Has anybody played these cymbals?

[Swift]

Hey folks,

Was wondering if anybody could share some wisdom with me. Having just started to earn some decent money with a jazz quartet, I've decided to blow it all on upgrading my kit to a pro standard. This is mostly going to involve replacing a set of ZBT-Plus cymbals which I've played since I was a kid. I'll be selling these to some student or another, but still don't have enough to buy a new set of cast bronze beauties, so I've turned to eBay. Here are some I've been tempted to bid on:

20" Rides:
K Custom Dark
K Custom Dry
K Custom Dry Light
HH Jazz
HH Duo
HHX Evolution
AAX Stage

Crashes:
A Custom 16" Fast (BRAND NEW, could possibly stretch to it)
K Custom 15" or 18" Dark
A Custom 15" or 17"
Avedis 16" or 17" Thin
HHXplosion 18"
AAX 16" Stage

Splash:
A Custom 10"

I've already ordered a pair of Quick Beat hi-hats because I've played a couple of pairs in sessions etc and remembered absolutely loving them both times, but I've never played any of the above in a gig except the AAX Stage cymbals (a former teacher's) and the regular A Custom crashes, all of which were pretty nice. I don't have time to take a trip to a large music store to try them as I'm right in the middle of exams :( I also need to order them NOW as we're doing a recording and a massive run of gigs after exams finish and I really don't want to have to play any ZBT-Plus on the CD, which'll be used to get us more gigs and such. Especially the crash, which is woeful.

I was hoping somebody might be able to recommend a "rest-of-your-life" ride and/or crash for me from the above list in the next few days, based on experience. I'd mainly be using them in a small group acoustic jazz setting, playing swing, bop, latin and possibly the odd funk number, but I'd want something that wouldn't sound out of place in other genres as I do a lot of "drummer-for-hire" stuff outside uni, world, folk, the odd rock/blues gig.

Thanks for your time, folks.

Peace, S

[Steamer]

Well as they say cymbal selection is a very personal thing but based on your list my favorite picks would be the 20" K Custom Dark Ride and a K Custom 18" Dark Crash. Actually for a few bucks more i'd spring for the slighty lower pitched full bodied 22" version of the K Custom Dark Ride. Love mine.

You would be able to use these in a wide variety of musical situations with good results no problem IMHO.

[Swift]

Cheers Stan, yeah at this level it's really about personal taste isn't it? It's times like this that make me wish I lived next to a drumming superstore, so I could decide for myself. So...the Dark K Customs. The sound-bites certainly impressed me, especially the crash. The crash I've been using for so long makes a "ding" sound if you tap it softly to firmly, but if you increase the force past a certain point it suddenly explodes and everybody gives me daggers, it's impossible to get a happy medium! I'm limited to a 20" ride due to case size (I'm using a portable kit for sessions and smaller gigs at present), but I'm not looking for an especially ultra-low pitch, so that should be OK.

Keep 'em coming, folks!

[Steamer]

Swift the 18" K Custom Dark Crash is one of the nicest sounding crash cymbals i've encountered in 35 years of professional playing. Full rich crash with very a good quick response and pleasing overtones. I can actually make it crash but hitting it near the edge with the tip of the stick due to it's thin weight. Went through a few to find just the right one to my ears. The 14" K Custom Dark Crash I recently picked up was also quite the surprise with it's low pitch but quick full crash character. Great for setting up figures in a Big Band as I discovered at a recent concert.

[Swift]

Come on people, Stan can't be the only one here with an opinion to share! This is the perfect excuse to rave about your favourite cymbals, as drummers love to do - and I would too if I owned any worth raving about...

In light of Stan's comments, I've bid on the K Custom Dark ride and crash - unfortunately, lots of other people seem to love them and I'll be especially surprised if I get the crash, which has 21 bids below mine and I'm right on my limit...so it's not too late to wax lyrical about another one, I'd be especially interested to hear any views on the A Custom fast crash as the one offered is brand new at a great price and I could snap it up straight away if (as is quite likely) I don't win the K Custom.

Cheers, S

[mr_hayward_99]

i have the hhx evoluation ride,

now its a great cymbal, the bell is extremely cutting. if you play jazz this would be a good secondary ride. it needs a bit of tape on it to control it when played because the overtones tend to build up and you donmt get much stick definition or ping - but what you do get is quite bright.

i tried the 18" k custom and did not like it that much but i think the reason was becuase the other cymbal i was trying wasw the 17 paiste signature dark energy crash mk1. these two cymbals go perfectly well togther but the paiste is so superior in complexity theres no comparison apart from paiste is v. expensive.

[stixman]

I have; Zildjian K dark ride, K 15" dark crash and Avedis 14" thin crash. I prefer smaller crashes, but have tried most larger sizes. The ride is beautiful, crashes beautifully, and the bell is perfect. Both my crashes contrast well, i like that, and i'd definately recomend them, possibly in larger sizes depending on the genres you play.

[Swift]

Well, it went the other way - I actually won the dark crash but some jammy so-and-so outbid me on the ride with 3 seconds to go...GRRRR!!! I did manage to get the dry light ride, however, and all the reviews I've seen say that it's fantastic for small-group acoustic jazz, with great stick definition and minimal wash, which is exactly what I'm looking for. Pity it looks like a piece of scrap iron. So, everything seems to have turned out well - if I had more money I'd get the A Custom fast crash as well, for a bit of contrast, but I can't complain. Thanks to those that gave advice!

Cheers, S