DMusic.com | for indie musicians and fans | Free MP3 music downloads

Electric guitars, Classical guitars, Guitar amps and more.

zZounds.com offers recording equipment for starting and experienced musicians. Find the best prices on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, classical guitars and more.

Forums > Music: Drums

choosing new cymbals

willwoodward	Date: September 2, 2004 @ 8:11 AM i have a set up of sabian b8's and i've made do with them untill now. i REALLY hate the hi hat, its so cutting and sharp i have to wear ear plugs most of the time cos it hurts!the crash is similar, and has a big crack which ive cut out so i need to replace both of those, the ride is alright tho, i can play that without getting too bad a headache.... i need a a crash and hi hat which have a soft, much less harsh tone to them.. not too loud and abrasive...any suggestions, im willing to spend quite a bit on them, not massive prices tho. thanks.
Evisceration...	Date: November 24, 2004 @ 3:09 AM What style of music? Zildjian A's are "middle of the road." Pretty versatile, good for any style of music.
davidpartay	Date: March 1, 2005 @ 3:55 AM Go to drum stores. Hit cymbals WITHOUT LOOKING AT THEM. Go "Wow, that sounds good" if you find one that 'sings' to you. Buy it. If it's a crash, buy another one of a different size (ie. if you whack a 17" crash, grab an 18" crash as well). The reason I say don't look at the labels is because you'll be surprised what you'll find. That's how I discovered Paiste 2002 crashes. I hit a store full of Sabians and one 16" Paiste 2002 crash. I hit it, thought "whoa, that's different" and SURPRISE!! That day proved that I'm a Paiste man . But again, the type of cymbals you choose depends on the sort of music you play. Don't buy Paiste RUDE crashes if you're going to play a jazz gig, and don't buy small, thin cymbals if you're in a metal band.
METAL-DRUMMER	Date: April 11, 2005 @ 4:40 PM I think "davidpartay" is right on target. I'm also a Paiste fan/user. But I use Sabian AA Sizzle Hats. I love the sizzle rivets. It adds that little something extra.
Metalheaddru...	Date: September 25, 2005 @ 3:43 PM I like paiste cymbals too i dont have any way but at drum stores ive tried then too i have a sabian aa 10 splahs and a set of orions the orions were cheap and they sound surpeisingly good but the crash has a little tiny tiny crack in it and the sabaian AA splash is cracked but i dont recommend sabaisn from my experiences paiste and zildian are the way to go!
Metalheaddru...	Date: September 25, 2005 @ 3:45 PM sry i cant spell jus got back from paintballing and i broke my pinkey and the finger beside it
TheOwl	Date: September 25, 2005 @ 5:19 PM Although I'm not a drummer, I've hung around enough of 'em to listen in detail. K Zildians are a bit darker sounding and work really well for a lot of different types of music, especially jazz. A Zildjians are brighter and lend themselves to many musical situations as well. Just have to be careful with Zildjians though, if you constantly bash them and hit them wrong they are prone to cracking. Recently, I bought a Wuhan 16" China for a drummer I asked to play on a track of my upcoming CD (he did a GREAT job BTW), not a terribly expensive cymbal but man did that thing have character, the classic "trash can lid" sound. The Zildjian China's tend to be smoother and "swish" more I definitely agree with davidpartay's post too, play them with eyes closed and let your ear be the final judge.
Intergalacti...	Date: September 25, 2005 @ 6:32 PM theres these new ones called something like iNTel or something to that effect ill find out the real name for them and shout at you cos they're really good my old man owns a pair ill ask him tomorow or somethin
AxllFury	Date: October 1, 2005 @ 6:25 AM I've bought recently crash, ride and hi-hat Zildjian ZBT. I am the beginner in drumming and for the first time I think it's an optimal decidion. I also like how Paiste and Sabian sound! Maybe in future I'll buy some of them!
CubedDrummer	Date: November 27, 2005 @ 10:24 AM just go to a drum store and start hittin shit and see what ones u like
jinx215	Date: February 10, 2006 @ 4:25 PM any thing from Turkey
ScienceHarbor	Date: April 13, 2006 @ 10:42 AM If you hit them in the stores make sure you play at a loud enough volume to hear their range,unless you can tell from tapping. A safe bet are zildjian A's (versatile, cut through the music) K's (dark and nice) and z's (loud but good tone)
BR3TT	Date: April 21, 2006 @ 12:01 PM Whatever you do, don't be stupid and buy Zildjian ZXT Titanium cymbals. Sure, they look really sweet, but the sound is just loud. That's it, just loud. No tone, no versatility, just loud as hell. Do yourself a favor and don't be like me. Anyway, leaving comments like "just go to a drum store and hit shit and see what it sounds like" sounds like the worst idea I've ever heard. Yet, in it's simplistic stupidity, it's right. Cymbals are personal things, so go with it personally. Caress your cymbals. Bathe them. Give them massages. Light some candles. You know, whatever.