Making Sizzle Cymbals?

[aonarach]

Soon enough I should be getting a sweet little 22" Paragon ride cymbal in the mail, so now it is time to do something with my old AA medium ride. For years I've wanted a sizzle cymbal, and I've decided to sacrifice my first ride. I was wondering if anyone knows anything, or any resources that could help me with this proccess.

I have an idea of how I could do it. Just drill holes in an even pattern near the edge of the cymbal and insert some rivets. But how close to the edge, and how many holes? I'm hoping to get some suggestions before I start hacking, or rather drilling, away. Plus, is there any wasy to keep it structurally sound? I'm envisioning soldering the edges of the holes or something.

Any insight would be great!

[tmix]

All I know is the closer to the edge the rivets are the more pronounced the sizzle is. (and the longer they buzz). As far as the integrity of the cymbal, dont solder. That will just deaden it and subject the cymbal to uneeded heat which is bad for it. Just drill a good clean edge and then remove any sharp burrs that might remain around the hole. The rivet head needs to lay flat on the cymbal. The cant be too tight... for obvious reasons. Generally speaking they used tubular rivets that once inserted you simply flared the bottome edge a little to keep them in.

Tom

[Stefan Elmblad]

You can get more or less the same sound by hooking a tiny chain to the center of your cymbal and let it hang down towards the edge of the cymbal. And you will still have your cymbal in un-drilled shape.

[mikeh]

I agree with Stefan, something like the little "pull chains" to turn on a ceiling light (different materials and different sizes obviously can produce dirrent tones.

There is also a device (with rivets mounted on it) that threads on the cymbal stand which can be folded done to make contact with the cymbal (or folded up if you don't want a sizzel).

I suggest you do not drill to install rivets unless you really know what you're doing (perhaps a drum shop in your area has someone on staff with experiance in this).

The "best way" to install rivets is to install them on one side of a cymbal - start with one, if that is not the sound you need add a second (3 would likely be the max).

When I visited the Sabian factory a few years back, I got a great education on the placment and use of rivets - the main thing I learned, is to leave it to people who know what they're doing.

[Supercreep]

Originally Posted by Stefan Elmblad

You can get more or less the same sound by hooking a tiny chain to the center of your cymbal and let it hang down towards the edge of the cymbal. And you will still have your cymbal in un-drilled shape.

Yes. And different chains = different sounds.

Nice.

[PhilGood]

I used to tape 3 or 4 dimes to a cymbal like they were hinged. Saw one once that had the holes drilled about 2 inches in and the guy put in cotter pins,

Then again, I know squat about sizzle cymbals!!

[aonarach]

I've tried taping coins and little links of chain to my ride before, but they always come off (and I'm not one to play real hard, especially that cymbal).

I have heard about those devices that let you suspend chains, but I have not been able to find one. All I can find is a pathetic chain that runs right off the top of the cymbal (which I can do myself easily).

Does anyone know where I could find one of these suspender thingies?

Thanks for the insight!

[mikeh]

If I recall, the device that I had that screwed onto the cymbal stand was made by Ludwig (don't know the model number) - however, I do remember the threading was designed for a relatively smalll diameter which worked well with some 30 year old lightweight, single braced Ludwig stands I had, but did not work with the larger diameter threading on things like Gibralter stands.

I think another company also made a back plastic piece with a "chain" installed into the plastic which threaded onto a cymbal stand - I think that fit the larger diameter Gibralter stands (however, that did not seem to be much better than hanging a chain over the cymbal)