished?
These are standard new cymbals with a natural finish and B20 bronze construction designed for consistent performance in any context.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $21 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
Compare With
Similar Gear
Complete the Rig
Gear that pairs well with this.
✨ For You
Based on what you've been looking at.