Why not have both? Virg uses a drop clutch and i think 1 or 2 xtra hats. You'll have different sound sources for ride patterns or effects. But if budget is an issue, I suggest you buy first a drop clutch and if you're still not satisfied then buy an extra hat.
@Harpoon..
Nah! I don't want both..will opt to get only one depending on the further feedbacks..
Have you actually used both?
Yup I tried both. Sometimes I bring an xtra hihat & hihat stand to gigs. Mine's a 12" hat so I use it as my secondary hat while the one on the gig, normaly 14", I use as my primary. Assuming your right handed on a right handed set-up and playing the hihat (w/c is on the left side) with your right hand w/c is normal for right handed players, when you play the 2nd hat on the right, you open up a lot of possibilities coz you're not crossing over your arms as we always do when playing the hihat on the left. So the left hand is free to do anything. You can play accents on the toms or cymbals or open/close hihat accents on the off beats with the primary hihat while playing straight 8th notes w/ the 2nd hat. Things like that. Secondly, as I mentioned on my earlier post, sound-wise, you have another choice of sound for ride patterns or effects. For me, I'll prefer a 14" china topped with a 12' crash/ splash or hihat in closed position for a trashy, staccato sounding effect. So there's a lot of difference in sound not just pitch-wise but the character itself between the main hat and xtra hat. Like the one Jojo Mayer has for his auxilliary hat. Another thing, if you are into recording, you can pan the sound of the 2 hats on the left or right side of the mix. (Stereo hihats). Which I think would produce cool effects in your groove.
About the drop clutch, I really did not paid much attention to it coz I had problems using it (atleast for me).
1) To use it you have to release the top hat by tapping the lever holding the top hat with your hand or stick hence you have this extra motion to do while playing a groove. So coordination-wise, you have to do this without disrupting your groove. Another thing, sometimes before going to play a double bass pattern (w/c is why we use a drop clutch anyway) I tend to forget to release the drop clutch. So instead of playing the hihat I move to the ride w/c is nomally we would do anyway.
Anyways, this is just a minor problem. With practice, one can pretty much remedy this.
2) If you're looking 4 that closed, staccato sound from your hihat when the drop clutch is in its off position (as sir drumster said), well you can not get that sound coz first of all there's no pressure pushing the top hat on to the bottom. It just sits there. (pwera na lng kung nasa ibang planeta ka na may mas malakas na gravity pull)
. So we get that washy sound unless of course you want that sound then its ok I guess.
3) When switching back to normal positon, you step on the hihat pedal for the lever to slide back onto the holder of the top hat. Depending on how hard you step on the hihat pedal, sometimes when I get back on playing the hihat, the clutch becomes out of position. The mouth of the hihat becomes too big. Which I guess happens also on regular hihat clutches. Lalo na kung makinis ung steel rod na pinagkakabitan ng hats. So you have to really tighten it.
Well anyway, this is just my own opinion from my own experience. So like I said on my earlier post try first a drop clutch coz anyway its way more cheaper than buying an xtra hat. And still you can use it if your not satified. Atleast may xtra ka pang hihat clutch. But if you ask me and I have the moola, I'll go with adding an xtra hat.
Sorry for the long post,bro. (walang magawa eh. he he) Hope this helps.
Peace out!