Premier Olympic Drumset
- Thread starter PianistDarren
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Dark Heart
New member
Paiste PST 5 is decent. PST 3 is not decent.
Not a fan of Meinl. But i heard Something about Meinl HCS set. Maybe some friends here can share their experience with this series.
Not a fan of Meinl. But i heard Something about Meinl HCS set. Maybe some friends here can share their experience with this series.
PianistDarren
New member
=sunkjob
Thanks for your reply. Other than the HCS, which Meinl Mb series are good-sounding and affordable?
Thanks for your reply. Other than the HCS, which Meinl Mb series are good-sounding and affordable?
PianistDarren
New member
=Dark Heart
Thanks for your reply!
Are those cymbals sound sample available at the manufacturers web accurate? Can I just relied on the sounds sample or testing live is most encouraged?
Thanks for your reply!
Are those cymbals sound sample available at the manufacturers web accurate? Can I just relied on the sounds sample or testing live is most encouraged?
garywilliams82
New member
Premier is a good brand. Though it isn't that popular but they work great.
=PianistDarren
Online soundclips can only act as a reference point. U can go to mycymbals.com to listen to the cymbals they carry (that is if they have what u want) or just do a search in youtube or google. BTW, the type of speakers/headphones u are using will make a difference in what u hear. The best thing will be going to do a live test urself at the shop. However, not all shops are happy to let u test, a good example will be Ranking, no buying no testing, that is if that grumpy old uncle is serving u. For Swee Lee, is more or less the same, depends on who serves u. Some can let u test, while some are apprehensive about letting potential customers to test, as if they are going to use the cymbals as ash trays or frisbees.
While all these might sound ridiculous to musicians here and overseas, it is what is happening here. How can a musician buy an instrument without testing the actual product? Unless they have already used them elsewhere before or have absolute faith in the product itself.
Anyway, another brand u can look for is Istanbul Mehmet cymbals, affordable and sound good. Turkish cymbals are good as well. But as for all hand hammered cymbals, each cymbal, even it is the same size, same range WILL sound different. Nigel Gan from drumsresources carried Istanbul Mehmet cymbals and he will be more than happy to let u test. I did for a few times in his shop (then in Haji Lane, now he is operating from his warehouse) for about 2 hours before making my purchase.
Online soundclips can only act as a reference point. U can go to mycymbals.com to listen to the cymbals they carry (that is if they have what u want) or just do a search in youtube or google. BTW, the type of speakers/headphones u are using will make a difference in what u hear. The best thing will be going to do a live test urself at the shop. However, not all shops are happy to let u test, a good example will be Ranking, no buying no testing, that is if that grumpy old uncle is serving u. For Swee Lee, is more or less the same, depends on who serves u. Some can let u test, while some are apprehensive about letting potential customers to test, as if they are going to use the cymbals as ash trays or frisbees.
While all these might sound ridiculous to musicians here and overseas, it is what is happening here. How can a musician buy an instrument without testing the actual product? Unless they have already used them elsewhere before or have absolute faith in the product itself.
Anyway, another brand u can look for is Istanbul Mehmet cymbals, affordable and sound good. Turkish cymbals are good as well. But as for all hand hammered cymbals, each cymbal, even it is the same size, same range WILL sound different. Nigel Gan from drumsresources carried Istanbul Mehmet cymbals and he will be more than happy to let u test. I did for a few times in his shop (then in Haji Lane, now he is operating from his warehouse) for about 2 hours before making my purchase.
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PianistDarren
New member
=garywilliams82
Thanks for your reply! Premier do works great if they are properly tuned.
Thanks for your reply! Premier do works great if they are properly tuned.
PianistDarren
New member
=johannlow
Thanks for your reply! How much will Istanbul Mehmet set cost?
Indeed, I agree with you! Saleman at Swee Lee weren't friendly at all....
Thanks for your reply! How much will Istanbul Mehmet set cost?
Indeed, I agree with you! Saleman at Swee Lee weren't friendly at all....
Hi pianist darren, my personal recommendation would be meinl mcs, which is selling at ranking sports for $390, or the turkish moderate cymbal set, sold at musiclab for $450, the turkish moderate cymbals, consist of a crash, hi hat , ride, all are made of the high end b20 bronze and hand hammered, they sound great, u shld check them up, cheers 
PianistDarren
New member
Thanks edrummer for your reply! Will check on the Turkish Moderate set soon.
Btw, what metals is the Istanbul Mehmet Samatya made of?
On top of that, what do you all look for and how to when testing a cymbal?
Thanks.
Btw, what metals is the Istanbul Mehmet Samatya made of?
On top of that, what do you all look for and how to when testing a cymbal?
Thanks.
PianistDarren
New member
Thanks for your reply! What metals is the Istanbul Mehmet Samatya made of?
Also, what do you all normally look out for and how to when testing a cymbal? Is it necessary to bring along my drumsticks for a better sound testing and do those musicshops allow?
Also, what do you all normally look out for and how to when testing a cymbal? Is it necessary to bring along my drumsticks for a better sound testing and do those musicshops allow?
Made of bronze. Most musicshops will have drumsticks for u to test their cymbals. For eg, in Yamaha, u have to use their sticks to test.
Testing method wise, usually for crashes, the best and accurate way of crashing is to hit it in a 'swirl'/curve instead of just hitting it down. I read this way of crashing also prevents the cymbal from cracking easily.
For ride cymbals, hit the bell see if u like the sound and of cos tap on the bow. Crash it if u want.
A tip for hand hammered cymbals will be to take 2 of the cymbals and place them side by side, u can have someone to hit them for u one by one and see which one u like better. Let ur ears decide, so its good to close ur eyes. It makes a difference. But that said, not all shops let u do that
cos most of them will only have one on display for u to test. The only shop which let me did all those testing is from Drums Resources. Nigel (boss) also taught me all these methods of testing cymbals.
Anyway, cymbals are loud, so guess this is partly the reason why some shops do not really allow prolonged and hard hitting testing besides the stingy part like in Ranking.
Testing method wise, usually for crashes, the best and accurate way of crashing is to hit it in a 'swirl'/curve instead of just hitting it down. I read this way of crashing also prevents the cymbal from cracking easily.
For ride cymbals, hit the bell see if u like the sound and of cos tap on the bow. Crash it if u want.
A tip for hand hammered cymbals will be to take 2 of the cymbals and place them side by side, u can have someone to hit them for u one by one and see which one u like better. Let ur ears decide, so its good to close ur eyes. It makes a difference. But that said, not all shops let u do that
cos most of them will only have one on display for u to test. The only shop which let me did all those testing is from Drums Resources. Nigel (boss) also taught me all these methods of testing cymbals. Anyway, cymbals are loud, so guess this is partly the reason why some shops do not really allow prolonged and hard hitting testing besides the stingy part like in Ranking.
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PianistDarren
New member
Thanks for your reply! Are those Istanbul Mehmet Samatya made of B20 and how many percent can I trust on those online sounds sample?
Regrading about the hand hammered cymbals, what you meant is that every cymbals will sound difference even if it's the same brand and model? What other brands of cymbals do Drums Resources carry other than Istanbul Mehmet?
I have a list of cymbals set for consideration-
1. Zildjian ZHT Pro Set
2. Sabian Xs20 Performance Set
3. Paiste PST 5
4. Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Set
5. Turkish Moderate Set
What do you think? Which set will you encourage me to go for?
Regrading about the hand hammered cymbals, what you meant is that every cymbals will sound difference even if it's the same brand and model? What other brands of cymbals do Drums Resources carry other than Istanbul Mehmet?
I have a list of cymbals set for consideration-
1. Zildjian ZHT Pro Set
2. Sabian Xs20 Performance Set
3. Paiste PST 5
4. Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Set
5. Turkish Moderate Set
What do you think? Which set will you encourage me to go for?
Not really sure of the alloy used if it is B20 or not. Sound samples can be treated as a reference. Best will be going down to hear the cymbals cos different environment will make the cymbal to sound differently due to room acoustics.
As for hand hammered cymbals, since each cymbal is hand hammered and as human beings, one cannot exactly have the same hammering marks on the cymbal itself, so the sound will differ from cymbal to cymbal a little even they are the same size and in the same series. Eg, 2 Istanbul Mehmet 16" Traditional Paper thin crashes will sound different from each other and u need to hear them being hit side by side. U have to try it for urself to understand. I was quite astonished when I first heard the difference.
As for cymbals set consideration, I will go for the Sabian and Istanbul. Not sure about Turkish Moderate series. I wun go for Zildjian ZHT. Paiste PST 5 is ok. That's my personal preference la, cos everyone hears things different and what u might like might not be mine so go down to hear the cymbals urself will be good
Zildjian - Yamaha
Sabian - Swee Lee
Paiste - Ranking Sports
Istanbul Mehmet - Drums Resources
Turkish - Music Lab
Personally, I will go for individual cymbals instead of box sets. If budget is a concern, save up a little more before buying. For Zildjians, I like the K Customs, Sabians I like HHX and Vault series, Paiste I like Signature, New Signature, 2002 and Twenty series, for Istanbul Mehmets I like the Traditional series, the Sultans are not bad too, for Turkish, I forgot the series but I like the ones my drums instructor Mr Alvin Tan uses in his drum set.
As for hand hammered cymbals, since each cymbal is hand hammered and as human beings, one cannot exactly have the same hammering marks on the cymbal itself, so the sound will differ from cymbal to cymbal a little even they are the same size and in the same series. Eg, 2 Istanbul Mehmet 16" Traditional Paper thin crashes will sound different from each other and u need to hear them being hit side by side. U have to try it for urself to understand. I was quite astonished when I first heard the difference.
As for cymbals set consideration, I will go for the Sabian and Istanbul. Not sure about Turkish Moderate series. I wun go for Zildjian ZHT. Paiste PST 5 is ok. That's my personal preference la, cos everyone hears things different and what u might like might not be mine so go down to hear the cymbals urself will be good
Zildjian - Yamaha
Sabian - Swee Lee
Paiste - Ranking Sports
Istanbul Mehmet - Drums Resources
Turkish - Music Lab
Personally, I will go for individual cymbals instead of box sets. If budget is a concern, save up a little more before buying. For Zildjians, I like the K Customs, Sabians I like HHX and Vault series, Paiste I like Signature, New Signature, 2002 and Twenty series, for Istanbul Mehmets I like the Traditional series, the Sultans are not bad too, for Turkish, I forgot the series but I like the ones my drums instructor Mr Alvin Tan uses in his drum set.
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PianistDarren
New member
Thanks for your reply! Are those Istanbul Mehmet Samatya cymbals hand hammered? And how do you know if a cymbals is hand hammered, by looking at where?
Between Sabian B8 Pro and Xs20, which will you go for? Also, I am quite interested in getting the Zildjian ZHT Pro. Due to budget constraints, I felt that getting the box sets might be a cheaper option (correct me if I am wrong) as I intend to change all my stock cymbals including hi-hat. If I were to go for individual cymbals, that would cost me a hole in my pocket.
Why is it so that my toms are sounding tight and soft and the snare is very loud covering the toms sounds when I put the Remo O-Rings on them?
Btw, all drums and cymbals will sound differently when playing in HDB flat due to room acoustics too right?
Between Sabian B8 Pro and Xs20, which will you go for? Also, I am quite interested in getting the Zildjian ZHT Pro. Due to budget constraints, I felt that getting the box sets might be a cheaper option (correct me if I am wrong) as I intend to change all my stock cymbals including hi-hat. If I were to go for individual cymbals, that would cost me a hole in my pocket.
Why is it so that my toms are sounding tight and soft and the snare is very loud covering the toms sounds when I put the Remo O-Rings on them?
Btw, all drums and cymbals will sound differently when playing in HDB flat due to room acoustics too right?
All Istanbul Mehmet cymbals are hand hammered. Zildjian now uses machines to do the hammering. As for Sabian, only the HH, HHX and the vault (If im not wrong) still uses hand hammering. I can't tell whether a cymbal is hand-hammered or not. Not sure if anyone can, unless they are expertise in this field.
I would choose Xs20 instead of B8pro. Since Xs20 uses B20 bronze which are used in higher cymbals. Go for a boxset if budget is a constraint.
O rings are mufflers, they are supposed to reduce the ringing and overtones from ur toms. A snare is supposed to sound louder as well. If u do not like O Rings, try Moon Gel (drums resources), they are more versatile as in u can place them in different areas around the surface of the tom batter head to get different sound.
Yes, drums and cymbals will sound different in different environment due to room acoustics but I think its not too far off la. It will be good to treat ur room a little such as getting drumshields or sorber panels. Best will be to get them both. Sorber panels are from Clearsonic and are brought in by Drums Resources. They are made of fiberglass which are effective in containing sound. http://www.clearsonic.com
Some people says pasting egg shells on the walls help but im not sure. Basically it is to reduce the echoes in ur room. There are people who stick those thick acoustic foams on their walls to dampen the room a little so that it will not be so echoey.
I would choose Xs20 instead of B8pro. Since Xs20 uses B20 bronze which are used in higher cymbals. Go for a boxset if budget is a constraint.
O rings are mufflers, they are supposed to reduce the ringing and overtones from ur toms. A snare is supposed to sound louder as well. If u do not like O Rings, try Moon Gel (drums resources), they are more versatile as in u can place them in different areas around the surface of the tom batter head to get different sound.
Yes, drums and cymbals will sound different in different environment due to room acoustics but I think its not too far off la. It will be good to treat ur room a little such as getting drumshields or sorber panels. Best will be to get them both. Sorber panels are from Clearsonic and are brought in by Drums Resources. They are made of fiberglass which are effective in containing sound. http://www.clearsonic.com
Some people says pasting egg shells on the walls help but im not sure. Basically it is to reduce the echoes in ur room. There are people who stick those thick acoustic foams on their walls to dampen the room a little so that it will not be so echoey.
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PianistDarren
New member
Thanks for your reply! Am I right to said that all hand hammered cymbals will cost more than the ordinary ones? What are the advantages for choosing a hand hammered cymbals besides that they produced a darker tone?
If I were to go for individual cymbals, which hi-hats can I go for? And if I have the extra cash, I will go for Zildjian A Thin Crash 16" and Ride 20" rather than the box sets. Haha...
In addition to the drumshields and sorber panels, I will consider them in future as I have enough to think on cymbals. Anyway, thanks for telling that too.
If I were to go for individual cymbals, which hi-hats can I go for? And if I have the extra cash, I will go for Zildjian A Thin Crash 16" and Ride 20" rather than the box sets. Haha...
In addition to the drumshields and sorber panels, I will consider them in future as I have enough to think on cymbals. Anyway, thanks for telling that too.
Not all handhammered will cost more. If u compare the prices, Istanbul Mehmet and Turkish cymbals cost considerably less than Zildjians. Zildjians if I m not wrong use machines to hammer their cymbals now, meaning there is a person operating the machine and moving the cymbals to be hammered.
Not sure which hihats u can go for, depends on the sound u like and of cos ur budget.
Not sure which hihats u can go for, depends on the sound u like and of cos ur budget.
PianistDarren
New member
Thanks for your reply! What are the advantages for buying hand hammered cymbals?
For the hi-hats, I am looking for both a moderate (not too loud) and a clear 'chick' sounds for playing pop. Budget wise can you advise me on the most average price?
For the hi-hats, I am looking for both a moderate (not too loud) and a clear 'chick' sounds for playing pop. Budget wise can you advise me on the most average price?
