I know a lot of people give really vague guidelines when they ask about cymbal choices, I won't be another one of those people. Brand names don't matter, just the sound I want within my budget is what I want.


Hi-Hat - Budget: $200-300
I want a Hat without the metallic, tinny, crappy sound of low end cymbals, like ZBTs, B8s, etc. I want the closed sound to be bright enough to cut, but the open sound shouldn't be harsh or biting to the ear, but I want it to still cut through the sound well enough. So, a darker open sound, and a closed sound a tad on the bright side, if that's possible.

Crash 1 - Budget: $150-200
This one will be my "Chorus Crash", per se. I want a darker sound for this crash, so it doesn't become taxing for the listener, but at the same time, not gong-like. I want instant response, without the super bright sound that often comes with instant response. I also want the decay to be a bit on the long side, since I will be doing extended patterns with it. However, I don't want that long decay to make it so the cymbal constantly swells to the point of being way too loud. Is that too much to ask?

Crash 2 - Budget: $150-200
This is the "Accent Crash". Again, I want instantaneous response, and a brighter sound than the other crash. I want this cymbal to cut really well, and to have a short decay, without being overly metallic or tinny. Should be easy enough

I already have a ride, an old Engraved Zildjian I got for free. Of course, the time will come when I need a new ride, and you can be sure there will be another thread much like this when that day comes

If my music playing choice comes into play, then I apologize in advance. I'm not currently in a band, as I just got my first set very recently. However, I imagine it will be some for of Rock, though I'm not certain on the exact genre we'll be playing.

Thanks for any and all Help,
pow3rtr1p

Hi-hat: You have conflicting wants. A cymbal that cuts will always sound harsh without the music around it. Maybe check out a set of AAX Fast Hat or a set of HHX Groove Hats.

Crash: AAX Dark Crash or HHX-Plosion.

Crash: AAX-Plosion

In all honesty, your best bet if you intend on keeping that ride is to take it with you to a drum shop and hit some cymbals for yourself. Your ears will be a far better judge to what want that ours will. Short of that, check out Sabian.com for approximate sound clips. Remember, slightly harsh to your ears will cut when the music's going and pretty, shimmering or smokey over-tones will get completely lost in loud environments.








_________________

Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

Now, I'm starting to seriously consider Saluda. However, I'm not sure what their terms "Full, Rock, Medium, Heavy/Power, etc" affects the sounds of the cymbals.

Here is what I was thinking:

14" Mist-X Rock Hi Hats
16" Mist-X Medium-Thin Crash
18" Mist-X Heavy/Power Crash

Do you think that would achieve the goals I am looking for?

pow3rtr1p wrote:

I know a lot of people give really vague guidelines when they ask about cymbal choices, I won't be another one of those people. Brand names don't matter, just the sound I want within my budget is what I want.


Hi-Hat - Budget: $200-300
I want a Hat without the metallic, tinny, crappy sound of low end cymbals, like ZBTs, B8s, etc. I want the closed sound to be bright enough to cut, but the open sound shouldn't be harsh or biting to the ear, but I want it to still cut through the sound well enough. So, a darker open sound, and a closed sound a tad on the bright side, if that's possible.

Paiste Signature Dark Crisp hats should give you exactly that, though they may be a little bit above your budget. They sound darker and crisper when open, but still cut through when closed. Very very pleasing to the ear. Try both 13" and 14".

I agree with taking the ride cymbal to the shop and trying a bunch of stuff to see what compliments it, but even then keep in mind that they can end up sounding different when you get them home, and in any other environment.








_________________
Tama Rockstar Custom 10-Pc
Paiste and Sabian cymbals
Tama "RoadPro" Hardware
Axis "X" Longboard Pedals
Regal Tip "Jazz E" and Promark "Elvin Jones" and "747" Drumsticks
Regal Tip "Ed Thigpen" Brushes
Remo and Evans Drumheads

Johnny Cat wrote:

pow3rtr1p wrote:

I know a lot of people give really vague guidelines when they ask about cymbal choices, I won't be another one of those people. Brand names don't matter, just the sound I want within my budget is what I want.


Hi-Hat - Budget: $200-300
I want a Hat without the metallic, tinny, crappy sound of low end cymbals, like ZBTs, B8s, etc. I want the closed sound to be bright enough to cut, but the open sound shouldn't be harsh or biting to the ear, but I want it to still cut through the sound well enough. So, a darker open sound, and a closed sound a tad on the bright side, if that's possible.

Paiste Signature Dark Crisp hats should give you exactly that, though they may be a little bit above your budget. They sound darker and crisper when open, but still cut through when closed. Very very pleasing to the ear. Try both 13" and 14".

I agree with taking the ride cymbal to the shop and trying a bunch of stuff to see what compliments it, but even then keep in mind that they can end up sounding different when you get them home, and in any other environment.

Good point. Which is why you should only buy from place that has a good exchange policy.


As far as the Saluda's go, I couldn't tell you. I've never played any of them but the guys who use them seem to be extremely happy with them.








_________________

Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

pow3rtr1p wrote:

Now, I'm starting to seriously consider Saluda. However, I'm not sure what their terms "Full, Rock, Medium, Heavy/Power, etc" affects the sounds of the cymbals.

Here is what I was thinking:

14" Mist-X Rock Hi Hats
16" Mist-X Medium-Thin Crash
18" Mist-X Heavy/Power Crash

Do you think that would achieve the goals I am looking for?

pow3rtr1p,

I can give you a quick Saluda primer if you want. A "Full" or "Rock" weight cymbal is one that is heavy, and has long overtones and long decay. "Medium" Saludas are a mid-weight cymbal with a somewhat shorter decay than Rock, but still very present in your playing. The "Heavy/Power" weights are the big boys, with sustain that goes for decades, and a really, REALLY big sound.

Based on the criteria that you've offered in your original post, I'd slightly modify the choices you've made to the following:

14" Mist-X Rock Hi Hats
16" Diamond Medium Crash
18" Mist-X Medium-Thin Crash

Remember, Power or Heavy cymbals equal a longer decay time, whereas thinner cymbals have a shorter decay time and a more explosive sound. I changed the line on your 16" crash, as the Diamond line is a darker cymbal than the Mist-X.

Remember, when you order your cymbals from Saluda, you can talk directly to Jamie and tell him exactly what you are looking for, and he will hand-select or make the cymbals how you want them. The more information you give him, the more he'll be in touch with what you are going for. It took him 5 tries to get my ride the way I wanted it, but he got it in spades!

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask any of the Saluda endorsers here, that's what we're here for!








_________________
Me, My Story, and Pics Of My Drums:
http://www.saludacymbals.com/c/ksiegel.html
Proud to endorse Saluda Cymbals since 2006.
Howie is my homie. Word.

Kevin,

Wouldn't the larger cymbal be more at home being heavier? I was planning on the larger cymbal being my chorus cymbal. Any reason you made the 16 heavier?

And also, are Mist X cymbals pretty much the only ones worth getting for live music?

pow3rtr1p wrote:

Kevin,

Wouldn't the larger cymbal be more at home being heavier? I was planning on the larger cymbal being my chorus cymbal. Any reason you made the 16 heavier?

And also, are Mist X cymbals pretty much the only ones worth getting for live music?

pow3rtr1p,

I went off the first post that you made. I'll explain my changes. The hats I left the same, you can't go wrong with those!

I may have switched the order in my head, as I was sitting at my "mental" drumset to envision the setup at the time. I thought that you were intending on using the 16" as the "chorus" crash and the 18" as the accent. Oops.

Anyway, the 18" I set as a Med-Thin, because the decay will be shorter and more effective for choruses. The power-type crash is good for a...powerful crash, but to ride on in a chorus, you'll just get a roar instead of hearing each crash. If that's what you want, then by all means, go for it! Nothing wrong with that at all.

Quote:

Wouldn't the larger cymbal be more at home being heavier?

There are no "rules" on size vs. weight. Some of the best 18" crashes I've heard are thin or medium-thin crashes.

As for the 16" Diamond Medium that I suggested, my experience with the Diamond series (I have 3) are that the heavier weights speak well for the music that I'm playing, but the medium is a better all-around weight. Also, as I mentioned, the Diamond series is a darker, more complex sound, which is what you were driving at in your original post.

Quote:

And also, are Mist X cymbals pretty much the only ones worth getting for live music?

HELL NO!!! Any Saluda is worth it's weight in gold live. I use a 20" Mist-X Ride and a 17" Mist-X crash, 3 "18" Diamond Crashes, 14" Diamond Heavy Hats, a 16" Voodoo Brilliant Chinese and a 17" Expressions Chinese live. I know that PJ Clevenger (timekeep69) has a wide range of Saludas that he uses live, from different lines.

Here's a video for ya, my band playing back in Feb. The Saludas that I just ran down is what you'll hear. Keep in mind that this was recorded by a hand-held digital cam, so there's no professional board mix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCESW0SRNF4








_________________
Me, My Story, and Pics Of My Drums:
http://www.saludacymbals.com/c/ksiegel.html
Proud to endorse Saluda Cymbals since 2006.
Howie is my homie. Word.

I would say give the Zildjian Quick Beat hats a go. Depending on your stick preference, I have heard the sounds you've described from these cymbals.

For the crashes, check out Zildjian A customs. I prefer the 17" model, but on MF you can get a 16 and 18 together for like $350, which is right in your budget for the 2. Good luck.








_________________
www.myspace.com/steppinrazorreggaeband

I proudly endorse Medicine Man Drums, AZ

Thanks for all of the help guys!

So, the Diamond series is a more musical, complex sound? I would like a complex sound, but it seems that to play effectively live, I have to get my cymbals to be more straight forward. So, if I were to want my chorus crash (the larger of the 2) to be more of the "roar" you described, but still have some definition to it, then how would this set up work?

14" Mist X Rock Hi Hats
16" Mist X Medium Crash
18" Diamond Medium Thin Crash

lso, I knw it shouldn't really matter, but are the visuals between the lines strikingly different? I would rather have my cymbals match, but it isn't a necessity.

pow3rtr1p wrote:

Thanks for all of the help guys!

So, the Diamond series is a more musical, complex sound? I would like a complex sound, but it seems that to play effectively live, I have to get my cymbals to be more straight forward. So, if I were to want my chorus crash (the larger of the 2) to be more of the "roar" you described, but still have some definition to it, then how would this set up work?

14" Mist X Rock Hi Hats
16" Mist X Medium Crash
18" Diamond Medium Thin Crash

lso, I knw it shouldn't really matter, but are the visuals between the lines strikingly different? I would rather have my cymbals match, but it isn't a necessity.

Yeah, the Diamond series tends to be a bit darker and more complex. They sound awesome. The visuals aren't that different, but that really doesn't matter.

Here's some shots:

MIST-X





DIAMOND





Visit www.saludacymbals.com/c for more information, pics, and sound samples. Tell Jamie that Kevin sent you.








_________________
Me, My Story, and Pics Of My Drums:
http://www.saludacymbals.com/c/ksiegel.html
Proud to endorse Saluda Cymbals since 2006.
Howie is my homie. Word.

Well, ordered last night. Jamie was very helpful, and knew exactly what he though would best fit my needs, and even responded to an e-mail on a Sunday. Unreal!

Anyway, I ordered all Diamonds, and here's my set up.

14" Diamond Rock Hi Hats. Softened to help reduce the harshness of the sound. ~$150
16" Diamond Rock Crash. He said it would be explosive with a quick decay, and that's what I was looking for. ~$110
19" Diamond Power/Heavy. Will act as either a combination chorus crash / ride, or as only a chorus crash in conjunction with my Engraved Zildjian Ride, depending on how it sounds. ~$135

So for right in the ballpark of $400, I got a full set of sweet cymbals. I can't wait for these things to show up. I am gonna go NUTS!!!

Thanks for all of the help in choosing everyone, and a special thanks to Kevin and the whole Saluda company. They were all easy to work with, and if their product is as good as I've heard, I may have to look into becoming an endorser

pow3rtr1p wrote:

Well, ordered last night. Jamie was very helpful, and knew exactly what he though would best fit my needs, and even responded to an e-mail on a Sunday. Unreal!

Anyway, I ordered all Diamonds, and here's my set up.

14" Diamond Rock Hi Hats. Softened to help reduce the harshness of the sound. ~$150
16" Diamond Rock Crash. He said it would be explosive with a quick decay, and that's what I was looking for. ~$110
19" Diamond Power/Heavy. Will act as either a combination chorus crash / ride, or as only a chorus crash in conjunction with my Engraved Zildjian Ride, depending on how it sounds. ~$135

So for right in the ballpark of $400, I got a full set of sweet cymbals. I can't wait for these things to show up. I am gonna go NUTS!!!

Thanks for all of the help in choosing everyone, and a special thanks to Kevin and the whole Saluda company. They were all easy to work with, and if their product is as good as I've heard, I may have to look into becoming an endorser

Hey, congrats on your purchase! Now remember, you have to give them about 6 months of playing before you'll get the "real" sound. New cymbals are always very bright and need time to kind of settle in to their intended voices. But you won't be dissapointed at all! Welcome to the Saluda family! If you have any questions, just let me know!








_________________
Me, My Story, and Pics Of My Drums:
http://www.saludacymbals.com/c/ksiegel.html
Proud to endorse Saluda Cymbals since 2006.
Howie is my homie. Word.