16" vs. 18" crashes (Zildjian Ks specifically)

[lovemysonors]

I've got an 18" K med-thin dark crash and love it, but have a new project where I may not need such a long wash.

I haven't played 16" crashes in quite some time, and see some local drummers use them more than 18" ones.

Umm, is there really that big of a difference in these 2 sizes or could I save my money and just use my 18" and hit it less hard to avoid longer washes?? Is this the poor drummer's version of playing cymbals? Am I being obsessively particular about sound when perhaps the audience won't even tell the difference? Perhaps so?

[drumminjohn]

I have both an 18 and a 16" crash on my kit, and I cannot tell to much of a difference... The 18" has more volume obviously, but the they have mostly the same wash..

[tynn]

depends on the music you're playing.

[catlover]

I own a 15" K dark crash and looked for a bigger wash.
So, 2 weeks ago, I tried 17 and 18" K dark crashes, and was surprised that they sound almost the same ! (even with my 15" !)
The fundamental tone is a bit lower in pitch, but played with the band, it sounds very close.
Finally, I picked a 17" K custom dark crash.

If you need a 16", give K custom a try, it will sound more different from your 18" K.

[d.c.drummer]

If you were to by a 16 k dark crash the fundemental pitch would be higher but therewouldn't be much of a difference in sustain.

I have the 18" K Dark and i think it would sound good in any situation so don't drop cash on an unnecessary cymbal unless you have $.

[Pedro]

I think the reason that "most" of the drummers use 16" crashes as main crashes is just a reason of "tradition"...for .e.g...a standard beginner cymbal set is 14 hh,16 crash ,20" ride.

I also used to have 16" crashes, but realized I don't like to use them anymore because a bigger crash just gives a fuller sound and therefor blends better with the music. For some people 18" sound to "wahsy", but I think that looking from a full-band perspective, 18 is better. Because if you have a good crash, the highest pitch and the accent (with you hear the best) is still short. The wash is ment to blend with the rest of the band and to make it sound fuller, but the accent stays (there for are crashes ment, for accents).

Think about it. :-)

[Steamer]

I tested out several K crashes from 14" to 18" in both the regular K line and the K Custom line. None of the 16" cymbals did much for me as a main crash especially from the regular K line. I ended out finding a full bodied and thin 18" K Custom Dark Crash as my main crash. Excellent quick and full crash with good overtones and wash especially during cymbal rolls with mallets. My choice as a second crash came as quite as surprise to my ears being a 14" K Custom Dark crash. A low fundamental underlying pitch combined with a higher pitched quick crash sound. Great for setting up figures and accents in the music and a fine compliment to it's 18" bigger brother.

[shuffle]

I also chose the thin 18" K custom dark after many many trips to the drum shops. Awesome cymbal.

[jazzbeat]

I found, that for me any crash smaller than 18" is to small. sometimes on a gig in a middle of concert I was starting to hit crash realy hard just to get power I need (couse as we know, all guitar players are turning amp volume higher after few songs :). So for me 18" is better and if I need to play loudly, I take havy cymbal, if softly- thin. thats my opinion. and not only pop/rock. when I play jazz on smaller stage, big cymbals are my choise.

best regards