Sabian HH Cymbals

Sabian HH Cymbals are some of the best vintage cymbals on the market, and for good reason. HH cymbals were one of the first two cymbal models made by Sabian in the 1980s when the company was created. These cymbals were based on the K Zildjian cymbals of the competing Zildjian brand.

Sabian HH cymbals are favorites in the music industry because they are simultaneously dark and complex. Each cymbal is created in order to make its own individual personality, letting you create the perfect set to match your needs, whether you play jazz or rock.

Terreon “Tank” Gully is one of the most famous jazz drummers playing today. Terreon, who has played with Common, Marc Cary and the Benny Green Trio, swears by HH cymbals, integrating a 16” Sound Control crash cymbal into his setup.

HH refers to the production of the cymbal: hand hammered. Though the cymbals are hand hammered, you can find them in both natural and brilliant finishes. Natural finishes are left after the lathing process, with the tonal grooves left unpolished after production. These cymbals tend to focus more on bite and tone than do their brilliant finished brothers. Brilliant finished cymbals are put through a high-pressure, high-heat process after production, that leaves your cymbal sounding as smooth and glassy as it looks.

HH cymbals made today have been nicknamed “Vintage Dark,” since the series is the oldest, making it vintage, and the sound quality, which is dark. These are the most traditional of the HH lines by Sabian, which can be compared to HHX cymbals, known as “Modern Dark.”