Less trashy dark crash

[busy_listening]

Hi all, need some help from the experts.

I recently bought an 18" Istanbul Mehmet Dark crash but soon realised that I dun really like its trashy and "complexed" overtones. Though its common for a crash to be "dark and trashy", I was wondering if there are any crashes out there which are dark but yet clean-sounding(non-trashy).

Did some research online and narrowed down to 4 choices:

- Sabian AAX Dark crash
- Sabian HH Dark / Medium thin crash
- Paiste Dark Energy crash
- K Dark crash (this is still considered trashy rite?)

Of course the best way to determine is to let my ears do the job. But I'm rather intimidated by some weird and not-exact-approachable sales persons from our local dealers. Esp when I'm still considering a trade. Dun wana test test all the cymbals, leave the shop empty-handed then the person give me black face.

Personally I like the sound of the 17" Paiste DE crash, judging by the online sound files. So any advice, recommendations, help etc, in deciding which to get?

Thanks alot! =)

 

[heavenbjorn]

Wow.. awesome series of cymbals ya list out. Well, the Legacy series by sabian sounds Awesome If ya wanna try zildjian, ya can try out the K Custom Dark crash, K dark or K Custom session crash.

In fact, the larger size of cymbals = the darker the sound + longer the sustain

Hope it helps.. All the best =)

 

[Softwaremaker]

Many people tend to use the terms Dark and Trashy interchangeably. I really dont know how to describe it but Dark doesnt equate Trashy.

Dark is the opposite of Bright. and Bright doesnt mean High-Pitch (which many people used interchangeably as well)

In fact, the larger size of cymbals = the darker the sound + longer the sustain

Hmmm... Also, many used low-pitch and dark interchangeably. Larger cymbals means lower pitch but it doesnt mean its dark. A large 18-20" AAX Explosion is bright but low in pitch, comparatively to smaller cymbals of course.

The cymbals you listed above are not trashy. I own the K Dark myself and I wouldnt even call it trashy.

A trashy cymbal can be bright too. I have an 18" China that is trashy, very trashy and bright.

 

[deon]

hey you may wanna try Bosphorus cymbals instead.

 

[malmbas]

Of course the best way to determine is to let my ears do the job. But I'm rather intimidated by some weird and not-exact-approachable sales persons from our local dealers. Esp when I'm still considering a trade. Dun wana test test all the cymbals, leave the shop empty-handed then the person give me black face.

Try not to worry too much about salespeople. Cymbals cost a lot of money and they're really subjective so you're entitled to test (within reason) and listen to as many cymbals as you like until you find the sound you're looking for.

+1 for checking out Bosphorus too. Good luck

 

[jeepers]

Go check out all your available options. Don't just rely on online audiofiles. You've legs, head out and check the respective dealers! Why bother about they think about you. So only those are definitely gonna buy something can enter a shop and try out stuff? Bullsh*t!

And Legacy cymbals are trashy. Real trashy.

 

[busy_listening]

Thanks guys for your comments.

To Softwaremaker: Thanks for defining the different cymbal terms. When I first started drumming, I had to learn what those term means by matching the descriptions and the sound files provided. Realised that now I need a crash that is dark (low-pitched) and non-trashy (simple crash sound, not so much complex overtones?).

To Malmbas: Thanks for the encouragement. Another thing about Singapore is that we dun have a drum store with ALL the cymbal brands, which means I have to go thru the whole testing process again and again... I'm a petite lady you see, easily intimidated. Haha.

As for Bosphorus cymbals, I have this mentally that Turkish cymbals are very complex-sounding like the Mehmets and Agop etc, dark, trashy, "smoky". Shall explore to find if there are any "simple crash" among them. =)

 

[jukebox]

I read your posts and I think you should focus on the Bosphorus and Istanbul Agop Traditional lines if you want to stick to turkish companies.

Look out for the Istanbul Agop traditional dark crash, it's dark like you want, but not too trashy. Bosphorus Masters and New Orleans series crashes are also very nice. Or just go with the AAX dark or K Dark, can't really go wrong with either. Neither are trashy. They'll probably be what you're looking for. Don't know much about paiste so I can't comment on the DE crash.

 

[Softwaremaker]

Thanks guys for your comments.

To Softwaremaker: Thanks for defining the different cymbal terms. When I first started drumming, I had to learn what those term means by matching the descriptions and the sound files provided. Realised that now I need a crash that is dark (low-pitched) and non-trashy (simple crash sound, not so much complex overtones?).

Hi - Dark doesnt mean low-pitched. Low-pitched is used as a relative term mostly. So a larger/heavier cymbal is lower-pitched than a smaller one. Dark is a sound/musical characteristic and describes neither tone nor pitch.

If I may go out on a limb from the description you gave:

...I need a crash that is dark (low-pitched) and non-trashy (simple crash sound, not so much complex overtones?).

You are looking for a low-pitched non-trashy cymbal with not so complex overtones, then maybe a dark cymbal is not what you are looking for as darker sounds are usually associated with more complex overtones (not definitive as these are subjective to different ears and perceptions). A larger crash cymbal (not necessarily hand-hammered) may suit your purpose.

I am big fan of Bosphorus as well. The traditional series may suit your taste. Turkish Classic crashes are good as well. I believe there is a 18" New Orleans Crash for sale in the Drums-Buy-Sell forums. It is low-pitched and it is not trashy. I describe the sounds as smoky. Fits the contemporary setup, jazz, latin, blues, bossa, pop kits but may not fit the loud metal, rock genre

Gosh, if you look at the forums today, there seems to be many people getting rid of their 18" cymbals. I wonder why. If you have the money, an 18" Zildjian A custom or a Sabian HHX Stage Crash may also suit your tastes.

Good Luck.