Which of my cymbals/hats would you upgrade first?

What should my first upgrade be?

  • Hi Hat

    Votes: 5 27.8%
  • Ride

    Votes: 12 66.7%
  • Crash

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • Total voters
    18

Pat A Flafla

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Gibralters are quite good and I think you seem to have a saddle style and back, which I like. Been using one for years. I have a Rock n Soc and hate it. Maybe good for a bigger person, but I love the smaller saddle on a Gib.
YMMV of course. I've always been 6' tall (in adulthood at least, otherwise that would be really weird) but I loved my RnS just as much when I was 165 lbs as I do now at 220.

Another factor: Car, couch, throne.. I'd always rather sit on cloth than on leather (or pleather). Always.
 

aarono2690

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Gibralters are quite good and I think you seem to have a saddle style and back, which I like. Been using one for years. I have a Rock n Soc and hate it. Maybe good for a bigger person, but I love the smaller saddle on a Gib.

If you are really looking for that Marvin Gaye sound, it's not a Ping Ride at all. I can't say the crash is either. I have the same crash like yours and I keep asking my friends to buy it! LOL It's not bad, just not what I really need. The hats are nice. I'd go K Custom Dark both crash and ride if you want that smoother groovy sound. :cool:
The only thing I dislike about this throne is the back doesn’t seem to actually give you much support. It feels like it’s there, but not sturdy or strong. Not sure if that makes sense. I have it as close to me as possible IIRC.
 

Demonslayer

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Theres no going up from what you have, just different. That being said your hats and crash are more versatile than your ride. Pings are nice but kind of a one trick pony. I’d probably add a 20” crash/ride (not necessarily crash/ride model, just a thinner big cymbal that will do both) to get a big crash sound and a washy ride option
This. Every word.
 

aarono2690

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If you want to stick with Zildjian, try a Sweet Ride - either A or K, and either 21" or 23".
You'll get a bit more wash. The K is a bit more refined. I've got both A and K in 21".
Looking for used Sweet K 21”. Seeing like $375 for used in great condition. Is that about as good as it gets?
 

felis

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Looking for used Sweet K 21”. Seeing like $375 for used in great condition. Is that about as good as it gets?

Seems like all cymbals have taken a price hike recently, but there might still be some deals around:
 

Cliff DeArment

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The only thing I dislike about this throne is the back doesn’t seem to actually give you much support. It feels like it’s there, but not sturdy or strong. Not sure if that makes sense. I have it as close to me as possible IIRC.
Interesting. Had mine for a long time, so maybe the quality or design isn't what it used to be. Mine is strong as a rock (seat and back). Not sure if I could even break it if I tried! One of the things I don't really like about my Roc saddle is that the seat is pretty wide (which I'm sure many people like). I sit pretty high, so it feels like sitting on a short banana with 3 inches of useless stool. My Gib is smaller and longer . I have a DW as well and it's the same thing, maybe even broader (DW5000?). Now I just use that for a piano. My drums are in a different city at the moment or I'd make a picture. Basically, do you like to play it more up like a bicycle? That's what a drum saddle is really for (Gib started the first saddles for that reason in the 90s). Or normal chair height? Some people go even lower and have to wonder, why have a saddle at all. It became a fad and never went away. That's when they got bigger and wider. People like them because it looks like a Harley, but on a motorcycle you don't move your legs! LOL But, I digress... If it isn't strong, get a very solid stool and back that will work forever. (Avoid plastic nobs.) For those kinds of things, cost should be no object. :)
 

aarono2690

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Pretty significant. Regular ambassadors are a single ply 10mil head, while the vintage are two-ply 10.5mil. The half-mil overall thickness difference doesn't make a ton of difference, but the two-ply vs. single ply does, to my ears.

I'm still waiting for a 12 and an 18. SW told me late Feb for the 12", April for the 18"
Thanks for the suggestions btw. Got the Ambassador Vintages on all my toms and they sound great.

Got stock reso heads on currently. Should I upgrade them next or reso fine for a bit? Suggestions if I do upgrade?
 

aarono2690

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Found a couple 21" K Sweet Rides on reverb. Not sure which one is the better find.

1) First option


2) Second option. Looks to be cleaner, but seller would not send pics of the underside. Basically told me it's fine, just had finger prints and that he played it a few times. I get it's annoying to do more legwork, but not a bad idea to include those photos in your posting.

 

JazzDrumGuy

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I've had A custom hats - they were nice. I had the whole set when they came out. The hats were the last to go. If too crisp, add some painters tape on the inside of each.
Ride - my buddy had one. Nice ping (duh!) and good bell, but little or gongy crash. It's limiting. May need to alternate between nylon and wood tips for a spectrum of sound.
Modern A crashes - not bad but I've played a ton of them and I can play 10 and they all sound bad! It is really hit and miss. Not really a fan of A's. I am assuming it's a higher
pitched thin crash sound, which I don't prefer. I would ditch it for an 18-20 dark crash or crash ride so you can crash and ride it. A washy crash with a pingy one will give you a lot more sounds......

Oh, and what kind of music you play is also important!
 

JimmyM

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Found a couple 21" K Sweet Rides on reverb. Not sure which one is the better find.

1) First option


2) Second option. Looks to be cleaner, but seller would not send pics of the underside. Basically told me it's fine, just had finger prints and that he played it a few times. I get it's annoying to do more legwork, but not a bad idea to include those photos in your posting.

Why wouldn’t he send a pic of the underside? Red flag.
 

aarono2690

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Why wouldn’t he send a pic of the underside? Red flag.
Not sure. I asked for pics of the underside. He asked why/what am I looking for. Told him I wish to see the condition. He then basically said it’s pristine, just finger prints, etc.

I will admit it made me way less comfortable doing a deal.
 

JimmyM

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Not sure. I asked for pics of the underside. He asked why/what am I looking for. Told him I wish to see the condition. He then basically said it’s pristine, just finger prints, etc.

I will admit it made me way less comfortable doing a deal.
As it should. It’s not an unreasonable request by any means.
 

aarono2690

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A couple guys recommended some cymbals. I found this for sale on the forum. Would this be a good addition to my Ping Ride?

I havn't found much for good deals on used K's so leaning towards A and supporting a forum member.
 
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AtlantaDrumGuy

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Your cymbals are great already. I’d say it depends on if you’re looking for a darker type of ride, otherwise leave as is. Those hi hats are great for anything. Crash is fine too.
 

Demonslayer

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A couple guys recommended some cymbals. I found this for sale on the forum. Would this be a good addition to my Ping Ride?

I havn't found much for good deals on used K's so leaning towards A and supporting a forum member.

The SR is rumored to be one of the best "all-around", swiss army knife-type rides. I've only herd good things about it.
 

aarono2690

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If you want to stick with Zildjian, try a Sweet Ride - either A or K, and either 21" or 23".
You'll get a bit more wash. The K is a bit more refined. I've got both A and K in 21".
Which do you prefer and why? Been listening to audio samples and I keep flipping.

A Sweet is definitely cheaper.
 

felis

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Which do you prefer and why? Been listening to audio samples and I keep flipping.

A Sweet is definitely cheaper.
I like them both. The A is a little brighter and washier. The K is a bit more refined. The ones I have are traditional finish.
There's so many cymbals to choose from though. Those just popped into my thoughts first.
 

aarono2690

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I like them both. The A is a little brighter and washier. The K is a bit more refined. The ones I have are traditional finish.
There's so many cymbals to choose from though. Those just popped into my thoughts first.
Found a local guy selling a damn near mint A Sweet Ride 21” for $200. I’m gonna go see it today.

Worse comes to worse I could probably resell it for $200 relatively easy.

 

aarono2690

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Pretty significant. Regular ambassadors are a single ply 10mil head, while the vintage are two-ply 10.5mil. The half-mil overall thickness difference doesn't make a ton of difference, but the two-ply vs. single ply does, to my ears.

I'm still waiting for a 12 and an 18. SW told me late Feb for the 12", April for the 18"
Any recommendation for reso heads? I might buy some more VA batter heads and get some reso heads while my 15% off coupon for Musicians Friend is good (ends tonight I think)
 
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