Damping your Rivets

[james_c_marks]

We all know that rivets convert low frequency energy into high frequency energy.

This 22” started with 8 steel rivets. I replaced them with small Bosporus brass rivets to reduce the sizzle, to make it “more polite”. I experimented with fewer than 8 rivets, but noticed that a lot of the low end returned. The wash could swell up and I would lose articulation.

I added small felt pads to the top of the rivets to dampen the sizzle and keep the reduced low end they provide. I liked it so much I eventually super glued the pads to the rivets.

The overall effect is different than removing rivets or taping the cymbal. The frequency profile is just where I want it. I still have the sizzle - very lightly there - and the low end is dampened.

The cymbal is perfectly controllable.

 

[Tommy D]

Definetly the material will change their sound like different snare wire materials change the sound of the snare. Steel will likely produce the highest pitch sizzle where brass may be a touch lower pitch, but if there was a way to get copper rivets those would probably not add much high end at all to the cymbal. I would imagine its just a bunch of sizzle without the sparkle that rivets can add. Does anyone make copper rivets?

 

[james_c_marks]

1/4” or 3/8” Felts pads have a sticky bottom and stay on for a long time. I just got tired of losing them and finally superglued them to the rivet head, very carefully.

 

[james_c_marks]

Definetly the material will change their sound like different snare wire materials change the sound of the snare. Steel will likely produce the highest pitch sizzle where brass may be a touch lower pitch, but if there was a way to get copper rivets those would probably not add much high end at all to the cymbal. I would imagine its just a bunch of sizzle without the sparkle that rivets can add. Does anyone make copper rivets?

Yes, I have used very small copper rivets in another cymbal. They were “barely there” on an 18”. I liked them but I don’t think they would have the mass to seriously change a washy 22”

Someone on Cymbalholic sent me about 20 for free many years ago, so I don’t know where they came from.

Every situation is different

 

[Rik_Everglade]

I drilled smaller holes in a couple of cymbals, and I believe that helped to dampen the rivets. Maybe install rivets with a larger diameter shaft?