good midlevel cymbals

[drummerchick435]

Me and my dad got into a little argument today. He thinks he knows stuff about drums (no offence dad).
I looked on massmusic.net and you can add Sabian XS20s to your new kit. I want to do that because I hate my Zildjian ZBTs. I'm no longer a beginner and I want to go to some intermidiate cymbals.
My dad says to keep my ZBTs because he said that the guy at the drum shop said they were a good step up from the cheap "cymbals" that come with a Mapex Tornado. I've had the ZBTs for a year! I'm sick of them. Now I want a step up from the ZBTs and I'm not real thrilled with the Zildjian intermidiate lines.
I want a Mapex M Birch kit with Sabian XS20s. I'm really pushing for this kit because I'm going to a rock music camp this summer and I want to play a better kit than my Mapex Tornado.
My dad says I'm still a beginner but as of this summer I would have been playing for 3 years! How can I persuade him that I'm not a beginner anymore? I'm also in the Intermidiate concert band and I've been playing with my church youth praise band for 2 years at least 45 weeks a year! Please respond so that I can show that XS20s are the way to go.
PS: I'm sorry if this has already been talked about and if I haven't explained everything clearly.

[Salicete]

Are you asking for the XS20s because of their price, or have you played the XS20 line and found it to be to your liking?

I ask, because there is no sense going from entry-level, to intermediate, to pro-level gear based on how well you or your father think you play.

If you are willing to do a bit or research, and maybe check out your local shops, you could likely find some really professional-level gear that would serve you well for a lifetime. Always buy the best you can afford, and don't forget to check out used gear; it is often your best deal of all.

I'm not shooting down the XS20s, though I'm not a big fan, I just think you would be better served with higher quality gear, that could likely be found at prices similar to those you are likely to pay for the new XS20s. Sorry, I know that this is not exactly the reponse you were looking for, but don't feel you have to follow the "beginner-intermediate-pro" level categories into which many cymbal manufacturers class their gear; its just markeitng designed to maximize sales.

A high quality ride, a crash or two and a nice set of hats will serve you better than a huge forest of lower quality bronze.

[drummerchick435]

I'm asking for them because the price fits my budget and I like them. I'm a junior in high school and I was asking for the kit and the cymbals as an early bday/graduation present so I can have something decent to play at the camp and for a long time.

[tamadrummer132]

im a freshman in high school, and im looking to purchase a new crash cymbal.
i thought id look around ebay and found some great deals. most $80 below guitarcenter price.. so my advice is find a good quality line of cymbals, and search them on ebay.
i have 3 crashes that are about 120-130 each that i could give you links to. (they are all buy it now)
shoot me a pm if your interested.

[Fat Elvis]

Me and my dad got into a little argument today. He thinks he knows stuff about drums (no offence dad).
I looked on massmusic.net and you can add Sabian XS20s to your new kit. I want to do that because I hate my Zildjian ZBTs. I'm no longer a beginner and I want to go to some intermidiate cymbals.
My dad says to keep my ZBTs because he said that the guy at the drum shop said they were a good step up from the cheap "cymbals" that come with a Mapex Tornado. I've had the ZBTs for a year! I'm sick of them. Now I want a step up from the ZBTs and I'm not real thrilled with the Zildjian intermidiate lines.
I want a Mapex M Birch kit with Sabian XS20s. I'm really pushing for this kit because I'm going to a rock music camp this summer and I want to play a better kit than my Mapex Tornado.
My dad says I'm still a beginner but as of this summer I would have been playing for 3 years! How can I persuade him that I'm not a beginner anymore? I'm also in the Intermidiate concert band and I've been playing with my church youth praise band for 2 years at least 45 weeks a year! Please respond so that I can show that XS20s are the way to go.
PS: I'm sorry if this has already been talked about and if I haven't explained everything clearly.

Zildjian Intermediate cymbals? I can think of maybe the ZHT, but i dont know that i would even class them as that. Zildjian A's are pro cymbals, however i dont know if those are what you were referring to.

I am not an XS20 fan myself either, although they are a step up from your ZBT's. But the jump from XS20's to AA's is not huge -- and the AA's are worth the price difference -- and then some.

[syaoran05]

your skill does not determine the "level" of your cymbals.

you are not a beginner anymore, but it doesnt mean that you should not use beginner cymbals anymore.

though talking about the zbt as a good step up from the cymbals that come with a kit is both true and nonsense, i go with the suggestion of your dad to keet the zbt's. but not because its better than the brass cymbals.

read again: keep the zbt's.

keep the zbt's and save up for pro cymbals. its pointless getting xs20's now then getting rid of them to buy pro cymbals. this process will have wasted you money worth a new set of pro cymbals. so again, keep the zbt's for now until you get pro cymbals. you could buy used anyway, and theyre usually better than brand new ones coz they are already played.

besides, cymbals dont prove your skills, you prove them yourself. thinking "i need to ditch my beginner cymbals coz im not a beginner anymore" is immature.

anyway, those xs20's arent really much of a difference from your zbt's, trust me.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

WWW.CYMBALFUSION.COM Erik at this web site will take trade ins, and you may find something in your budget that will be an upgrade without costing an arm and a leg. PM me if I can help. I just got new cymbals from Erik, and he is great to work for.

[my sacred music]

zildjian ZHT or sabian XS20's B8 PRO.

[el_frenko]

three years isn't that long you know. you may not be a begginer, but i doubt your some kind of pro either. i suggest you start by replacing the cymbal you hate the most with something like a sabian AAX or zildjian A custom, and get a new cymbal every now and then over the next few years until you have a set of nice cymbals. that way you appreciate each cymbal you get on its own. just because you havn't given up drumming straight away like alot of people doesn't mean that you suddenly deserve a whole pile of proffessional equipment.

[joey]

tbf im always learning and if im learning sumthin new i don wnat to ruin my good cymbals with bad technique if u get me i only use my good cymbals either recording or live gigs but not wen im prqacticing

[the.tree]

three years isn't that long you know. you may not be a begginer, but i doubt your some kind of pro either. i suggest you start by replacing the cymbal you hate the most with something like a sabian AAX or zildjian A custom, and get a new cymbal every now and then over the next few years until you have a set of nice cymbals. that way you appreciate each cymbal you get on its own. just because you havn't given up drumming straight away like alot of people doesn't mean that you suddenly deserve a whole pile of proffessional equipment.

I second this, don't go from zbts to xs20s. Chances are you'll end up getting AA/AAX/HH/HHX cymbals in the future and the xs20 purchase would seem pointless. However if your doing gigs and your desperate do what he said upgrade 1 at a time to better cymbals. And some people depending on musical talent can become pretty good in 3 years.

[el_frenko]

alot of it is an experience thing though. the longer you play, the more you develope your own sound. after 3 years i would imagine its pretty difficult to tell what sort of sound you actually want in the long run, regardless of how tallented you are.

[DamoSyzygy]

If your ears have matured to the point that youre only hearing the limitations of cheaps cymbals, then its time to upgrade - Its not based around a length of time, but a level of development.

I would recommend you go for the absolute best cymbals your money can afford if you know you are continuing on with drums. Buying mid-level cymbals is a waste of money because another few years down the track, youre going to want to replace them too.

The best thing you can do right now (if you believe you are intermediate level) is to get into a working band and use that money to go toward your next purchases. You will gain a ton of experience, ability, learn about how the industry works and you wont be burning such a huge hole in your pocket everytime you want new gear.

[drummerchick435]

Thanks. I know I'm not beginner or pro. I did an ebay search and I didn't see any used pro level cymbals in my budget. I'm only an unemployed 17 year old so I don't have a large budget. I'm hoping by the end of the school year to have enough money to buy a 5 pc Mapex M Birch kit with hihats, a crash and a ride and if I live extremely frugally another crash. I want the complete kit to be under $1000. I also have to save up $500 dollars for summer camp and another $1200 for a car so that means not even getting an occasional coke out of a vending machine! That's why I'm not springing for pro cymbals. Anyways thanks for the advice. I'll remember that when I'm in college and my parents give me a nice monthly allowance for anything I want and they pay for necessities like gas and repairs and stuff!
PS: I guess I was just insulted that my dad called me a beginner when he doesn't know heck about drums. I know there's nothing wrong with being a beginner but I hate being underestimated.

[punkdrummer1]

I own sabian xs20's, and i love them. I am also a drummer on a budget, and i love the way they sound for the money. From my ears, dont waste your money on the Zildjian ZHT's.
I figure if you can get more cymbals for cheaper, and they are pretty good cymbals, go for it. I love my xs20's, and it saves money for me to buy other stuff for my kit.

Trust me, go with the xs20's. How do you think i feel? I started with sabian solars! Solars deserve to be in the trash can....
Atleast The zbt's are decent...

[the.tree]

I own sabian xs20's, and i love them. I am also a drummer on a budget, and i love the way they sound for the money. From my ears, dont waste your money on the Zildjian ZHT's.
I figure if you can get more cymbals for cheaper, and they are pretty good cymbals, go for it. I love my xs20's, and it saves money for me to buy other stuff for my kit.

Trust me, go with the xs20's. How do you think i feel? I started with sabian solars! Solars deserve to be in the trash can....
Atleast The zbt's are decent...


I believe in quality over quantity, the xs20s arent bad cymbals, but if you load your set with them you may regret it and want to upgrade.

[punkdrummer1]

Since Today Is Christmas, i was thinking tommorow going down to my local music store and buying and xs20 ride, 120$ (to be used as a prototype for a crash). Then i thought, why not spend 40$ more and get a AA ROCK CRASH. Im a punk drummer...
What do you think about that?

[drummerchick435]

I believe in quality over quantity, the xs20s arent bad cymbals, but if you load your set with them you may regret it and want to upgrade.

Well I don't want every cymbal in that line. All I want are hihats ,2 crashes , and a ride. Then maybe later on when I have the money I'll get better cymbals and a splash and a china.
My dream kit is:
Drums
8,10,12,14,16 in toms
14 in snare
20 or 22 in kick
Cymbals
14 in hihats ,8 or 10 in splash, 16 and 18 in crash, 20 in ride, 18 in china

[syaoran05]

Well I don't want every cymbal in that line. All I want are hihats ,2 crashes , and a ride. Then maybe later on when I have the money I'll get better cymbals and a splash and a china.
My dream kit is:
Drums
8,10,12,14,16 in toms
14 in snare
20 or 22 in kick
Cymbals
14 in hihats ,8 or 10 in splash, 16 and 18 in crash, 20 in ride, 18 in china

i really suggest that you go for used pro cymbals. even if you have to buy a cymbal at a time.

for the amount of money you need to buy xs20
hats
ride
2 crashes

you can buy used pro cymbals (from cymbalcellar.com)
hats
ride
crash

with that you already have pro cymbals [that actually sound better than new ones, used ones are claimed to sound better than new cymbals] only lacking a crash. you can use your old zbt for that, besides, imo zbt's sound like zildjian z's [pro cymbal by zildjian]

again, try to get pro cymbals, even if it means buying one piece at a time and keeping some of the zbt's. you are going to waste a lot of money buying xs20's now and replacing them with "better cymbals and a splash and a china". the money you will lose buying xs20's and replacing them later will buy you a couple of splashes and a china and maybe even another crash.

selling brand xs20's which you bought brand new will sell for only half the price or much lower [coz people wont buy used un-pro cymbals].. while if you buy used pro, you can sell them for the same price you bought them, so you dont lose money if you want to replace them.

i suggest getting a used pro ride 1st, if you cant buy a used pro set right away. after that replace the hats, then the crash.

you can get a used pro ride at cymbalcellar.com for $90 [Sabian AAX 20" Stage Ride] or $100 [Sabian AA 20" Med Ride]
you can get a used pro hats at cymbalcellar.com for $160 [Zildjian A 12" Special Recording Hi-Hats] or $180 [Zildjian K/Z 13" Hi-Hats]
you can get a used pro crash at cymbalcellar.com for $110 [Zildjian A 16" Medium Crash]