What about a 2nd Crash?

**Lars Ftw** · 10-18-2010, 04:20 AM

Hey,

Well, i'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, I havn't even purchased a decent crash yet, but this question just hit me: What do I put as my second crash (if I was to buy one).

Get the same one as the first crash, or another different one completely? mm I know im going to get a lot of 'do whatever you want' responses but yeah, what do you guys have, whats your set up?

Thanks,

Aidan

**TPO** · 10-18-2010, 04:32 AM

It depends on the music you are playing, but speaking as someone fairly new to drumming who is still working out how to build a kit, I'd say go for a similar crash in a different size.

e.g. have a 16" as your main crash, then an 18" as the second. This means that when you have repeated crashes in a passage you can alternate between them to add some variety to what is otherwise a flat wall of a single sound. If you listen to 'gimmie all your lovin' by ZZ top (sorry I cant give a more metal example), you can hear Frank Beard doing this during the middle instrumental break after the snare roll. Two sets of three crashes, and if you listen carefully you can hear the differing tone in each crash. Subtle, but it makes the music (and the playing!) more intersting.

You can also use the differening tone to compliment different movements in the music. e.g. the 16" will likely be a higher tone, so it suits when the music is going 'up', such as the transition to a chorus or something like that where the key or mood of the music 'rises'. Then when the music comes 'down' again, such as back into the verse or something like that, you can use the lower tone of the larger crash.

I've set up like this a couple of weeks ago, and was really pleased with the added variety it gives and am enjoying experimenting with different combinations in different songs. It's also given me a lot more info on the kind of cymbals I want to get moving forwards.

I'm still very much a newbie though, and I'm sure there is a lot more to the art than I have found so far, but I'd say this is a good place to start.

HTH.

Edited to add: For ref, I play mostly straightforward Rock. AC/DC, ZZ Top, Cult, that sort of thing.

**sheoth** · 10-18-2010, 05:59 AM

well said TPO

**jafo** · 10-18-2010, 05:14 PM

The first two crashes I bought were an Alpha 16" med. and an Alpha 18" med. crash. Worked out well, then added an 18" Alpha Thin crash and it was alittle different but to me more versitile, so I wound up using the two 18" Alpha crashes mostly and the 16" crash at certain times like TPO said. The thin crash gives me alittle higher pitch than the medium crash. I like to accent the med. crash with the thin crash on occasion.

**bloodylipp** · 10-18-2010, 06:21 PM

dont forget a 3rd crash

**tamadrummer1242** · 10-18-2010, 06:28 PM

When I picked my second crash, I tried to find a crash with a longer sustain and that was easily ride-able. Just my 2 cents

**yohin** · 10-18-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by bloodylipp

dont forget a 3rd crash

Yep. Of course it comes down to personal preference, but I like to have three crashes on my kit...essentially a low, medium, and high pitch.

**Martinez12** · 10-18-2010, 07:59 PM

I have two crashes and i plan putting at least another one, And replacing the 14'' for a 17'' or 18''

**defcon235** · 10-18-2010, 10:48 PM

I have 3 crashes, a 16" and two 18"s.

**Homeularis** · 10-19-2010, 12:07 AM

Yes!.

**wolvie56** · 10-19-2010, 01:52 AM

I have 4 crashes. 2 16"'s, an 18" & a 20". But I would start out with a 16" and an 18". Nice difference in sound but still close enough to complement each other.

**TPO** · 10-19-2010, 02:22 AM

It all goes downhill from here, soon you too will realise that it's impossible to own too many cymbals. I've only been posting a few weeks and already I've tripled the number of crashes I have and I'm thinking of buying more.

But I'm in control, I could stop if I wanted to..

**Lars Ftw** · 10-19-2010, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by TPO

It all goes downhill from here, soon you too will realise that it's impossible to own too many cymbals. I've only been posting a few weeks and already I've tripled the number of crashes I have and I'm thinking of buying more.

But I'm in control, I could stop if I wanted to..

Nah, you're not in control. But don't worry, cymbal addiction isn't a bad thing. Lol. How can you ever have too many?

Aidan

**Bubingabill** · 10-19-2010, 07:26 AM

I agree

**Nechre** · 10-19-2010, 10:05 AM

Don't forget a couple of splash cymbals, a china, and maybe a zil-bel or two.

**gonefishin** · 10-19-2010, 11:45 AM

Lars.......its all personal preference, let your ears tell you what sounds best.

As already posted you have a lot of options, Zil Bell, splash, china etc. I say get your first crash and then go from there to see what type of sound you want to go for next.

**TheBluePill** · 10-19-2010, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bubingabill

I agree

*starts drooling*

**Lars Ftw** · 10-21-2010, 12:27 AM

Lol Nice Kit

**almostmatt1** · 10-21-2010, 12:54 AM

ideally... i want 5. 14 thin, 16 med, 17 rock, 18 and 20 metal paiste alpha's. :P

**9digits** · 10-23-2010, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by TPO

It depends on the music you are playing, but speaking as someone fairly new to drumming who is still working out how to build a kit, I'd say go for a similar crash in a different size.

e.g. have a 16" as your main crash, then an 18" as the second. This means that when you have repeated crashes in a passage you can alternate between them to add some variety to what is otherwise a flat wall of a single sound. If you listen to 'gimmie all your lovin' by ZZ top (sorry I cant give a more metal example), you can hear Frank Beard doing this during the middle instrumental break after the snare roll. Two sets of three crashes, and if you listen carefully you can hear the differing tone in each crash. Subtle, but it makes the music (and the playing!) more intersting.

You can also use the differening tone to compliment different movements in the music. e.g. the 16" will likely be a higher tone, so it suits when the music is going 'up', such as the transition to a chorus or something like that where the key or mood of the music 'rises'. Then when the music comes 'down' again, such as back into the verse or something like that, you can use the lower tone of the larger crash.

I've set up like this a couple of weeks ago, and was really pleased with the added variety it gives and am enjoying experimenting with different combinations in different songs. It's also given me a lot more info on the kind of cymbals I want to get moving forwards.

I'm still very much a newbie though, and I'm sure there is a lot more to the art than I have found so far, but I'd say this is a good place to start.

HTH.

Edited to add: For ref, I play mostly straightforward Rock. AC/DC, ZZ Top, Cult, that sort of thing.

This is exactly what I did. I have a 16", an 18" and a 17" Meinl Amun for a darker/different crash sound, I also have a Zildjian 16" bright crash that I use too. I'm currently experimenting with my newly purchased Wuhan 18" china to make things interesting. Having a variety of cymbals has opened more doors to creativity for me.

Menu

Thread: What about a 2nd Crash?

Thread Tools

Display

User Info Menu