What's the difference between mid-level and pro-level cymbals?

[drummerchick435]

I'm sorry if this has already been talked about.
Once again my dad and I have gotten into another argument about cymbals. I told him that going from beginner to midlevel to pro cymbals is stupid and a waste of money. He said that there is an insignificant difference between midlevel and pro cymbals and that I'm wasting my money on pro cymbals. Is that true?

[mo_on_drums]

well actually, theres no such thing as "pro" cymbals, even some pro's use budget lines of major companies e.g. sabian b8s, zildjian zbts e.t.c

[el_frenko]

erm...what does your dad know about cymbals? and btw, no you're not wasting money by getting pro cymbals. buying midrange cymbals and then buying pro ones one year later would definately be a waste of money.

There is a masssive difference between sabian XS20 and AAX (for example), beleive me.

[foursticks]

Well it depends what you mean by 'pro cymbals'? If your talking about like cast sheet bronze cymbals like the Zildjian K/A/K Customs, ect. series then no it's certainly not wasting money.

These cymbals will last you a life time and you won't need to change buy other ones as they get better with age and are going to be so much more better than your current 'mid-level' cymbals.

[drummerchick435]

Well it depends what you mean by 'pro cymbals'?

By "pro" I mean like Zildjian As and Ks or for Sabian AAXs and HHXs. And btw which ones are best all around? I play rock mostly but I do occasionally play jazz ,big band, and pop. I do have a preference towards Sabians.

[drummerchick435]

erm...what does your dad know about cymbals?

I don't think that he knows much. At least he knows about toms, kicks, snares, and the different types of cymbals but he doesn't know about quality. He's a guitarist not a drummer so that should say something. ;) (no offense ,Dad!)

[tmv31]

I think it would be smarter just to go for the pro quality cymbals, you really get what you pay for. They are a lot more musical and blend a lot better than a sheet cymbal like a b8 or ZBT.

[el_frenko]

By "pro" I mean like Zildjian As and Ks or for Sabian AAXs and HHXs. And btw which ones are best all around? I play rock mostly but I do occasionally play jazz ,big band, and pop. I do have a preference towards Sabians.

Sabian AAX. you can get the AAX stage pack for like £275 and u get 14" hats, 16" crash and 20" ride (or you could start by upgrading one cymbal at a time, which i would recomend more). Seriously you will love AAX- they're the best all-round cymbals by miles, and they're so well priced, making them ideal for kids like us who don't have all the money in the world (im 17 btw).

[Wegadrummer]

drummerchick, be smart and remember.. Try before you buy, you dont want a cymbal sound you dont like..

[my sacred music]

By "pro" I mean like Zildjian As and Ks or for Sabian AAXs and HHXs. And btw which ones are best all around? I play rock mostly but I do occasionally play jazz ,big band, and pop. I do have a preference towards Sabians.



sabians rock, but yah good ones for rock and jazz n big band would prob be a mix of AA, HHX, and AAX. Hhx are alil darker sounding for jazz and maybe big band. the AA and AAX are brighter more cutting sounding for rock.

[my sacred music]

oh yah the paragon ride i thought sounded pretty good with the end of der trommler, a big band ending on the niel peart solo.

[Exident]

Hey,

it always depends on which cymbals you compare. Lets take pAiSTe pst 3 and pAiSTe Signature Cymbals.
Pst3's don't have such a big volume like the really expensiv "pro" cymbals pAiste Signature. The material, the kind of hammering is the important thing. They are made different and so they have different qualitys.

Signatures have, like i said, more volume, a louder and bigger sound and are more harmonic. The bell as example of the "pro" rides are much more better.

On a "pro" hihat you can play "songs" if you want. There you have a lot of different sounds on the hihat. Deeper at the front, higher at the bell.

The "pro" cymbals are much more music-instruments and not just cymbals.
This is something you will feel, after you played the "middle" cymbals.

I hope i could help, its not so easy to describe for me (in english ^^ )

MfG
Tobias

[el_frenko]

sabians rock, but yah good ones for rock and jazz n big band would prob be a mix of AA, HHX, and AAX. Hhx are alil darker sounding for jazz and maybe big band. the AA and AAX are brighter more cutting sounding for rock.

Thats all great, but you're forgetting about price (which is the main problem here). HHX are quite expensive, alot more than AAX. Thats why I'm suggesting the most basic, yet proffessional setup possible. An AAX stage will have you covered for all styles (sure it might not be absolutely perfect for jazz, but its good enough). Alot of people on this forum don't really seem to think enough about how much money they put into their gear, which is quite worrying...

£100 may be nothing to someone who earns £100000 a year, but to someone who isn't old enough to earn their own salary its actually quite alot.

[drummerchick435]

Thanks for all the replys! I think I'll get the AAXs they'll really put a dent in my wallet and my social life 'cause that means no nights out with friends. lol.
And btw my parents might let me get a job at Guitar Center or my local five star drum shop next summer before I go to college. A paycheck and employee discount ,baby!

[the.tree]

Thanks for all the replys! I think I'll get the AAXs they'll really put a dent in my wallet and my social life 'cause that means no nights out with friends. lol.
And btw my parents might let me get a job at Guitar Center or my local five star drum shop next summer before I go to college. A paycheck and employee discount ,baby!

Thats sad that your that low on money, but what aaxs are you getting a box set or individals. If you upgrade one at a time it might save you some nights for your friends.

[drummerchick435]

Thats sad that your that low on money, but what aaxs are you getting a box set or individals. If you upgrade one at a time it might save you some nights for your friends.

Yeah it is sad...that's the one of the downsides of being 17. I'm gonna try out a few at GC and see if they come in a box set. I want at least a set of hats, a crash, and a ride so I can get started and then add some more cymbals later on. From what I listened to on the Sabian SoundCheck thing I think I'm gonna go for the studio line. I'd like to get the basic rock setup: hats, 2 crashes, and a ride. I also want them quick because I'm going to a rock camp this summer so I can have a good set of cymbals. So hopefully my friends will be cool with just coming over to my house for rented movies and oven pizza. (all on my parents of course I hope!) Thanks again.

[tamadrummer132]

my only advice to you, is go to GC and TRY THEM OUT. try all the crashes, hi-hats, and rides they have, pick your fav. and dont even look at the line or cymbal brand. just buy what you like the sound of, and your going to be happy

[drummerchick435]

Good News! My mom has agreed to put $500 towards a new kit! I can now afford the cymbals! YES!

[xMrJeffx]

No thats not true...There's a big difference in those...Pro Cymbals are Thicker and Heavier
Because Pro's normaly play HARD so there thick so they dont crack!
Check out some Zildjian Z Customs those are Pro Series Cymbals!

God Bless,

-Jeff

[Velimor]

1. The quality of a cymbal has nothing to do with its thickness. Many cymbals in both beginner and professional series are available in a wide range of weights.
2. A professional drummer does not necessarily play hard. Some actually play music that requires control and finesse.

I'm not even going to touch the Z Custom one...

[ellenvannin105]

I think that Tamadrummer has nailed it: just go to GC and grab a drum stick and try everything out. My own cymbal set consists of Paiste Alphas,which are regarded as semi-pro,to 2002s and the new Twenty Series,which are regarded as Pro.I mix it up with oddities like a Zildjian Pang and a rack of Gongs. Oddly,all of this junk is reasonably harmonious. I don't think it should matter so much how "Pro" or "Semi-Pro" your cymbals are as long as they suit your own artistic vision of things. Let your ears be the deciding factor with what you choose,you'll always end up surprising yourself,which is half the fun...

[DamoSyzygy]

No thats not true...There's a big difference in those...Pro Cymbals are Thicker and Heavier
Because Pro's normaly play HARD so there thick so they dont crack!
That statement is about as far from the truth as you can get.

More expensive, higher quality cymbals usually use more expensive, durable, musical alloys like B20 bronze. The lathing and hammering is usually also more extensive on a pro cymbal and so there is also an extra cost involved in labour.

Sabian uses extra steps in their professional lines that the cheaper lines dont have, so again, there is more 'hands-on' workmanship in the cymbals.

[the skin man]

If your talking about like cast sheet bronze cymbals like the Zildjian K/A/K Customs, ect. series then no it's certainly not wasting money.

These cymbals will last you a life time and you won't need to change buy other ones as they get better with age and are going to be so much more better than your current 'mid-level' cymbals.

As, Ks, A Customs, and K Customs are all "cast bronze" and not "sheet bronze". But even sheet bronze is cast, so those terms are a little misleading. Just because they are made from sheet bronze doesn't mean they are poor quality though. All the professional level Paistes except for 20 Series are sheet bronze. I don't know if they last any longer, though.

[drumbandit]

Getting used 'pro' cymbals will still be cheaper than new 'mid-level' cymbals. Maybe you could explain that to your Dad. So you can save money and get the best cymbals.

Tom

[joeysnare]

yep all personal preference,i bought a paistie alpha rock ride this is considered a mid level cymbal,but i love the sound and it sounds great on recordings,let your ear be the judge.

[Batera945]

By "pro" I mean like Zildjian As and Ks or for Sabian AAXs and HHXs. And btw which ones are best all around? I play rock mostly but I do occasionally play jazz ,big band, and pop. I do have a preference towards Sabians.

If your willing to change that preference Zildjian K custom are in my opinon one of the best around. I have a set of K hit hats and a K custom Fast crash with 2 Menil Byzance. I play rock but also play jazz and softer stuff... For taht the Ks are absolutly AWSOME!

the avedis from zildjian aren't bad either. I dont really like the A customs but the avedis are good.

dont really know much about sabian, but you should also check out Meinls.

[Bttl]

Strongly Recomend you look at A Customs for All-Round playing over the AAXs.

You really cant go far wrong with A-Customs if you are playing different styles.