Best Ride Cymbal

[Ricardo]

I want your opinions..................

What is the best ride cymbal for great ping and no wash ?

I have used the same ride cymbal since 1973............at that time I bought a heavy 22-inch "A" Zildjian................it is still great.
But 1973 was a long time ago and I'm looking for ideas.
BTW, I use nylon tip sticks to enhance the ping.

[weezy]

I have a 20" AA extra heavy that has ping for weeks. The HH leopard ride and Zildjian earth rides are ping monsters in their own right, both being heavy weights and unlathed. I find the leopard to be the more musical of the two.

[longgun]

I love a great "ping" with little wash, and use two different rides

-22" A Custom Ping ride - My personal favorite - used on 90% of gigs

-22" Paiste Blue Bell (Stewart Copeland) Ride

IMO, the A Custom is exactly the ride sound I grew up with..............love it

[SpazApproved]

I am COMPLETELY in love with my 23" Over ride.

It is so dry and has big ping and loud as can be.
And if you need more the bell is as strong as an ice bell.

[lukesplat12]

Although that's not my favorite style of ride... I used a K custom 22 in the studio once and it sounded a lot what like what you describe.

[Ricardo]

I have a 20" AA extra heavy that has ping for weeks. The HH leopard ride and Zildjian earth rides are ping monsters in their own right, but being heavy weights and unlathed. I find the leopard to be the more musical of the two.

I love a great "ping" with little wash, and use two different rides

-22" A Custom Ping ride - My personal favorite - used on 90% of gigs

-22" Paiste Blue Bell (Stewart Copeland) Ride

IMO, the A Custom is exactly the ride sound I grew up with..............love it

Although that's not my favorite style of ride... I used a K custom 22 in the studio once and it sounded a lot what like what you describe.

Many thanks guys..................I'll check these out.

[Ricardo]

I am COMPLETELY in love with my 23" Over ride.
It is so dry and has big ping and loud as can be.
And if you need more the bell is as strong as an ice bell.

I've seen one of those DeGrasso limited versions.
I've never owned a Sabian cymbal but I could start.
23 is an interesting choice.
Even though I have not played one, that bell looks like an easy target.

[late8]

Since you are exclusively a Zildjian guy, my suggestion would be the 20" K Custom Dry Ride.



iPhone video- Click the small box below and it should open to QuickTime player. It's a clip I posted to my Photobucket account almost a year ago. Sorry about the quality of the audio but you'll get the idea. I used both wood tip and nylon tip stick.

[Tamastar]

I love a great "ping" with little wash, and use two different rides

-22" A Custom Ping ride - My personal favorite - used on 90% of gigs

-22" Paiste Blue Bell (Stewart Copeland) Ride

IMO, the A Custom is exactly the ride sound I grew up with..............love it

I don't get the bluebell ride...
The only part that ISN'T blue is the bell (i'm sure it sounds great though)

[Bish]

Of all of my ride cymbals previously owned and currently own, I have to say my Sabian 22" paragon has everything you could want. Huge bell, limited wash (depending on where you strike it), clear ping if needed. Just an overall great work horse that will do your bidding for you.

[EyePea]

I'm a Paiste guy so...
22" 2oo2 Ride. Hugely versatile.

[FlyByNight]

21" Sabian HH raw bell dry ride. Beautiful full ping and an incredible bell. It's the perfect size. 20" is too small, and a 22" is a little on the big side. I love everything about it.

[pcs90]

I use a Meinl 20" Byzance Dark Raw Bell ride. Some of these do have quite a bit of wash, but I picked one out that was lower-pitched and drier. When playing with the stick tip there's almost no wash unless you really lay into it. There's some wash if you crash it or do an accent but otherwise it's very dry. It's not a very loud cymbal, though. The Extra Dry Medium and Vintage Pure rides are also very dry with a clear ping, but again very dark so not super loud.

For cutting through I recommend the already mentioned Zildjian K Custom Dry or Avedis Earth rides, Sabian Paragon or any of the Raw Bell Dry rides, or the Paiste Dark Energy rides. The K Custom Dry literally has no wash whatsoever, just a stick sound.

[Olimpass]

Something unique for you.

[Powertrip240]

21" Sabian HH raw bell dry ride. Beautiful full ping and an incredible bell. It's the perfect size. 20" is too small, and a 22" is a little on the big side. I love everything about it.

Exactly. I love my HH RBDR. I've tried to replace it a couple times, but can't find anything that compares. I keep coming back to it.

[FlyByNight]

Exactly. I love my HH RBDR. I've tried to replace it a couple times, but can't find anything that compares. I keep coming back to it.

The HH is what sabian considers the "vintage" sound. I've heard the HHX, AAX, and AA rbdr's, but IMO, they still don't compare.

[G-man]

I have to second the Paiste Blue Bell. Its about an inch thick and weighs 40 pounds. Pings like bullets bouncing off a tank.

[gdmoore28]

21" Sabian HH raw bell dry ride. Beautiful full ping and an incredible bell. It's the perfect size. 20" is too small, and a 22" is a little on the big side. I love everything about it.

This. I've auditioned every ride I could get a stick on, and so far nothing has come close to the 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride. That cymbal displays all the characteristics I desire in a combo setting. One day, I'll have one.

GeeDeeEmm

[longgun]

I have to second the Paiste Blue Bell. Its about an inch thick and weighs 40 pounds. Pings like bullets bouncing off a tank.

The only downside IMO, is the price

[longgun]

I don't get the bluebell ride...
The only part that ISN'T blue is the bell (i'm sure it sounds great though)

Yep.............the name is a bit misleading

Here is a pic for those who haven't seen one

Of all of my ride cymbals previously owned and currently own, I have to say my Sabian 22" paragon has everything you could want. Huge bell, limited wash (depending on where you strike it), clear ping if needed. Just an overall great work horse that will do your bidding for you.

Always wanted to try a 22" Paragon............there is one on CL Atlanta for 175...............I may have to grab it

[hellride]

Easypeasy! I have to say my old 22" Zildjian Z-custom Power ride.
Unfortunatly I sold it but it seems as if I'm going to get it back. (Fingers crossed)

[dangermoney]

I use a plain Jane 20" Zildjian A Ping Ride. Pretty basic but does the job for every style of music that I play ...

[topdog63]

^^^^^
+1
Have a 22" Zildjian Ping Ride and it is awesome. Also enjoy the Sweet Ride

[Bish]

Always wanted to try a 22" Paragon............there is one on CL Atlanta for 175...............I may have to grab it

Yes, you should. For me it's my favorite ride cymbal. I have several others but the Paragon will always be my go to and gig ride cymbal.

[Kevaruka]

Easypeasy! I have to say my old 22" Zildjian Z-custom Power ride.
Unfortunatly I sold it but it seems as if I'm going to get it back. (Fingers crossed)

have the very same cymbal