Picking Crash Cymbals - contrast

[thebrok2]

I have a 17 Sabian AAX - stage crash and am really happy with the sound. I also have a paiste pst 3 rock crash. The two do not sound the best together and I have been on the market looking to replace it the paiste. I was wondering when it comes time to pick crash cymbals how to do you usually get the two to have a good sound and get then to contrast each other. I have seen drummers with different sizes and brands. Any tips on finding my sabian's solmate would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Solaris]

I base my crash cymbal selection primarily on pitch and volume. I'm guessing you'd want a bigger cymbal, an 18 or 19, so the pitch would generally be lower than the 17. You could look into another stage crash if you like the sound, or contrast it with a HHx stage for something darker. I think your best option would be to take your stage crash into a music shop and set it up next to each cymbal you try out to see how they work together.

 

[caddywumpus]

I base my crash cymbal selection primarily on pitch and volume. I'm guessing you'd want a bigger cymbal, an 18 or 19, so the pitch would generally be lower than the 17. You could look into another stage crash if you like the sound, or contrast it with a HHx stage for something darker. I think your best option would be to take your stage crash into a music shop and set it up next to each cymbal you try out to see how they work together.

I agree. To piggy-back, what kind of music do you play? Are you looking to eventually get splashes, chinese crashes, etc.? Take that into consideration when you choose your cymbal for future matching.

When I pick out cymbals, I usually take cymbals that I want them to "match up with" with me. I like a congruity of sound (they sound close in sound characteristics), but choose different sizes and thicknesses for different pitches and different sustains. I also like to pick cymbals that are harmonically pleasing with the cymbals I own. I have a "thing" against cymbals that are dissonant with each other. Also, when I try out a cymbal, I'll listen to see if the bell sound is dissonant from the bow. If it is, I won't even consider the cymbal.

17" is kind of middle-of-the-road as far as sizes go. If I were you, I'd look at getting a 19". Then, I'd consider getting a 15". AAX is a pretty bright cymbal. I would get something with a little more body, and a little darker, in a size 19...