AAX differences

bojangleman · #1 06-22-2008, 05:35 AM

what are the differences in the AAX's?

like there is a Studio:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sabian-A...06-i1135807.gc

Stage:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sabian-A...07-i1135810.gc

Dark:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sabian-A...09-i1135820.gc

Metal:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sabian-A...21-i1177749.gc

Bright:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sabian-A...91-i1139387.gc

AAXplosion:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sabian-A...27-i1177754.gc

is it as simple as it says? Studio = studio crash. stage = stage crash? and others same?...i just dont understand why there are so many..

Alex

Ironcobra · #2 06-22-2008, 06:00 AM

Having played them all, I can tell you that the studio is the best, in my opinion.

The difference between the studio and the stage is hard to say, they are very similar. The stage had a tad more volume with more initial 'crash'. The studio had more of a shimmer sound, with less volume. I went with this one because it sounded very similar to something you would hear on a 'studio' recording, and no I wasn't influenced by the name. I would stay away from the dark crash, because the HHX line offers better 'dark' cymbals. The AAXplosion is LOUD, it's kind of hard to decipher its sound characteristics when your ear drums are getting abused. Anything with 'metal' on it can usually take a beating and is usually thicker. I highly suggest comparing the stage a studio side by side, and if you have the opportunity, play them on a kit.

Now that I think of it, I've never played the bright cymbal, but I imagine it's just a thin stage crash.

Are you planning on buying one?

bojangleman · #3 06-22-2008, 06:31 AM

oh yes, it has come a time that i need to upgrade cymbals. i have got my drums, and now going for cymbals....(then a rack....man, will it ever end...lol)

i am looking at the AAX line cause i have played them before and liked them....and they are pro cymbals and will be 1million times better than my B8's....(that are cracked)

i am going to guitar center in the next few days and i am going to try out ever cymbal that they have out....(with in limits...no Ziljian..lol)

i just didnt know if there was an actual purpose for the name, and if it was made for that situation....

thanks IC!

Alex

bojangleman · #4 06-22-2008, 07:25 AM

any idea what sizes i should go with?

17" & 19"
or
16" & 18"

crashes that is...

Alex

CraKaJaX · #5 06-22-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bojangleman

any idea what sizes i should go with?

17" & 19"
or
16" & 18"

crashes that is...

Alex

It's all your preference really. Depending on what you play matters too. If you play a lot of hard rock, say like the Chili Peppers, I'd go with bigger cymbals. I know Chad Smith uses 19 and 20" AA Rock crashes. Of course the bigger the cymbal, the lower and thicker the sound will be.

You could also go to the Sabian website and check out some of your favorite drummers. All their setups are on the site. You can also go to their site and listen to all the cymbals.... everything. AA, AAX, HHX, Chinas, Rides, Crashes. Give it a shot and see what you like and what sounds good to you. I'd then recommend going to Guitar Center and finding the ones that you liked on Sabian, and giving them a few wacks in the store. Pick the one you like best. :)

Ironcobra · #6 06-22-2008, 05:09 PM

Personally I think 16" is the perfect size for a crash, so that's what I use as my main. When I buy my next studio crash, I'm probably going to get a 17" because I don't want a huge difference between my crashes. 18" will probably work well to though. If you go for something big like 17"-19", they are going do be to loud and over powering. I've never been able to understand how people can go higher than 18" on crashes, they start to sound like gongs past 18". That's just my 0.02 though.

bojangleman · #7 06-22-2008, 08:48 PM

yah..those are the ones i was considering, cause i hate 14" crashes....well, mine anyway....
now, if i were to have a 14" as an aux. crash, it may be fine. but i dont like it as a main crash.

i play everything really. metal/hard rock to country/jazz. its really what ever the gig calls for...ive played all of them....

Alex

Polishdrummer23 · #8 06-23-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironcobra

Having played them all, I can tell you that the studio is the best, in my opinion.

The difference between the studio and the stage is hard to say, they are very similar. The stage had a tad more volume with more initial 'crash'. The studio had more of a shimmer sound, with less volume. I went with this one because it sounded very similar to something you would hear on a 'studio' recording, and no I wasn't influenced by the name. I would stay away from the dark crash, because the HHX line offers better 'dark' cymbals. The AAXplosion is LOUD, it's kind of hard to decipher its sound characteristics when your ear drums are getting abused. Anything with 'metal' on it can usually take a beating and is usually thicker. I highly suggest comparing the stage a studio side by side, and if you have the opportunity, play them on a kit.

Now that I think of it, I've never played the bright cymbal, but I imagine it's just a thin stage crash.

Are you planning on buying one?

The real difference between the Stage and Studio models is really the thickness of the cymbal. Studios are intended for their namesake use...in the studio, therefore the cymbals usually range between a thin or medium thin weight.

The Stage models on the other hand are indeed meant for the stage and in order to project properly they usually fall in the medium weight category. I hope this helps.

Also I agree with the cymbal sizes mentioned in this thread. If you're going to play straight ahead rock use larger cymbals. If you're looking for a quick punchy cymbal go for smaller. Personally I like larger sizes 19" or bigger because I feel there's more character to the cymbal simply due to more area for the sound to run across.

DamoSyzygy · #9 06-24-2008, 05:34 AM

When AAX was first released, they were offered in three weights, unlike the AA line which had many. The three weights were.

Studio = Thin
Stage = Medium
Metal = Thick

The names given to the AAX weights are not necessarily for a particular style.

Since their inception, their popularity has demanded further releases.

Dark = medium thin weight with darker overttones
Bright = As above but with higher overtones
Xplosion - larger bell and more attack/cut, hence the Xplosion.

Hope that helps!

bojangleman · #10 06-24-2008, 06:14 AM

man...thanks damo and polish! it helps a bunch! it really does!

i understand it now...i and prolly going to get the metal or stage...but who knows, i might fall in love with the studio...i just need something that can withstand some hard hitting...

Alex

SeveringDozza · #11 06-24-2008, 11:13 AM

I went to my local music store to try out some AAX's and couldn't really notice a big difference between the Studio and Stage.

So seeing as the Stage is thicker, and that I found it for a good price on eBay I chose that.

It hasn't arrived yet, should arrive this Friday.

From what I heard when trying it out though, it's a great sounding cymbal!

DamoSyzygy · #12 06-24-2008, 05:02 PM

I cant comment on pitch, because they can all differ, but the Stages should be a little higher pitched. More noticably though, the Studios feel different to play - They open up far more easily.