What makes the 28 holes in the top cymbal important?

The hole pattern is integral to the Sick Hat's design, providing flexibility in stick response and wash control that a solid cymbal cannot match. This gives you the ability to dial in cutting articulation or a more washy character depending on your playing technique and foot pedal control.

Is this cymbal pair suitable for jazz?

No—the SABIAN AA Sick Hat Top is designed for rock, metal, hard rock, and funk applications and is not recommended for jazz playing.

What are the weights and do they matter for my setup?

The top cymbal weighs 1107 grams and the bottom weighs 1721 grams; the medium-thin top paired with a heavier bottom ensures quick articulation while the solid bottom provides a stable, reliable foundation under the foot pedal. This asymmetrical pairing is purposeful and delivers the cutting character the Sick Hat is built for.

What skill level do I need to play these cymbals?

The AA Sick Hat Top is suited for intermediate, advanced, and professional drummers who understand how to control cymbal wash and articulation through technique and pedal dynamics.

What finish does this cymbal have?

The cymbals feature a natural unlathed finish in B20 bronze, which preserves raw, complex tonality and a distinctive vibe characteristic of the Sick Hat design.

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 $25 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.

SABIAN 18" AA Sick Hat Top

The SABIAN 18" AA Sick Hat Top captures crisp, articulate transients with a medium-thin weight that balances sensitivity and projection through the mix. This top cymbal pairs responsive stick definition with controlled wash, making it versatile for tight pocket recordings and dynamic accent layers. The signature hole pattern creates a distinctive vibe characteristic of the Sick Hat design.

Construction & Materials

B20 bronze delivers the warm, complex tonality SABIAN is known for, while the unlathed natural finish preserves the raw sonic character of the alloy. The medium-thin weight ensures quick articulation without sacrificing cut through a full mix, and the 28 two-inch holes in the top cymbal are integral to the Sick Hat's unique voice and recording character.

Specifications & Pairing

This top cymbal weighs 1107 grams and is sold as a complete hi-hat pair with a solid bottom cymbal (1721 grams). The hole design appears only on the top, allowing you to control the vibe and stick response during tracking, while the unperforated bottom provides a stable foundation for the clutch mechanism.

Key Features

Size: 18"
Series: AA
Material: B20 Bronze
Weight: Medium-thin
Top cymbal weight: 1107 grams
Bottom cymbal weight: 1721 grams
Finish: Natural unlathed
Top cymbal features 28 two-inch holes
Bottom cymbal solid (no holes)
Sold as complete hi-hat pair

This pairing delivers the cutting articulation and distinctive character the Sick Hat is built for, with the hole configuration providing flexibility in stick feel and wash control for session work.

Condition	New
Cymbal Size	18"
Cymbal Type	Hi-Hats
Country of Manufacture	Canada