![[Selecting the best cymbals for your needs by Waywood Music]](images/waywood.jpg)
Selecting & Buying New Cymbals
Welcome to the 'Buying New Cymbals' page.
When buying cymbals, always AIM for the best that you can afford,
even if it means saving-up that little bit longer. It is worth
the wait.
A cheap cymbal very rarely sounds like an expensive cymbal!
Use the following as a guide to help you select
the best cymbal for you:
- Aim for a well established make.
- Research the models available and what the reviewers say
about them.
- Cymbals come in an even greater variety of sizes and types
than drums! Think about the type of music you will be playing.
Smaller, thinner cymbals are quieter, 'speak' (respond) and decay
more quickly than their heavier relatives, especially with
lighter sticks, multi-rods or brushes. Larger diameter cymbals
are generally lower pitched, louder and have longer sustain.
Heavier cymbals tend to ring more, are louder and decay more
slowly. Just to confuse things further, different manufacturers
have their own names and ' sub-types' of the three main
categories; 'crash', 'ride' and 'effects' cymbals.
- Read the adverts in the music and drumming press and if you
choose to view, take someone with you who knows what they're
looking for.
- Listen to the cymbal. Is it what you're after? Compare it
with what you already have. Does it complement or fight against
the sound of the other cymbals? Remember that different sounding
cymbals CAN BE A POSITIVE BENEFIT to your sound and increase your
flexibility.
- Even though you are buying new, always look for signs of
damage which may have occurred during transit, or by other people
trying them out in the shop. Check for splitting or cracking
around the bell, especially in smaller, thinner cymbals. Listen
for buzzes and rattles which may indicate problems such as cracks
at the edge, bow or bell.
- All of the major manufacturers 'stamp' their name into the
metal of the cymbal. Check that this is present to show that it
really is what is being advertised (select thumbnail below to
view this more clearly).
![[Photograph of Zildjian logo stamped into cymbal]](images/zilstm.jpg)
Zildjian Logo Stamped into Cymbal
(click image to enlarge)
DON'T think that you MUST buy cymbals of the same
make or type. There are so many excellent cymbals out there.
Not all are made by the top names. So there is plenty of
opportunity to buy exactly the cymbal set that you want.
However, if you get an endorsement...that's a different
matter!!
You may like to Contact Us with specific
Questions.
Find out more about cymbals from the Cymbal
Manufacturers.
You can also contact the Music Press, for
a 'road tested' view of the equipment's performance.
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