Best Cymbal Line for Metal/ Hard Rock?

[Pinkfloyd64]

I have a wide mix of Sabians right now. They are all really old and used and given to me by someone. I want to get a new pack. I was thinking an HHX pack. But I'm also open to other brands like Meinl or Paiste. Wasn't too down with the Zildjians. What line works for you guys who play hard rock?

 

[swayed1]

These:

http://www.paiste.com/e/endorser_det.php?page=setup&endorserid=235

 

[W&A Player]

If your "really old and used" cymbals were A Zildjians, they would sound better than any newer cymbals by any of the brands that you say that you like. I have many A Zildjians from back in the days when there were not a dozen different series and price ranges of A Zildjian cymbals. I don't know how old you are, but I'll bet that most, if not all, of my A Zildjians are older than you. They are as close to bullet proof as can be. They were bashed mercilessly with the back ends of heavy marching sticks for many years because drummers were not mic'd back in cave dweller days. Getting the drums heard over two guitar players, a bass player, and an organ player rocking out on Fender Dual Showman amps at ear-splitting volume required such brutalization of the cymbals. Not a single cymbal was ever cracked from playing. One fell six feet off a stage to a concrete floor. It cracked a little. That crack has had a rivet at each end of crack since 1966. It's a terrific sizzle cymbal. I could sell any of them today for big bucks if I wanted to. But, I haven't ever sold any of my cymbals. I think that there are some folks in here who also feel this way about their "really old and used" A Zildjians and K Zildjians.

 

[mudjacker2]

Well if you're talking heavy metal/hard rock and you want to stay with Sabian, then Id tell ya the AAX is the line you should consider.....HHX is hand hammered and designed to give you a darker/softer tone...more appropriate for R&B, jazz, etc.....AAX will git er done....

With Zildjian, Id recommend either the Z line for loud hard core stuff or the A custom line for a bit more veratility and rock and roll variety......

Ill let someone else do the paiste meinl thing, as they are not really in my round house......

 

[PerfectImposter]

Truth is you can find cymbals that are great for metal from lots of different manufacturers. One of my current projects is metal and I've actually found that my Sabian regular hats sound fantastic for this application. I'm using Paiste 2002 crashes (19" and 20") and a Sabian Paragon ride. The big problem with buying cymbals for metal is they sound great in the store, then you play them with the band and they sound totally different buried in the thick mix of guitars. Try and buy from somewhere that accepts returns. I know I had to return a couple of crashes because they sounded like splashes when I took them to rehearsal.

If I were buying new I'd take a serious look at Meinl. It seems like a lot of the really top class metal and rock drummers are gravitating towards Meinl. Here's some setup examples.

http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/Artist/show/matthew-garstka-623
http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/Artist/show/matt-halpern-442
http://meinlcymbals.com/artists/Artist/show/chris-adler-27

 

[kplante]

My question is what don't you like about hat you have? Is it that they don't sound right?

 

[Coco Nabes]

Paiste Rudes if you want something very loud and cutting.

 

[Pinkfloyd64]

My question is what don't you like about hat you have? Is it that they don't sound right?

I want some better sounding cymbals...i mean i have Sabian PROs....defnietely trying to upgrade from that. Then i have one AA cymbal which is ok but i'll get rid of it when I get a new pack. Then i have zildjian zbt high hats lol..the one thing i love is the one HHX crash i have, it is awesome. i personally like the HHX better than the AAX too

 

[Demonslayer]

I've been Using Istanbul Agop Alchemies for 10 years now. None of the other companies' offerings for heavy players can even come close (my personal opinion).

https://soundcloud.com/carlos-r-anglada/filacteria-sabiduria

 

[Altar]

HHX is cool.... They record very well.

I personally would go agop or byzance, but that's just my taste.

 

[ianjphil]

Can't go wrong with HHX. IMO they're Sabian's finest offering. They're the only line from Sabian that, to me, doesn't have a stinker in the lineup.

Being a Meinl fan/user, I'll point you in their direction as well, seeing as you're interested.

Meinl has a very wide catalog when it comes to Hard Rock/Metal. Their Mb20, Mb10, Mb8, Soundcaster Custom, Extreme Classics, Byzance Traditionals, Byzance Brilliants all are more than well suited for heavier styles, some more so than others. My vote goes to the Mb20 and Soundcaster Custom though, due to my experience with those cymbals in an Extreme Metal setting. Mb20's have a really thick and dark wash to them, but at the same time have a very brilliant projection with tons of power behind them. Soundcaster Customs are much brighter, but still have a thick sounding wash to them (18"+ crashes).

My main setup for about 3 or 4 years was a set of 14" Mb20 Hats, 19" & 20" Powerful Soundcaster Custom Crashes, 22" Mb20 Heavy Bell Ride, and a 20" Mb20 Rock China. Definitely never had complaints about the cymbals not being heard, even when un-miced! They are very powerful cymbals, but as with most Meinl's, they have a surprisingly wide dynamic range. Not one trick ponies by any means. I've used the Mb20 hats and Soundcaster crashes for a lot of different sessions where you would never guess they would work, with great results.

http://meinlcymbals.com/cymbal-series/mb20?L=cwsqcdryru

http://meinlcymbals.com/cymbal-series/soundcaster-custom?L=cwsqcdryru

 

[supershifter2]

i play heavy metal , hard rock , and i use paiste 2002 and have ben since about 1985. heres my setup. i have seen a lot of metal/hard rock drummers using paiste 2002 over the years.

 

[JDA]

What's your favorite drummers gravitate towards..

 

[A J]

Sabian AA Rock series is pretty decent. I have 17" and 18" Sabian AA rock crashes. They're good at all volumes and double as light rides. I tried a Sabian 20" AAX Metal ride, but it was WAY too thick. Sounded like a manhole cover.

I've always liked the Zildjian Avedis Rock series. I have an old 21" Avedis Rock Ride that's my all-time favorite. I think if I had to do it all over again, i'd go with this series and call it a day.

 

[fatchoppers]

Not sure if money is an issue. Sabian AA's will do the job and great price . Paiste 2002's or signatures will do great but more pricey. Zildjian A or a customs also will do. Zildjian a rock ride or
K custom ride u can find used for a decent price.

 

[theneonguy]

My AAX Sabian 22" ride is awesome. But most of my other cymbals are A Zildjian or Paiste high end. These are very sturdy. Never cracked a cymbal, ever. Whatever you decide on, get the heavier weight models and you can really strike them hard without worrying too much about cracking. Think cast cymbals, not stamped. No ZBTs either..