Hihat Clutch

Hi-Hat Clutches for Drum Kits – For Optimal Control and Flexibility

A hi-hat clutch – or 'coupling' in Danish – is a central part of your drum kit. It holds the top cymbal in place on the hi-hat and allows you to adjust how your hi-hat behaves when you play. Whether you prefer a standard clutch or a more specialised drop clutch, we’ve got the solution for you here – both types are available at a competitive price.

The Standard Hi-Hat Clutch

The standard hi-hat clutch is the classic solution all drummers know. It securely holds the top hi-hat cymbal in place and gives you full control over the hi-hat's opening and closing technique. This allows you to lift the top hi-hat cymbal by lifting your foot.

To ensure that your hi-hat clutch remains tight around the cymbal as you play, it’s important to adjust the two top screws correctly. These two screws, located above the hi-hat cymbal, must be tightened against each other to prevent loosening due to vibrations.

Start by tightening the bottom screw firmly. Then, adjust the top nut to the position you want relative to the cymbal. To prevent this from loosening later, tighten it by countering it with the second screw, ensuring everything stays in place, even when playing hard on the hi-hat.

Drop Clutch – Freedom for Double Strokes

The drop clutch is a fantastic choice for drummers who want the freedom to use their left foot for something else – like playing double pedals or a double bass drum – while still having a closed hi-hat to play on. The clever thing about a drop clutch is that you can easily activate it by tapping it with your hand, which causes the top hi-hat cymbal to drop and remain in a closed (but not fully tight) position.

When you need full control of your hi-hat again, it’s just as simple to “pick” the hi-hat back up. All you need to do is press the pedal once with your foot, and the top cymbal returns to its original position – ready to be opened and closed with the foot pedal. This is an essential feature for drummers who demand flexibility in their playing.

Materials and Upgrade Options

Our hi-hat clutches come standard with durable felt pads that protect your cymbals and ensure they don’t slip. The felt also provides a good balance between stability and flexibility while playing. But if you want to optimise your sound and performance, we also offer the option to upgrade to Cympad Optimizer foam pads. Cympad’s hi-hat optimizer provides enhanced resonance and more precise control over the cymbal’s movement, which can be a benefit for drummers looking to get the most out of their setup.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a drummer looking for a simple, reliable clutch or you want more flexibility with a drop clutch for double pedal playing, we’ve got the solution to meet your needs. With our competitive prices and upgrade options like Cympad foam pads, you’re guaranteed a professional solution for your hi-hat. We ensure that your clutches deliver stability, flexibility, and durability you can rely on.