Many many cymbals dilemmas! Need some help please!

[ktmay2]

Hey fellow drummers,
I'm planning on getting myself some new cymbals as I sold my last set (Meinl MCS) because I thought the crash had too much of a drone to it and needed some money.
So basically I'm on the prowl for a new set and am on a tight budget. So immediately Wuhan and Stagg popped into my head, as I've heard they're meant to be great for the price but still sound good. But I have quite a few questions!

1. Stagg (SH and DH) or Wuhan (New Traditional)?
I've looked up demo's of both and know the Wuhan's are generally cheaper, but I think I should get some input from people who've had experience with both!
2. Stagg SH or DH 16" Crash?
If I go with Stagg, should I choose the SH or DH as my main crash?
3. Can I just buy a Paiste PST3 as my ride?
I don't use rides that often, but do like the ping of them. But obviously I'm on a budget and the cheaper the better. Should I still splash out on a Stagg/Wuhan ride?
4. Are 14" Hats, 16" and 18" Crash, and 20" Ride a good setup?
Otherwise I was going to choose a 15" and 17" crash setup instead. What would be my main crash for replacing the hi hats in choruses and stuff?

Thanks a lot guys, your really helping me out here!
Katie

[Bo Eder]

Maybe this is a money issue, but is there a reason you've just sold your intermediate cymbals to buy into another set of intermediate cymbals? You're just moving sideways.
If you continue to move sideways, you would've spent enough to buy pro cymbals. How about looking into the pro packs from Zildjian and Sabian (like the regular Zildjian A's, or the Sabian AA's). I'd recommend the Paiste 2002, but those are a bit more for reasons unknown. I've played the same set of Zildjians for over 20 years now and have never wished I had better cymbals on any of the gigs I've done.

[konaboy]

I agree with Bo, I know you needed the money from your other ones but in my book you'd be better off getting a pro level set of hats and one crash then investing in many intermediate line of cymbals. Just my .02

[jt.mcrae]

I'd sugest pro level and buying secondhand. Go to stores to find cymbals you like and then search for them secondhand on ebay.
Also in terms of sizes, the 14,16,18,20 combo you've listed is pretty standard, though personally I find 14 hats, 16 crash and 20 ride to small for my liking. Maybe look at getting a 17" or 19" crash instead of the 16 (17,18 combo or 18,19 combo). But it all depends on the music you play

Jackson

[Drumolator]

Bo is right. You should move up to pro level cymbals. Buy them one at a time because most songs can be played with just hats and one crash. Used is the way to go if you are "on a budget". Sabian has a line of refurbished cymbals called SR2, sort of in between used and new. Google "Sabian SR2" and see what happens.

Stagg and Wuhan cymbals are very inconsistent: some very good, many not so good. With cymbals more than drums, you get what you pay for. Move up, not sideways. Good luck.

[audiotech]

I don't know if you've been playing drums for 1 week or 20 years, so it's very difficult to give you my opinion on what to buy. If you're not very serious about playing, just about anything will do. If you are serious, have a bit of experience, study and practice often and want to establish yourself as a drummer, then used pro cymbals are probably what you should be looking for if you're on a tight budget. If you can't afford everything you want at first, decide what's most important to your needs and buy them in two or three purchases.

Dennis

[Tomate]

I agree with what's being said this far, it'd be a lot better to go for second hand "pro" cymbals than moving back to the bottom lines...

(All i can say about the cymbals you mentioned, i owned the PST3 ride for a while since mine got cracked in transportation, it wasn't -absolutely- horrible, but definately not a delightful ride to listen to. It had somewhat of a decent attack without too much ringing, and a good sized bell... But it just sounds cheap and lacks musicality)

[bmeat]

i am also interested between the wuhan vs stagg debate. ive heard that both companies quality control/quality has gone up

are the wuhans hammered more than the stagg sh series? random hammering makes the cymbal more dark, whilesymmetrical patterned hammering usually makes a cymbal more bright and cutting.

i was watching and learning from many of the cymbal manufacture videos, and knowing that a more musical cymbal that opens up more, that is darker and warmer, and that is generally thinner is a more expensive, better sounding cymbal. both the wuhan and stagg fit this categroy pretty nicely, especially when comparing them to other similiary priced cymbals

http://www.sabian.com/en/videos/education/28937806

[bennyboyt]

Try and stretch a little to the Dream cymbals if you can, might be a little more expensive but still much cheaper than other hand hammered 'professional' cymbals.

[opentune]

Tight budget? Thats Ok, get fewer but better cymbals - hats, crashable ride, crash and used pron ones. Think about it, most great jazz drummers had only those 3.

Go to music stores or cruise online sound files to hear the 'sound' or weight you want (thin/heavy , dark/bright) and then keep looking for them or similar used online, local clists etc. Sure it takes longer than buying a brand new one-brand cymbal pack but you build up a nice collection of what you want, and learn so much in the process.

[Arky]

"Dilemma" means having to decide between _two_ problems.
"Many many (...) dilemmas"... Now this calls for a new term. What about _polylemma_? ;-)

[BacteriumFendYoke]

Originally Posted by Arky

"Dilemma" means having to decide between _two_ problems.
"Many many (...) dilemmas"... Now this calls for a new term. What about _polylemma_? ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pOqqyFH7cU - towards the end of the clip.

Maybe 'omnishambles'?

[sundome]

check out dream cymbals!