About to Give Up on Agops Because I Can't Find a Decent Ride

Chunkaway

Chunkaway

Silver Member
I have been playing Agops for the past 12 years or so. I absolutely love their crashes and some of their hi-hats. However, in that time, I have owned at least 7 Agop rides and none of them worked for me in live situations. Most of the time the rides are too washy or too trashy, so you lose stick articulation. Or they are the Idris model and sound like a trash can lid.

I recently picked up a set of Paiste cymbals including a 22" Traditional Medium light ride and 22" Masters Dark ride. I prefer the Traditional Medium light but both of these rides sound pretty good and significantly better than most Agops.

Any ideas about what I could do to continue down the Agop road?

Agop rides I have owned:
20/22 Signature - loved the trash, absolutely wouldn't work in anything but a very quiet/acoustic situation
22" Traditional Original - hella wash with this one
22" Sultan Jazz- more wash
22" Mel Lewis - sounded great in the studio but just lost any articulation in live situations

Agop rides I currently own:
22 30th Anniversary (Still have and may keep for jazzy situations, although it is pretty washy)
22" Mantra (will probably keep for pop/rock) This is probably my best Agop ride
24" Joey Waronker - too silvery, weird hum. Will most likely sell this soon
 
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sometimes you cut bait and move to another brand.. (it;s called Cymbalholism : )I think 12 years you gave them enough (of a) shot;
I;ve done the same thing; (thru brands
 
Just Buy other rides from other brands? Look at my list of cymbals, I have Meinl and Sabian plus one Paiste and they work very well together. I was thinking to buy the Mel LEWIS, and I won't use it for live so, in a jazz studio setting, it seems to be a good ride, correct? It's the une I prefer in the DCP review for jazz rides, do you agree.
 
Quai34 said:
Just Buy other rides from other brands? Look at my list of cymbals, I have Meinl and Sabian plus one Paiste and they work very well together. I was thinking to buy the Mel LEWIS, and I won't use it for live so, in a jazz studio setting, it seems to be a good ride, correct? It's the une I prefer in the DCP review for jazz rides, do you agree.
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If I was going to have a ride for just studio use, I'd definitely consider a Mel Lewis. It has a warm tone with a great buttery feel.
 
Ok, thanks, that would be my first Agop, should I need to try it or could I buy it online, I have no retailer selling Agop close to me.
 
Rides. In all the years I've been playing; it's the one cymbal I can never seem to be overall satisfied with.

Good luck in your search for the "perfect" Ride.
 
I tried quite a few Agop rides. yes they do mostly wash out very quickly. I settled on the 22" Mantra. I really like it, it's a do it all for me.
I wondered about the Idris too.
I'm really enjoying their OM crashes, so was beginning to think I might like the OM ride, especially as I already like the Mantra.
A few UK drummers have recently started playing the (new) Traditional ride. I have no idea if it has changed, but it has the Traditional stamp on it, in a box.
 
Chris Whitten said:
I tried quite a few Agop rides. yes they do mostly wash out very quickly. I settled on the 22" Mantra. I really like it, it's a do it all for me.
I wondered about the Idris too.
I'm really enjoying their OM crashes, so was beginning to think I might like the OM ride, especially as I already like the Mantra.
A few UK drummers have recently started playing the (new) Traditional ride. I have no idea if it has changed, but it has the Traditional stamp on it, in a box.
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Totally agree about the Mantra ride. That's my "go-to" ride at the moment.

I have never played the OM ride, but it is one on my list to try. The Traditional ride is one that I played at a drum shop recently. Definitely had some wash to it. Maybe if they make a heavier one, it might be worth trying.
 
I love my Agops but not on a gig. The crashes, as gorgeous as they sound, open up too fast and the rides are too washy for my live playing needs. I find Agops to be thin in weight, IOW, too washy.

I dig them at home. Recording, too. They're great for recording.

I do have an "Idris Muhammed" Signature ride. It's over 3000 grams and it's pingy, so it works as a ride for me. It's definitely thicker than most Agops, by design. I have 2 Mantra rides and love them, but again, not for gigs. Not enough definition. But what a beautiful tone from the players position though. They personally make me happy, playing them.
 
The Traditional line of crashes and hi-hats work well live. I've compared them to my 1990's K Zildjians and they were quite similar, but nicer IMO.
 
larryace said:
I love my Agops but not on a gig. The crashes, as gorgeous as they sound, open up too fast and the rides are too washy for my live playing needs. I find Agops to be thin in weight, IOW, too washy.

I dig them at home. Recording, too. They're great for recording.

I do have an "Idris Muhammed" Signature ride. It's over 3000 grams and it's pingy, so it works as a ride for me. It's definitely thicker than most Agops, by design. I have 2 Mantra rides and love them, but again, not for gigs. Not enough definition. But what a beautiful tone from the players position though. They personally make me happy, playing them.
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Hmm... interesting. What do you use live?
 
Push pull stroke said:
Gaff tape on a washy ride
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I do that, but I have other rides I prefer live. I don't play my gig cymbals at home, or my home cymbals at a gig.

I'd like to use my Agops live, but they don't do what I need there.
Chunkaway said:
Hmm... interesting. What do you use live?
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A mix of Masterworks, Soultone, Zildjian and Sabian. I do use a 21" Xist ride which is 50/50 wash and ping
 
larryace said:
I do that, but I have other rides I prefer live. I don't play my gig cymbals at home, or my home cymbals at a gig.

I'd like to use my Agops live, but they don't do what I need there.

A mix of Masterworks, Soultone, Zildjian and Sabian. I do use a 21" Xist ride which is 50/50 wash and ping
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Thank you. I actually tried out a 24” Xist in a drum shop and I was surprised by how much I liked it.

Any specific models or sizes out of the other brands you would recommend?
 
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