If you could only have one cymbal...

**soren-k** · 07-30-2014, 11:37 PM

...on your kit, other than your hi-hats, what would it be? Basically, I'm asking about the most versatile, all-around cymbal in your whole collection (or that you've ever played).

I'll go first:
20" Dream Contact crash/ride

It's pretty washy as a ride, but still sounds good, with a nice bell. Fantastic crash. Sounds good at low volumes, but can roar when you lay into it. Dark and trashy, like a perfect hybrid of ride, crash, and china all in one. A treasure of a cymbal, especially since Dreams are so inconsistent, so I could almost certainly never replace it with another one that was socially identical (or even very close).

OK, your turn!

**drummer5359** · 07-31-2014, 06:15 AM

My Constantinople 20" hi ride would get my nod.

**HolyChina** · 07-31-2014, 10:23 AM

agh this topic again comes up so much in drum world and my one cymbal would be a 22" omni aax or hhx

**Russ** · 07-31-2014, 10:29 AM

I know i'm cheating here because it's two technical cymbals, but i'm going to say if allowed only one cymbal it would be my Zildjian A custom(though i'd prefer A series new beats) hi-hats. How long do you suppose you could get through a practice, gig, etc without your hi-hats? They're my most used item in my set-up, and there's not a lot I could do without them, but a lot that I can, with a little creativity. For example, could take them off the stand and use one cymbal as a ride and the other as a crash.

**crispycritters** · 07-31-2014, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by soren-k

I'll go first:
20" Dream Contact crash/ride

It's pretty washy as a ride, but still sounds good, with a nice bell. Fantastic crash. Sounds good at low volumes, but can roar when you lay into it. Dark and trashy, like a perfect hybrid of ride, crash, and china all in one. A treasure of a cymbal, especially since Dreams are so inconsistent, so I could almost certainly never replace it with another one that was socially identical (or even very close).

OK, your turn!

My choice would be my Stagg DH 20" Jazz Ride - for exactly the same reasons listed above. Although it is named a Jazz Ride - I think Crash/Ride is a more fitting description.

**kay-gee** · 07-31-2014, 05:05 PM

Two ways to go...A crash with rideable qualities or a ride with crashable qualities. I guess if I have hats a ride is not as important.

K Constanople 22 or an 18 crash of any kind.

all the best...

**NPYYZ** · 07-31-2014, 06:54 PM

For me cymbals are like lays potato chips , I can't have just one.

**Mike_L** · 07-31-2014, 07:20 PM

If it was just one, it'd have to make a huge impact. Therefore, I want a 60" gong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=IaEPDEM7_Gc

**PopsOldSkins** · 08-01-2014, 05:20 AM

Sweet Ride

**JohnnySticks** · 08-01-2014, 08:58 AM

The Bospherous 20" Hammer ride is exceedingly crashable. Same for the Zildjan K Hybrid ride. I'd probably put them side by side in a room and choose from them.

Of the ones I own, the Zildjan 18" medium thin crash works an an okay ride and a great crash.

**late8** · 08-01-2014, 09:42 AM

19" vintage '80s Zildjian A rock crash

**Manof1000Ages** · 08-10-2014, 10:37 PM

My 21" A Custom Anniversary Ride. Love it as a ride, love it as a crash. One of the best-sounding cymbals I have ever played.

**Zeta** · 08-10-2014, 11:35 PM

22" AAX Omni

I have gigged this kit before:
Kick
Snare
Floor
Hats
Omni

**CollinCo.Drummer** · 08-11-2014, 07:51 AM

If I could only have one:
18" K Constantinople Crash. I *might* ride the bell, but I'd rather have that crash than any ride. It's the zero-compromise crash.

Best ride for me though is the Zildjian K Custom Dry Ride. Raw and hammered, it has that attack and ting without getting washy and uncontrollable. I swear I hear this ride on so many recordings. I think either many studio engineers go to this ride when they want to reduce the wash, OR studio techniques like gating/ EQ etc result in other types of rides sounding like the Custom Dry does right on the stand. Love it.

**RHD03** · 08-11-2014, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

I know i'm cheating here because it's two technical cymbals, but i'm going to say if allowed only one cymbal it would be my Zildjian A custom(though i'd prefer A series new beats) hi-hats. How long do you suppose you could get through a practice, gig, etc without your hi-hats? They're my most used item in my set-up, and there's not a lot I could do without them, but a lot that I can, with a little creativity. For example, could take them off the stand and use one cymbal as a ride and the other as a crash.

He said other than your hi hats.

For me it would have to be my 20" K Custom Hybrid Ride. Extremely versatile ride, and very crashable.

**Riouel** · 08-11-2014, 10:11 AM

my 23 inch sweet ride for me

**DrummingAllTheWayHome** · 08-11-2014, 01:02 PM

My soon to be Zildjian K light ride 22"..be prepared for a new set of K's thread..

**porkpieguy** · 08-11-2014, 05:32 PM

Hard to say.

In my current situation (I mainly play at church), I'd probably use my A Custom 20" ride.

If I was in a rock band, I'd probably pick my A-series Medium Ride.

**Chris in Chiangmai** · 08-12-2014, 12:28 AM

Zildjian A custom 22" medium ride (I don't have one as I play in a condo so had to settle for a dampened 20")

**Russ** · 08-12-2014, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by RHD03

He said other than your hi hats.

No fun.

**Olimpass** · 08-12-2014, 07:03 AM

Tough choice...maybe one of those sand rides...sound great, crashable too.

**not him** · 08-12-2014, 03:03 PM

22 AAX raw bell dry ride

**Pearl MCX Man** · 08-12-2014, 03:43 PM

I already have for over 40 years. Vintage 70's A avedis 21 inch sweet ride. The most versatile crash/ride IMO

**Seforeman** · 08-12-2014, 04:38 PM

20" Sabian AA El Sabor Ride ;-)

**The_Epsicle** · 08-14-2014, 12:14 AM

My 16" Sabian APX Crash, probably because my Hi-hats are 13" B8's that sound halfway decent when you ride them open.

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