To clean or not to clean, that is the question!

[Woody]

So how many of you clean your cymbals?

How often?

Is it a sound issue or just for appearance?

What cleaners and techniques do you use?

Anyone prefer the sound of uncleaned cymbals?

I personally like the sound of some "phunk" on many cymbals, but tend to shine them up about every 3 months using Flitz only to look cool. The lone exception is my 10-year-old B8Pro ride. I think it just sounds better dirty.

Woody

[Kanbasher]

I like clean, shiny cymbals. Always have. I would say I do it more for appearance as I don't let them get grungy enough to notice a sound change. I clean them when nessesary. I play predominantly Paiste's so I use their polish/cleaner.

[fido]

i like shiny to makes it look better.does it realy matter what kibnd of cleaner you use? like useing piastes cleaner on a sabian?

[Dave The Drummer]

I've cleaned my cymbals about three times in the last 10 years.
They need cleaning about as much as a car does.

[DFender]

I like to have clean and shiny cymbals!

Old Jazz cymbals should never be cleaned... They just get better with age.

The new brilliant cymbals are already buffed out, why not keep them that way?

[bilkay]

I think the lacquered cymbals (like Paiste Signatures) should definitely be cleaned (though I haven't cleaned mine in over a year.

I have some 1970s vintage Zildjian A's that I have cleaned (last time was 5 or 6 years ago) and a couple of K Custom Dark rides I'll probably never clean.

I also have some Paiste Traditionals and Sound Formulas that I'm planning to clean this week when I clean the Signatures (just bought the Paiste cleaner).

Don't know how I'll feel when I get my hands on some Istanbuls and Bosphorus cymbals.

Can ya tell I didn't vote in the poll?

[russelldl]

I never clean them. I think they sound much better dirty but then I prefer darker, lower tones and not bright cutting overtones. And I buy mostly old used cymbals anyway, that way I dont have to buy a new cymbal and go out and bury it in the yard.

[O-Lugs]

I clean my vintage cymbals and then I never touch them with my fingers after that. For gigging, I am not particular about any of that. My ride cymbal for gigs happens to be a "Brilliant" finish A. Zildjian Flat Top ride...yes, it's the deadest cymbal in the world...but I think the brilliant finish helps to prevent buildup of "junk" from oxidation, so it never looks that dirty.

I think cymbals sound brighter (more highs) when they are clean...and that can enhance some cymbals, but there are other cymbals that probably sound better when they are oxidized.

How about a third catyegory for clean cymbals that are ripe with patina but NOT "dirty"?

[Crazy8s]

Cymbals that are dirty are drier and darker. The brilliant coating they put on cymbals makes them drier also. Anything that gets put onto a cymbal will make it ring less, and therefore be "drier" sounding. Blood, sweat and muddafuggin beer really makes them drier.

I would trade most of the sound quality on good looks if I were playing live. Nothing looks cooler than cymbals rocking back and forth under red, green, and blue par can light!

[rhjanes]

polished up with glitter on them!!! and a disco ball and......