Need a new ride

[jayshaw91]

I'm sure this has been asked countless times, but my search was pretty futile, so I'll just ask.

I currently have a 20" Z Custom ride. I'm not a fan. I like the bell sound, but when you ride it... I dunno, I just don't dig the sound.

I have been to Guitar Center, but it didn't really help me make a decision for some reason. Maybe it was the semi-limited selection they had, maybe my mood. Who knows!

I've got a 16" and 18" A Custom crash and 14" A Custom Mastersound hats, so something to go with those.

Styles of music: everything from Aerosmith to Foo Fighters to Rage Against the Machine. I'm not a metal guy, so I won't be playing anything like Slipknot... just some Metallica here and there I play mainly rock music, I guess.

Any ideas ya'll got will be appreciated. Ask questions, give advice.

[Brady]

Hey jayshaw. I've got a very similar cymbal set up you have (minus your current ride). I also play similar music as you. I have an A Custom medium ride. It sounds alright but I might change rides as well. Depends what your after really. I reckon the ride I've got has too much crash-ability. If I want that kinda sound I would've gotten a crash/ride. Still nice ride though...

I here the 22" A Custom ping ride is good, and also the 21" sweet ride. Really depends what your taste is eh.

Do you prefer something which cuts through with a crashing edge to it or something with clear stick definition which is easily controlled? Also, how hard you strike your cymbals can also be a factor...

All the best mate. I hope to learn something from this thread to!

[jayshaw91]

Something that doesn't sound like my Z Custom

Again, the bell I dig. It's pretty cutting. I want some sort of interesting sound when doing stick work, but not that Z Custom sound. There is zero stick articulation. It's just... I don't even know how to describe it!

Regarding how hard I hit, I think I hit my ride just hard enough to get sound out of it. I don't beat it at all, but I'm not a tiny tapper, either.

[Brady]

Well at least you've made a start be excluding the sounds you don't like I recommend going to a music store and testing out the ideas I gave... and more! Test them all out! Only by doing that will you find the true sound you want.

[jayshaw91]

And I don't want to make the same mistake I made with the Z. I just bought it on eBay because it was better than my ZBT and I got it for a steal ($95 shipped). My hats became easy once I realized the sound I liked. Sloshy, noisy, crispy. From there I just had to figure out which ones sounded most like that and pull the trigger.

Crashes were easy for me. I wanted something very well rounded and bright. A Crash was an easy, easy call.

The rides, man... I don't really "like" any of them. That's why this is so much harder.

[Redeye]

I have 15, 16, and 17 A Custom Crashes and use a K Custom Hybrid ride. It fits in very nicely, giving a darker sound than the A Custom brightness. You should definitely look at the A Custom Rezo ride. I have sampled a few at stores and think they would work well with your crashes.

[Brady]

Hey Shane was just gonna suggest the Rezo!

I went to the music store yesterday Jay, and I quite like the Rezo. The 22" A Custom ping ride is not too bad either. The A Custom Rezo is actually a pretty good ping ride... but still has presence... I like

[gonefishin]

I suggest going on the Zildjian web site and listen to some sound clips they have listed and then go to your local store once you have some you like narrowed down and listen to them in person before making your final decision.

[pastor_bob]

jayshaw, if you like the A Customs, you might also want to check out the Sabian AAX Studio, and Stage rides, because they blend very well with the A Customs. The Studio Ride has a little more wash than the Stage Ride. I have the 20" AAX Studio Ride, and I think the bell is good - not outstanding, but good. If you are looking for more well defined sticking, I would think about the Stage Ride. You can check out sound bytes for comparison on the Sabian site.

[Christiandrummer777]

i think i know what your looking for. I use a 21 inch AA (sabian) rrock ride. its got good articulation. great bell, and has a little bit of wash to it, that give it a full bodied sound.

[Redeye]

I suggest going on the Zildjian web site and listen to some sound clips they have listed and then go to your local store once you have some you like narrowed down and listen to them in person before making your final decision.

DING, DING! We have a winner. This is always a good idea.

[yohin]

I would agree with everything that's been said so far. Definitely check out sound samples online, then go see if you can find those rides at a music store. A Custom Ping ride, AA Rock Ride, A Custom Rezo ride....all good places to start. I have the 21" AA Rock Ride myself, and I love it's sound. It's got a great ping and a powerful bell without being too clunky or annoying like Z Customs tend to be.

You said you don't really "like" any rides you've heard. If that's true, and you're willing to put down some extra money, you can actually work with Sabian and they'll make you a ride from scratch that fits the sound you're looking for.

[Cant Get Enough]

I use a Avedis natural medium and use a little weather stripping underneath to increase stick definition and cut wash. Take some with you next time and try it it peels off easy so there souldn't be a problem.