A locking nut assembly for hi-hat clutch comprises a main body having a bolt hole, a locking nut is disposed in the main body, the locking nut a central threaded opening for receiving a threaded stem of the hi-hat clutch, and a key bolt. The locking nut further having a threaded aperture. The key bolt passes through the bolt hole of said main body, and is threaded into the threaded aperture of the locking nut, whereby the key bolt is selectively tightened to force the threaded portion of the locking nut into engagement with the threaded stem.