Buying used cymbals

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Isic85

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Hi, I was just wondering if any of you buy your cymbals used. I have been playing drums for about 5 years now and I want to invest in some higher quality cymbals, but I don't have a ton of cash so I was wondering if anyone has purchased a used cymbal to save some cash on it.
 
Everybody here, guarantee it, if you really think about it the only thing that can happen to a chunk of metal that's really bad is a crack, and that's not very likely, so used is the best option for buying cymbals, I recommend starting with a set of Zildjian New Beats , 16" and 18" crashes, and your favorite ride.

Check out these sites for sound clips of almost any cymbal you can think of:

http://www.youtube.com/user/memphisdrumshop
http://mycymbal.com/

Spend the money on what you like now so you don't have to later :lol:
 
First, welcome to the forum! Glad you're here.

Second, most of us will tell you that buying used can be a great way to get good cymbals without going into debt forever. I buy 90% of my cymbals used, for good prices, so that I can resell and recoup the cost if I don't end up liking them. This has worked out very well for me and most everything I have now is an absolute keeper.

Check out the ebay cymbal alert thread at the top of the cymbal forum, you'll find good deals on some cymbals there. If you have an idea of the kind of cymbal sounds you like, I'm sure we could suggest some series or models to be looking for.
 
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
Some really nice cymbals here in our "For Sale" section, at totally fair prices. Safer than buying from Ebay-nobody's gonna rip anybody off here. Check it out.....marko
 
All of my present cymbals are used and bought that way!! let the original owner take the hit, then when they sell you get the better price!
 
I've never bought a new cymbal. Because of that I've been able to afford top of the line cymbals for cheap money!
 
You can sometimes negotiate with an ebay seller to lower the price to what you'd pay for a used one, so that's something to consider. :) ...and if you happen to be wanting a 16" Paiste Signature Heavy Full Crash w/Reflector finish for much lower than you'll be able to buy anywhere, send me an email to theartgallery@gmail.com. I bought 3 of them this January, but the 16" was too small for over my ride, so I just got a larger cymbal.
 
Used is a great way to go. One thing to keep an eye out for is the "keyhole" that sometimes happens with cymbals that are not taken care of over the years. It's a misshaped cymbal hole at the center from either not using a sleeve over the threads on the stand or from bashing like crazy. It may be something to keep an eye out for if you are trying to get an impression of how the cymbal was taken care of.
 
cprescott1972 said:
Used is a great way to go. One thing to keep an eye out for is the "keyhole" that sometimes happens with cymbals that are not taken care of over the years. It's a misshaped cymbal hole at the center from either not using a sleeve over the threads on the stand or from bashing like crazy. It may be something to keep an eye out for if you are trying to get an impression of how the cymbal was taken care of.
Click to expand...
i think this is probably true--it does show a lack of regard by an owner--but if I like a cymbal, a keyhole is no dealbeaker for me; it usually lowers the price some, too.....marko
 
Isic85 said:
Hi, I was just wondering if any of you buy your cymbals used. I have been playing drums for about 5 years now and I want to invest in some higher quality cymbals, but I don't have a ton of cash so I was wondering if anyone has purchased a used cymbal to save some cash on it.
Click to expand...

I have to buy used because they don't make the vintage K's I desire anymore <_<
 
Definitely used. Just went through this getting a set of decent cymbals for an older Vistalite kit that I'm fixing up for my son. With some careful eBay shopping, we ended up with the following:

14" Zildjian New Beat Hit Hat (60's - 902/1098 grams) $79.01
16" Zildjian Medium Thin Crash (late 70's - 1111 grams) $77.51
18" Zildjian Medium Crash (early 80's - 1770 grams) $64.99
20" Zildjian Ride (60's - 2601 grams) $77.51

My goal was to get 70s-80s Zildjians under $80 shipped in roughly similar weight ranges to the ones he was already playing on my set so hopefully the sound would be similar. Took about 2 months.

I'm happy with the amount spent and my son is happy with the sound. Certainly better than the Sabian B8's that came with the set!

Scott
 
HerronScott said:
Definitely used. Just went through this getting a set of decent cymbals for an older Vistalite kit that I'm fixing up for my son. With some careful eBay shopping, we ended up with the following:

14" Zildjian New Beat Hit Hat (60's - 902/1098 grams) $79.01
16" Zildjian Medium Thin Crash (late 70's - 1111 grams) $77.51
18" Zildjian Medium Crash (early 80's - 1770 grams) $64.99
20" Zildjian Ride (60's - 2601 grams) $77.51

My goal was to get 70s-80s Zildjians under $80 shipped in roughly similar weight ranges to the ones he was already playing on my set so hopefully the sound would be similar. Took about 2 months.

I'm happy with the amount spent and my son is happy with the sound. Certainly better than the Sabian B8's that came with the set!

Scott
Click to expand...
Scott, the Zildjians you just bought will be a great addition to the kit and at a very good price!
 
Used, yes.

Two things: if the picture(s) don't answer the obvious questions, then ask them. If the answers don't come, ask them again. After that, move on to the next. I speak from experience. Too much $$ experience.
 
I wish more sellers had soundfiles available. A's and K's vary radically.
 
HerronScott said:
Definitely used. Just went through this getting a set of decent cymbals for an older Vistalite kit that I'm fixing up for my son. With some careful eBay shopping, we ended up with the following:

14" Zildjian New Beat Hit Hat (60's - 902/1098 grams) $79.01
16" Zildjian Medium Thin Crash (late 70's - 1111 grams) $77.51
18" Zildjian Medium Crash (early 80's - 1770 grams) $64.99
20" Zildjian Ride (60's - 2601 grams) $77.51

My goal was to get 70s-80s Zildjians under $80 shipped in roughly similar weight ranges to the ones he was already playing on my set so hopefully the sound would be similar. Took about 2 months.

I'm happy with the amount spent and my son is happy with the sound. Certainly better than the Sabian B8's that came with the set!

Scott
Click to expand...


Wow - great approach, and you got fantastic deals.
 
Titus Pullo said:
Two things: if the picture(s) don't answer the obvious questions, then ask them. If the answers don't come, ask them again. After that, move on to the next. I speak from experience. Too much $$ experience.
Click to expand...

Definitely agree with this! If they didn't respond to whatever the question was (weight being the most common), then I passed.

Scott
 
Vintage and Dharma,

Thanks! My wife can tell you that I spent a lot of time searching and monitoring eBay auctions during that time (including on vacation!). The search "16 Zildjian -zbt -zxt -zht" "18 Zildjian -zbt -zxt -zht" "20 Zildjian -zbt -zxt -zht" were my friend. :)

Missed lots of wins by just a bit but I was determined not to exceed my limit for each especially since I had seen others sell in that price range (although they certainly can go for a lot more as well).

Scott
 
YES,used is my favorite brand.Forum sales,this one and others are good.Ebay is good if you do it right,Don't get caught up in bidding wars or newbee's who bid to much and everday.Good hunting!
 
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