Re: Vinnie Colaiuta goes to PAISTE
But would you if the free ones weren't your favorite cymbals in terms of sound?
If they were crap, no.
Among the big 3, over the past 10-20 years, we've seen each brand attempt to make something that cashes in on a successful line of another brand. The differences exist, but it's getting smaller compared to where it used to be. (notice JR Robinson switched to Paiste, but plays their Twenty line, which were developed to sound like Zildjians...haha)
And, over time, what sound pleases my ear has changed as well.
They were, by various accounts, following "their guy" and not happy with who was left standing at Zildjian - but it didn't seem to have anything to do with the actual cymbals, which were presumably their favorites up to that point.
I see your point, and agree to a large extent.
But Lenny wasn't just a guy who worked there, he was the guy who hand picks cymbals, and helped develop the sounds the companies put out. So, to an extent, following him does have to do with the cymbals, because of his behind the scenes work into getting the cymbals made. Notice Peart doesn't play standard Sabians either, and numerous things have been custom made for Weckl as well.
For the record, I think Sabian has a waaaaay better business model and spirit of innovation than Zildjian,
And for the guys who make their living in the music BUSINESS that can be considered an important factor to some.
I can't imagine that anyone at Zildjian could piss me off enough to not play them anymore. Or, maybe I can imagine it, but I'm glad that isn't happening because I don't even know a single Zildjian employee
.
I know people at both. Not as many I used to though.
Now that I think about it, maybe that's all Vinnie was thinking when the 602s came out... that he just liked them better than his A Customs..
If you sit back and think about it for a minute, what did Vinny say when he was developing the A-custom line? He wanted some thing thin, that speaks quickly, vintage sounding, but brighter than K.... which essentially describes the 602 line as well.
Does kind of make one go "hummm......"
Back when I was much younger, I was a devoted Zildjian guy, but I played a (then discontinued) 602 Ride at school, and it was an amazing cymbal. So get how someone who really loves Zildjian could fall in love with the 602 sound.