Trojan hi hats at ranking sports

haha it's below the 500dollar range. im in love with the constantinople but it cost 750dollars. way pass my budget.
 
i have a pair of trojan hats (13"), a trojan ride (20") and a trojan crash (16")

i like the sound of the ride and the bell sticks out nicely when struck, thus making it a good ride for Rock drumming. the crash is pretty much average, better than stock cymbals definitely, and it serves its purpose quite well. However i do not like the hihats. it creates a very dead sounding piak piak instead of the crispy sounds of a hihat that i look out for.

also, all the cymbals have the "handmade cymbals" words imprinted on them.
the hihat also has got some sort of dark rings around it.

i am intending to get a new set of cymbals, maybe sabian? i dunno.
melvin
 
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anyone has any opinions on the ZBT cymbals? how do they sound when playing rock music? cause my budget only allows me to get something of that range man.
 
anyone has any opinions on the ZBT cymbals? how do they sound when playing rock music? cause my budget only allows me to get something of that range man.

ZBTs, I think if you're not too sure if you're in drumming for the long haul, they're a good set to try out. Not that heart-ache if you happen to crack any too. They're actually okay when playing rock in a jamming studio - everything's so loud anyway.

Try answering these two simple questions so we can get an idea of what to recommend you.

1. What's your total budget like for a set of Hi-hats + Ride + Crash?

A. $200-$400
B. $400-$600
C. $600-$800

(By the way, for about $400-$600, by sourcing for 2nd hand cymbals, you probably can get a pro-quality set of cymbals which you can use for life, provided you don't crack them with poor technique =p Also, the Bosphorus line is very affordable considering the value you get)

2. How long do you think you'll be drumming? Or how serious do you think you are about it?

A. Just trying it out to see if I like it
B. Quite sure but not so sure
C. I'm damn sure I'm going to be drumming till my arms and legs can't move! It's for life!

If your answer is
A. Try to find a USED set of beginner cymbals, like ZBTs, B8s, PST3 or PST5. These aren't super, but are a great upgrade over any stock cymbals.
B. Go with option A
C. Save up your budget, you'll save on 'upgrading' costs in the long run. Look at used cymbals for great deals. Build up one quality piece at a time. Hi-hats first, Ride, then Crash.
 
i have personally used the ZBT set before..
the hats are okay. the ride seems too thick for me, far too much overtones, and the crash was bad. I would rather go for the MCS series that has good all round cymbals, or go for the PST 5 rock performance set.
 
hey fellow drummers,

firstly, in response to weckl-x, my budget is 600-800 for a GOOD set of cymbals, i.e. a ride, hats and crash. my main point is to bring those shiny dishes out for gigs, thus they have to have great projection.

secondly, i am actually quite a drum enthusiast, and definitely would be drumming till my arms and legs can't move. haha. thus, i am willing to commit myself to such a huge investment.

therefore, points to take note..

i need a good set of cymbals, especially hats [to replace my trojan hats as i really do not like the sound], 600-800 for a set of cymbals that sound good for gigs.

Besides, where is a good place to find 2nd hand cymbals? other than SOFT of course.

Melvin
 
Whoo, nice to hear you're another committed enthusiast. Cheers!

600-800 can definitely get you a good set of hats/ride/crash, if you're patient and can afford to wait for deals to pop up. Like I remember a few months back, someone was selling a set of 13" New Beat hats for $170?

I believe 600-800 could even get you a new set of Bos cymbals, if you dig the sound.

There's also luthermusic's classifieds:
http://luthermusic.com/classifieds/index.php?catid=5

There's an ad:
Sabian AAX 16" studio crash - 8.5/10 @ $150
-Pretty reasonable

Sabian AA 14" Hihats - 9/10 @ $250
-This is on the steep side when it comes to used (but some of us really rather not sell than lose a certain amount on a sale, but you can always try to nego, no harm done) but even then would still leave you with up to $400 within your budget for a ride.

Can try to PM this softie named French_revolutions, had a AAX ride for sale last I remember.
http://soft.com.sg/web/modules.php?name=Private_Messages&file=index&mode=post&u=10190

Patience is key.

What kinda sounds you looking for? Clean, bright, glassy, shimmer? or darker, more complex, trashy?
 
haha i never been to luthermusic before haha. the site was cool.

anyway, weckl-x, thanks so much for the information. you see, the problem is that i do not know the retail prices of these cymbals as there are like so many brands out there and i seriously need some sort of a catalog with prices on it, as you know, i don't want to get scammed by crappy sellers all around.

and is buying a second hand always the best option?

darn i have to start knowing my cymbals. and its difficult to, especially in swee lee when u really want to try the cymbals they give you the cold shoulder, well, especially for me, i am after all quite young looking haha. besides, i would also be quite ashamed to try out the cymbals and make a whole lot of din in the compound and end up not buying them, and their selections a rather limited too.

would a box set be advisable? the sounds do not vary between different box sets of the same kind am i right?

Thanks, and thanks again.

Melvin
 
anyway, weckl-x, thanks so much for the information. you see, the problem is that i do not know the retail prices of these cymbals as there are like so many brands out there and i seriously need some sort of a catalog with prices on it, as you know, i don't want to get scammed by crappy sellers all around.

Retail prices, a fair guage would be using the prices on US-based retail sites like musiciansfriend.com or massmusic.net.

For Sabian, you could go to SweeLee and recce the prices (look for the price tag, -20% to get actual price)
For Paiste, there's a retail price list on the cymbal rack at Ranking, gotta ask the auntie how much final price is after discount.
For Zildjian, fixed lah. Haha.

and is buying a second hand always the best option?

I wouldn't say it's always the best option. If you've cash, walking into the store and testing out the full range and buying what you like is the best option. If you want to save as much as possible, and aren't in a urgent rush to slowly buildup your cymbal set piece by piece, then second hand would be the best option (Disclaimer: in my opinion 8) )

besides, i would also be quite ashamed to try out the cymbals and make a whole lot of din in the compound and end up not buying them, and their selections a rather limited too.

would a box set be advisable? the sounds do not vary between different box sets of the same kind am i right?

Nah, don't be worried to try out the cymbals and not buy, after all, they are the authorized distributor, that's one basic function they fulfil - provide a store front for customers to experience the products. If they can't even do that properly, I really think we have a case to report to Sabian.

But the selection's definitely really limited.

Box set, like AA box set etc? Well, from my limited experience, Sabian and Paiste have pretty consistent processes, like I could buy one of their cymbals off the net and expect it to sound pretty close to the sound files they provide on their website.

Here's an interesting site: http://www.cymbalcellar.com/
They sell used cymbals, with detailed descriptions, photos, and an individual sound file.

Granted, the sound file is not going to be representative of what you hear in person, but when I'm buying online, or off ebay, if I think the price is okay, I'll go for it. If it doesn't work out, at least I am likely to be able to sell it at the price I got it for.
 
haha hey dude actually i'm maybe selling my whole sabian AA set.. if you wan PM me then we negiotiate. its in your budget dun worry
 
Melvin... check out the Istanbul Samatya Cymbal set at Drum Resource. Brilliant Finished Hand Hammered at $650... The owner Nigel gives the best sales service with no obligation in buying... 8)
 
and if you have a good mobile phone, put in this song called Africa by TOTO and he'll dance along it... if u stop the song, he'll either hum to it or whistle it.. haha!!

80's music rock!

*sorry to hijack the thread..*
 
haha guy thanks so much.

i would be going down to ranking and sweelee today and maybe penin (istanbuls) if i have time. going to listen to a whole lot of cymbals and choose haha. then i will decide.

well, as for Kanzer,
haha hey dude actually i'm maybe selling my whole sabian AA set.. if you wan PM me then we negiotiate. its in your budget dun worry

i really dunno about this man. haha give me some time to listen to all the cymbals i can 1st la haha.

just curious, how do the sabian AA cymbals sound like? i've heard it online but my friends say its not a good gauge as the environment in which they recorded it may be different from where i would be using those cymbals, furthermore, they may use some sort of sound enhancer haha. dunno.

oh ya i have to ask.. the prices stated on cymbalcellar.com, are they US currency and is there any hidden costs (shipment, GST whatever shit haha)?

anyway thanks guys haha you all mean so much :)

Melvin
 
haha guy thanks so much.

i would be going down to ranking and sweelee today and maybe penin (istanbuls) if i have time. going to listen to a whole lot of cymbals and choose haha. then i will decide.

That's a good idea, because if you went to DR first, you might have so much fun can come away with a whole set of Mehmets without caring about what else is available. I almost did, when I started looking around to build up a set of cymbals.

i've heard it online but my friends say its not a good gauge as the environment in which they recorded it may be different from where i would be using those cymbals, furthermore, they may use some sort of sound enhancer haha. dunno.

On-line sound files will never be a 100% accurate representation of that certain cymbal. Too many factors involved, recording environment, mics, stick, player, the equipment you listen through.

A sound file might be prepared really well, but if the user just listens to it through the speakers on a laptop, for example, then a lot of the detail can't be heard as well as if he used a good pair of headphones to listen.

But done properly, they can paint you a decent enough 'picture' of the sounds from a cymbal, to get you into the ballpark area.

oh ya i have to ask.. the prices stated on cymbalcellar.com, are they US currency and is there any hidden costs (shipment, GST whatever shit haha)?

anyway thanks guys haha you all mean so much Smile

It's a US-based site, so all in USD. Shipping is calculated separately.
No hidden costs, but you have to be aware of the regulations in SG.

If your CIF (Cost+Insurance+Freight) is over SGD$400, then the package is liable for 5% GST.
 
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