Recently bought new cymbals. I've been looking for something a little less bright than what I've had for my main setup.
I've been using:
14" A custom mastersounds
16" A custom crash
17" A custom projection crash
20" A custom ping ride
So far, new cymbals I've bought include:
14" K hi hats
18" A medium-thin crash
20" A medium ride
I'm still looking for another crash, something probably in the 16"-18" range that would go well with the A medium-thin. I'm strongly thinking about buying an 18" K dark medium-thin.
Any expertise you guys could offer would be great...
Thanks in advance!
I haven't played the 18", but have played 16" and 17" versions. They would work very well with that set-up. Honestly, those cymbals really aren't much darker than what you are already using (at least in my experience), but I'm guessing you don't want a drastic change.
I have both an 18 A and 18 KD Medium Thin in my setup. It's a very nice downward tonal progression from the 16 AMT to the 18 AMT to he 18 KDMT. If I only had two, I would go with the 16 and 18 A MT, then add the K as a third later on, but that's just me. I think you can cover more ground with a 16 & 18 than with an 18 and a lower-pitched 18.
Or you could get a dark thin instead of medium-thin, that would be a hair lower pitched and slightly different timbre.
I actually just sold A custom 14" hats,yes they're bright, too bright for me..I now have 14" AAXStage hats, nice hats/nice change..
Mike
Last edited by myk; 02-04-2016 at 03:34 AM.
Went in to my local guitar center. They had an 18" k dark medium thin, and an 18" k custom dark crash. Went with the k custom. There's more contrast with the k custom than there was with the k medium thin. They sound great together!
Larger, thinner, and hammered. I won't beat you up with brand because there are many great choices. Larger generally equals lower, thinner equals lower, and hammered equals darker. Some combination of these qualities will get you what you're looking for.
Collectors Black Ice Finishply
10x8,12x9,15x12,16x14,20x18,24x16
14X6 Collectors 10 and 6 snare Natural Satin
14x8 Collectors Black Nickel over Brass
After further consideration I think I've decided I don't much care got the A medium ride. I'm thinking about taking it back, and going for a K ride.
I've got a gig tomorrow night, I'm gonna try it out with the band and see what happens. Otherwise it's probably going back on Monday.
I play in a classic rock/country cover band, and am trying to get away from the cymbal sound I had previously been with (bright and pingy)
If you're looking for something generally 'darker', this is my setup and I like it:
Zildjian 20" K Constantinople Medium Thin Ride High
Zildjian 18" K Dark Crash Medium Thin
Zildjian 16" K Custom Hybrid Crash
Zildjian 15" A New Beat Hi Hats
Now, just a tiny bit less than an absolute drum newbie
DW Collectors Cherry kit, Ludwig Black Beauty Snare, DW SuperSolid Oak/Cherry Snare, DW Sabian Vault Edge Snare
Had the gig. Played all the new cymbals with an actual band, and here's what i found:
While the cymbals all sounded great just playing by myself, the medium ride was to light, and more or less a lot noisier than what I was looking for.
I loved both of the crashes, they sounded good together, but I found that when playing with my 3 piece classic rock cover band two 18" crash cymbals were way to loud.
Lastly, and not leastly, the hi hats. The hi hats are perfect! I have nothing bad to say about the K hi hats.
So what I've done so far, I've returned the two crashes and the ride. I bought a 16" K dark medium-thin, and a K heavy ride. These two cymbals are perfect, and are keepers. However, I also ordered a 17" A medium-thin online. I don't care for this at all. This one will also be going back.
So now I'm at a loss. I still need another 17"-18" crash cymbal.
Any suggestions? I'm kind of thinking about an A thin crash, maybe another 18".
Thoughts?
Collectors Black Ice Finishply
10x8,12x9,15x12,16x14,20x18,24x16
14X6 Collectors 10 and 6 snare Natural Satin
14x8 Collectors Black Nickel over Brass
Final lineup:
14" K Hi-Hats
20" K Heavy Ride
16" K Dark Medium-Thin Crash
17" K Dark Medium-Thin Crach
After playing on A Customs for so long I don't know why I didn't make the change a long time ago.
That is a great setup!
I am using an identical setup at a rehearsal space.
-Mike
"We don't stop playing because we grow old.
We grow old because we stop playing."
"I wish that my playing reminded people of Steve Gadd. But they seem to confuse me with his little known cousin... E."
"Snare drums happen."
I have the K Custom Hybrid in 17" & 18", love them both!
Bookmarks