…”a bass drum, a snare, and a cymbal”…

[bonefamily]

I was approached today about a gig for a rockabilly/surf/blues trio - guitar upright and drums. This is perfect for me because I love, love, love rockabilly. The catch is it is being requested that I simply use a bass drum, a snare, and a single cymbal. From what I gather, the drummer prior used this simple setup and the other two players really liked this. They said they liked the vibe and look it gave. I know the guitar player from around and he is really talented. I really want this gig so don’t want to rock the boat much - but no hats; no crash cymbal; not even a floor tom.

Ok, so it is what it is. Question is what cymbal? I asked what the prior drummer used, but they didn’t know. That’s cool because if I’m doing this I might as well make it my own anyways. It needs to be able to ride and crash and is the main time keeper (along with the snare for certain train beat tunes). They said they are about 80% rockabilly and the other 20% mixed with some surf and some blues. I’m thinking nothing bigger than a 20”, and not too heavy so it can crash well - so maybe in the 2000-ish gram range? I’m thinking something brighter for sure, and my stash is on the dark side. I need too add another. I was already thinking about getting either a Zildjian 20” A Crash Ride, or one of the Take Five cymbals, but what other good choices do you all think? I’m not partial to any certain brand, but did want to keep it modern and nothing vintage (which I know vintage makes sense here, but just wanted to keep it something more readily available). Please throw out some recommendation. Thanks!

 

[TPC]

Scouring our own marketplace just now, I think any of these would serve you well in this context.

20” 1950s A Zildjian

Love this one a lot, and only had it a few weeks, but it made me realize that I just like a heavier cymbal. She’s thin and gorgeous. $250 plus shipping

www.drumforum.org

SOLD PUG Cymbals 19" Crash Ride 1670g - $250 Shipped

SOLD This is a beautiful 19” PUG cymbal from Australia. Weight is 1670g. Hand formed low bell. Excellent left side ride or main ride cymbal. Beautiful hammering on this one. Asking $250 shipped.

www.drumforum.org

Paiste Twenty 20" Prototype with Beautiful Hammering ~2100 grams

Selling this beautiful pie as it doesn't really fit into any setups I have at the moment. Very nice light ride with some pretty extensive hammering. Great bell, as you can hear in the video, and it opens up nicely for crashes. (apologies for the shaky vid, I recruited my kids to help!) Asking...

www.drumforum.org

Zildjian 20" Old A 50's/60's - 1885g - $350 shipped

For sale is a very nice sounding and playing 20" "Old A" Zildjian. This cymbal was marked as "60's" when I bought it, but I'm beginning to think it may be a bit older because it has a smaller bell hole. While it does fit on modern Yamaha stands, it is a little bit of a tight fit. I'm not an...

www.drumforum.org

 

[Stephen.DeBoard]

I agree a 20" crash ride would be a great choice. Have fun! You don't have to haul much gear.

 

[bonefamily]

Scouring our own marketplace just now, I think any of these would serve you well in this context.

20” 1950s A Zildjian

Love this one a lot, and only had it a few weeks, but it made me realize that I just like a heavier cymbal. She’s thin and gorgeous. $250 plus shipping

www.drumforum.org

SOLD PUG Cymbals 19" Crash Ride 1670g - $250 Shipped

SOLD This is a beautiful 19” PUG cymbal from Australia. Weight is 1670g. Hand formed low bell. Excellent left side ride or main ride cymbal. Beautiful hammering on this one. Asking $250 shipped.

www.drumforum.org

Paiste Twenty 20" Prototype with Beautiful Hammering ~2100 grams

Selling this beautiful pie as it doesn't really fit into any setups I have at the moment. Very nice light ride with some pretty extensive hammering. Great bell, as you can hear in the video, and it opens up nicely for crashes. (apologies for the shaky vid, I recruited my kids to help!) Asking...

www.drumforum.org

Zildjian 20" Old A 50's/60's - 1885g - $350 shipped

For sale is a very nice sounding and playing 20" "Old A" Zildjian. This cymbal was marked as "60's" when I bought it, but I'm beginning to think it may be a bit older because it has a smaller bell hole. While it does fit on modern Yamaha stands, it is a little bit of a tight fit. I'm not an...

www.drumforum.org

Thanks for the links! I will have a look…

 

[bonefamily]

Also browsing through MDS videos and the Paiste 2002 20” Medium Crash sounds like it has possibilities - in the very low 2000’s gram weight. Bright yet warm.

 

[bonefamily]

The Giant Beat doesn’t sound bad neither, a tad darker.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

I've used an Omni ride in that same configuration with good results.

 

[mtarrani]

I have done at least 100 gigs using the 19" version of this (or the same size Custom model) in a BD, SN, Hats, Ride configuration. The fact that this is drilled for rivets is a plus. Of course it is relatively quiet, but that is what your prospective band mates are probably wanting. Even when I am playing a regular (1 up/1 down, hats + 2 rides) kit, I always have one or the other flat rides in the configuration.

SOLD-Soultone 20” Vintage Flat Ride

For sale is a Soultone 20” Vintage Flat Ride. Labels removed from top side. Weighs around 1980 grams, 1986 written on bottom side. 6 rivet holes, 2 copper installed. Killer flat ride, no issues. Excellent condition. $150 shipped conus.

www.drumforum.org

EDITED TO INCLUDE: I am still considering purchasing the above cymbal as a spare. If you buy it I win. If you don't buy it I win

 

[mebeatee]

If you really want to impress them don’t use a cymbal at all.....or.....take a couple of cymbals and of course only one stand. You can then A/B the cymbals in context and the other folks will be impressed as well.
But generally as mentioned, a crash/ride combo, or a ride that crashes nice, or a crash that rides ok...oh crap that’s three cymbals...
Also use different sticks, brushes et al...acorn tips vs round tips; nylon vs wire brushes....many different sounds and textures from one cymbal with different plonkers.
bt

 

[mtarrani]

If you really want to impress them don’t use a cymbal at all.....or.....take a couple of cymbals and of course only one stand. You can then A/B the cymbals in context and the other folks will be impressed as well.
But generally as mentioned, a crash/ride combo, or a ride that crashes nice, or a crash that rides ok...oh crap that’s three cymbals...
Also use different sticks, brushes et al...acorn tips vs round tips; nylon vs wire brushes....many different sounds and textures from one cymbal with different plonkers.
bt

Agreed. Single cymbal stuff:

But if he really wants to impress them why not just show up with a snare drum and hats?

 

[bonefamily]

Great ideas! I will check out the Omni. Certainly different sticks are noticeable more on the cymbals - I like this theory. They did specifically say they wanted a cymbal - I assumed they were referring to a ride (crash ride). Technically hi hats are two cymbals

 

[mtarrani]

Great ideas! I will check out the Omni. Certainly different sticks are noticeable more on the cymbals - I like this theory. They did specifically say they wanted a cymbal - I assumed they were referring to a ride (crash ride). Technically hi hats are two cymbals

They may have meant just one cymbal not counting hats. Frankly, I could do a rockabilly gig with just hats, but would balk at doing any kind of gig with no hats. I have showed up at some tiny assisted living facilities in the past with just a snare drum and brushes, but would draw the line if it were anything else. I need the hats. I can do without a bass drum if required, as well as a crash/ride. But those hats ... my security blanket (and time reference.) Especially when I play with brushes. I frequently check to make sure my sweep is synched to my hats open and closed positions. But that's just me.

 

[bonefamily]

They may have meant just one cymbal not counting hats. Frankly, I could do a rockabilly gig with just hats, but would balk at doing any kind of gig with no hats. I have showed up at some tiny assisted living facilities in the past with just a snare drum and brushes, but would draw the line if it were anything else. I need the hats. I can do without a bass drum if required, as well as a crash/ride. But those hats ... my security blanket (and time reference.) Especially when I play with brushes. I frequently check to make sure my sweep is synched to my hats open and closed positions. But that's just me.

I understand where you're coming from Mike! I'm just trying not to rock the boat with these guys as I'm really looking forward to this gig. If all goes well and I become a mainstay in the group, I can try to start adding a piece at a time to at least build up tp a set of hats and a smaller crash cymbal to go with the ride.

 

[vintagedrummersweden]

When I played my Yamaha cocktail kit I used a 16" Sabian Manhattan Bridge Ride, worked great.

 

[Heartbeat]

Remember you can always ride on the snare rim, too, to mix it up. Very rockabilly, as you probably know.

 

[spaeth]

I have played this way a bunch but used hi-hats as my only “cymbal”. It is just so much more versatile without adding any more footprint. Right Hat choice gives you crash, ride, slosh and chick.

I have a 20” K jazz ride that is great for a crash ride combo. It has an amazing bell on it.

 

[Rik_Everglade]

For my kick/hat/snare kit, I used 16" hihats, two Kcon crashes...sounded great! And I had a great crash sound as well as a great hit sound.

 

[plumbndrum]

This:

Paiste 2002 18" Medium. Clean sound. Cuts through, good crash, usable ride and strong bell.

 

[Rockin' Billy]

So many options for sure.
My favorite that I use is an old 18” Zildjian w/2rivets. Crash/Ride/Bell does it all. You can ‘pinch’ the cymbal for Hi Hat sounds. I’ve been playing Rock a Billy most of my 50 years of drumming. I’ve used an old 20” Zildjian as well but prefer my 18”.

 

[bonefamily]

When I played my Yamaha cocktail kit I used a 16" Sabian Manhattan Bridge Ride, worked great.

There's one I wouldn't have expected - thanks for the tip!