Your favorite cymbal and why?

[DFender]

Does every drummer have a favorite cymbal?

you know, that cymbal that gets more use than all the others?

what it is and why do you think it is the best cymbal for you...

I like my 20" china the best, It just shimmers with sound. Recently I have been diggin my 18" hi-hats also. they have a swooshy sound that I just cant seem to get with any other hats. Great sounds when playin big double bass beats.

[robert-jan]

well I like my set as is now,
I dont have a huge selection of cymbals to choose from simply because of the fact that I ussually dont keep the stuff that I dont use.
I do have some different models for different styles obviously,but when my Masterwork cymbals came in I didnt keep my other cymbals I played at that time.
Simply because I like these cymbals way better and see no use for the others.

If I had to choose a favourite it would be my 22 jazzmaster.
The funny thing is that I took 4 ride cymbals with me to try out,
This on I took with me since Behnan(from Mw) insisted that I would try it.
It wouldnt be my forst choiche out of the 4 based of playing then on a stand not in a musical situation..
I ve tried the 3 that I picked first with bands and they were ok but still not well you know..so then it was this 22" s turn..
Suprise!
it blended extremly well into the music and truned out to be very very versatile..
so far I ve used only that one in every situation..and I like that.. thats "my" sound.

[Bdrummer]

I really like my Z custom Rock crashes (17" and 19") but my favotite cymbal is Zildjian a Custom China (20") but a bit too thin so I brake it too often so now I'm going for Oriental or Z customs. But in studio I'll always use my A custom China

[Kill.Joy]

I just love the sound of my 10" Zildjian K splash. Other than my hats and ride, it is probably the cymbal that takes the worst beating.

[Vaughn]

One of the coolest cymbals I ever owned was the Sabian 16" Roctagon Crash. Love that thing but didn't hit it very often. Completely trashy sound with more attack than a china and decay like a really big china.

[tcraw1010]

PAISTE . . . . I just feel that they are brighter and crisper than most Zildjans (and DEFINTELY crisper than Sabians).

I don't know enough about Saluda's to make a comparison.




TOM

[Poopypants]

I like the round one with hole that makes it convenient to put on a stand...

[Kill.Joy]

I like the round one with hole that makes it convenient to put on a stand...
Yeah, that one's nice.

[WacoKid]

I like the round one with hole that makes it convenient to put on a stand...


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:



For the record, I havent heard too many cymbals that compared to the Paiste 18in Full Crash in the Sound Formula line. The reflectors especialy. When you have non drummers telling you how nice they sound, you know you got a good one. Not that I needed anyones approval!!! :wink:

[asddrummer]

i really love my hats sabian aax studios but thena gain it could be because the rest of my cymbals are garbage and ill let you know if my fav changes in the next few days when my new cymbals arrive

[fido]

i love all paiste cymbals! they sound great,and my combonation of a zlidjan and sabian 16 hi hat sounds pretty good to.

[James_Walker]

My favorite cymbals are the first set of hi-hats I ever owned - some no-name brand. Of course, they're no longer useful as hi-hats; they're all bent to hell (which I think started accidentally, and I just went ahead and worked 'em over intentionally after the fact) - they each look like a fedora.

Individually, each cymbal bridges the gap between a china and a splash - perfect for quick accents when playing a samba. When stacked (fortunately, the warpage in the two cymbals matches up well enough), they're somewhat reminiscent of an Englehart "ribbon crasher."

My favorite "name" cymbal? My 20" Paiste Prototype ride, because it sounds fantastic, looks like sh-t, and I got it for a steal from the local Guitar Center last year.

[pls138]

Either my 18" Mist Medium Crash or 7" Voodoo EX Bell

[Osiris X]

Vintage Paiste 502 14" Hi Hats. Nice dark crisp Chick sound to it, great stick definition, and the closer you get to the bell, the brither the sound. Damn i love 502's.

[Mike]

My Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride is my favorite. So versatile, with great all around sound qualities.

Vaugh... I dont own a Roctagon, but I do love the way they sound. I put that on my X-mas list.

[minimalist]

Paiste 20" 602 Heavy Flat Ride. :wink:

[Schlage]

22" Pasite 1000 Series ride.

[thoughtwithoutreason]

12" zildjian re-mix hats. I play in a pretty heavy rock/alt/proggy'ish band and these little suckers are my main hats. THey really cut through and are so precise you can get some really cool, tight and fast stuff out of them. much more raucous than you would expect from hats so small too!

[tcraw1010]

Hehehe . . . . PAISTE'S are winning. :)




TOM

[Kanbasher]

Does every drummer have a favorite cymbal?

you know, that cymbal that gets more use than all the others?

what it is and why do you think it is the best cymbal for you...

I have 2 answers.

My favorite cymbal is an early 80's Wuhan 21" china. It is loud, trashy and quick. It was also the 1st china I got. As soon as I tried it, I had to have it. I have tried other Wuhans since but they just don't compare. I think I got real lucky!

The one that gets used the most is a Paiste 21" Sig dry heavy ride. Nice, controlled ping, killer bell, and still has that brightness that Paiste is known for while still having a bit of a warmth to it. It also doesn't wash out, which I like.

[O-Lugs]

I recently picked out some cymbals for a studio kit that I put together for a friend. I got the Avedis Zildjian & Cie. "vintage" line. I always loved Avedis Zildjians, but these particular ones are really exceptional. They are very thin, for one thing, so they are ideal for a light-touch player, such as myself. They are full of colors and harmonics that can be manipulated at will after awhile of working with them. They are also very expensive. That part is a bummer, because I would like to get a set of these babies for myself. I guess I'd better sell something first! :) Ah, well....Good times.

Anyway...THE cymbal of all of those, is the 18" crash. WOW! What a great cymbal! The ride is exceptionally nice, too...so are the 14" hi-hats. Overall...the 18" is my singular favorite....at the moment.

[DrBeat1269]

that would definatly be my 22" A zildjian Ride from the 50's or 60's.

[dbautista]

Dr. Beat,

You know what the deal is... I have one, very colorful!

[DrBeat1269]

Colorful doesn't even come close to describing this cymbal.....it Sings! I've had so many people offer to buy it from me I've lost count. If they offered me $2000 for it I wouldn't sell.

[scottclark_uk]

A Custom 18" Fast Crash!!! The Best Cymbal In The World!!!

[ramdrumr]

So far my favorite cymbals have been a 20" Zildjian Avedis Orchestral Suspended cymbal, used as a ride, because it gives a nice pingy, yet washy sound and it's lovely to crash on; and my 16" Zildjian Avedis Custom Projection Crash because it's got a nice washy crash that lasts long, yet I think this cymbal will be pushed aside when the Saluda I won in the New Year's giveaway comes in... mmm...

[drumpetbass]

Hmmm... probably my Zildjian A 8" Splash, the key... brilliant finish! Makes a HUGE difference. Also, the 17" A Custom Projection Crash is nice too. The cymbal that gets the most use are my 13" Mastersound Hi Hats.... highly recommended

[bigtone23]

My UFIP Natural 10" Splash is amazing.
Tie: my 14 16 & 18" Paiste Sig Fast Crashes

[mesazoo]

Vibra 13" paper thin. Whacked the heck out of it since 1976, it was probably 10 years old by then. Nice dark splash-crash sound. I have been putting an upsidedown 8" Zildjian on top of it lately.

[JLee]

I just recently picked up a Zildjian A 21" Custom Ping Ride with a bell that measures 8" across. It is unlathed, and has hammered star patterns throughout its surface.

The thing is just massive - it weighs about ten pounds.

Have to admit, I bought it because it seemed so . . .unique. But after having played it, I really do like it an awful lot. And it cost me $81.

[Woodrow]

Paiste Sig 18" Crash or 18" Sound Formula Crash. Both are wonderful instruments.

My Sig 21" Dry Heavy Ride

13: Rude hats...

[rdrummer322]

Riobi 10" saw blade. With all you builders out there I'm sure some of you have some old blades that sound good. At a gig everyone asks about it. I also use a 14" homemade spoxy that flat out cuts.

[Kevin_B]

Sabian 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride (AKA Phil Collins Signature Ride)

I actually don't have it myself, but it is the most beautiful ride I've heard. Plus that bell is a killer. One day she will be mine... oh yes, she will be mine.

[Victor DI]

I guess the first Zildian I ever bought; 15" Avedis Brilliant crash. Beautiful crash sound....
Now it's broken and on the wall of my drumroom.

[Victor DI]

I just recently picked up a Zildjian A 21" Custom Ping Ride with a bell that measures 8" across. It is unlathed, and has hammered star patterns throughout its surface.

The thing is just massive - it weighs about ten pounds.

Have to admit, I bought it because it seemed so . . .unique. But after having played it, I really do like it an awful lot. And it cost me $81.

That description sounds more like a Z-custom Megabell-ride. I know those used to have stars hammered into it... Or do the A-customs have them too?

[smoke_n_drums]

Sounds like an older Z Custom. They used to have different hammer marks for different models.

[Magetsu]

Hmm, my favorite cymbals is Stagg Traditional China 14" and Sabian 22" HH Medium ride.
China sounds very trashy and rubbish...Sabian suit all kinds of music styles and bellsound is clean... These cymbals are perhaps usual but i like it... :)
And hello everybody, i am new user! :)

[smoke_n_drums]

.................And hello everybody, i am new user! :)

Welcome to GN!

[oldschool6dr]

All of them!!!! honestly yeah im a sucker for a good harsh nasty china!!!ohh yeah.

[Prozakdrummer]

It has to be a toss up between my 18in china and my 18in crash ride................i think the china wins, its one of these rock chrassy chinas not a bell one and its the best!!!!
Alex

[smoke_n_drums]

Saluda 18" SSX "Dead Ride" (Prototype)/19" Mist Crash/Ride Stax:

Sounds Like?

Metallic, Dry, Quick...mid-low frequency range. Crash sorta sounds like "Kawe"

NOT China like

NOT "Terry Bozzio-white noize" either

Bell is cutting, but dry (not muted)

[Ghost]

Saluda 18" SSX "Dead Ride" (Prototype)/19" Mist Crash/Ride Stax:

Sounds Like?

Metallic, Dry, Quick...mid-low frequency range. Crash sorta sounds like "Kawe"

NOT China like

NOT "Terry Bozzio-white noize" either

Bell is cutting, but dry (not muted)

^that must be quite the sound... i might have to try stacking an SSX over my mists...

As for favorite cymbals:
Hats: Zildjian 13" New Beats
Crash: Saluda 17" Mist Full Crash or Sabian 19" AAXplosion
Splash: 10" Mist Splash although my Zildjian A 10" is a close second
China: 18" Saluda voodo (did that really need to be asked?)
Ride: Zildjain K 20" Heavy ride

[SaludaCymbals]

I have a few favorites. My prototype set of SS Xoticas are nice. Shawn Beamer's hi-hats and his 10" Voodoo EX are also some of my favorites. I am starting to dig some of the Voodoo Brilliant chinas and any of the Saluda Mist mellows. I pretty much like all cymbals. I have been a cymbal junkie since around 12 years old. I think all cymbals have a place in some type of music. Some cymbals don't sound good alone but they sound fantastic in stacks and vice versa.

Jamie

[pin_drummer]

I can do just about anything with my 18" Zildjian Z Custom and I also love my 16" Zildjian China Trash.

[smoke_n_drums]

Here's a variation that I like even better:

18" SSX Dead Ride/20" SSXD Ping Stax. The profile of the SSDX bell allows more of the 18" SSX to contact the bell of the bottom cymbal and "activating" it more than the Mist which has a larger bell with a higher profile.

**The key is the bells touch but the bows of the two cymbals do not. **

The Dead Ride retains the Dry, mid-low frequency voice with the "undertones" of the Ping adding both volume and some sustain.

Much louder and more expressive. The bell is now totally muted and I recommend mounting a bell or cup chime right over it.

A 22" bottom cymbal would have enough "sticking out" from under the top cymbal to have a playable sound "zone." The sound here is mainly the voice of the bottom SSXD Ping Ride..

Again: NOT China Like and NOT Bozzio stax white noize.

[moosryan]

i would guess probably my 20" k custom ride. haven't found another ride ever that fits me. most versatile thing ever. i also reallly like 17" paiste signature medium crash

[Crazy8s]

My faves are my 14" New Beats from late '70s. They are mellowed enough to not sound clangy, but loud enough to do hard rock and metal, but soft enough to do blues and pop, they could even squeeze out some louder jazz.

I also have an 18" Sabian AA medium-thin crash I have had forever that sounds real nice.

It is weird what happens to cymbals after you have played them for a long time. The molecules of metal seem to move around a bit and the flavor of the cymbal seems to just get better and better.

[chenslee_cheese]

I can do just about anything with my 18" Zildjian Z Custom and I also love my 16" Zildjian China Trash.


I concur. I'm on my second 18 Z custom medium crash. The old one just sounded right.

[JJAdare]

the 20" Zildjian k-custom dry light ride at my school is incredible. the favorite one I own is an old vintage 16" zildjian and cie i got a few months ago.

[Burgundy Sparkle]

I've still got one of my original Zildjians from 1969. It's a 10" thin splash, and it still sounds great. Records better than any other cymbal I've owned.

[Zombie in Sky]

man that's a hard one. either 20" sabian aax metal ride, 14" saluda mist rock hats, or 17" mist full crash. i use all quite frequently so it's really hard to decide.

[GrenadeFace Drummer]

I havent had too much with cymbals but out of the cymbals that i have i really like my zildjian Z 17" medium crash. It has a really nice crashy tone and it doesnt have a really long sustain so its perfect so right after i come off a fill and i hit it and its the perfect accent. But i also like meinl Amun series. i know they are the B8 alloy but i cant help i just like em. here is one which do you think is better small china cymbals like 6" to 12" or the bigger ones 18" to 24"

[Salt_Lick]

my fav is my 16" Sabian El Sabor.

[drummerdan]

Paiste 20" 2002 ride

[PDFrogman]

great thread I have a cople of favs that I play consistantly

rides
20" UFIP class series heavy- great all around cymbal! nice stick definition just enough wash great bell!
22" K custom dark ride fits anywhere I need it!

hats
14" UFIP class hats best hats I own chick is nice and they sing!
14" K custom dark hats
14" Sabian HHX groove hats- I really dug these hats untill my son decided they were his!

Crash
16" K custom dark
18" K custom dark
16" UFIP brilliant series

the 20" UFIP class ride was the first UFIP I owned proably will never sell either!
great cymbals!

[PDFrogman]

Colorful doesn't even come close to describing this cymbal.....it Sings! I've had so many people offer to buy it from me I've lost count. If they offered me $2000 for it I wouldn't sell.
$ 2001.99 is my final offer!!!
you pay the shipping!

[Khensu]

My Zildjian ZBT's baby....totally brutal!

as soon as I find the right base I'm lookin for, I'm turning one of the hats into an ashtray. It'll finally get some proper use!

[Big Beni]

Carl Allen HH mini bell ride by Sabian- it has a very controlled wash with a nice smoky shimmer. Great for small settings and little trio work. this is my Jazz cymbal.

[Crazy8s]

Carl Allen HH mini bell ride by Sabian- it has a very controlled wash with a nice smoky shimmer. Great for small settings and little trio work. this is my Jazz cymbal.

That ride is wonderful, Beni! I have been trying to find one for like 5 years. I don't like buying cymbals without hearing them, (although Saluda has been a good counterpoint to that...), so I haven't just bought one through the internet.

[Chris D'Sylver]

I am more than happy with all the cymbals in my main setup. All Istanbul Agop.
But two that really stand out for me are,

20" Medium Ride. (Made in 1989). A ride sound that i can put into any musical situation. It's also crashable, and has a very nice bell sound.

20" Signature Series, Extra Thin Ride, with 2. rivets. The best jazz ride cymbal ive ever owned. It has a real nice stick and brush sound, with an even low end wash to it. The cymbal also has good crash-ride qualities.

[Kanbasher]

Chris...nice to see you here!

[DrBeat1269]

I have a 22" A from the 50's that's the sweetest cymbal I've ever played. It has 2 rivets in it and it just sings. It's thick enough to be crisp and clear when I want it to be and thin enough on the edges to crash. The bell is one of the most musical I;v ever played on.

I also have a 20" K custom that's very similar, slightly higher in pitch and developes a nice gentile wash when riding...not overbearing at all though.

[nk126]

I also have a 20" K Custom that I love. I originally got it for it's bell and focused ping sound -- a kind of more musical ping than my old 20" A Ping Ride. The K had some funny overtones at first but has sort of mellowed and focused over time, and like DrBeat said, it has a nice wash without being overbearing.

I have an 8" K Splash that I love, also.

[sspercussion]

I gotta say it's my 22" Agop Pasha Ride. A close second the the remote 13" Agop Vezir hi hats I had to fight Scott for over at the Istanbul warehouse. :D

[E-Dog]

I love Instabuls especialy those raw looking ones I forget the series of those.

[sspercussion]

I love Instabuls especialy those raw looking ones I forget the series of those.

Sounds like the "TURK" series. Raw, unlathed.

[mr asaph]

18" leopard crash I used it as a crash/ride. Loud big cutting bell, earthy, clangy, plenty of crackle & roar tucked under the hood when you lay into it, I wish I could have got a 14" and !6" crash to go with it. (werent made any more even in 1988 or 89 when I got the 18")
I also very much liked the sabian sound control crashes-fast, warm sizzling whistling sounds, nice bouncy spongy feel when you struck them. I use E-kit now though-gave all my sabians to a church in Eastern Europe. :)

[Mr Kipling]

I am pleased with all the cymbals i own and play right now. I dont actually have one cymbal that gets used more, i play more rides than anything else, and i'm always changing from one to another while playing (mostly jazz). It's very hard to choose from 3. of them.They are all Istanbul Agop,
18" Signature Thin Flat Ride. Custom made for CymbalsOnly.

20" Signature Extra Thin Ride. With 2. rivets. Custom made for CymbalsOnly.
20" Medium Ride. 1980's pre-split model with the green logo.

I think the 20" Signature with rivets just gets the vote. It has a real nice dark ride sound, is very crashable, has a decent enough bell sound, responds well in different playing venues, and i can use it with anything from a duo to a big band.

[28"]

My favourite cymbal is dead, I'm afraid :( It was an 18" K custom brilliant crash/ride I found at the distributors of Zildjian's here in Norway a few years back. It had been sitting in the ware house a long while, according to one guy there.
I loved it, paid for it, took it with me, had a blast the next few years both live and in the studio, until it cracked :( THAT was a sad day... I still have it though. I can't bring myself to throw it out.

[spindrummer82]

My friends brother broke my favorite cymbal, 15" A Custom Crash. I bought it used for $70 and it was amazing. My first real cymbal. Luckily I got to use it on my bands last recording.

My second favorite is my 20" A Ping Ride. I had originally ordered a 20" A Medium Ride but the Ping Ride came instead. I was going to take it back but it turned out to be one amazing ride. The best ride I have ever played and heard (for the music I play). Great stick definition, a little bit of wash, and its huge when you crash on it.

[Customdrumowner]

I have a 15" A custom crash and a 20" A custom ping ride. My favoreite cymba though is my 13" K/Z hats that I just got from cai88. They are the best hat's i've owned so far. I think my 2nd favorite would be the 15" also.

[Mike H]

That's like asking: "which one of your children is your favorite?" !!!

Okay, no favorites, but I do have 3 that work really well together: All Zildjians, 14" A thin crash, 16" A paper-thin crash, 18" med-thin crash. I always use these. My hats and rides switch frequently. Right now I'm liking the 14" Newbeat/Dynobeat and the 20" K Custom Dry and 20" A Medium (as a crash/ride with one of those Promark sizzle chains).

[LuvLogan]

those are good but i LOVE the Vault Crash "20s - the punchy sound that comes from something so thin is awsome. I voted for them on the Drummies as my fav cymbal. Check it out - http://www.drummagazine.com/html/

[Esoteric-Drums]

My fav. cymbal would have to be the Zildjian 18" Remix Breakbeat Ride. I picked it up for $90.00 and it's an awesome cymbal. Its dark with some wash, and crashable. Its my alltime cymbal.

E-D