Second Crash + splash?

chaser334 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 03:44 AM

I have the typical setup of a crash, ride, and a pair of hats (18", 20", and 14"). I would like to add to my current cymbal setup a second crash and a splash cymbal.
What would be good for this? Any help would be greatly appretiated.

**Der Trommler** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 08:58 AM

You might want to consider a 16" crash, they are very versitile and maybe an 8" or 10" splash. What you will end up with will depend on what you think sounds good, but this will give you a starting point.

littlekid · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 10:17 AM

Agreed. I have two 16" Crashes right now, but I'd love to swap one out for an 18" at somepoint. Both of my 16's have a great sound though, and I know a 16 would compliment an 18 well.

chaser334 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 03:31 PM

I was looking through meinls list of sounds for crash cymbals and this one really stood out to me. I also noticed that it was 16" like you guys recomended what do you think of it?

Meinl 16 Byzance Brilliant Thin Crash Cymbal : MyCymbal.com sells Zildjian, Paiste, Sabian, Meinl, Bosphorus, Istanbul Agop, Hammerax, Prototypes, Used & Vintage Cymbals

**Der Trommler** · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2010, 01:13 AM

I like the vintage sound personally. Make sure you go hit one and see if you like it, and then buy the one you played if you did like it.

Meinl is a great quality cymbal maker and their lower pricing gives you more cymbal for less money in many cases.

TheRev>R.I.P. · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2010, 07:15 PM

I totally agree with Der Trommler. A 16" crash is the way to go however, if you play hard rock, or metal, sometimes another 18" or a 17" would be a good idea. Big, loud, and powerful...perhaps even a 19" or 20". I would NOT recommend any splash larger than 10" though, when they get past a certain size, youo start losing the splashy sound that you're looking for....Again, it depends on the style of music. If you're playing jazzy, funky lighter styles, go with an 8"....or get a cymbal stacker and get both; 10" on bottom and 8" on top. Mini China's are cool too...like a 12" Wuhan.

Cymbals & Snares · #7 (**permalink**) 09-24-2010, 05:24 PM

I gotta agree with most other posters I would get a 16" crash & a 10" splash. As far as brands go, There's just so much to choose from. Lots of quality cymbal makers out there Besides the BIG3.

orionsbelt77 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010, 06:34 AM

My current set up contains a 20" Paiste sound formula flat ride, 14, 16,18" Paiste signature series fast crashes, a 20" Super Zyn medium thin crash and a pair of 14" Zildjian new beat hi-hats. I don't care too much for splashes.
Splash cymbals began in the 1920's, when drummers were simply thought of as noise makers and a drummer back then had very little to choose from as to drum sets or cymbals.........you basically got what you could get at the time and that was that. A splash cymbal sounds trashy, as do china's. I strived for years to achieve a great set of wonderful sounding cymbals to compliment the sound quality of the drums. If you have a junk sounding kit, then junk sounding cymbals will fit right in. Put as much or more thought in A SET of cymbals as you would with your choice in the drums you play.
If your main crash now is say ,a 16", then go two inches on either side with an 18" or 14". If I only had a 20" crash/ride I would then step down to an additional 16" for a second crash. You'll want enough pitch difference between the two.
Once you have two crashes that compliment each other, then you can add all the splashes you want.
77..................Out.

butter · #9 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010, 05:58 PM

I believe that a set is harder to play with only 1 crash, a ride, and hats, instead of those cymbals with one more crash. I actually dislike splash cymbals in that if they are present, I will use them. If I use them, I use them alot. Depending on where I place them, I can over-do it quite easily. I used to have my splash mounted between my rack toms, but found that I was annoying myself with over use. I moved it over to my right, kind of over my ride. That solved the problem of over use, but I feel that as with crashes, it is best to have more than one, lest the sound becomes old and boring. I would buy a second crash before buying a splash, then after the crash, I would buy a china or 2 splash cymbals. I dunno, that's what I would do. I like having more cymbals than drums, although I do not right now...

orionsbelt77 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010, 05:48 AM

I did, at one time, have a splash, but I found it too quiet and too short lived ( which is what they are for, I know). In live situations with a loud band, they are seen, but not heard , and in the studio, it came across as nothing more than annoying wisp of white noise.
Butter, I am in agreement with having more than one crash. For myself, the more toms the better and more cymbals the better, but one can over do it. Cost has been my only restriction. Funny that lack of money does just that sort of thing.........
I am considering trading my 18" Paiste fast crash for a dark or heavy crash no smaller than a 16". One other unusual tool in my arsenal is a aluminum turntable platter that I cannibalized from a Pioneer PL 12-D . The hole in the middle fits right nicely on a cymbal stand. I use it as a bell and nothing sounds quite like it.......I just may have to patent it.

77................out.