Brilliant finish cleaning.

**skinslapper** · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 08:30 AM

'sup drummers.

So I've been considering updating my can lid collection and I want y'all to know I tried to widen the net with my choice, especially since most of my idols of the grunge were playing these lovely shimmering sabians. But no matter what I hit none of them even came close to the sounds I remember from my youth. So I headed on back to the trusty paiste rack and I gotta say, they really do know how to make my motor run.

I found myself really enjoying the sounds from the signature reflector series which prompted the question, how easy is it to clean a brilliant finish cymbal?

Now don't everyone get all shy on me coz I know some of you must've owned the brilliant sabians or meinls so tell me is it easier to clean a mirror or a lathed finish?

**skinslapper** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 08:37 AM

Also, if someone would care to enlighten me as to why every recorded ziljian and sabian sounds infinately brighter than their real-life counterparts it'd be much appreciated.

**Der Trommler** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 09:28 AM

From my experience I have to say that natural cymbals are easier to keep clean, but that is only because the natural finish hides some of the finger and hand marks. I am currently using brilliant finished AAXs and they really aren't bad to keep clean, and they look great.

As for the Paistes, They have great sounding cymbals. The Signature series stands out in my mind as their best, so much so that I actually traded my brand new Sabian splashes (and some cash of course) for Signature splashes and I am very happy I did, they sound like a million bucks.

Now for the recorded cymbals, well the answer is that they are recorded. It is real easy to doctor up the sound a little while recording to make them sound brighter, darker or even trashier. A good example would be a youtube clip of Travis Barker cutting the "Low" track. Listen to this then the finished product and you will see his cymbals (and much much more) sound far better after being "mixed and fixed".

YouTube - travis barker low remix (with sound i...

**skinslapper** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 05:16 PM

I know it's all in the recording, what I can't figure is why the bright paistes sound like recorded ziljian k's yet people are still buying the k's.

I recently watched the Nirvana Live at reading dvd and Daves K's are on fire, tried them out it the store and they all sound like mini gongs. Personally I'm after the cymbal that sounds good when I hit it.

**Der Trommler** · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 05:35 PM

I haven't hit a K in years but there is a reason I don't play Zildjian. While they are good quality cymbals, the just sound bad to me for the most part (they have some great sounding hats). I have a Zildjian ride I don't use for that reason.

You have to go where your ear steers you, and Paiste is an excellent choice.

Damo · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Now don't everyone get all shy on me coz I know some of you must've owned the brilliant sabians or meinls so tell me is it easier to clean a mirror or a lathed finish?

No real difference from my experience. As long as you use the right cleaner

Try my link here. Ive had great success with it.
http://www.damienpetrilli.com/lessons/mar08.pdf

Quote:

Also, if someone would care to enlighten me as to why every recorded ziljian and sabian sounds infinately brighter than their real-life counterparts it'd be much appreciated.

Probably EQ'ing, but having extra depth in a cymbal for live use is a great thing for helping the sound carry over the tops of amps!

Quote:

I know it's all in the recording, what I can't figure is why the bright paistes sound like recorded ziljian k's yet people are still buying the k's.

Im no fan of K's (Im a Sabian guy) but I have noticed that Paistes in general are not the most durable of cymbals. I have significantly more of these coming to me for repair than any other brand.

If you want great sounding cymbals, one of the most important aspects is the thickness in my opinion. Thin cymbals open up more easily and tend to have that 'recorded' sound to them naturally.

**skinslapper** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 06:55 PM

Heya damo. I was hoping you were gonna Wade into this debate.

Not trying to sound defencive but paistes have proved pretty durable for me. I had a pair of 802's budget crashes, that lasted me about seven years. I've still got the same "18 alpha china I've been abusing for the last 13 years and a very cheap 402 splash that I've had even longer.

So what do you look for in a sabian damo?

Damo · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 07:22 PM

No probs SS. I dont have any grudge against Paiste, and in fact I sell loads of them at work to very happy customers. Its just something Ive noticed - but it could just as easily be the kinds of people that are buying them that are the problem - Joey fans, etc

As corny as it sounds, Its always a sound I go for. Once Ive found a few Sabians that offer me the sound Im looking for, it then very much comes down to feel and response. They hav to 'feel' right to play, otherwise they are off-putting when I use them onstage.

It may sound unusual, but the majority of my cymbals, whether Im playing metal or my country stuff, are Legacys and Evolutions - two of the thinnest models of cymbal Sabian offers!

**skinslapper** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 03:59 AM

I've found I prefer thinner myself. My idols of yesteryear were all trying to sell me rudes but when I tried them out they were just plain unlikeable.