🥁 Gear Review: AAX Stage Hats vs. A Custom Hi-Hats

This weekend, I had the chance to really put both of my hi-hats to work during live church services — and I want to share my experience for the MTribe fam and fellow drummers looking for real-world feedback!

🛠️ Sabian AAX Stage Hats (18″)

• My take: These hats have a noticeably darker, smokier tone.

• Where they shine: Perfect for mid-tempo grooves, laid-back worship, R&B ballad moments, and anything that needs a warmer, blended sound.

• Feel: Smooth, buttery under the stick, great control.

• Sound projection: The darkness means they don’t overwhelm the band or congregation — instead, they blend beautifully into the music, giving it richness without fighting vocals or keyboards.

• Best gig use: Mid-tempo worship sets, soulful and dynamic environments.

In my words:

“The AAX Stage Hats fit my mid-tempo, laid-back worship gigs perfectly — dark enough to sit under the mix but lively enough to speak when I need them.”

🛠️ Zildjian A Custom Hi-Hats

• My take: These are crisp, brilliant, and articulate.

• Where they shine: They cut right through the mix — even in a bigger room or full band setting.

• Feel: Tight, bright, and quick under the stick and foot.

• Sound projection: The brilliance means your time-keeping is clear and defined, even when the band gets louder.

• Best gig use: Up-tempo songs, energetic praise sets, gospel shuffle patterns, CCM (Contemporary Christian Music).

In my words:

“Today during service, the A Custom hats really cut through — they gave me the clarity and brightness I needed for the high-energy moments without feeling harsh.”

🎯 Final Thoughts for the MTribe Community:

✅ If you need blend and warmth for slow-to-mid-tempo worship or soul/R&B gigs →
👉🏽 Sabian AAX Stage Hats are a beautiful fit.

✅ If you need cut, brilliance, and definition for high-energy praise, shouts, and modern worship →
👉🏽 Zildjian A Custom Hats will get the job done, no questions asked.

Both are powerful tools, just depends on what sound and feel you need for your setting.

MTribe fam — what hats are y’all loving right now for your different Sunday settings? Let’s chop it up and build this community stronger! 🥁🔥

#MTribe #sabian #zildjian