Here's another shot of the 22", 2439g '06 Limited Edition high bell ride.....
I really wanted to hear this version Bill the high bell as it's called. The local Agop distributor had only early samples of the 06 low bells actually 5 when I tested them in the Summer. He had no high bells for reference. I'll gather from the shape and size of the bell they deliver quite a different wash and stick sound than the low bell {jazz bell model}.
bikay:
That 22 jazz Ride and the Signature 23 - nice!
I have one Alchemy pictured here. Right now it's sitting on a HQ drum mute on top of my 14x14 tom (I have no cymbal stands yet - those parts for my rack system are on order) and I'm playing it between cowbell, snare, hi hat (Mel Lewis 14's and muted toms) - it sounds great. I love that solid "bell" sound and it really sounds nice while getting into the faster latin/funk rhythms! I know - it's a little different, but hey, it's all I can do for now - and I'm having fun with it and at the same time building on my "chops" - I'm a little rusty after not playing for 31 years!
HERE I HAVE THE 10" ALCHEMY BELL,
20" TRADITIONAL ORIGINAL RIDE
AND THE MEL LEWIS 18" CRASH RIDE
The high bell is a bit drier than the low bell I had, but it certainly isn't a dry cymbal. The beauty of the low bell was that it was remarkably "in tune" with itself, meaning that the blend of the undercurrent was very harmonious and was balanced with the stick. However, it needed to be played more gently than I wanted to play it (think piano trio). The high bell can take more of a beating, with the stick remaining on top.
Thanks for the feedback Bill. Sounds like in some ways closer in character to my 20.5" 25th Anniversary ride. Would love to hear the 06 high bell in the flesh sometime down the road based on your description.
I use my 06 jazz bell pretty much exclusively in acoustic piano trio situations where it's blend is superb so your observations and comments follow suit with my experience with the cymbal and it's general character very well.
I would characterize my 1858g 25th Anniversary ride as closer to the low bell than the high bell- kinda washy.....
Your description makes perfect sense, Stan.
22", 2255g Agop Vezir ride
Awesome thread! Some really great pies included here. Here are some of mine... sorry the pics aren't as good as the others in this thread!
In order of appearance: 14" sultan hats, 15" sultan hats, 12" alchemy power splash, 24" alchemy professional raw ride, 22" agop trash hit, 21" Mel Lewis rivet ride (10" trash hit underneath it), 22" alchemy pro china. I also own a 12" trash hit, not pictured.
Awesome collection! How do you like your Alchemys? Do you have any soundfiles of your cymbals?
Did you guys lose interest already?
22", 2600g Istanbul Agop Special Edition Jazz Tony Williams ride: