New cymbals - Need Advice.

[fijjibo]

I know that this type of question gets asked alot, but I still want to ask it.

Those of you have seen my kit know that I am unbelievably still using zildjian planet z's.

I think that after 2 years of service they could do with retirement.

My question is:

Do I go out and get a zildjian ZHT boxed set to last me a few more years, and have a decent sounding setup instantly.
OR
Buy a lovely top range set of Hats - ie zildjian avedis 13" quickbeats, and just keep the other planet z's untill I can replace them one by one.

also, do you think that this is a good order of replacement:
hats
ride
crashes

also, wouldnt it look silly to have amazing hats and brass crashes?

thanks in advance

[TitanSound]

If you have limited funds then replacing them one by one would be the best option. No point in buying ZHT’s as I would not even consider that an upgrade!! Its better too buy quality cymbals over a period of time than to just move a small step up.

And no, of course it does not matter if you are using high-end hats with not so high-end cymbals. Does not matter in the slightest!

And you have my endorsement with the Quickbeats….I own a 14” pair and I love them!

Hats and ride would be my choice to upgrade first also as you use them more than any other cymbal.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I'm with Titan on this one. Buy what you can afford then add as money becomes available. If not you will be going thru this process again down the road. We all like good gear but this way you will have something new to look forward to for a while.

[Tubs player]

i agree replace your cymbals overtime

[Tubs player]

i agree, replace your cymbals overtime

[fijjibo]

Thanks, good advice.

I have always in the past scrimped and saved, and soon I will have enough for the high end hats, but what I was worried about was a clash with sound.

I love my planet z,s, and have done many a good session with them, but When ive borrowed high end cymbals, ive noticed that they completely surpass the z,s.

I was worried that the z,s would make the A,s seem bad........

on the other hand, I was once told that good hatrs can improve the sound of other cymbals.........

[Deathmetalconga]

I'm with the consensus here. Get the best stuff available over time, as you can afford it. You can sell your old stuff and use that to help underwrite the cost of the new stuff.

You can also get some really great deals on used stuff - top-notch gear in good condition at a good price, but you have to look around. That could be fun, ifyou like that kind of thing.

[fijjibo]

I'm with the consensus here. Get the best stuff available over time, as you can afford it. You can sell your old stuff and use that to help underwrite the cost of the new stuff.

You can also get some really great deals on used stuff - top-notch gear in good condition at a good price, but you have to look around. That could be fun, ifyou like that kind of thing.

Thanks DMC, ill most likely do that then.

Im not a fan of ebay, but I could ask my dealer to look out for stuff.

I can afford the hats, and I know that my dealer has some used crashes, so ill go and look around.

cheers

[zappafan]

I'm with everyone else. Better to buy one good cymbal at a time instead of 3 not so good one's all at once. Quality over quantity everytime. :)

[fijjibo]

Cool, thanks for all the help guys.

What does anyone think of these:
(my eventual choices)

13" zildjian quick beats

20" ping ride

16" medium thin A crash

18" Medium A crash

cheers

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Those sound like pretty good choices. You could probably get it all a little cheaper if you went with Sabian, as a lot of their lines are directly comparable. In your case, something like the 'AAX Stage' set might be worth considering, although those Zildjian hats are rather nice.

[fijjibo]

Cool.

I've never tried Sabian before, maybe ill check em out.

are the AAX any cheaper? really?

the fact that Mike Portnoy uses them might sway me.....

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Well I tend to find the prices slightly cheaper. If you want Zildjian, go Zildjian (I have other reasons not to particularly like them besides the sound) but the Sabian AAX series are very comparable to the Zildjian A Customs and, yes, typically a bit cheaper.

[fijjibo]

Fair enough.

Would you mind sharing why you dont like them?

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I've covered it before, but it's basically their marketing approach just rubs me up the wrong way. This isn't the place to rant about that, I've done it before.

[fijjibo]

Cool, im sure people would get upset if you did.......

Actually, speaking to a fellow Englander, im thinking of visiting Wembley Drum Center this week - have you ever been there?

I might cheaply re-head my kit....

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Wembley's pretty good, I've only been there once (when I bought my DW5000) and it wasn't bad. I quite liked it, they had a very impressive selection of cymbals there, although the shop is much smaller than you'd think! Their prices aren't all that cheap though. I re-headed my kit for £60 from GAK in Brighton and felt like I'd gotten good service and a fair price.

[fijjibo]

Cool, thanks

I guess I will find out about the prices of what I want by actually going and looking - and thanks for the advice. Ive been thinking about going to GAK.

At the end of the day, I suppose its best to just go and have a look.

Thanks for all the responces, cheers