opinions on cymbals

[myner]

I've really wanted to go into the stagg line. when i saw sabian prices going through the roof, i almost pictured a full stagg set up on my kit.

BUT... nothing stands between me and my HHX's NOOoo.....

But sincerely go onto youtube search for stagg cymbals. there are quite a few clips there worth watching.

Look out for the DH or Myra hats. they look quite tasty.
and the myra crashes! serious with attack and character.

if you're on a tighter budget the SH crashes look quite fine. like a Sabian AA comparison or AAX trad finish. at a price like $100 i think ( not sure... can't really remember ), how can you complain.

 

[ioaka]

yeah!

With all the advertising going these days, it's very easy to get brand conscious, which may lead us to miss out on gems which could be higher value for money, and possibly sound better!

i have a question though, where else sells stagg cymbals beside the shop in peninsular?

twiztedjoker, about ZXT/ZBT right, they give u a cymbal bag with the big Z on it, so it kinda raises expectations up to quite high a level. which makes it worse if u ask me. hahaha!

cheers,
Joash

 

[aloy182]

hey guys, thanks for allthe help and advice given! i'll definitely be able to make a more informed choice now. by the way, i realised my hardware rusting away. is there anything ican doabout it?

 

[jukebox]

I think you should go for used cymbals. Check ebay or sites like cymbalcellar.com. I got a solar pack when I first started out, TOTALLY regret it and I dont think I'll be able to sell it off. Then afterwards I went on forums and found that people mostly buy their cymbals one by one because it just makes more sense. What if you don't like a crash in your cymbal pack? Then you have to sell that off to buy something you really want.

But if you do decide to get a pack, get the pst5! heard good things about them. Good luck!!! And tell us what you buy in the end!

 

[twiztedjoker]

I don't know man ioaka. Like when i got jamming studios the shit cymbals like. EHHH? Not bad sia! but when with my own personal kit, nothing beats my A/K's. So yeah haha!

With regards to the rusting, try this? How to remove rust - Projects / DIY - Home maintenance - Home Living - renovate.realestate.com.au

and yes, 2nd hand cymbals are always the first option for me. But as always, Sweelee or Yamaha sales, or even purchases overseas may prove to be cheaper AND better.

 

[ioaka]

twiztedjoker,

I think this could be due to the fact that the crappy cymbals may sound better because you are hitting them in an enclosed space, as compared to most gigs, which are slightly more open in terms of space, so it adds a nice ring to everything. Furthermore you also hit harder than you would if you are praticing at home, like i said earlier, the ZXT will sound better when you hit them hard (get ear plugs ready though).

Given a choice between my ZXTs and your A/Ks for a gig, it's not really a choice man, you've got gold!! hahaha =)

I mean, there are certain reasons why 1 brand new A/K cymbal costs close to, or more than a whole ZXT/Solar pack.

I'm really interested in the Turkish Classic series, i know Music Lab brings them in, so that i'm saving up for. I think they're really value for money, and sound great!

jukebox, i've tried the Solar pack, and i know exactly how you feel!

I've heard the Turkish pack is not bad too, even their packs are handmade!

cheers,
Joash

 

[jeepers]

Hey Joash,

I don't know. To me, hitting crappy cymbals in an enclosed area would highlight its flaws. If you're talking gig-wise, if there's mic-ing on the drums, the cymbals would sound a lot better, especially with a good soundman.

Btw, I think the Classic pack sets are all sold out, not too sure though. They go like hot cakes!

And all turkish cymbals (Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkish) are all handmade, handhammered.

Solars are crap, IMHO. I agree with jukebox, PST5s are good. But don't forget your turkish brands as well.

All the best,
J

 

[ioaka]

I'm of the school of thought that it is actually harder to hear the true quality of cymbals in an enclosed room (which will be defined as a jamming studio in this case). This is so as at those volumes, everything just bounces of the walls, and you can't (or at least, I can't) really tell how fast the cymbal decays.

It would also be highly likely that you are hitter louder than you normally would, because you know you are in a studio with sound proof rooms. Cheaper cymbals are cheap because they tend to be made from sheet metals, and they mostly only start to 'shine', so to speak when they are hit hard. Which could also help to explain our perceived 'beauty' of the sound.

Furthermore, in a jamming studio, you tend to be playing with everyone else, which makes it even harder to hear the qualities of the cymbals, and you'd most likely be more worried about that band break than how great the cymbals sound.

Also, gig wise, as drums are mostly acoustic instruments, much of what you want to achieve is good raw sound, as there is nothing really much than can be done to alter the characteristics of the cymbal. It's a bit of a gamble to always depend on the soundman to make my ZXTs sound great in a gig.

Ultimately, these are my main 3 opinions on cymbals:
1. Your ears are who you should listen to, because your ideal sound is based on what you play, and who you have been listening to.
2. It is highly likely that cymbals that cost more will sound closer to the sound that you're hoping to achieve, due to reasons such as workmanship.
3. It is also highly likely that cymbals that sound better to you, will sound better to the average man, or like-minded individuals (e.g. powerful cymbals and metalheads).

With that said, brands should be a guide, but not gospel in your search to achieve you voice as a drummer. =)

cheers,
Joash

 

[spinthebottle_]

Choice of Hi-Hats

Hey guys! I've been using a zxt setup and i don't really like it, currently thinking of upgrading it to the following:

16'' K custom session crash
17'' K custom dark crash
20'' A custom medium ride

Any idea how much these would cost second hand? i'm predicting about 800.

And what hi-hats should i get? i was thinking pst5..