Newb needs cymbal help

meSSican · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 07:48 PM

i ordered a pearl forum 5 piece set in white shells with black hoops with all black pearl hardware and adding remo black suede on all the heads. I want to get a cymbal pack and need some help. here are the pack i was looking at

Meinl MCS hi hats crash and ride with free filtered china $220

Zildjian ZBT 4 pack for $200

Or Zildjian Pitch black hi hats crash and ride for $200

paiste pst3 hi hat crash and ride for $230

paiste 201 hi hat crash and ride for 263

or should i stick with the pearl set that the drums come with...... any help is great... thanks

don11817 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 08:37 PM

Avoid the Zildjian Pitch Blacks--they were discontinued and availability for expansion is gonna get worse--and they're essentially black painted ZBT's...

The other line I'd recommend looking at is the Sabian B8 Pro. They have a very very nice sound and if you are gonna drop $200 it might as well last you while--the other cymbal lines you mentioned are very beginner level and have little life (in terms of pro-sounding cymbals) beyond your early learning phases. By this I mean the B8's sound good enough to keep as you progress, while the others will probably not as they have a trashier sound.

But, it's your ear that will choose best. I'd look at the websites of all the manufacturers and listen to audio clips before I pulled the trigger on a set...

Here's a few that I have bookmarked:
SABIAN Cymbals - BECAUSE SOUND MATTERS
Zildjian.com - EN-US - Homepage
Paiste: Home
http://www.meinlcymbals.com/

**Der Trommler** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 09:14 PM

Stay away from any of the black painted cymbals, they sound like garbage can lids.

meSSican · #4 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 09:31 PM

Sabian B8 Pro 2-Pack PLUS Cymbal Set - FREE 10" Splash - eBay (item 110384256219 end time May-03-09 13:17:18 PDT)

is this a good deal? i saw the same pack at guitar center for $339

don11817 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 11:56 PM

Yeah that's not bad. Considering I paid more for a single HHX cymbal than that whole set lol...

Backbeat · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 02:06 AM

These treads provide very good recommendations for cast cymbals. Along with following your ears and listening to as many web sites as you can, talk to your local respected drum shop pros, not sales clerks. Try everything in the shop. Most working drummers will tell you to stay away from machine stamped cymbals and buy only cast cymbals. This is a great recommendation. Casting will age better, last longer with care and only get better with time. You can get boxed sets of cast cymbals from a few of the big manufactures. If your drum shop has a close working relationship with top manufactures, you can ask for and get matched sets in the sizes you want. I have. They take longer to order and ship, but they come from one lathing technician. You can determine this from the serial number and date code.

slingerland · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 03:03 AM

HEY MESSICAN I read your post and I have a different idea for you. If your not going to play in a band right away for money, what I would do is use what you have and save the $200, but if you must buy the cymbals as much as a Zildjian fan as I am I would wait and save more money and get better cymbals than zbt.It sounds like your brand new at this, I've been doing this over 40 years and this is my advice to you. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR DECISION WAS.
SLINGERLAND

meSSican · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 12:14 PM

thanks for all the help. I have thought it over and think i made a decision. After reasearching everything i could find i have decided to belly up and jump right into the fire. I found Sabian HHX evolution performance pack with 14 hats 16 crash 20 ride and 18 ozone for $599. Seems like this is a good deal so im gonna go with it and here are my reasons.
I know i have never been a drummer but do belive in having good equipment for any hobby i try. I am 28 and really want to stick with it and feel that buying a $200 or $300 set and eventually wanting better is kinda wasting my money. I know i will enjoy playing so why not have good things. I got my drum set and hardware for like $570 brand new and shipped so the extra can roll into my cymbals which i wont outgrow unless i break them.

Is the $599 for that hhx evo pack a good deal? The closest i found was $699

**Der Trommler** · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 03:47 PM

That is a great deal for the HHX's. I think you made a wise choice, not about the brand of cymbals (although I am a Sabian user myself), but rather the quality. You have gotten yourself a set of prefessional quality cymbals and you will never need to upgrade from them unless you want to change your sound. Very smart in my opinion.

slingerland · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 05:16 PM

MESSICAN I thought you only had $200.00 to use for cymbals that's why my answer was that.
Did you try Zildjian Custom A''s or Zildjian Custom K''s the reason that I ask is that for what you intend on spending it wouldn't hurt to listen another time, when you buy them you may get a real good deal on e-bay or MUSICIANS FRIEND. GOOD LUCK and let me know the final outcome.
SLINGERLAND