Move to Paragon or Keep Current Set up [Archive] - DRUMMERWORLD OFFICIAL DISCUSSION FORUM

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mikei

11-13-2006, 06:31 AM

Hello,

My cymbal set is currently the following.

16 Sabian AAX Stage Crash
18 Sabian Evolution Crash
18.5 Sabian Chad Smith Crash
22 Zildjian A Custom Ping Ride
14 Zildjian A Custom Mastersound Hihats
14 Paiste Signature Medium Hihats
6 Zildjain Zilbel
9 Zildjian Zilbel
10 Sabian Paragon Splash
18 Wuhan China
24 Paiste 2002 ride (Brand new, still in box, never played)
20 Zildjian Amir Ride (Not on set but going to sell)

Anyway, I am thinking of going all Paragon. I love the look (I know that isn't what counts) and I think the Paragons mix together better than my current cymbals (which sound good).

I will admit that part of my purchase is having a set of cymbals that looks good together. I would be purchasing the following
13 and 14 Paragon hats
16 18 20 Paragon Crashes
19 Paragon China
20 Paragon China
8 Paragon Splash

After selling all of my current cymbals, I should have enough for the Paragons. I do like the sounds of the paragons, but really love they way they sound together.

Any opinions would be appreciated as this is more of an emotional decision for me than logical one.

Thanks.

Synthetik

11-13-2006, 06:56 AM

It sounds like you want to take the similar cymbal route. What you are motivated by isn't just the sound, it's the look of the cymbals, and the unification of the same brand and model.

You will end up doing it. You are already on the brink of it. I did it myself years ago. No matter how good the cymbals are, there is an inate need for them to be uniform in appearance as well.

http://www.massmusic.net/shop/images/17753.jpg

mikei

11-13-2006, 06:15 PM

Do you have the Paragons? Or, do you just have another set?

thumper

11-18-2006, 03:18 AM

Looks are one thing, but sound is another. I was a die hard "Sabian only" fanatic, but I couldn't find a ride from them that suited me. I now am a VERY proud owner of a Zildjian K 22" ride, and my Sabians don't seem to mind at all. I used to own the 22" Paragon ride, and while I thought it kind of limited for my tastes, if you like your 22" A Custom ping, you will LOVE the Paragon. If it wasn't for the cost I would have kept it alongside of my K ride -very distinct ping (awesome for heavier Rock music), and the bell is one of the best sounding Ive ever played.

Synthetik

11-18-2006, 03:24 AM

DamoSyzygy

11-18-2006, 08:46 AM

...And thats the difference in our hearing that keeps these companies all in business.

My ride HAD to be a Sabian, I love their rides!

Personally I wouldnt go for the Paragons. It sounds as though the look is doing it for you and youre tempted to try to 'make' them fit in your setup, whether they do or not.

Synthetik

11-18-2006, 10:40 AM

My ride HAD to be a Sabian, I love their rides!

Which one? Most of those I tried were too washy for my purposes, or didn't have a defined ping. But I have not tried everything they have.

I have not tried the artesian rides.

Sabian crashes, hats, effects cymbals and the rest are awesome. But I could not settle on a ride cymbal.

DamoSyzygy

11-18-2006, 01:55 PM

Actually, I had the option of creating a prototype, but it was based around a 21" AA Raw Bell Dry Ride, except mine has a stronger bell sound and significantly more wash than the regular RBDR.

altered_beast

11-18-2006, 01:56 PM

I personally use a Hand Hammered Power Bell ride. I love it. Admittedly it took a day or two to get used to cos I wasn't expecting the bell to be as "deep pitched" as it is, I was expecting a sound a little closer to my Zil Bell for some reason.

My whole setup is Sabian beside my Zil Bell and my Stagg 6" chime - the only reason these 2 are in my setup is because Sabian do not offer a readily available ice bell. If ytou want anything like that in the UK you have to wait 4 months. Like I am now doing for my 20" HHX Stage Crash. I couldn't really get round that one though, I desperately wanted the crash.

That's my biggest gripe with Sabian, if they don't offer what you want in the UK you have to wait 4 months to get it. I sold my old 16" AAX Studio and HHX Stage crashes to get two new 18" HHX Crashes - an Xplosion and a Power. I was told they'd both be in the same finish and when they arrived one was brilliant and one traditional. If I'd wanted them both in trad I'd have had to wait 4 months to get the same Xplosion 18" cymbal in a traditional finish to match the power. If it hadn't been for me having sold my two 16" crashes I probably would've done but it's annoying that they can't get them in inside a month. Do Sabian not make the HHXplosion in Trad as a matter of course?!!

DamoSyzygy

11-19-2006, 12:57 AM

The Sabian Ice Bell (12") is a standard listed item in the Newsbeat catalogue, and I got one into my store without too much trouble. (?)

Its always best to wait for the things you really want :)

radiofriendlyunitshifter

11-19-2006, 05:40 AM

No matter how good the cymbals are, there is an inate need for them to be uniform in appearance as well.

not true for many. not everyone has to have ALL zildjian, or even ALL a customs for that

matter. it's not uncommon at all for people to mix and match brands or lines. so,

that 'inate need' doesn't apply to everyone. (i however do have all zildjians predominantly

from the same line)

to mikei: wait a while. i know i have gone through PLENTY of phases regarding

cymbals. from hhx's to avedis to dark energy and now to giant beat... that's the path i've

taken in deciding what are right for me. so make sure you're not going to by your flavor of

the month. or you'll experience some rather expensive buyer's remorse. on the other

hand, if you're sure that you want paragons, having played them and decided not soley on

the appearance, then go for it!

Synthetik

11-19-2006, 07:08 AM

not true for many. not everyone has to have ALL zildjian, or even ALL a customs for that

matter. it's not uncommon at all for people to mix and match brands or lines. so,

that 'inate need' doesn't apply to everyone. (i however do have all zildjians predominantly

from the same line)

to mikei: wait a while. i know i have gone through PLENTY of phases regarding

cymbals. from hhx's to avedis to dark energy and now to giant beat... that's the path i've

taken in deciding what are right for me. so make sure you're not going to by your flavor of

the month. or you'll experience some rather expensive buyer's remorse. on the other

hand, if you're sure that you want paragons, having played them and decided not soley on

the appearance, then go for it!

It's not uncommon, I never alluded to that at all. The majority of drummers I meet under 30 seem to want everything the same. I have always mixed and matched, but enjoy uniformity more.

radiofriendlyunitshifter

11-21-2006, 05:15 PM

It's not uncommon, I never alluded to that at all. The majority of drummers I meet under 30 seem to want everything the same. I have always mixed and matched, but enjoy uniformity more.

i see. you and i are alike in that respect.

captain_steve_549

01-02-2007, 11:23 PM

you shouldnt get cymbols just because they look good. I personally like to have a veriety of brands and types to give a more personalized sound instead of having all of one make.

the.tree

01-04-2007, 11:26 PM

jadelvalle

01-25-2007, 02:55 PM

This has nothing to do with Zildjian or Sabian but it does with the "looks" aspect. I made the mistake of buying a 2002 setup of hihats, ride, crashes, and china because I liked the look. I realized that while the ride,china, and hihats are great for me, the crashes don't blend in for me as well as the signature crashes do. The signature power line is brighter which is a sound preference for me. I replaced them and am a happy camper again. The setup doesn't LOOK uniform, but now I LIKE everything in my setup. Sooo, long story short,. go with your ears not with your eyes.

altered_beast

01-25-2007, 05:40 PM

The Sabian Ice Bell (12") is a standard listed item in the Newsbeat catalogue, and I got one into my store without too much trouble. (?)

Its always best to wait for the things you really want :)

You're not wrong! I'd only looked on the website and couldn't see em, now I've looked on the catalogue and you're totally right. I'd read the thing about rarity on an ebay auction... Thanks mate! I've sent an enquiry to my supplier for a price. Wahey!

fourstringdrums

01-25-2007, 05:50 PM

You're not wrong! I'd only looked on the website and couldn't see em, now I've looked on the catalogue and you're totally right. I'd read the thing about rarity on an ebay auction... Thanks mate! I've sent an enquiry to my supplier for a price. Wahey!

Ice Bells aren't really rare, they're just a model that isn't produced as much and can still be custom ordered.

gerry

01-25-2007, 11:19 PM

I like my Cymbals with totally different quality of tone..
My A Custom Projection Crashes are pitch matched and have a strong, shimmering and Crisp crash sound. The warm 21" 2oo2 Ride has a distinct stick attack and complements the A custom Crashes beautifully despite being different alloys. Both lines are relatively bright in nature but they are like warm and cool tones.. I love Crashing the edge of the Ride followed by Crashing one of the A Customs.. so satisfying. the same goes from playing a Crash then moving to the Ride.. yummmm lol
My hats are 13" AAX Fast Hats.. superb!!! crisp articulate and cutting.

evans_69

01-26-2007, 07:54 PM

Paragons yawwwwwwnnn!! keep your setup it's not as boring.

mikei

01-26-2007, 10:14 PM

Paragons yawwwwwwnnn!! keep your setup it's not as boring.

I have the full set up of paragons, and they are not boring! LOL

They look absolutely stunning and the cymbals sound so, so good together.

The ride is tough to beat for rock music, which is primarily what I play.

I do miss my Zilbel. I will probably get one again sometime.

Salicete

01-27-2007, 03:24 AM

I cannot imagine ever buying even a single cymbal unless I had tried it first, to be sure it had exactly the sound I needed. It is rather like picking the right spice to add to recipe.

I wouldn’t add saffron just because it looked good. I'm not knocking your choice, but that is a big investment, and picking a line of cymbals really should be mostly based on sound, not looks.

I think you are really cutting yourself off at the knees by not mixing cymbals because they don't look the same.

That being said, I have tried the Paragons, and found several that I really liked a lot, but not enough to replace what I already have.

DWfan20005

01-29-2007, 02:36 AM

Keep your current set-up. The cymbals that you have already define your sound. Plus the paragons sound to stiff in my opinion.

BoxcarDrummer182

02-26-2007, 11:26 PM

whatever you think. never go on looks. as much as i love my 20" paragon crash, i didn't choose it on looks. all sound. if you like warm/dark/explosive, than go for it. if not, keep your current set up, it sounds awsome.

mikei

02-27-2007, 12:40 AM

I switched about 2 months ago and couldn't be happier.

Although I liked the individual sounds of a couple of my older cymbals (my 18 evolution was incredible) better than their paragon replacement (however, the ride is just amazing!), the sound of the cymbals together is worth every penny!

I can cymbal crash through the 16, 18 and 20 without any issues of contrasting sounds. Although they obviously sound different, the blend in so well together. The 8 and 10 splashes are second to none.

The hats are really good. Although if I had to just have one hi hat for the rest of my life, it would be the 14 A mastersounds. The 13 and 14 paragons are really good though. And like I said, they sound great with the other cymbals.

I love the 19 china. Beautiful sounding. The 21 china is growing on me, but sounds great for ideal situations.

Plus, they really look amazing.

I am thinking about building a bonham sized kit (perhaps with a 28 kick though!), and if I do, I will shop for different cymbals.