Paiste Alpha Flat Ride

[Luddite]

I'm considering getting a Flat Ride for my upcoming church gig. I went with some different sticks, which help immensely, but unless I play the bell with the tip very gently, all of my Rock Rides commense to build up a roar that just won't get it in a low (and I mean low!) volume situation. Our auditorium is huge bordering on cavernous, and I'm concerned about overwhelming the other musicians, who play at a pretty low volume. I can control the bass drum, snare, hats, toms and even the crash easily enough, but none of my rides are exactly "quiet" poster children. I've been looking at Flat Rides, and have found a couple of Paiste Alphas that are relatively inexpensive. Anybody have any experience with them? How do they sound vis-a-vis more expensive flats?

 

[elcid]

I'm considering getting a Flat Ride for my upcoming church gig. I went with some different sticks, which help immensely, but unless I play the bell with the tip very gently, all of my Rock Rides commense to build up a roar that just won't get it in a low (and I mean low!) volume situation. Our auditorium is huge bordering on cavernous, and I'm concerned about overwhelming the other musicians, who play at a pretty low volume. I can control the bass drum, snare, hats, toms and even the crash easily enough, but none of my rides are exactly "quiet" poster children. I've been looking at Flat Rides, and have found a couple of Paiste Alphas that are relatively inexpensive. Anybody have any experience with them? How do they sound vis-a-vis more expensive flats?

Can't be any happier since using a 20" Zildjian flat ride K for my church gigs in the last few months; is a perfect tool for such application (but since couple of weeks placed an small strip of gaffer's tape on the underside and is even better sounding! ). Highly recommended (either Zil, Sabian, or Paiste--whatever brand turns you on! )...

-elcid

 

[Luddite]

That's kind of the direction I'm leaning right now. A K would be out of my league, though. I just dropped $1100 on drums, hardware and drum bags in the last month, so I don't really want to drop 3 bills and up on a cymbal right now. They had an Alpha on GC's used site for $99 but it was gone the next day. Rats!

 

[James Walker]

I tried an Alpha flat (an older one, I think, although I'm not that up on Paiste's logos and timelines) in a local store a few months ago. Lovely cymbal. I visited the store twice before deciding not to buy it.

I would have brought it home, except I already have a Paiste Traditionals flat. The Alpha was quite good, not quite as good (to my ears, at least) as the Trad's, but that's no knock on the Alpha - the Trad's flat I have is a really nice cymbal.

 

[Luddite]

Thanks for the review, James. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one. Hopefully another one will pop up on Ebay or on GC's used site.

 

[vintage_collector]

James Walker....hi can you give me the information on the store that had the Paiste Flat Alpha? I could use a cheaper decent flat ride thanks

 

[James Walker]

It was at the Daddy's Junky Music in Waterbury, CT., but that was back in May.

I just looked on the daddys.com web site, and a search for it came up empty - I suspect it has already been sold.

 

[Marc M]

I think the Alpha flats I have played in stores have been quite nice,a little brighter on the ping than B 20 flats,but the overtones were low pitched and controlled,another inexpensive flat I played was a meinl classic,a lot like the alpha.Since it is wash overtones and roar you are trying to contain,some tape on one of your current cymbals may get you by until you can find an inexpensive flat.

 

[Luddite]

Actually, I did just that! I picked up a Sabian AA 20 flat off of GC's used site for $99. It had some spots of discoloration on the top, but I was able to get most of it off with Brasso. If you're right on top of it you can see some very light spots where the tarnish was. It's pretty much the ticket for what I'm going to be using it for. I like the fact that I can use my regular sticks (Vater Piccolo) and still keep the volume down. There's really nothing that we'll be doing that will require me to clang away on a bell, although it's taking a little getting used to playing a cymbal that doesn't have one.

 

[TommyWells]

And you could always play the bell of your crash...... (Thanks to Roy Haynes.)

 

[avedisschwinn]

And you could always play the bell of your crash...... (Thanks to Roy Haynes.)

And speaking of Mr Haynes and flat rides - after a long "grail quest" I ordered an HH flat ride from Sabian with the instructions "Tell Mark Love: 'Now He Sings Now He Sobs/Roy Haynes with Chick Corea' "
They nailed it, and my quest is over.