I see so many younger players with the lower-line offerings from (insert big company name here) because they are "brand new" and shiny.

If you want to build up your collection of brass and I mean decent-sounding stuff, then look on the used rack at the local music store.

If you consider this tact,then I would suggest inspecting the edges and looking for any small fractures. Then, give it test and listen for any rattles that would indicate a crack. Cracks are OK, as long as they are not huge. A small crack in the cymbal can mean a big savings for you!! Just cut the crack out after you decide to buy it. Matter of fact, my favorite recording crash is a 16" Meinl Byzance that has like 1/3 of the top of it cut away due to a crack. It's so dry and trashy sounding!!

If shiny is what you're after, the B20 alloy cymbals will clean right up. I'd rather my stuff sound great than look great, but that's just me.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun with it.








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13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

Great post!








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www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

Word.
I always hate buying new cymbals cause they sound like crap.

But after i break them in, they sound bomb

I've been playing drums for 26 years and I like lower line cymbals. They sound a hell of alot better than the cymbals I used when I was growing up. I was just at the Guitar Center the other week going through cymbals with the salesman hitting low line brand compared to a highend brand and making my point that the price difference and tones arn't much different. And the lower line had a better sustain and shimmer compared to the same type of cymbal in the highend line. I'm just one to disagree that highend cymbals are the way to go anymore.








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Dream Big, Live the Life

Kyle

You know, I'm all about "whatever sounds good". If a small company makes a great sounding cymbal and it's only $50, I'll buy three; one of the majors will come out with their version of the same thing and charge three times the price for it at some point. Unless I've got a deal with that company and have an allegiance to their product for professional reasons, I like to use what sounds good.

The other day I was at Sam Ash in Orange County, Ca. and they had some little trashy sounding "beginner" cymbal. I didn't get it but I am thinking about it pretty heavily.....I have to go to LA in a bit so maybe I'll stop in and pick it up.








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13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

Great post..I totally agree.My cymbals didnt cost alot,but I love the way they sound and they have stood the test of time.Exspensive does not always mean better.....Oh by the way Billy,congrats on the Grammy win.

Pawn shops are also good for cymbals
Most guys have a blue book to overprice guitars mut hardly ever know about drums
In fact, a lot of pawn shops won't stock drums becayse they take up too much space
Ride cymbals are always a great find because they hardly get crashed
Luckily, I use rides as crashes








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You say irritant, I say catalyst

I am glad to tell you that every cymbal I have ever bought is not only top quality but from the used rack as well.

Finding good cymbals is not about how it looks or how much it costs, but how much patience you have.

Finding the cymbal that you like and for the price you can afford is a serious test in patience. I am a self professed used rack master. I regularly go around to the music stores here in Phoenix and check out what they have. I have gotten all but three of my cymbals this way.

Even though I go months without seeing anything I want, it is that one time I walk in and they have EXACTLY what I have been looking for that makes it all worth it.

The others I have bought off of E-Bay, which by the way is also another good place to lurk around in for cymbals.








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The only difference between Genius and Stupidity is, that Genius has its limits.

sharkscott wrote:

I am glad to tell you that every cymbal I have ever bought is not only top quality but from the used rack as well.

Finding good cymbals is not about how it looks or how much it costs, but how much patience you have.

Finding the cymbal that you like and for the price you can afford is a serious test in patience. I am a self professed used rack master. I regularly go around to the music stores here in Phoenix and check out what they have. I have gotten all but three of my cymbals this way.

Even though I go months without seeing anything I want, it is that one time I walk in and they have EXACTLY what I have been looking for that makes it all worth it.

The others I have bought off of E-Bay, which by the way is also another good place to lurk around in for cymbals.

Hey! another Phoenician!








_________________
www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

And I thought I was the only Drummer from PHX here. How goes it? I am in SD for the weekend soaking up some fantastic weather before getting back to the grind on Monday.








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The only difference between Genius and Stupidity is, that Genius has its limits.

Rockula! wrote:

Pawn shops are also good for cymbals
Most guys have a blue book to overprice guitars mut hardly ever know about drums
In fact, a lot of pawn shops won't stock drums becayse they take up too much space
Ride cymbals are always a great find because they hardly get crashed
Luckily, I use rides as crashes

i had a 24 inch ride cymbal that i bought used and beaten for next to nothing and ended up not using it because it was way too huge, so i took it to the local pawn shop here in my town and the guy offered me 5 bucks for it because he thought it was something you planted flowers in. true story. i obviously ended up not selling it for 5 bucks to the pawn shop.

sharkscott wrote:

And I thought I was the only Drummer from PHX here. How goes it? I am in SD for the weekend soaking up some fantastic weather before getting back to the grind on Monday.

Ironically, that's where I moved from when I moved to Phoenix.








_________________
www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

I use Sabian AAX and AAXplosion cymbals because I like the sound, but I have to agree with some of the other posts because I like them better after they get some build up on them from use.








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Tama Drums and Hardware, Sabian AAX Cymbals, Remo Heads, & Pro-Mark Sticks

I've recently switched brands. From Paiste to Ufip. I heard the entry level cymbals of Ufip are awesome. You can also get their Tiger line up for cheap. They are roto cast cymbals and hand hammered. You can get one on ebay, a brand new set for $340, thats hats, ride and a crash.

wanna build up your cymbals quicker and cheaper one word:

EBAY!