What kind of crash cymbal should i get

There are 5 specific shape metrics you can adjust…in order to predictably influence the sound:. So by mixing and matching each of these dimensions in various combinations, you can create virtually any cymbal , and any sound imaginable.

The rough cymbal shape is then re-heated and re-shaped using a combination of rolling and hammering , either by hand or by machine. Hand-hammered cymbals are usually the most expensive, as they are done individually by a master craftsman. This typically results in a richer, more complex sound, that can vary considerably from one cymbal to another. With machine-hammered cymbals, you typically get a brighter tone, with more uniformity between each cymbal. Once the hammering is complete, a process known as lathing may be done…if desired.

Lathing is performed using rotating machine to cut a uniform spiral pattern across all or part of the cymbal to create a brilliant, shiny outer surface.

After lathing is complete, the cymbal is finished with a layer of clear lacquer or high-speed buffing to protect it from oxidation. The downside of finishing is that it can dull the sound of the cymbal somewhat , although the compromise is often worthwhile for the added beauty and durability.

Because the sharp edges created by the lathing process, and the oxidation on the unprotected surface can often add complexity and richness to the sound. Which is why many high-end cymbals are un-lathed and un-finished over all or part of the outer surface. Now that you know quite a bit about the cymbal making process…. The next thing to do is to eliminate all but the top name brands.

Take particular note of the cymbals used by drummers YOU idolize, since the tone will likely align with the style of music you usually play. Jazz drummers prefer drier, darker, washier cymbal sounds, while rock drummers prefer brighter, louder cymbal sounds with a stronger attack. Smaller hi hats are generally brighter, and more responsive to faster, trickier rhythms…especially those that require fancy footwork.

In terms of thickness, the same general rules apply as what we covered earlier in this post…with one added detail worth mentioning:. So ultimately, it all comes down to a compromise.

The harder you hit cracked cymbals, the quicker the crack will spread, although using proper technique will help. Always check used cymbals for cracks before you buy them.

Smaller cracks can be harder to spot, so take a minute or two to look for them before you buy used cymbals. Your nail will feel any tiny cracks. Cracks around the edge of a cymbal will mean that the cymbal is worth less, but not worthless. The crack will slowly grow, until the cymbal becomes unusable. Cracks in the bow are caused by hard hitting in that area.

Cracks where the bell meets the bow are usually caused by cymbals being mounted too tight. Do a quick visual inspection of used cymbals to check there are no cracks here. Cracks where the bow meets the bell are more problematic, and are more likely to spread even with lighter use.

You could tolerate these problems if you just need a cheap practice set, but expect to replace those used cymbals eventually. See below for tips on how to do this. If the hole is no longer round, the cymbal has probably had long-term metal-on-metal contact.

If you notice this, double-check for cracks. Keyholing is when the center hole of a cymbal grows bigger, usually due to a lot of use without cymbal sleeves. The metal-on-metal contact slowly wears down the area around the hole. Always use cymbal sleeves and cymbal felts when mounting your cymbals to avoid keyholing. Used cymbals with keyholing will be worth less than cymbals with no keyholing.

However, at the end of the day, the cymbal will still function and sound the same. Asymmetrical keyholes can sometimes grow faster, because the cymbal always leans to one side. To be clear, though, you should avoid put tape on your cymbals… It looks ugly, leaves residue that is really hard to remove, and there are much better options out there.

If there is a lot of tape across the cymbals, they might sound different even after the tape is removed. How do you remove tape residue from cymbals? Any of those sizes would be ideal depending on the situation. Most drummers need all kinds of sounds, leading them to have two or more crash cymbals in their setup. However, we encourage you to use more than one. Cymbals have many different qualities, bright and dark being some of them.

A bright cymbal is usually quite heavy and high-pitched. It has a sound that is loud and will cut through a mix of instruments. Bright cymbals are used in rock, pop, and metal.

Dark cymbals have a smooth tone that is low-pitched. They have a musical sound that blends within a mix instead of cutting through it. They are used in jazz a lot. They do crossover with each other often. There are 3 main players in the cymbal world. They are Meinl , Zildjian , and Sabian. None of them are better than the other, but these are the companies that constantly deliver high-quality products. Cymbals from these brands tend to be a bit cheaper. As you can see from the list above, there are many great crash cymbals to choose from.

You need to have cymbals that will help you play the style of music that you like. It would also be a good idea to get different types of crash cymbals for different situations. Every drummer should have a selection of cymbals at their disposal. This should include ride cymbals , crash cymbals, hi-hats , splash and chinas and even low volume cymbals if you need to practice at night.

So, go out and get a few to make the perfect cymbal set! Find useful lessons, tips and reviews for every instrument. Join our Newsletter for exlusive advice! Subscribe to our ninja mailing list and get a Free E-book! Best Crash Cymbals. Ultimate Buying Guide. October 19, Quick Rundown:.