Some suggestions on Sabian cymbals?

BattleArmor · #1 11-07-2008, 03:29 AM

Hey all.

Well I am going to be purchasing a set of Sabian's soon, and have checked a few cymbals out but I would love some suggestions.

I need an extremely versatile group here. 1 pair of hats, 1 ride, 3 crashes [nothing under 17"] and 1 china preferably 16 inches.

I have some in mind, but again, looking for some help. Anything from the AA, HH, HHX, and AAX group please. Bright, dark it doesnt matter at this time.

Thanks again.

Danny

Toby_Jackson · #2 11-07-2008, 01:38 PM

Depending on dark or bright:

14" HHX Groove Hats
21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride
18" HHX Plosion Crash
18" HHX Evolution Crash
19" HHXTreme Crash
18" HHX Chinese

OR

14" AAX Stage Hats
20" AAX Stage Ride
18" AAX Studio Crash
18" AAX Plosion Crash
19" Vault Crash
19" AAXTreme Chinese

Basically, the Groove and AAX Stage are Sabian's best overall hats, hands down. Stage and Dry-style rides are they're most consistent and versatile, though they make many, many great rides (Groove, Vault Precision, Crossover...) The HH RBDR is a legend though, great for any situation except extreme high or low volume - it may not cut over 2 guitar-death metal and may be just a little too much for restaurant jazz, though I have on occasion made it work in acoustic piano trios with stand-up bass...

For crashes you can't go wrong with either the Evolution series (one of Dave Weckl's HHX lines) or the X-Plosion series (either HHX or AAX are awesome). Studio or Stage crashes in both AAX and HHX are also great, though you can find many great cymbals in the AA/HH and Vault lines as well (I'm partial to thin and medium-thin HHs). I also am a huge fan of the trashy HHXtremes - the 19" is just a fantastic cymbal!

And I know you requested a 16" Chinese, but I just plain hate little chinas, so I gave you my favorites from the HHX and AAX lines.

Good luck with your choices!

Toby_Jackson · #3 11-07-2008, 01:39 PM

BTW, what cymbals did you have in mind? I may be able to give you some better suggestions if you have a couple core's that you already are partial to.

Toby_Jackson · #4 11-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Also, don't be put off by Sabian's sometimes questionable marketing, X-Plosion and Xtreme crashes are not unneccessarily loud cymbals - they are both some of the most musical cymbals I've heard for sensitive dynamics.

BattleArmor · #5 11-07-2008, 02:27 PM

Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Right now, I have heard and liked the HHX Stage Hats 14", the stage crash 18", and the AAX stage hats 14". I did have a chance to play the HH RBDR , but unfortunately, it was too loud in the store at that time. I couldn't hear.

Yeah, I was liking some the aax, but when I read that they are "Loud" it sort of turned me off, so I was leaning towards the other series'.

Thanks for all the help so far.

Anyone else have opinions?

Toby_Jackson · #6 11-07-2008, 03:51 PM

The HHX Stage is very solid - hats, rides, crashes, all great.

The HHX Plosion crashes and Evolution crashes are soooo versatile, really the best crashes Sabian makes.

Also for rides, the HHX Dry is a good one to consider - great for just about any dynamic. But if I could only have one ride, I wouldn't trade my HH RBDR for anything.

joshisaces · #7 11-07-2008, 03:59 PM

17' aaxtreme china is nice sounding.

BattleArmor · #8 11-07-2008, 04:21 PM

Well based off of just listening to the Sabian samples here is what I have come up with.

HHX 14" Stage Hats
HHX 20" Stage Ride OR the HH RBDR
HHX 18" Stage Crash
AAX 17" Stage Crash
AAX 18" Dark Crash or HHX 19" Xplosion Crash
Still working on china.

What do you guys think?

ZootELoops · #9 11-07-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinsyk17

Well based off of just listening to the Sabian samples here is what I have come up with.

HHX 14" Stage Hats
HHX 20" Stage Ride OR the HH RBDR
HHX 18" Stage Crash
AAX 17" Stage Crash
AAX 18" Dark Crash or HHX 19" Xplosion Crash
Still working on china.

What do you guys think?

Do you have an idea on budget/cost? I'm curious to upgrade from my XS20s at some point, or add another crash & splash to my current mix and would love an idea of what kind of costs you are considering for this setup.

BattleArmor · #10 11-07-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZootELoops

Do you have an idea on budget/cost? I'm curious to upgrade from my XS20s at some point, or add another crash & splash to my current mix and would love an idea of what kind of costs you are considering for this setup.

Well right now I am really trying for under 1700$ and I think for everything, that is more than enough. I just need to sell some stuff on ebay and I will be close.

Toby_Jackson · #11 11-07-2008, 07:10 PM

To Sinsyk: nice choices. The AAX Darks are great crashes and will fit in nice with the HHXs.

Other ideas for chinas: the 17" AAXtreme isn't bad (I just like the 19" more) and Paragon chinas are also very nice. Maybe look into HH's? The thins have loads of tone.

To ZootELoops: Short answer: not cheap. The kind of setups we're talking about are high quality, and especially the HHX will run you a bit (due to all that fancy hammering). You're definitely looking at the $1500+ range.