Back from New brunswick! And The Sabian Factory! (pics)

[Dyaxe]

hey everyone!

well i just got back from vacation from shediac,new-brunswick. since i knew that sabian was located in meductic, which we would be passing by while comeing home, my aunt ended up asking a guy in an instrument store, if they offered a tour. he said all you have to do is call them and let them know your coming by. So i did, and they set up a tour for me and my family. i took plenty of pictures, and i said why not show them to you guy's.

so i was able to see how the cymbals are made ect.. i would of never guessed how much work is done by hand. as well, all of the people working there were extremely friendly, not to mention most of new-brunswick is.

now theres alot of things i dont remember, not to mention alot of things i couldn't hear cause it was pretty loud at times. so anywaise, ill give u guy's a description as much as i can of each picture

The Older building (they now have 2) (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06215ey.jpg)
Forgot what these are called, but this is the first stage of a cymbal. It's the mix of the metals used to create them. (http://img340.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06064qk.jpg)
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4769/img06064qk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
The Pizza Oven (lol). Here those metal blocks are placed inside of this (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06096hy.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2244/img06096hy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
After they soften. They are then placed in this machine, Which flatens them. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06089me.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/4363/img06089me.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
Same As Above (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06079rd.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1767/img06079rd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
After The Oven And Flatening Stage (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sabian40je.jpg)
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9191/sabian40je.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
Not Sure what this does. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06145rk.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8522/img06145rk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
2 Guy's in aprons, hammering cymbals. The one with the purple shirt is charlie brown, some of you may know him. i dont quite remember why he's well known, but he did the hammering and such for neil peart's paragon cymbals. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06127yt.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/62/img06127yt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
The shaving stage. the guy places the cymbal on the machine, takes the right tool and shaves the cymbals. This gives it, it's natural finish. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06137by.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1747/img06137by.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
Cymbals are being polished by that machine. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06154sd.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/4817/img06154sd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
More Polishing (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06169xz.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8326/img06169xz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
Cymbals here, are having there series imprinted. As well, the indented small sabian logo is done by this machine. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06209rj.jpg)
More Imprinting (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06196cj.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7008/img06196cj.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=)
All Cymbals here are tested. the people here test ALL the cymbals (one of them whom, gave us the tour). the people who do this know exacly what each cymbal sounds like, however it is impossible to make an exact replica of cymbals, though they all sound similar. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06170fu.jpg)
the BEAUTIFUL SABIAN VAULT! (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06185am.jpg)
more of the beautiful vault (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sabian103jc.jpg)
more cymbals (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sabian98cd.jpg)
even more cymbals (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sabian88ik.jpg)
Me, my sister and her boyfriend infront of the sabian sign. (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06224sn.jpg)

A few facts:

-ALL sabian cymbals are made in this factory. They also make the Pearl cymbals, and a few other brands i dont remember.
-No material is wasted if a cymbal doesn't sound right. It is just melted and redone.
-Sabian has 110 employees, half a dozen of them being drummers.


And that about raps it up. Sadly, they dont sell any cymbals at the factory, only accessories. i gotta say it was an awsome experience seeing how all of this is done. the guy giving us the tour told us that there weren't many cymbals in the vault comparing to how many they usually have since they just completed a shipment a few days before i went.(there was MANY more racks of cymbals comparing to how many i took pictures of).

if any of you are ever in new-brunswick, stop by sabian and see it all for yourself! not to hard to find them..meductic is basically one street lol.

anywaise. ENJOY!

[Milo]

Absolutley fantastic post my friend, you got some great photos! I think it would be interesting to be the tester guy. Or I'd stay after hours and make some specialty cymbals...for myself of course. Those vault pics just made me cream in my pants....

[Thinshells]

Very cool post, and nice opportunity.

In July, I was in the vicinity of Zildjian, and those guys appearently don't want the general public wandering around. Possibly, if I called ahead, but even then without some kind of music industry status, the answer would likely have been no.

Sabian makes great stuff. I got to try the vault just recently. They are some of the nicest thin cymbals on the market. Very crisp and quick. Sabian knows how to make great stuff.
Hand hammered/lathed is the way to go.

[RudimentalDrummer]

hey everyone!

Forgot what these are called, but this is the first stage of a cymbal. It's the mix of the metals used to create them. (http://img340.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img06064qk.jpg)


Great Pics bro Dyaxe .... and thanks you so much for sharing these wonderful pics with all of us in DrummerWorld.

I think they probably call this something like ... Ingots though they are round (wherelse Zildjian call them Ingot - cause in Zildjian the shape is rectangular (same process). These are the So-Call Family Secret I guess - the alloy in making those wonder Cymbals ...cheers !

[illy]

wow.. *drool drool droooool*

[Bernhard]

Great report Dyaxe. Thank you very much. Very good pictures!!
Love it.

Bernhard

[Dyaxe]

Great Pics bro Dyaxe .... and thanks you so much for sharing these wonderful pics with all of us in DrummerWorld.

I think they probably call this something like ... Ingots though they are round (wherelse Zildjian call them Ingot - cause in Zildjian the shape is rectangular (same process). These are the So-Call Family Secret I guess - the alloy in making those wonder Cymbals ...cheers !

you know what..that could be it, sounds very familiar.


Thanks for the awsome comments guy's!

[needforspeed182]

, i know, im not a sabian fan, but i saw it and i HAD to peek, not as spiffy as i thought it would be

[NUTHA JASON]

this is so cool. a step by step process. i want to visit the paiste factory now.

j

[Anduin]

Good review and pics, man.

they dont sell any cymbals at the factory

Damn! I was kinda sorta planning to head down there some time and buy a few. Oh well. Still worth it for the tour, though.

[Anduin]

Man, those pics just get cooler the more I look at the detail. Here we are on the 'net, pockets full of cell phones and mp3 players, and half our instruments are made with centuries-old technology. How cool is that?!

[Bonzo]

It's refreshing to have some "different" threads every once in awhile. Nicely done.

[Tyrnox]

Great post, I looked at and enjoyed every picture, it's nice to see how everythings done!

[devilfish]

Yeah, now I'm jealous. Imagine the skill those guys have to hand craft the cymbals and get them to sound almost identical. I wanna work there, imagine the discount! Thanks for sharing your great moments and the pictures are absolutely perfect.

Cheers!

[scabo0o]

did they give you a free cymbal..and did the tour cost anything

[CASP3Rdrummer]

nice photos ... and couldnt you pick up few cymbals for you . so much they have they wouldnt see that some of them are missing ;-)

[glynes]

Brilliant!!
Is Charlie Brown really hammering those cymbals atop a tree stump??? That's sure what it looks like.
Well done getting the tour ... nice to know that they'll do that. Great customer relations.

[JohnLittle]

I need a job like Charlie's. Great post.

[Josh is a cult]

wow thats awsome i wanan stop by there!
i love sabian!!!

[thumper]

Damnit, if I worked there, I'd show up naked....:D

[syaoran05]

that's a lot of b8's in a vault lol

if they make the pearl cymbals, that prolly means the b8 pearls are the same as sabian b8's?

[pete_on_drums]

thats really kool!
does anyone know of any drum/cymbals factorys in england?
thx

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Drum factories in England? The main production is the Premier plant. Where exactly it is, I have no idea.

[Jay.B.]

You know what, this has got to be a carlsberg moment, probably the best post on here, very interesting, informative and made me HELLA JEALOUS

*bows down in respect*

NICE ONE DUDE !!!

[Stu_Strib]

Nice pics!

That kind of shuts up those people who claim that Sabian no longer hand hammers cymbals and that it is all done by machine now. Unless of course those two dudes with the hammers are there just for the tour.

[Drummin Drew 1]

GREAT THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dom]

dude i love sabian allsome pictures great thread. The pictures made me dream a bit about the cymbals but then seeing all the cymbals in the vault make me wish i could see one thing happen have one of those big shelfs fall down and hear the MUSIC haha

[d.c.drummer]

Very swweet.. Widh i could make it there some day....

[Drummer Karl]

Wow, what a thread...especialy because I`m a Sabian boy! :-)
Nice, very nice...did you get one free cymbal from there after the visit? ;-)

Karl

[Skitch]

I think that they are called ingots, not sure!! I would defintely be up for this tour! Thanks for the photos!

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

[White]

Haha I laugh at this becaue I live in new Brunswick, and I have been to the Sabian facctory many a time. its wicked to go in there and see it all, and those pics captured alot of the trip but they don't come close to the experience lol.

[Backwards Marathon]

ill be sure to go there next time i go out east to PEI.

[Wegadrummer]

Good thread, supergreat pics... Thanks..

[Nick5]

Besides driving a Zamboni, a visit to the Sabian Factory is in order.

[Spence]

Sweet thread! It's nice to see some care and attention goes into making cymbals. Especially in this day and age.

I was in Canada not so long ago and really wanted to go to the factory. I got close, but my friends were moaning about all the time we spent driving and it was about 2 hours out our way! I missed out big time!

[HHxplorer]

Didn't they do any machine-hammering?
I'm a big Sabian-fan, too bad I live on the wrong side of the world.
My first post here! :)

[boomboomda]

Cool pictures , thanks for that post.

[mo_on_drums]

great review and pics man!

[Tyr]

Dear god, I would love the make a trip to Sabian! The only cymbal company! :)

[wy yung]

Great thread and fantastic pictures. I really enjoyed it. Thanks very much.

[DWfan20005]

Amazing pictures of Sabian, I just love them. I'm planning on working there once get out of High School and have the education and requirements needed for the job. Sabian Forever!

[DamoSyzygy]

Ah this brings back memories!

I posted a similar review last year, with plenty of extra pics! The Sabian factory is definitely utopia for drummers!

Here is my review.

http://sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504536&highlight=sabian+tour

I have since kept in touch with all the great people at Sabian - In fact, since showing Andy Z these forums, he regularly reads them and has even contemplated signing up!

Great post!

[tooldrums1000]

Those are very good pictures. I wish I could go to a cymbal factory and get some free cymbals. It would be fun and interesting.

[DamoSyzygy]

^ For me it definitely wasnt about getting the free cymbals. In fact, I didnt even know Id get one till they told me to go pick from the vault.

[de Nick]

Great post/pics. I´d like to go there too:(

[PLaN-Z]

my drum teacher told me how he used to go there in the 1970's and if they made a mistake on a cymbal they sold it to you for 10% of the original price!1!!!!1!! he said he could go there with $100 and have a whole set of cymbals!! but they dont do that now :( lol but imagine that.. i would have like... 1000 cymbals that would be effin sweet. peace

[Alex_McKenzie_2005]

Wow you're incredibly lucky! I wish I could go but I live in England.....
So do the workers even make the B8's? Or would it just be the models like the AA's, AAX's, HHX's and Vault's etc?
Also, if there were only 110 workers, how many cymbals do they make a day?

It's pretty cool to think the AAX I have has come also the way from Canada, and could have been made by any of the men in those pictures lol!

[Sabian56]

Very cool! I hope to visit "Cymbal Mecca" myself someday. Nice to hear that they are so welcoming and open to visitors.

Cheers!

[Muffled Tom]

So do the workers even make the B8's? Or would it just be the models like the AA's, AAX's, HHX's and Vault's etc?

That's a real good question.

[svkelleher10]

my drum teacher told me how he used to go there in the 1970's and if they made a mistake on a cymbal they sold it to you for 10% of the original price!1!!!!1!! he said he could go there with $100 and have a whole set of cymbals!! but they dont do that now :( lol but imagine that.. i would have like... 1000 cymbals that would be effin sweet. peace

Did he say how bad the defects were on them? If they weren't negligable I wish i could have gotten some 90% discounts!

[#choke#]

im goin to be in new brunswick .. on thursday on my way back home ... is it hard to get a tour or can u just walk in and get one .... and were is it??????

[Jon Jon]

Dyaxe is my new hero.
I love Sabian cymbals and prefer them over Zildjan any day!

[*JOHN FAVICCHIA *]

Has anyone checked out the new Sabian Chopper? Awesome Sound....

Also-Dom: I see you like Brand New-Great band-The Drummer Brian Lane took a few lessons from me..Great guy!!!

J

[Drummerboy30]

I live in Maine one mile from the Canadian border.
My father was the drummer for the band Crossfire. They broke up around ten years ago, but get this. They used to play every weekend at a place called the Silver Fox. It was the biggest friday night party around back then. Well, one night Nort Hargrove, who was one of the cymbal testers for the zildjian cymbal factory. Note that the Sabian factory in Maductic Canada used to be Zildjian. So Nort actually gave my dad a cymbal endorsement. He gave my dad, (hand picked) original, brilliant polished, Zildjian cymbals. I am still playing them today, and they sound awesome. I actually have added on to them and found that the A customs have the very similar sound. And also on that note, let me just say, they are the same cymbals that Neil Peart used in his days before the Paragons. I absolutly love them!

[Mastershake16]

Very Nice pictures i always like seeeing how drums/cymbals are made makes them cooler than they already are

[Bob Smith]

Yeah and these are great pics thanks for sharing them.

[peanut23s]

does the tour cost anything then? it must just givin you a cymbal for turning up at the factory and following them round listening to stuff you are actually interesed in

[yjb63]

I would also like to know if it costs anything. I live about four hours away and would love to see the cymbal making process.

[mallendion]

I don't believe there is a cost, however -

Sabian does request that you call or email in advance in that some days they are unable to accomodate tours (during annual plant shutdown end of July - beginning of August, busy shipping days or if dealer meetings are on site.)

They do enjoy showing drummers around and would look forward to hearing from anyone interested in visiting. Let them know in advance and they can plan to have someone meet you.

Contact at sabian@sabian.com

[drumhead61]

I lived in New Brunswick and did not know about this...then again I was going to school, not a drummer at the time, but had I known I know I would have gone because I have always had an interest in drum stuff...thanks for sharing.

[drumbum1977]

very informative....thanks so much!

[LeeLovesSabian]

Excellent Drum Porn......
Sabians!

[Aggressivec]

Wow that is awesome! Sabian is the best and always will be, and someday I hope to visit the factory as well. Excellent photos.

[m1ck]

Glad this thread was revived... It was posted before I joined here, and I totally missed it back in '05.

Excellent photo tour. Thanks Dyaxe, if you're still even around...

[jer]

Great thread!

My band randomly stopped for gas in Maductic (we had no clue where we were, sign from Hwy 2 said "gas" so we pulled in), didn't take long for the woman working at the gas station to figure out we were a band, she asked who the drummer was then if I knew where we were, which was across a field from the Sabian factory.

She asks me what brand I used, and there I was, packing Zildjians. I felt slightly embarassed, I do own several Sabians, and my hats are old school block letter AA's (which I have used for over 10 years), but it was still slightly akward.

Would have loved to take the tour, but we needed to keep moving. We are headed back that way in March, I'll see if I can't convince the other guys in my band to stop and have a look.

Thanks for posting! Hopefully I'll have some pics of my own to share in the future!

[paradiddler]

Hey guys.

Sabian just had their Sabian Live at NAMM 2009 performances, and I've written a review on the event. Hope you all can take a look! Here's the link:

Sabian Live at NAMM 2009 (http://theparadiddler.com/2009/01/17/sabian-live-at-namm-2009/)

Happy reading! Don't forget to let me know what you think!

[SharkyBait911]

Very good pictures !!!!

More threads like this please,

Thankyou

[trysthedrummer]

I remember Damo doing one over at musicianforums, long time ago. The pics aren't loading anymore, must have took them off your hosting site?

Anyway, I love looking how things are made! Maybe one day when I go over the water to Canada, might just have to pay a visit!

[AZsabianprez]

Hey Dyaxe,
thanks for making the trip. The metal 'Pucks' ( Hockey - Canada - you know) are called 'Castings'. Each has a different weight and size. That determines what
type of cymbal it will become.
The machine in the picture that you could not identify is the AA machine.
AA cymbals are made with the later technology that we used to make the A's for Z.co.

Thumper, I don't see 'OSHA' allowing your showing up to work naked.......
Funny, though.

Thanks Dyaxe.
AZ

[zephead19]

Wait does the tour cost anything and at the end do they actually just give you a free cymbal? If so i am going very soon haha.
Nice pictures too the tour looks extemely interesting.

[RMS]

I'll be making the pilgrimage soon, I hope. I've heard of a few people being offered a cymbal on the tour...but that's not the reason why I'm wanting to go.

[beatboy21212]

You should all check out the Tour when it hits Marshfield, Mass in October. It's gona be epic!

[Kelven]

This been singles experience,

[RhythmDrums]

Looks really cool, thanks for the post man!

[meinlman]

it's great to see our craft look so organic and with lots of tradition and hands on labor! surely the most fun and creative hobby there is!!

excellent pics my friend!

[Geri Attrique]

Sweet pics...I loved the hammering pics! Awesome to see part of the process is hand-crafted! I forgot that the factory was in Canada. I remember seeing a special on TV (perhaps a news segment) about the factory a few years back.

[ibernalq]

Nice experience.. lucky you... being among sooo many cymbals... a dream...

[summerdrummer]

Wow. I was wondering about the factory tours thanks.

Here is probably the coolest factory video I have ever seen (it's quite new)...for the Sabian fans. Maybe the guys drew inspiration from this thread :) !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyv8uT1Ib-o

[daredrummer]

Great pictures!
The only thing that surprises me is only 6 drummers.... I thought at least half of the employees would be drummers.

[Mr.L]

I've always wanted to visit the Sabian Factory (living in NB, you know).
But I've never gotten the chance (being 13, you know).
Anyway these are sweet pics (having looked at them you know).
:)

[akadylan]

That looks sweet! i live in new Brunswick and now i think i might pop up and see it. Is the tour free?!

[simmsdn]

Thumper, I don't see 'OSHA' allowing your showing up to work naked.......
Funny, though.

Thanks Dyaxe.
AZ

No OSHA in Canada, eh!

[Funkussionist]

Very interesting. Thanks

[JClutchD]

That looks sweet! i live in new Brunswick and now i think i might pop up and see it. Is the tour free?!

Yes the tour is free. I, too, live in New-Brunswick and have had the chance to visit this wonderful factory years ago. It's a must for everyone that lives or is traveling in N-B.

[Drumolator]

I am Sabian guy all the way. Thanks for the great pictures! I saw the Sabian Vault Tour on Lafayette, Louisiana a few years ago. That is probably as close as I will get. Peace and goodwill.

[BuddhaTrixie]

I can't imagine having t inspect the b20 lines having to tell your boss. Yup! These sound great!

[Medicine Twin]

Wanna know something shameful?

I live in New Brunswick, about 30mins from the factory.

I work in a drum room, I SELL Sabian Cymbals.

I've yet to take the tour.

I make me sick.

I'm going very soon, I promise. Sorry.

[JClutchD]

Wanna know something shameful?

I live in New Brunswick, about 30mins from the factory.

I work in a drum room, I SELL Sabian Cymbals.

I've yet to take the tour.

I make me sick.

I'm going very soon, I promise. Sorry.

Despicable... You better go. It's the bees knees!

[Nuka]

I'd love to but living in the UK it's hard to get there haha.

The only cymbal man I can think of here is Nolan, and I doubt he'll accomodate tours haha.

Otherwise I'd love to do a factory tour: drums or cymbals. Anyone know of any in England?




Aside from that.

Great pics, how long were you there?

[markthemark]

Do they let you test cymbals there?

[AdmiralRuffles]

The title caught me off guard for a second because I live in New Brunswick. I actually live about half an hour from Meductic. I've drove in a few times and glanced at the outside of the factory but I didn't know you could get a tour that easily. It makes me proud to be a New Brunswicker.