Now here's something to get you thinking!

[laurence_drummer]

Right, i've been drumming for a good few years now and have always had cymbals that i liked when i heard them in the shop - K's, rudes etc .. I've never really aimed for a certain sound.. Until now.. And i really need some help!

I need a new crash, something 16"+ and a new ride, something sweet with a bit of depth.

Here's what i'm looking for. I want a crash that when i hit it constantly it's difficult to define when it's being hit, something that produces a wall of noise, something that sings and not something that just shouts CRASH CRASH CRASH CRASH. I really don't want this crash to cut through so much. It can be BIG, but it can't be a ride!

I'm also looking for a ride that when it's being played in the same mannor it doesn't bellow, i'm looking for something sweet and thin with a nice big bell. I want the ride to ping, i want it to sound shiny and light on top however when it's time to hit i want it to to sound deep and shimmery so that top end really cuts through!

I could be talking bollocks - I've become very very picky!

However, any help, ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!

thankyou guys and gals!

[nickg]

take a look at the Paiste Signature or Twenty series. they might be the sound you're looking for. shimmery and NOT overbearing. in fact the Twenty series might actually be more to your liking.

[razorx]

RUDES are the loudest cymbals i have ever heard

[hungrypo]

for the crash cymbal you're describing i think you're looking for a Crash/Ride. i believe most cymbal companies offer these. usually 17" - 20" in diameter, thin like a crash, but large like a ride. i have a sabian 18" AA crash ride that does what you're describing.

as far as your ride questions, i'm a little less sure of what you're looking for. all i can say is try out a bunch of rides and note the characteristics of the ones that come close to what you're looking for: are they thick or thin? are they heavy or light? are they Lathed or not (this is a biggie in my books) ? and evenutally you'll start noticing which characteristics produce which type of sounds.

good luck!

Paiste Giant Beats, maybe? They're thin and shimmery. The larger sizes help with projection along with that Paiste zing. Much more delicate than Rudes, so not recommended for metal or super loud rock.

The 18" & 20" are called "Multi"s, so they're not specified as crash or ride. They have a sweet crash sound. Edge-riding sounds especially good. The 20" even has a tiny amount of funky stick definition over a flange-like wash.

The ride is 24". It's thin with a gorgeous rain-like wash that is controllable and projects, too. It's got a big bell and some great playing zones throughout. Ping is a realtive term with this cymbal. I get a strange, deep, dark (but not all that loud) "ping" about two and a half inches out from the shoulder area where the bell meets the bow. Interesting, because I can't say I've ever gotten a good sound out of that area (relative to the size) of any other cymbal before. It's crashable, too.

...

paiste sig blue bell?

[driver]

I'd get an 18" A Custom Crash. Just a crash but I use mine for crash/ride stuff all the time. Loud bright and shimmering. Perfect!

For the ride. Maybe a Paiste Twenty but for me that line needs to be expanded. Look for a 2002 Dry ride (nice ping and crashes really well) or even the 2002 Power Ride (its got the ping and good powerful bell but a little less versitle). Paiste have the best soundfiles ever on their site they are so close to the real thing. Go burn a few hours listening there its great!

[Wavelength]

Originally Posted by driver

I'd get an 18" A Custom Crash. Just a crash but I use mine for crash/ride stuff all the time. Loud bright and shimmering. Perfect!

I find the A Custom crashes to be a bit too light weight for crash riding, even the big ones.

[harryconway]

Originally Posted by driver

I'd get an 18" A Custom Crash. Just a crash but I use mine for crash/ride stuff all the time. Loud bright and shimmering. Perfect!

I have a 17" A Custom, so I'll have to agree. 'least it would be worth you checking out. As far as a ride goes, if you want a cymbal with no wash or overtone, try the Zildjian Earth Ride. It's a monster, the whole cymbal is a bell. All ping. Tremendous cut.

[contemplativedrummer]

Ummmm...
maybe:
a Sabian Saturation crash and a K Custom Heavy Ride?

[tommapex]

Originally Posted by laurence_drummer

Here's what i'm looking for. I want a crash that when i hit it constantly it's difficult to define when it's being hit, something that produces a wall of noise, something that sings and not something that just shouts CRASH CRASH CRASH CRASH. I really don't want this crash to cut through so much. It can be BIG, but it can't be a ride!

I'm also looking for a ride that when it's being played in the same mannor it doesn't bellow, i'm looking for something sweet and thin with a nice big bell. I want the ride to ping, i want it to sound shiny and light on top however when it's time to hit i want it to to sound deep and shimmery so that top end really cuts through!

If you want to get great cymbals that sound just the way you have described them, I suggest you contact Jamie at Saluda Cymbals http://www.saludacymbals.com. He'll make you excellent hand crafted cymbals that sound the way you want at very reasonable prices (1/2 the cost of the big guys). It's worth an email or a phone call. I did it a year ago and I'm so glad I did.

Just for kicks, next time your in the shop try crashing a Ziljian 21" sweet ride, I have one and right now only use it for a crash.

For the crash, get a light ride. Trust me on this, I use my rides as crashes and they produce a wonderful wall of noise. When I want a crash sound, I'll use my 16" AAX Studio Crash, which contrasts nicely to the Istanbul and Paiste rides I use as crashes and rides in my setup. The name on the cymbal is irrelevant, it's how you play it.