I need new cymbals. Any suggestions?

[SeattleDrummer0]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/mudmaggot/DSCN0450.jpg

those are my new DW Exotics. I've been meaning to get a new thread started regarding cymbals. I've begun to look at different brands, models, series, packs/sets. I'm not sure who to go for, but I sort of know what sound I'm looking for.

For starters, I'm really into Prog Metal, Heavy metal, Prog rock, Rock, basically anything from Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, to Tool, NIN, A perfect Circle, to Dream Theater, Symphony X, to Opeth, Devin Townsend, to Necrophagist, Strapping Young Lad, Dying Fetus. Wide range-as you can tell.

I'm looking for really bright and CLEAN crashes. something really epic and clear. nothing trashy and bland. I'm also looking for a really bright china- NOT A "GONG" OR "BANG" SOUND, but rather a "PSHHHH"

also a new Hi Hat. most likely 14".

Im mostly looking for brands. Zildjian vs Sabian vs Meinl vs Paiste, if you catch my drift. (i dont really like Paistes, and I've never played Meinls)

any suggestions? does ANYONE know what I'm talking about?

thanks

[Big_Philly]

I think I might know what you're talking about...
I am also into prog rock and prog metal, and a Dream Theater fan, so I think I can imagine the kind of sound you want. I am very very happy with my Paiste Soundformula's, they're discontinued but the modern signature line is made of the same alloy. Signature reflectors have a very bright and clean sound, they get pretty close to the PSSH you'd probably want I think. They have some heavy undertones but you wont notice a lot of that during playing.
You can listen to the signature cymbals on the Paiste website (http://www.paiste.com).

And yes, I have read that you don't really like Paiste's, but I still think you should give the Signature Reflectors a try.

[tamadrummer132]

zildjian a crashes have a very clean sound. i have 17 inch med-thin of theirs. i love it.

I also have a 14 inch A custom fast crash which is nice.

and the zildjian k dark thin crashes are nice.

But all i can say to you is go to a music store and check. I wouldnt trust the brand's personal recordings. Those are not accurate at all. Go play all the crashes they have, without looking at price and buy what you like.

[zidjan]

Try Z custom by zildjian....i don't think you could ever go wrong.

[drumbandit]

z customs arent too good if you've played k customs in my opinion, and the a med thins are lovely.
Tom

[Fur drummer]

I think I might know what you're talking about...
I am also into prog rock and prog metal, and a Dream Theater fan, so I think I can imagine the kind of sound you want. I am very very happy with my Paiste Soundformula's, they're discontinued but the modern signature line is made of the same alloy. Signature reflectors have a very bright and clean sound, they get pretty close to the PSSH you'd probably want I think. They have some heavy undertones but you wont notice a lot of that during playing.
You can listen to the signature cymbals on the Paiste website (http://www.paiste.com).

And yes, I have read that you don't really like Paiste's, but I still think you should give the Signature Reflectors a try.

I was going to suggest Paiste also. They have some of the brightest and cleanest sounding cymbals I've heard. But since you don't like Paiste I suggest you go with Zildjian K or A customs series. Go to your favorite drum or music store and try them out for yourself.

[Ozzy Biz]

Try Z custom by zildjian....i don't think you could ever go wrong.

Z customs are wrong in almost every application except for where the only requirement is the loudest noise possible. Please, stay away...

My favourite cymbals are Bosphorus. Simply amazing, may be a little dark & warm for you though. Check them out though, especially the Traditional, Gold, Versa, and Stanton Moore series.

Failing that, I'll offer another vote for Paiste Signatures. Josh Freese uses them with APC, so you know they're good. Check out the 22" Dry Crisp Heavy Ride (I think thats what its called), full crashes & dry crisp hats.

EDIT: Just thinking about it, for that china you may want to check out the Zildjian Oriental Trash Chinas. I'm not sure about the Paiste equivalent of them, but if you find one check it out too

[Mapex589]

I like to play all styles but I mainly play the heavier stuff and I use Zildjian A Customs for my crashes and an A Custom Ping Ride which has a very articulate ping sound. I don't have a suggestion on the china, but go check out the A Custom line....I like 'em.

[TonyAMOF]

That PSHHHHHHHH sound my be a A Custom Fast Crash...

If you go to www.myspace.com/amatteroffaith and listen to a song called "'fly". At about 1:30you can get a good sample of the 15" 16" & 18" fast crash.

[Skitch]

How about some A Zildjian 14" Rock Hi hats? And go for either the A Zildjian Medium or Rock Crashes?

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[rendezvous_drummer]

Zildjian K hats, 14".
Zildjian K Medium Thin Crashes or A Custom Crashes 16" & 18".
Sabian HH Vintage Ride 21"
Wuhan 18" China or Zildjian Swish China 18"

[Big_Philly]

...Wuhan 18" China...
Wuhan china's are by far the thrashiest, dirtiest sounding china's around, I myself like them, but I'm not sure if that is what SeattleDrummer0 is looking for.

[evans_69]

another vote for the signatures, although if you like zildjian then a custom or k's... go to a shop and try some out see which you like.. my ears maybe different then yours:D

[rendezvous_drummer]

Wuhan china's are by far the thrashiest, dirtiest sounding china's around, I myself like them, but I'm not sure if that is what SeattleDrummer0 is looking for.

Well he better like them!! When recorded, they do make a psshhhhhhh sound.

[ermghoti]

Your tastes in cymbals seem to run close to mine. I got Sabian Vault crashes in 18" and 16" which are just about perfect, although I like the 18 more. China: Zildjian China Boy High, (mine is 16") is exactly what you want. The 13" A Custom hats that came with my kit fit in just fine, and I just got a 20" Paiste (I know) 2002 ride which gives me a darker pallette that I realy like. You may prefer the K Custom Hybrid ride, which has a very bright shimmery ride, a collosal ping from the bell, an alloy of the two sounds in the polished, unlathed center, and a very nice deep crash at the edge.

[SeattleDrummer0]

Thanks a ton for the suggestions guys! I wrote down all of your suggestions and I'm going to try them all out TODAY! Keep the suggestions coming! I need all the opinions I can get.

So far, it seems like Zildjians have the majority of the votes. So now of course, I guess I have to check those out first. I've played more sabians than Zildjians, so as of now, I have no opinions of the Zildjians.

Thanks again. keep replying!

[Skynman]

A custom Zildjian is what you are after and they have a large series to pick and choose from.PS the master sound hi hats work greta with them too!

[bonzolead]

If you have a kit like that just go all out a go for Zildjian "k" Constanople's if you got a top-notch kit might as well get top-notch cymbals.beautiful kit by the way.

Keep Swatting,
Bonzolead

[Drum-Head]

Hi there,


You seem to have tastes close to mine. If you are interested by Sabian cymbals, may I recomend you look at the following:
- AAXtreme Chinas. You might have to get used to them a bit (I had to) but they do go "PAAASSSHHHH!"
- AAXplosion Crashes. Bright and cutting and clear cymbals.
- AA Fusion Hats or AA Flat Hats If you like nice cutting hats.

I purposely omitted pointing out sizes, that should be up to you to decide.

[Tubs player]

I recommend the Zildjian A Custom series, they're a little pricy though.