Please help: Need advice on a good, "budget" crash cymbal

[Dfab]

I'm a guitarist/bass player but I purchased a small Pearl Rhythm Traveler kit (14" snare, 20"x8" kick, and 12", 14", and 16" toms) to have around the house when drummer friends come over for a jam or for a songwriting session. That way, they can just show up and not have to worry about lugging a kit over. I have a decent set of High Hats, and a decent ride and splash cymbal. But no honest-to -goodness crash. Not being a drummer, I haven't got a clue on what to get for a good sounding but budget-minded crash. Used or new.....makes no difference to me. I could use some suggestions......

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[2oo2]

We’d need to see your current cymbals before giving any recommendations.

 

[Dfab]

Existing Cymbal complement:

20" Sabian AA Medium Ride
12" Zildjian A Custom Splash
14" Zildjian Mastersound Hi Hat set

 

[2oo2]

Used 18” Sabian AA/AAX or Zildjian A/A Custom, couldn’t go wrong with either. BTW you’ve got a pretty solid set.

 

[Dfab]

Thank you 2oo2 for your reply. The cymbals I got from a studio owner friend of mine who relocated and wanted the cymbals to go to a "good home." He comes up from So.Cal every now and then for songwriting sessions so he gets to hear them from time to time. Again, thanks for your reply and kind words.

 

[funkypoodle]

Used 18” Sabian AA/AAX or Zildjian A/A Custom, couldn’t go wrong with either. BTW you’ve got a pretty solid set.

Pretty well what I was going to recommend.

 

[JimmyM]

I would also add Sabian XS20 to the crash list. Not quite as pretty as the AA but has a lot of good qualities and can be found used for cheap. The drummer in my band uses them and has a 16 that sounds quite good. Me, I went for an AA and I do like it better.

 

[1988fxlr]

16,17,or 18 thin, medium thin, or fast Zildjian A or A custom or Sabian Aa or Aax should pair very well. 17”s seem to go cheap used for some reason

 

[Dfab]

Thank you all for the replies. As a bass player, I'm learning quite a bit about cymbals. I managed to buy a 16" Zildjian A Custom crash for a really good price on Craigslist so I think my quest has come to an end. Once again, thanks to all for their informative replies.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

Go to your local drum shop and pick up the used cymbal that sounds good to you when you smack it right there in person.
*edit* Maybe keep that in mind for next time.

 

[flatwins]

Some may call me crazy but Wuhan’s Traditional series are pretty nice for their price point.

 

[Jazzhead]

How much budget? Tell me and I’ll tell you.

 

[Mn02]

Zildjian As or Sabian AAs will serve you very well. An Istanbul Agop Xist crash would also be a fine addition.

 

[AtlantaDrumGuy]

Used Zildjian A or A Custom 16” - 18”. I’d go thin.

 

[Dfab]

Let's say $100.

 

[stuart s]

Look for a used PST 7 thin/light, THIN ONLY!

 

[Seb77]

Over here, Stagg (Chinese) cymbals can be a very good deal, if you find the right one.

 

[Drumbumcrumb]

Sabian SR2, best value in cymbals. A good Thin 18” or 20” can be a true crash/ride.

Also, used Zildjian A are usually a good buy.

 

[lossforgain]

@Dfab you have some really good recommendations here already, but another one in the same vein as the Zildjian A or Sabian AA would be the Istanbul Agop Xist, their regular or brilliant crash models. I have a 17 that sits well with a group of cymbals like that, they are wonderful and not pricey (especially used).

 

[varatrodder]

Find a used 16", 17" or 18" A Zildjian thin crash or Zildjian A Custom crash. Sabian AA and AAX are good too. They are plentiful and cheap.

Search the used gear on Guitar Center, and also check out Music Go Round.