Zildjian A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats Review: Bright, Bold, Fast Chick

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Zildjian A20550 14-Inch A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats sit within the long running A Custom range, a line generally known for a brighter, more cutting voice than the darker K Family cymbals. The listing specifically frames this pair as bolder and full-bodied even within that already bright A Custom identity.

The Mastersound design referenced in the model name points to a specific bottom cymbal construction: hammered grooves cut into the surface to let air escape faster when the hats close. That venting detail is called out directly in the bullets as the source of the fast, clear chick sound this pair is built around.

This review relies on the published bullets and general knowledge of how A Custom tone and Mastersound venting typically behave, rather than a firsthand playing session. Where the listing states a fact directly, such as the brilliant finish, this review treats it as confirmed, and where it is silent, such as alloy, this review says so.

Sound and Tone

The headline claim here is a full-bodied sound that is bolder for A Custom, suggesting this particular pair pushes further toward boldness than some other hats within the same range. Paired with that is a description of crisp, rich and colorful tone, the same general character associated with A Custom cymbals more broadly.

The fast, clear chick sound is tied directly to the Mastersound venting design. Hammered grooves in the bottom cymbal that rapidly vent air generally reduce the air cushion effect that can make a hi-hat's chick sound sluggish or indistinct, which supports a tighter, more immediate foot response when the hats close.

Together, a bold, full-bodied voice and a fast, clear chick point to a hi-hat built for drummers who need their hi-hat pattern to read clearly and assertively, rather than sit back quietly in a mix. That combination of boldness and speed is consistent with the broader reputation A Custom cymbals carry for cutting through a loud band.

Alloy, Weight and Build

Alloy is not published in this listing. A Custom cymbals are broadly associated with cast bronze construction across Zildjian's catalog, but this review does not state that composition as confirmed fact for this specific A20550 model, since the bullets themselves do not name an alloy directly.

No weight class or gram figure is given either, though the described full-bodied, bolder character suggests a build with enough mass to support that boldness rather than a very light, thin pair. That remains an inference based on the sound description rather than a stated fact.

Finish is confirmed directly as brilliant, described in the listing as striking. A brilliant finish is typically a polished, buffed surface that tends to look shinier than a traditional lathed finish and is sometimes associated with a slightly brighter perceived tone, consistent with the bold character described elsewhere in the bullets.

Versatility Across Styles

A bold, cutting A Custom hi-hat with a fast, clear chick generally suits rock, pop, funk and other styles where the hi-hat needs to project clearly over a full band. The Mastersound venting design is particularly useful in these settings, since a fast chick response helps tight groove patterns stay audible and defined.

Studio drummers who need a hat that reads clearly on a recording without excessive wash may also find this pairing useful, since the described crisp, colorful tone suggests good separation between the stick attack and any underlying resonance.

Drummers who want a dark, warm hi-hat voice for jazz, gospel or other genres that favor subtlety over cut are working against the grain of this specific model, since the entire description leans toward boldness and brightness rather than a mellow, washy character.

• Rock, pop and funk drumming that needs a cutting hi-hat
• Studio work where a clear, defined chick sound matters
• Gigging drummers who need to project over a loud band
• Players who want fast, tight groove articulation
• Less suited to dark, warm, low volume hi-hat applications

Durability and Care

With no published alloy or weight, durability expectations for this pair rest on the general A Custom reputation and the described full-bodied, bold build rather than hard figures specific to this model. A Custom cymbals are generally built to handle regular gigging when played with reasonable technique.

The hammered grooves in the bottom cymbal are a functional feature tied to venting rather than a purely decorative one, so players should avoid excessive force when seating the bottom cymbal on the stand, since that venting pattern is part of what produces the fast chick sound described.

Routine care, including a snug but not overtightened clutch and felts that prevent metal to metal contact, protects the brilliant finish and preserves the pair's described responsiveness. The listing does not state a warranty term, so buyers who want that confirmed should contact the seller directly.

A brilliant finish also tends to show fingerprints and smudges more readily than a matte or traditional lathed surface, so wiping the cymbals down with a soft, dry cloth after each session helps keep that striking look intact over months of regular use.

What Is in the Pack

This listing covers a matched 14 inch hi-hat pair, with the top and bottom cymbals voiced together, the bottom specifically featuring the hammered venting grooves that define the Mastersound design. No additional cymbals are included alongside this pair.

No accessories, including a clutch, sleeve, bag or cleaning cloth, are mentioned in the published bullets. Buyers should plan to use their own existing hi-hat hardware when setting up this pair.

Beyond the two cymbals and the described sound and finish, there is no mention of documentation or packaging specifics in the bullets, consistent with how most hi-hat pair listings in this category are structured.

Daily Use and Setup

Setting up this pair follows standard hi-hat practice: seat the bottom cymbal, with its venting grooves, so it sits close to flat on its felt, then mount the top cymbal and adjust the clutch so the pair closes evenly, which matters for getting a consistent fast chick response from the Mastersound design.

Given the described bold, full-bodied character, players chasing maximum cut should keep the hats mostly closed or only slightly open during groove sections, reserving a fuller open position for accents where the richer, more colorful wash described in the bullets can come through.

For the fast, clear chick sound specifically, keeping the clutch tension moderate rather than overly tight generally helps the venting grooves do their job, letting air escape quickly for a crisp foot sound rather than a muffled or delayed one.

Who Should Buy It

This pair suits drummers who want a bright, bold, cutting hi-hat built on the well established A Custom and Mastersound design concepts, particularly those who need a fast, clear chick sound for tight groove work in louder settings.

Players who value a striking, polished brilliant finish alongside a crisp, colorful tone will find the described character well matched to gigging and studio use where projection and clarity both matter.

Drummers who want a dark, warm hi-hat voice, or who need alloy and weight confirmed before buying, should look toward the K Family range or contact the seller for the specifications this listing leaves unstated.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Drummers who want a darker, warmer alternative to this bright A Custom pair might look at a Zildjian K Family or K Custom Dark hi-hat, trading some of the described boldness and cut for a more mellow, complex tone.

Players who want a similar bright, cutting hi-hat from a different brand could compare this against a Sabian AAX or HHX hi-hat, both of which are generally positioned as bright, modern options worth comparing directly against this A Custom Mastersound pair.

For buyers who want the same general A Custom character in a different size, Zildjian offers A Custom Mastersound hats in other diameters, which would shift the balance of low end weight and speed slightly compared with this 14 inch version. Comparing a couple of sizes side by side before committing can help confirm which balance of weight and speed actually fits a given playing style.

Verdict

The Zildjian A20550 14-Inch A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats commit fully to the bright, cutting A Custom identity, describing a full-bodied, bolder sound, a fast and clear chick from the hammered venting design, and a striking brilliant finish confirmed directly in the listing.

With alloy and weight left unpublished, buyers are trusting the A Custom name and the specific venting and finish detail rather than a complete spec sheet, which is a reasonable trade for drummers who want a bold, cutting, fast chicking 14 inch hat at a mid-range price.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Stagg MYR-CH18RW US

Rock, metal and fusion drummers who want a cast B20 china with a dry, quick trash at a lower mid-range price.

Read the Stagg MYR-CH18RW US review →

Stagg 18"

Rock, metal and contemporary drummers who want a bright, cutting 18 inch medium crash at a lower mid-range price and are not fussy about the exact alloy.

Read the Stagg 18" review →

Stagg SH-CT19R SH

Drummers who want a large, fast opening thin crash for lower volume rock, pop, worship or jazz adjacent work at a lower mid-range price.

Read the Stagg SH-CT19R SH review →

Questions Buyers Ask