New crash... opinions please

[Jay.B.]

Hey peeps,

hopefully in a couple of months I will be in the market for a new crash cymbal, taking me up to 3, now then, I've listened to various cymbals from zildjian to wuhan, in various lines, and again my personal taste and preference has led me back in to the sabian camp once again. My main problem is deciding between the two cymbals I have narrowed my choice down to, in an ideal world I would have them both, but, it isn't, and pennies are hard to come by.

The two lumps of bronze in question are:

AAX 16" dark crash
HH 16" dark crash

Both are equally as fantastic as the other but in slightly different ways. I've spent quite a while comparing them against each other, and my current cymbals on the sabian sound check page. The reason for going for one of the "dark" crashes is, having both a 16" and 17" AAX stage crash, although fantastic cymbals, they are very bright and can be quite over bearing in small venues and rehearsals when constantly riding them in loud choruses etc. so thought either of these would be a good contrast and add a more complex sound in to what I play, I just can't decide which one to go for as which ever one I do get I'll wish I got the other, so please let me have your opinions on these two beauties so I may get a little closer to deciding either way, which one to buy

[evans_69]

My only advise would be to try both of them with your current cymbals and go from there, i personally prefer the HH..but try them out.

[rendezvous_drummer]

I'd personally go for the HH crash, it sounds darker than the AAX and better over-all.

[Jay.B.]

I'd personally go for the HH crash, it sounds darker than the AAX and better over-all.

it is a great sounding cymbal, and yeah it is darker than the AAX, it's going to be with it being an HH, but the AAX has a really nice subtle splash-like sound on top of the darker undertones which I also really like, which is what is making it such a hard choice.

As for trying it with my current setup, the only way I can do that is on the soundcheck page on the sabian site, the shops near me don't have them in stock, and won't get them in unless I'm gonna buy. the sound check samples aren't far off from what my two other crashes sound like, and both of these possible new crashes sound really good together with my current ones on the soundcheck page. If I get lots of replies I might just go with the majority as I really am struggling to choose between the two

[maddrummr]

Well how long is your travel for your local music store? Im just thinking if you take some of your cymbals to a music store, rig them up on a set for a little bit with the HH and AAX set up as well. Play around and see wich one fits with your other cymbals.
Idk im just throwin out options.

[Jay.B.]

local music store is a half hour drive away, and they don't stock those particular models, well I haven't seen them in so far anyway. the next store is a further 40 - 50 mins drive away and they won't let you touch them unless you buy that particular cymbal, there's another store near by that one that seems to only have e-kits set up... but anyway, I know they will both sound fantastic with my current discs, I just can't decide which, it might just have to be a flip of a coin at this rate

[wnameth]

go for the HH, it sounds very similar to the "K Dark crashes" which i have. Very nice sound. go for the HH. you won't be sorry!

-Wes

[TitanSound]

the next store is a further 40 - 50 mins drive away and they won't let you touch them unless you buy that particular cymbal

What a bunch of Morons!!!! When I got my China from Wembley Drum Centre I spent nearly 2 hours in one of thier drum rooms trying out loads of chinas and rides!! Any drum shop that does not let you try before you buy should be closed down immediately!

As for your cymbal mate I cant really comment as I am a Zildjian guy as you know!! Good luck in your search though...I will be facing a similar dilemma soon. Need...dark...crashes!!!

[altered_beast]

local music store is a half hour drive away, and they don't stock those particular models, well I haven't seen them in so far anyway. the next store is a further 40 - 50 mins drive away and they won't let you touch them unless you buy that particular cymbal, there's another store near by that one that seems to only have e-kits set up... but anyway, I know they will both sound fantastic with my current discs, I just can't decide which, it might just have to be a flip of a coin at this rate


Assume you're talking about Nottingham Drum Centre and Sound Control, again in Nottingham?

Personally I would go with the HH cymbal. You're specifically asking for a darker cymbal for riding on during loud choruses in smaller venues - I think you'll find the HH is a better cymbal and fits the criteria best, also the HH will provide a really nice contrast to your existing AAX Stage cymbals. The AAX Dark crash might not stand out enough from that crowd. I understand your thinking as I have been there myself but it sounds like you're looking for something a bit different, which is what makes me think the HH will be more suited. Have you looked at HHX line as well?

EDIT: Could maybe look at the Virgil Donati Signature Saturation crash as well? I have one in 19" flavour, and it's lush.

[Jay.B.]

Aha, no I wasn't on about those two stores, the closest, which is also the most helpful in most situations, but doesn't carry a large stock is rattle n drum in Derby, really nice guys, and might be able to sort something, the other one is the birmingham drum warehouse, it has a very impressive stock, but has big signs in the cymbal room saying DO NOT TOUCH, well it did last time I went anyway. With it being too close a call in my head, and the general consensus so far being the HH, I think I'll head down that route, I know it'll be a quality cymbal and will please for years, as I have a HH ride which is awesome.
As for the HHX, not many of that range really grabbed my attention, they didn't have enough deffinition for my tastes, hence the love of the AAX range, but the HH are becoming more attractive every time I hear them, thanks for your input dude