Hi Nid Advice On What Cymbals To Get

[mightyboy88]

Hi guys,

Im a beginner drummer and ive got a Pearl Rhythm Traveller recently(used). I bought it without the cymbals.

Im looking to get a crash cymbal on a small budget for something decent in sound.

Any recommendations ? :-D

 

[Girlpants]

I bought it without the cymbals.

You mean you don't have ANY cymbals at all??
Maybe you wanna try looking at the Drums Buy/Sell thread. There's a few good deals. Cos i remembered seeing this guy (can't remember who), who is selling away many many many cymbal of his.

Try looking for sets, might be cheaper!

 

[DrunkDrummer]

I dunno, when I started out with drums, after I passed the 'newbie' stage, I decided that stock cymbals were just trashcan lids and ditched them for some other cymbals. I looked up Rankings and found a set of PST3 Paiste cymbals.

Yeah, they're made from brass, but I've found that they're pretty decent for a beginner. Officially, they're made from a specially made brass alloy that is apparantly more sonorous than the usual.

They're not spectacular, but the hi-hat is pretty good for its cost... has a decent sound and sizzles pretty nicely IF you leave a tiny gap between the two 'hats. Ride is okay, pretty washy though, over time mine began t o lose some its clear stick sound in the beginning it had. The Crash is not that good, pretty much a loud metal clang, with some washy. Hitting it on the body sounds pretty decent though.

All for slightly more or less than $350. Not sure, it's been a while since I bought it. You decide if it's worth it.

And I didn't exactly read your thread CLEARLY, I didn't realize that you only wanted a crash cymbal. But if you don't have any cymbals and you want to buy a crash only, then that's not really advisable.

Can recommend the PST5 Crash then, it's bronze at least (a superior alloy compared to brass) and from what I've seen, pretty decent.

And I'm really digging the unique sounds and looks of Paiste.

Just my 2centz. And a wall of text.

 

[mightyboy88]

Thanks for the recommendations

Ive got hi-hats . Now looking for a crash to complete the drum set.

Thanks for the advice , i will head down to ranking someday to try out.

Well is it a must to get a ride

 

[Girlpants]

OF COURSE DUDE!
Well, that's what I think. Haha.
Then how are you gonna ping ping ping????

 

[DrunkDrummer]

Yeah, rides and hi-hats are pretty much your 'timekeepers'. Especially crucial if your beginning on drums. Like the name implies they help you 'keep' time in your beats. BTW, I think the PST3s and 5s are pretty washy and bright as rides, if your looking for something pingy, I think my school concert band drumset (yeah I'm in concert band ) has a Istanbul Agop ride, it has an awesome ping sound.

Not sure where they sell it, though.

 

[mightyboy88]

But is it more impt to get a crash first ?

I wasnt really planning to get a ride since the rhythm traveller was only supposed to have a crash cymbal.

Wat kinda size should i get then ?

 

[DrunkDrummer]

If your looking into playing songs, I'd consider a crash cymbal more important. That's just me though. Most rock songs use hi-hats more frequently than rides anyway, and that's what I prefer to play.

On sizes; you have to decide yourself. I think larger sizes (22-24") have more wash, longer decay and lower pitch, while cymbals of smaller a smaller diameter (18-20"?) have the exact opposite of the characteristics of the larger cymbals.

Someone kindly correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[RettihDrah]

LOL, i think smaller sizes would be more suitable, like 18-20 stated as larger cymbals and 14-16 as smaller cymbals. After all we are talking about crashes. Unless he is ready to gig at large avenues or has measures set to cope with the volume of larger crashes like 22 and above (most people usually use rides for large crashes. And the characteristics you stated for the cymbals are right, or at least what i know of.

Just my 2 one cent coins.

 

[mightyboy88]

Thanks for helping me out guys .

I think i noe what to look out for now.

 

[singaporean]

get a china too baby :mrgreen:

 

[jukebox]

In common practice, people get hihats, ride or ride, hihats then crash. Because the hats and the ride are the main timekeepers. Try to get used pro level cymbals if you think you're gonna stick with drumming for a while. It'll sound a lot better and you won't have to upgrade them later.

 

[DrunkDrummer]

In common practice, people get hihats, ride or ride, hihats then crash. Because the hats and the ride are the main timekeepers. Try to get used pro level cymbals if you think you're gonna stick with drumming for a while. It'll sound a lot better and you won't have to upgrade them later.

Good suggestion Jukebox, but remember only get them if you're going to stick with drumming. Pro level cymbals that are used probably cost between $200-300 here. That's just personal experience.

 

[mightyboy88]

Woodworkz at Peninsula Shopping Centre carries a new brand of cymbals from China, or more specifically wuhan. The brand is called scimitar cymbals. Ram,the boss, did a demonstration on the crashes comparing it with the Paistes PST5. The sound from the scimitar was much louder sharper and sustained longer. Costs about 170. made of bronze and handmade.

But i still have reservations as it is from China haha. maybe not as durable. Think it may be quite an interesting newproduct for the more experienced and serious drummers to take note. Ram claims it is comparable to the $300-$400 kinda zildjians.

 

[shred5]

What ever cymbals that U are going to get in the future, it must be weighed carefully as its a long term investment. Buy something out of impulse and U may regret in the near future.

Get a basic knowledge of the various kind of cymbals in the market nowadays. What kind of alloys are the cymbals made off.

What kind of sounds are u looking for in a cymbals.. (Crashes, rides, hihats, chinas, splashes, etc)

All these factors will affect your taste and preference over what cymbals that U are going to decide.

Important note: Its your own ears to decide. Not others.