It's call hammering. They actually beat the cymbal on an anvil with a round tipped hammer. Like a ball peen hammer. It gives the cymbal a characteristic sound, as opposed to cymbals that are only lathed.
all the best...
I've noticed that there are infinite possibilities when it comes to cymbal customization. One characteristic I've seen on several cymbals is these little dent-like features. Here's what I'm talking about:
This:
http://www.bennettdrums.com/images/E.../cym5large.jpg
As opposed to this:
http://www.beatyourowndrum.com/blog/...bal-726348.jpg
I've seen these "dents" vary in size, shape, and number, and I have two questions:
1) What is the proper term for this feature?
2) What do they do?
Thanks for the help.
My 1960 Ludwig Drumset
Ludwig Drums
Snare = 5x14
Tom-Tom = 9x13
Floor Tom-Tom = 16x16
Bass = 14x22
Zildjian Cymbals
Hi-Hat = 16
Splash = 12
Crash = 16
Ride = 22
Sabian Cymbal
Splash = 10
As a hand-me-down from my dad, it's priceless!
It's call hammering. They actually beat the cymbal on an anvil with a round tipped hammer. Like a ball peen hammer. It gives the cymbal a characteristic sound, as opposed to cymbals that are only lathed.
all the best...
There is also machine hammerd and hand hammerd!
Maybe I can sell my disfigured ZBT crash for more than I paid for it... It has lots of "dents"
Most cymbals are hammered at some point Jski. It's what gives them their shape (or bow). It also hardens them (in combination with heating) to prevent cracking when they are hit.
There is also the lathing process which removes metal from the cymbal and creates the groove (imagine cutting the skin off an apple).
Some cymbals are more heavily lathed after the hammering so you don't see the "dents". Others might be hammered (again) after all lathing is finished.
And that's my 30 second explanation of cymbal-making...
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Go to Sabian site and take the factory tour that way you will see and get to understand how they are made. Nuff Said
I've been hammering my own cymbals for a few months now and have turned some very blah b8's into very complicated and dark sounding b8 bronze cymbals. Of course you can never beat the b8 sound out of them, but you can make them more adapt for other styles of music. I still havn't beaten on any b20 bronze, but it will happen soon...... poor heavy 18in concert cymbal doesn't even know I'm about to pound it into a crash/ride
And very few cymbals nowadays get their shape from hammering. Most are stamped into shape by a powerful press and then "fine tuned with hammering".
Last edited by ocddrummer; 01-21-2009 at 01:54 AM.
ocddrummer...could you give us a little insight into how you do this.
all the best...
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Feel free to request me. Just make sure you add a message with it cause I get too many from people I just don't know.
It doesn't take a lot of force when hitting the cymbal to make a dent. I imagine there is the risk of cracking them, but I havn't cracked one yet. It's real easy to be cautious when your about to smack something as nice as a cymbal w/ a hammer.
A lot has been said on this subject on the web. Start here and enjoy
www.cymbalutopia.com
Moderators:
this artist does sell his cymbals on this page as well. If posting this link is frowned upon, please promptly remove.
That site is pretty rad dude, thanks for posting.
"Life is backwards. Happiness isn't something you seek, it's something that finds you when you are doing the right thing." - Zone47
I have the K Constantinople 20" ride that is pictured on the site you included. One of the most beautiful sounding cymbals I've ever played. Mine is the Light Ride which has been discontinued.
There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...vaz/TheSet.jpg
Yamaha DTXtreme III FrankenXpress w/ various pads and cymbals
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Vater 7A Sugar Maple
Simmons DA-200S
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there was a vid on youtube posted here a while back that actually shows the entire cymbal making process, i beleive at UPIF, or is it UFIP (if i remember right, it's been a while) - either way that cymbal company shows how they do it, including the hammering. really interesting to watch. Wondienr if someone can find it again.
"What consumes your mind, controls your life" - So, what consumes your mind?
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