Re: your most regretful cymbal purchase?
Fairly new to drumming, I started at a late age with the guitar, after raising two sons, a divorce, etc,etc...(Life story-boring)
After 18 months with a daily practice set of 1 to 2 hours with my guitars, I quietly suggested to my wife that I might like to try the drums. After the success with the guitar(s), she said "Why not," much to my amazement.
I looked and looked, but I was not ready to give up over $1000 for a decent kit/hardware/cymbals when I had not hit the first snare nor stomped the first hi-hat.
However, I do haunt pawn shops, looking for that next guitar. My wife and I went into one of our favorites, and there was an absolute mint, complete set of Yamaha Rydeens, with all hardware, Rydeen cymbals made by Paiste, even the throne, for a lousy $329. The blue wrap was still on the pedals, and I don't think there was a mark on the toms at all. The Paiste cymbals looked like they had just come out of the box. Finish just about mint. Father-son team had walked in that morning and the Father said - "He doesn't like drums, how much will you give me?"
I walked in 4 hours later and loaded it all in my truck.
The Paiste Rydeens held me for about three weeks. I wanted more.
My first purchase was an add on mount and a Wuhan 12" China - total cost, $48.
Let me just say that the Wuhan is NOT on my kit these days. It certainly has it's place, but it sounds like the typical trash can lid. Crash, no sustain, just flat out hard on the ears. No tone. You do get what you pay for. I spent some time working in Shanghai, and I can see poor Chinese people pounding out these things for chump change, ruining their ears. What a piece of s%#t!!!
My second purchase was Rototoms, used, and a cowbell. So cool! Like buying congos without the footprint. I love used stores, and here in Southeastern Tennessee we have a LOT of wannabe musicians who give up, hence a lot of good equipment can be bought for WAY less than new.
Then I walked into GC and found a Paiste 18" Crash/Ride for $101 new and thought that was a good deal. It's fine, but actually I like the copper color better than the sound.
Forget that kind of money, No more. From now on I buy used. Cymbals age, or so I am told. If so, why should I suffer through the aging process? And on top of that, pay the new price? So back to the used stores I went.
Next was three cymbals I picked up at a local used store for $40 each. A little 12" Sabian XS Splash, (Absolutely wonderful cymbal), A Sabian B8 18" Ride, (OK, little too tonal for me with way too much sustain - I understand why people tire of the B8 line), and my first Meinl Meteor 18" Crash. Again, even with the tarnish, the Meteor was like stepping back into a Led Zepplin concert. I went back two days later becaue I knew he had another Meteor. It turned out to be an 18" Crash/Ride, very close to the first, but with distinct differences in tone. Sustain was about the same, and in the same crappy finish. $30 out the door, 30 minutes with Brasso and some steel wool in my shop and it looks pretty cool with some remaining tarnish AND fully aged. So now I have a lot of different tones with my cymbals, and I am eyeing my hi-hat Rydeens, because that same dealer had a Meteor Hi-hat set. We'll see. I actually kind of like what Paiste did with the Rydeen Hi-hats. I probably will keep them,
So now you guys know a lot more about my little kit, and how I purchase. There are ALWAYS guys out there giving up, upgrading, losing their jobs, whatever. Their equipment goes on the used heap and it can be yours for WAY less than new, even up to 70-80% off new. A crappy looking floor tom can look new with a $12 new head and some paste wax. I will almost NEVER buy new, save for stands and sticks.
Brzozowski321  |
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