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 waiting longer and saving-up as  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:

1. Aim for a well established make.
2. Research the models available and what the reviewers say about them.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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).

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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