Mixing cymbals

[inthpktplayer]

I think I'd feel pretty comfortable challenging most anyone to correctly guess what brand pie I'm banging on. Really don't think it matters acoustically. Now, for those of us that are OCD, then visually, yeah maybe it matters........a little.

[Tadman]

I think the fact that I have a lot of one kind of cymbal is, after a lot of trying, that brand just has something that my ears favor for the type of music I often play. That said, if I am looking for "that sound," it is without concern for who makes it. I will try every cymbal in a shop (the more the better), of the type I am looking for (effects, crash-ride, ride, etc.) and when I find it, welcome to the family.

[skills]

I play all Paiste cymbals.
Maybe I'll get a China from different company then.

[JuHiZz69]

I think it's all about your opinion. The most important thing is that cymbals sounds good together.

Me myself: I have some kinda fixation that my cymbals should be same brand, dunno why.. Same thing is with drums.. It bugs me a bit; I have Pearl drums, Pearl snare, Pearl hardware BUT Iron Cobra double pedals and hi-hat stand, one Tama boom stand and one Yamaha clamp.. I have even Pearl tambourine with Pearl percussion holder.. I've wondered, should I switch my Iron Cobras to Eliminators or Demon Drives and swap that one boom stand to equivalent Pearl stand.. But I think I try to get use to this situation and try to relieve my fixation...

[GoyaDrumr!]

I mix Cymbal brands too, I use a Zildjian Pitch Black 22" ride, Zildjian 15" custom china, Paiste 16 PSX Crash and 16' Stagg DH Crash with Sabian Hihats I buy cymbals with my ears not my eyes, lol

[Powertrip240]

I used to keep it to only Sabians, but after trying other brands, I've discovered that I just can't beat my 13" Zildjian New Beats, and I love my 8" and 10" Wuhan splashes. So now I don't care so much about brands or labels.

[Dawgkikker]

I play Zildjian A custom master hats. 16, 17, 19 AAX darks, A custom splash, and AAX stage ride. Like many here I acquired them one at a time.

[drumstix]

I am a bit ocd to a degree. I was going for an all Sabian setup initially, but then I came across Impression cymbals in a local shop and grabbed a bunch of them as well.

[Legerdemaine]

I'm another who believes it's fine to mix cymbal brands. I have mostly Sabian AAXs, but I have a Zildjian A splash and an Istanbul sizzle splash. I like them all, & think they work fine together.

[spikeithard]

Big time OCD

I made sure I have all Tama hardware and matching Sabian cymbals. I dont want a frankenstein kit.

[longgun]

I think I'd feel pretty comfortable challenging most anyone to correctly guess what brand pie I'm banging on. Really don't think it matters acoustically. Now, for those of us that are OCD, then visually, yeah maybe it matters........a little.

+1.................if a cymbal sounds great, I really don't care what label is on it..............but, aesthetically it always looks better when cymbals match

[Five Magics]

Versatility Rocks!
14" A Zildjian New Beat Hi Hats
16" HHX Sabian Stage Crash
16" AAX Sabian Metal Crash
18" AAX Sabian X-Plosion Crash
20" K Custom Session Zildjian Ride
10" Sabian B8 Pro Splash
8" Wuhan Splash
16" Wuhan China
Aux. HiHats - 14" AA Regular hats bottom (played on top) with Paiste 2002 17" crash cut down to 14" (played on bottom)

[Goro]

I used to be a Zildjian only guy until I bought a A splash and got a 16" Wuhan China for free. That was 16 years ago and now I'm all mixed up. I try not to limit myself anymore. I still use/gig with that 16" Wuhan to this day , still sounds good.

[isaacvining]

I had an all-matching set for a very short time and it was fun, especially visually. However because my playing situations differ so often, it's rare that I ever use an all-matching set.

However, now that I have a 22 Zildjian Kerope and Constantinople, I'd like to get a nice set of Zildjian hats to match for my blues-pop trio!

[FlayOtters]

I play all Paiste cymbals.
Maybe I'll get a China from different company then.

Yeah.
All eight drums are Slingerland BDP and all cymbals are black(ish) Meinl.
Maybe add a black wuhan china just for laughs.
Planning a white marine pearl kit with all 2002s, for the look.
Gotta match.

In my day there were Zildjian and Paiste... and crap.
So you played a set of bin lids until you could afford one of those two brands.
Nowadays, all cymbals sound good (sure, some sound better than others, but it's more about the sound you want rather than the quality as such). It's a drummer's paradise out there.

Now get off my lawn.

[ludleg]

I am in the mix & match camp. My current setup with my C&C kit is:

Ride:
Sabian 21" Groove Ride

Crashes:
18"" Istanbul Mehmet Blackbell
20" Istanbul Agop Mantra

Hats:
15" Istanbul Agop Mantra

Accents:
16" Sabian B8 O-Zone
14" Zildjian Trashformer

Each gives me a unique thing I am looking for - for the project I am currently working on. Next project could be an entirely mix of cymbals.

[N2Bluz]

I just purchased my first matching set (PST7 Paistes). It looks great, and the sounds really do blend well together. However....I still love the mirror finish and dark overtones of my cheap Wuhans. I also like the sound from my heavy Sabian AA and Zildjian Z3 rides. I have a feeling I'll still be a mix-n-match cymbal guy.

[jgziegler]

I'm looking to change my ride, anyone got a 21" Sweet Ride they want to sell?

I want something to go better with my 18" crash ride, I think this might be it. I guess with mixing cymbals it more about how well they sound together than what brand they are...

[SpazApproved]

Big time OCD

I made sure I have all Tama hardware and matching Sabian cymbals. I dont want a frankenstein kit.

we all know I'm OCD as can be.
But I also feel when companies make a line of cymbals they all mesh well together in the family line.
So if you find one cymbal you really like chances are you'll like most the others in that line. (in my opinion)

But just remember that comes at a cost too as usually you'll like something really nice then they're all going to be really nice.

[JoePasko]

I have a feeling I'll still be a mix-n-match cymbal guy.

The right tool for the right job. That's how I see it.

[JohnnySticks]

I play a mix. Ecleticism. When I see someone playing a mix of brands/models of cymbals, I automatically accord them a sense of individuality and choosiness that they may not necessarily deserve, but which I grant them nonetheless. This, I think, is someone who chooses how to color his sound.

Having said that, one of the cymbals I use is a Sabian AA crash that I won in a raffle. I would neve have bought it but it's okay for certain situations.