Your favorite cymbals and why

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Sunday Feb 29, 2004

In all the years I've been playing in clubs I have only come across a few drummers who use PAISTE cymbals. I was wondering how many Paiste users we have in here. I'm hoping to turn some of you on to them. I have been using them for years. I think they have so much more sparkle to them than Zildjian or Sabian cymbals. They are a little more expensive but I think they are way worth it. Paiste has the same gaurantee as the other 2 companies (1 year). What is your favorite brand of cymbals and why do you use them?

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Sunday Feb 29, 2004

Hey Red, great question. Personally for me, I tried to be loyal in my early years to Zildjian, as all my drumming heroes played them. However, I have played and owned several Sabian (mainly AA and AAX) crashes over the years and been quite pleased with them.

I don't really believe in brand loyalty anymore, I think that it's what sounds pleasing to your ear and with your kit that is important. Right now, I am playing a majority of Zildjian "A" cymbals, but I also have my favorite effects cymbal in my setup, a 10" Sabian AA China Splash. It's a great little cymbal that I love. I really haven't found any Paiste cymbals that I like at all. I've heard some great ones on records (McBrain from Maiden and Benante from Anthrax spring to mind), but with what I'm looking for, Paistes just don't fill the bill. Not to say that they don't have an outstanding product, mind you, just not for my ear.

Kevin

Marsman365 · Post by **Marsman365** » Sunday Feb 29, 2004

Until I get an endorsement deal, I'll be loyal to the sound not the manufacturer.

I've had most of the major brands in my setup over the years. I was pretty faithful to Zildjian until recently. I needed some new crashes, and tried and listened to a number of manufacturers and lines. I ended up picking up a couple of Sabian AAXplosion crashes. To my ear they have a nice tone, and can cut through the mix. I also have an AAX splash and thin crash. I use an Zildjian Platinum China Boy High. (This thing could bust an eardrum!)

Although my favorite cymbal is my tried and true ride. The funny thing is, it's a Paiste! A 20" Paiste 2000 ColorSound (Black) Power Ride. Old, the black is wore off in spots, but this thing sings. I wouldn't trade it for the world. (And I've had guys tell me they would but me a new ride for it.)

One of the reasons I think you don't see a lot of Paiste in the area, is most of the local dealers carry Zildjian or Sabian. I think it's just a matter of supply and demand for the area.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Sunday Feb 29, 2004

All cymbals have their cheap, midrange, and high end cymbals. Personally, I have a variety of a bunch of cymbals. I have a paiste cymbal disc, sabian crashes and chinas, zildjian ride, zil-bell, and hats. I even have a cheap, world percussion china that sounds great. So, my opinion is if it sounds good, I'm buying it(unless endorsed as mentioned

). The last post was also right about the supply around here, not too many paiste cymbals. Lots of zildjian and sabian.

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

Yeah, that's true. I've not seen any Paiste cymbals in any of the music stores. Closest place I've seen them is in Pittsburgh. No matter what brand you use, e-bay is a gold mine for cymbals. I got 2 colorsound 2000 blue power crashes for 140 dollars off e-bay and the guy even gave me a free 15 inch blue 2000 hi hat bottom. I got my 18 inch rude china off ebay for 75 dollars. I was really lucky to find 2 red colorsound 2000 crashes from this guy in Carrolltown. I have a set of red colorsound 5 hi hats and a 20 inch red colorsound 5 power ride. I haven't been able to find out what the difference between 2000's and colorsound 5's. If any of you know, please fill me in.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

You are absolutley right man, e-bay rocks for cymbals and drum gear altogether. I got a brand new sabian virgil donati 19" crash for $99.00. I got a 22 inch china sabian aa for $73.00. I got a 17"aaxtreme china for $80.00. Great prices and variety, everyone should check it out.

J Michaels · Post by **J Michaels** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

While I'm singing these days, I've actually been a drummer for almost 20 years, and I am a DEVOTED Paiste man. I like to rip on Zildjians, calling them trash cna lids and what-not, but that's really all in jest. I agree more these days than I used to that sound really is the most important thing, and it's just that I like the sound of Paistes the most - maybe my taste is already biased because of my earlier years using them, and by the fact that almost all of my favorite drummers used them - Nicko McBrain (Maiden), Tommy Lee (Crue), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Alex Van Halen, Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche), etc.

I like to say that, for me, Paistes "sing" better than any other cymbals, though I have heard some Zildjians or Sabians that are great - Wuhan makes a fantastic China cymbal.

The biggest problem in lack of use does seem to be lack of availability. SOOOO few stores carry them, just like my drums - Ludwig. Everywhere I go it seems Zildjian and Pearl are the only / main things in the stores. Price is probably an issue with that, as stores will carry what they can move the most of.

Cool topic!

J Michaels · Post by **J Michaels** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

And I, too, love my black 20" Colorsound Power Ride! Yeah baby! And my 16" red Colorsound Power Crash, and the 18" black Colorsound China! They're all well over 10 years old and they still sound great, no cracks, and look cool (though the color is fading and worn in some places).

eBay ALWAYS has some great deals - I would have snagged more than a few things if I was still actively playing......

And I don't care what anyone says - you can't beat the sound of a Paiste 2002 High Hat...............................

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

As a relative non-drummer, and a singer who's had to stand directly in front of cymbals for years, I've gotten to "know" quite a few over the years... the only time we non-drummers notice them is when they're not so good-sounding, especially the ride. Mark Morningstar used to use an old marching cymbal from the 60's or 70's that the high-school had discarded... maybe it's because he used it so long, but I always liked that one, maybe a little dark, but we tuned down a half-step, so it fit. Terry Wilt used a high-priced Sabian (I think) that I always thought sounded horrible, all nasty, brassy overtones, but we determined it wasn't the cymbal, but his technique (it sounded great if you hit it with the stick tip, terrible with the butt-end). Don't get me wrong though, Terry's a good drummer, a great guy, and who gives a poop what the singer thinks, right?

BTW, has anybody played the plastic cymbals on those electronic kits? I never did, and I wonder if they'd be too weird-feeling.---->JMS

witchhunt · Post by **witchhunt** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

Aha! I was in for a peek, and like The Shadow, was gone again.

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

Wow! This is like my second topic post ever and people responded. LOL Hey J, PLEASE let me know if you ever want to sell the crashes or the china. What a nice surprise

to not only find some Paiste users but to find devoted colorsound users. I'm still wondering, what is the difference between colorsound 5's and colorsound 2000's? They sound similar. Thanks guys for replying to my thread

RonS · Post by **RonS** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

I'm a devoted SABIAN B8 Pro user. I can't afford anything else!!!

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

Ron, go to e-bay my friend. You will find cheaper high end stuff, you just gotta look hard!

J Michaels · Post by **J Michaels** » Monday Mar 01, 2004

redawg wrote:Hey J, PLEASE let me know if you ever want to sell the crashes or the china.

well, ok, but don't hold your breath!

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Tuesday Mar 02, 2004

Damn, after 20 yrs of drumming i wish i had all the cymbals that i bought but just like a good mind they crack! Right now my fav is my 18" K dark crash that i love. One fav from yrs ago that i found at Russel music was a dust covered 13" Paiste 602 splash that just had its own sound. I also used the 2002 line but went threw them like paper, i liked them but felt they were too thin for heavy playing. When Zil came out with the Impulse line (early Z series) i tried them and loved an 18 china low that had a gong trash sound that really cut. I think these were the first cymbals made without tonal grooves but i could be wrong, maybe Rude's were. I have a 22" Z power ride i been using for 10 yrs, i think it weighs 30 freakin pounds! Hell gimme an old 60's A crash and ill be happy till the day i die.

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Tuesday Mar 02, 2004

I don't hate the sound of zils or sabians. Loved the first Z's. I had power crashes (16 and 18), 13 and 14 inch dyno beats (damn those 13's cut hard), never had the pleasure of owning a Z power ride. I LOVE the sound of the Z power ride. Have you seen what 602's are going for on e-bay? The reserve prices are through the roof. The average price of 602 crashes in newer shape is 250 to 300 dollars. I definately love the sound of Zildjian K's. Don't hear a whole lot of dark Paiste's. They just released some dark cymbals in the signature line. Can't wait to hear them. I hope I don't sound contradicting. Paiste is just my ultimate favorite. I remember what first caught my eye about Paiste was their looks. Those awsome hammer patterns! I think it was in a Ratt video or a Motley Crue Video. Then Kiss got Eric Carr. Man, he was my freakin' hero forever and he used Paiste. That's prolly the first reason I switched. I then learned that Paiste's are real easy to clean and keep looking like new. I spray my cymbals with old english furniture polish and simply wipe them off. Even my colorsound crashes still look awsome. I've done this with every Paiste I've ever owned. You won't believe how good that works. You can do it to other brands after you put on all the cymbal cleaner goop, let it dry and buff to exhaustion. It helps protect the cymbals nicely. Paiste recommended that to me. I hear you on the durability issue too, although I've cracked them all. It's a close call for me. I just cracked one of my 2000 blue power crashes last week

My new hero Danny Carey uses Paiste. I think that's the main thing that keeps me devoted now. To me, Paiste's just have so much more high end and sparkle. I'm sorry if this is too long guys. I won't make a habit of it. I just get excited about this subject

I really hope to get to know all of you drummers. Hey J, I won't hold my breath. I had to ask though.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Tuesday Mar 02, 2004

Redawg, you should come to the next drummer get together on march 10th. Rob will be posting about it soon. its hellafun man! Hope to see you there!

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday Mar 02, 2004

Yo Bobby, Randy will be posting about it real soon!

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

SCORE!

Just scored a 16 inch Dimensions Power crash for $122.00 total. I only saved 40 dollars off new price. That 40 dollars bought me a boom arm for my drum rack though. Hey J, there are 2 red colorsound 5 crashes and a red colorsound 5 ride going off in about 6 hours. The music store listing them is in Pittsburgh. The 18 inch crash and the 20 inch power ride are in EXCELLENT shape. I'll prolly have to miss out on them because I got the Dimensions crash this morning. E-bay ROCKS! I'd love to come to one of your drummer get togethers. March 10 is perfect. Thank you for the invite.

Skate Toad · Post by **Skate Toad** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

I am a die hard Zildjian fan. I love the sound and in the 20 + years of playing i have only ever broken 2 of them. One being a paper thin crash and one a k crash. Not bad for 20 years and many many many types of bands anywhere from swing/blues to punk (which you know can be rough on equipment) and all stops in between. Tho i think i might stray a bit and get a wuhan china. Any input on wuhans??? So just wanted to add my vote and 2 cents to this.
Todd

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

Hey every drummer is invited reguardless of skill, style, and ability. It's all about having fun and meeting new people. Next wednesday (the 10th) from 6-9 at Tyrone Area High School. Check out Randy's post when he gets around to it. He will have the details.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

I like the cymbals on drum kit preset #9 on my Yamaha MU100.

They are crystal clear, shimmering, and have just the right decay.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

And it wont get drunk and sleep with your gurlfriend!

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

Wuhan chinas RULE! My favorite was the 12 incher I had years ago. That cymbal refused to break. You won't believe the sound and durability for the money. I'm almost positive that Neil Peart used and still uses them. You can get them in sizes up to 27 inches. Just to give you a quick idea of how cheap they are lemme grab my latest Interstate Music catalog. The 16 inch is 50 dollars, the 18 inch is 60 dollars, the 22 inch is 90 dollars and the 27 inch monster china is 150 dollars. E-bay sometimes has them cheaper. Hope you like them as much as I do.

str8h8 · Post by **str8h8** » Wednesday Mar 03, 2004

I also have an 18" Wuhan china I got from Ebay a couple of years back and that thing is probably my favorite cymbal on my whole kit!

ROCKPAGE

Your favorite cymbals and why

Your favorite cymbals and why

my 2 cents