Maybe a new cymbal. [HELP!]

[Frazzetto]

Okay, so... I am going to GC with a friends on Sunday. I am considering getting a new cymbal maybe. I don't NEEEEEEED it, but I COULDDDD use an upgrade.

My hats are staying the same for sure, Zildjian Mastersounds.

My options of replacement are of 3. I have 2 crashes that are Sabian Xs20 (16"/18".) These are OKAY, but I feel like they sometimes don't project live. Especially when i crash (continuously, that is..) on the 18", I feel like sometimes it mutes itself when i hit it once then kill the resonance with the next hit. Nobodies ever said anything about it, so I think it MIGHT just be me (from my perspective behind the kit in a live setting.) Anyway, I can replace ONE of those or.... I have a full warranty (pro-coverage) on my ZHT medium ride (this means I can break it anyway I want and get $150 cash back towards a new ride.)

Should I replace any? and which one? If so, any recommendations? (My GO-TO consideration is A Customs for crash and MAYBE sweet ride)

Budget isn't HUGEEEEE, but I'd like to not spend any more than AROUND 250-300ish (ie: the sweet ride is about 300 and id get 150 back from old ride.)

Any help on this would be awesome. Thanks guys! and sorry I've been gone a while. Busy xD

[Xoferif09]

Personally what I would do, is try out a few crashes and a few rides and then decide what you want. Play everything at guitar center they will let you hit.

Then, hop on Ebay and find what you want for half price, then you can get something extra if you have enough left over. Sweet ride new 300? I bet you could find it in great shape on the web for under 200 if you look around had have the time. Then maybe you can find a crash with the remainder you have left, MAYBE. Lol.

Good luck!

[marko138]

Who breaks rides????

I'm with xoferif09 on this one. Find something you like then find a sick deal on it.

[Frazzetto]

Meh, idk. im skeptical on buying used cymbals. What if it looks nice and seems to be in good condition and I spend roughly 200 or so on it, then it breaks in a few months from wearing. IDK XD

[Xoferif09]

Meh, idk. im skeptical on buying used cymbals. What if it looks nice and seems to be in good condition and I spend roughly 200 or so on it, then it breaks in a few months from wearing. IDK XD

All my cymbals are 100 percent used. I have not bought a single one new, and I have not broken any. Pawn shop, ebay, craigslist. As long as a cymbal is played properly it shouldn't break, used or not. Lol

[wolvie56]

Meh, idk. im skeptical on buying used cymbals. What if it looks nice and seems to be in good condition and I spend roughly 200 or so on it, then it breaks in a few months from wearing. IDK XD

Just use common sense. Look at the pictures closely. Ask for more pictures. Ask how long they have had it. Did he gig with it. All of my cymbals have been bought used over E-Bay. Sometimes you can find a "used once for a drum clinic", or a rich guy that has bought something else and doesn't need it anymore. Or an E-Bay store selling a floor model that they can't legally sell as new anymore. I have bought nearly new perfect looking Paragons for less than half price. I don't trust Craigslist anymore. No buyer protection, and to many crooks out there that have discovered Craigslist as a target for unsuspecting victims carrying around cash in their pockets.

[marko138]

Exactly. Do your homework. If it looks good and looks like it was treated correctly than it probably was. Can you get burned? Ya, absolutely. I don't put a ton of stock in a warranty of any kind on any product. Take care of your gear and you don't need to worry about breaking a cymbal. Can it happen? Yes. Use caution. But don't disregard used completely.

[Frazzetto]

Been a while. but i got zildjian 20th anniversary ride. It's awesome.

[drumsetsnide]

Congratulations on the new ride. Did you end up getting it at GC?

Can you post pics? You know the saying around here...pics or it didn't happen!

[Warren Wright]

Ive bought new ones, used ones and a few abused ones; never had a problem with any of them - except for one time when our band hosted a jam session and i forgot to take down my high end crashes and splash and some dweeb diddle cracked a 250 dollar crash and destroyed a 120 dollar splash. Havent forgotten that lesson ~!! Used cymbals are "less expensive". so i replaced my broken toys with used ones ( exactly the same cymbals ) at half the price of new ones. Still playing them after 4 years.

[Drumbledore]

Quite a number of cymbals I buy tend to be second-hand, and at a fraction of their original price (I do also buy new cymbals, just to let you know). After trying it out with sticks, rods, brushes etc, I always pull out a soft felt mallet out of my stick bag, strike the cymbal gently with it and hold it near my ear, listening to the hum and paying attention for any tell-tale signs of a slight rattle, which will indicate a slight or hairline crack, before I lay out the cash for a second hand cymbal (it's an old trick that I was shown years back). And I try and not buy second hand cymbals from heavy hitters if I can, especially if we're talking about thin cymbals like thin crashes and thin splashes. Mind you, some cymbals that I bought second hand years and years back have still stayed with me. It's the luck of the draw sometimes.