What skill level are these cymbals designed for?

The AA Sick Hat Bottom is built for intermediate, advanced, and professional drummers who understand cymbal control and articulation. They are not recommended for beginners or practice-focused players, as their thin profile and dry response demand technique to unlock their full potential.

How does the reversible design work, and why would I flip them?

The bottom cymbal is solid (no holes) while the top has large perforations. Flipping them hole-side down eliminates airlock and reduces air in your face, transforming the sonic character while keeping the same physical setup. This gives you two distinct voices without changing hardware—essential for touring or studio sessions where cymbal swaps aren't feasible.

What makes these hats stand out in a live mix?

The thin, dry construction and B20 bronze material deliver a bright, cutting response with controllable white-noise articulation and virtually zero airlock. The medium-heavy bottom cymbal provides stability and definition, allowing your hi-hat patterns to punch through dense mixes without getting lost.

How do these compare to conventional 18" hi-hats?

Sick Hats sound nothing like standard 18" cymbals when heard without seeing them play. Their thin profile, zero-airlock design, and reversible configuration make them unusually flexible working tools for drummers seeking precision and adaptability rather than traditional closed-hat tone.

What is included, and what is the warranty coverage?

You receive one 18" bottom cymbal (solid, no holes) and one 18" top cymbal (perforated). SABIAN provides a limited 2-year warranty against manufacturer defects on these cymbals.

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 $24 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 Bottom

The 18" AA Sick Hat Bottom sits tight under your foot with a thin, dry response and remarkable control—a pair that sounds nothing like conventional 18" cymbals when heard without visual reference. The solid bottom cymbal (without holes) pairs with a perforated top to create a versatile setup you can flip to eliminate airlock and adjust tonal character on the fly. This is a working tool for drummers who demand precision and adaptability in their hi-hat articulation.

Tone & Sonic Character

Thin and very dry overall, Sick Hats function as a controllable, pre-EQ white-noise effect with virtually no airlock thanks to the large holes in the top cymbal. The medium-heavy bottom provides stability and definition, while the natural finish B20 bronze delivers the classic bright, cutting response the AA series is known for—ideal for cutting through dense mixes and live environments.

Design & Versatility

The bottom cymbal's solid construction (no holes) lets you flip the pair hole-side down for reduced air in the face and uninterrupted pattern play, completely transforming the sonic footprint without switching hardware. This design choice gives you two distinct voices from a single pair, making Sick Hats exceptionally practical for gigs or touring situations where cymbal changes aren't feasible.

Key Features

18" diameter cymbal
AA Series — bright, cutting tone
B20 Bronze construction
Natural finish
Medium-heavy bottom cymbal weight (1721 grams)
Bottom cymbal with no holes for solid response
Top cymbal with large perforations for zero airlock breathing
Reversible design — play holes-up or holes-down for tonal variation
Dry, controllable articulation ideal for defined hi-hat work
SABIAN limited 2-year warranty against manufacturer defects

The combination of thin profile, B20 bronze construction, and reversible configuration makes the Sick Hat Bottom an unusually flexible tool for drummers seeking definition and control without sacrificing the distinctive character that defines the AA series.

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