I really need some help with cymbal choice...

[micsmi52003]

I have played drums for about twenty years now. Regretably I abandoned my passion roughly five years ago (I have a wife and kids)! I just recently bought a new Pearl kit and I'm anxious to get back at it... the question is my cymbal choice though. I have played in rock and country bands and would like to do so again. What would be the best cymbal choice that would work well in either genre... or is that possible? I want something that will cut through the guitars in a rock band, but if I end up playing country I don't want my cymbals to be the only thing you here. I'm partial to Zildjian and I'm just looking for the best hats, ride, china, and crashes that will suit either rock or country. The best place to get feedback and help is here at DRUMMERWORLD and any and all help would be greatly appreciated! I've been out of the loop for a bit... I need my fellow drummers to bring me to speed. Thanks again for the help!!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Do yourself a favor and check the Drum gear section and click on cymbals. You will find volumes of info there.

[hawk9290]

Well, much of it is personal preference to individual cymbals, but if you are partial to Zildjian, than I feel you'll find the A Custom series to suit you most. The K and K customs are more of darker, jazzier sounds, and the Z Customs are lower end with lesser sound quality. If you go any lower in series, then you'll start getting into beginner and practice level cymbals (though the ZHT and ZXT Titaniums aren't bad for the price if you're looking for cheap cymbals).
If you're willing to stray to Sabian, since they both are rooted in the same company (go back to 1980 when Sabian was founded by one of the Zildjian brothers after some disputes), then you will find the HHX Evolution and HHXplosion series, as well as much of the AAX line to suit you well.

[jiltednut]

You could always try Saluda. They make cymbals to your spec, and including my own personal experience, I think I've only heard one negative comment. But if you're set on Zildjian, then yeah I'd probably recommend the A's.

[Ozzy Biz]

I seriously recommend you check out some real hand-made turkish cymbals like Istanbul and especially Bosphorus. In my books, nothing I've tried yet beats a handmade cymbal from turkey.

Just don't be afraid to expand your horizons a bit; there are plenty of great companies out therethat all seem to have notable differences from each other. Meinl, Paiste, Bosphorus, Istanbul, Saluda, Zildjian, Sabian and there's some new small compaies tht I've heard some good things about like Masterworks and Dream.

It's also probably going to be cheaper by buying from companies other than the big 4 (Paiste, Zildjian, Sabian, and Meinl)

Have fun

[MadJazz]

I think a mix of A customs and K's are the most versatile mix. On the extremes you've got K customs (too soft for rock) and A (too brilliant for jazz). Z are plain noise. There are exceptions in each line.

You can't go wrong with A custom for crashes and splashes, possibly for hats too. But I'd pick the darker K for ride and china. You can order K's in brilliant finish to get them closer to A customs.

[Drummer Karl]

mhhh, firstly I wanna mention brands like Istanbul, Bosphorus, and all those Turkish brands in general.
Check them out!!! Seriously, I`m soo impressed by their unique sound, many of them sound better than any Sabian or Zildjian.
I can especially recommend series like the Bosphorus Antique line (or Istanbul`s equivalent Sultan line), Istanbul/Bosphorus Turk line or Bosphorus Versa line. Doesn`t matter what the catalog description says, in the end it is all about weight and personal preference. =)
So, if you go for some of those, ask for some in a weight you`d prefer. Here you can find many many of those btw.: www.cymbalsonly.com ......and I promise: Tony (the owner of the store) is a legend, amazing service!

but however, if you wanna go for some Zildjians I`d prefer K Hats, A Custom Fast Crash, K Custom Ride, Sabian HHX China (WOW)

okay, just my preferences.

Karl

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

contrary to what madjazz said, k cutoms or plain old Ks will do wonderfully in either rock or country.

here's an example of a pretty versatile set up:

14" k hats
17" k dark crash thin
20" k crash/ride

[gmrakich]

If you can break free of the Zildjian mindset, Paiste 2002 are very versitile. I have used mine in country, pop, jazz, big band, and rock.

[BoxcarDrummer182]

if you want versatile, go for sabian aa medium ride 20" sabian paragon 20" crash for crash/rides. for crashes, anything in the aax line, same for hats.

[sticksnstonesrus]

I've been playing various Sabian lines for 20 years now. Lately I've been getting more into the HH, HHX, and Legacy series.

Just picked up a 18" HHX Legacy crash and am really surprised at the light-hit volume. Tons of cut. Pretty trashy for crashes.

All in all, I think you might want to research some, listen to examples online (Sabian Sound Check, Cymbalsonly.com, etc), and then find out what kind of budget your running with. Even better is to go listen to examples in a store. It gives you the opportunity to hear cymbals as you hit them (or plan to). Based on your budget, you find something that fits no matter which variations you choose. BTW, nothing says you have to be a one-company endorser either...whatever sounds best right? I've only stayed with Sabian because I'm not motivated to go anywhere else...

Good luck and hope this helps some.

Andy

[micsmi52003]

I am partial to the A Customs and the K's and a lot of you are recommending that. That's making me think I should go in that direction. 99% of my favorite drummers play Zildjian and I love the sound of Zildjian cymbals; that makes me a bit reluctant to try out any of the Turkish brands. I don't see enough drummers using them in order for me to think they're having an impact on the cymbal industry... and believe me I know that is a narrow minded way of looking at it, but we all have drummers we respect and that does influence my decision. One things certain I appreciate everyone's time and insight and will continue to agonize over it until I make the decision and purchase! Any and all help is appreciated.

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

you shouldn't be reluctant to try turkish cymbals just because you like zildjian. once upon a time zildjians were produced in turkey.

you might be suprised to find that any of the drummers you admire that play zildjian would switch to sabian at the drop

of a hat if the right offer came to the table.

why remain loyal to a brand? they aren't paying you!

if you were looking outside of zildjian, i would recommend the paiste giant beats.

[aceman]

I play the same type of music Classic rock, country and some blues and use the following:

14" Avedis Mastersound hats
21" Avedis Sweet Ride
18" A custom fast crash
18" A custom crash
16" A custom projection crash
16" A custom medium crash

These have worked great for a long time now especially the ride and hats. The sweet ride is fantastic!

[evans_69]

Ive used all brands of the big three but only playing rock/funk and i lean massively towards Paiste... but zildjian and meinl also have some quality cymbals. i recommend trying A customs and 2002's or for a higher budget Paiste signatures, K's and meinl MB20's..all an opinion though like everyone else :D

[thumper]

Sabian AA or Zildjian A's will suit you just fine....they are basically the same cymbals, and are applicable for any style of music.

[Ozzy Biz]

you shouldn't be reluctant to try turkish cymbals just because you like zildjian. once upon a time zildjians were produced in turkey.

you might be suprised to find that any of the drummers you admire that play zildjian would switch to sabian at the drop

of a hat if the right offer came to the table.

why remain loyal to a brand? they aren't paying you!

if you were looking outside of zildjian, i would recommend the paiste giant beats.


I'm pretty sure that Istanbul and Bosphorus cymbals are actually made in the old Zildjian factories in Turkey, if I remember correctly. And yes, you are being narrow minded, which is nothing but detrimental to your options. Don't disregard something until you've tried it. Be it Giant Beats, HHXs, Bosphorus Trads, or whatever. You never know, a year after you spend all your hard-earned on a set of A Customs only to discover that what you really wanted was a set of Paiste 2002s. Do yourself a favour and look around at some cymbals that don't start with 'Z'.

[maddrummr]

I too have heard good things about paiste 2oo2's. It never hurts to check out all posibilities.

Bonham used paiste

[Cymbalrider]

Something to consider: all cymbal companies use different alloys from each other so you have different tones here. If you like the Zildjian tone then go for something in Zildjians. I would probably say A Customs are the most versatile here. Ks are low-pitched along with being dark which just doesn't sound right to me in many styles of music. I think many of the A Zildjians are too heavy( I own a set but have been comtemplating selling these for some time). A Customs are basically thinner versions of the As and have a different shape, hammering style which gives them a bit of a refined sound. Essentially they blend but still have presence. I would probably go with the 22" A Custom Ride--seems to be medium-low in pitch, decent definition with a crash potential, and a great bell. 18" A Custom Crash is another great choice--well balanced crash sound in any situation. As for hi-hats they have a few size options along with mastersounds so you should find something you like.