Ride Cymbal - Bent Edge

[guidrummer]

I saw a nice ride cymbal for sale that had a bent edge. Would it be possible to unbend or hammer the edge to flatten it out. It's Paiste Signature alloy. I'm wondering if it would crack if you tried to fix it.

[KCDrummer]

It's possible, but you need the right equipment (hamer and anvil) and be sure that the metal is good and warm I don't think you'd want to take a blow torch to it or anything, just don't do it in a cold environment.

BUT, it might not be necessary. If the cymbal sounds good the way it is, I wouldn't mess with it. Hammering it out will definitely change the sound, maybe not for the better. If cosmetics bother you, hammer at your own risk, but keep in mind, there are some really cool-sounding goofy-looking cymbals out there. One of the coolest cymbals I ever played was an old 18" ride with a chunk of it missing. It looked like a cookie with a big bite taken out of it. Sounded wicked.

[KzSgDrummer]

I have an 18" Traditional line thin crash that I bought as old stock (had been sitting in Manny's NYC for a year or two) that had a bent edge. It's definitely the thinnest cymbal in my lineup, and combine that with Paiste's supposed durability issues and I was expecting it to bite the dust within a year or two. But it's now been nearly 6 years since I bought it, and to this day it still sounds and plays great, AND I'm no longer afraid to lay into it.. it's proven its "metal" haha.

At this point I think of the bend maybe once or twice a year at most, so I say don't let the bend discourage you, especially if you can get the cymbal for half price!