Zildjian or Sabian

[punx_drummer]

I play in a punk band, i own all Zildjian cymbals, but recently played on 2 sets with all sabian cymbals. I liked the sounds of the Sabian's alot, i dont know if this is because they were just new and never heard by me, or cause theyre just made differently. Whatever the reason, please let me know what you all like best, zildjian or sabian(include as much detail as possible , and if there are any punk fans out there, please let me know what most punk bands use more frequently(zildjian or sabian, cause i really dont know). Thanks alot!

[Barometer]

I'm a fan of Zildjians, but I think this is a rigged question. Both companies make a wide variety of cymbals in different quality ranges and for different feel and sound. I really don't go into a store to buy cymbals thinking I am going to buy a particular brand or model, I check out the cymbals I like the sound of and compare them until I find the one I want. Also depends on your budget. My $.02

BTW, welcome to the board!

[Tim Brown]

Neither.
I'm a Paiste man.


Tim

[VOXVENDOR]

Sort of like Coke, Pepsi and No name brand...

They all sound the same to me... Just, that every company has different models with different tones...

I highly doubt that anyone could be blindfolded and hear the difference.. Unless you throw in some of them really cheap ones that sound really jangly and brassy..


Then and agian, it's comments like that that might get me flamed

Joe

[mikeh]

I was a Zildjian guy for about 30 years. When I first started playing (in the mid 60's) Zildjian was the only real "name brand"). I never had access to Paiste in the early days (although they are fine cymbals) and Sabian was not even around then.

However, about 4 years ago I got a chance to visit the Sabian factory and I was very impressed with their commitment to creating new (and different sounds). I was eqaully impressed with the pride many of the employees took in their company and their product - and the fact that many of them had left Zildjian to join Sabian.

I had an opportunity to try out cymbals in the vault and purchased a couple of rides (Hand Hammered series). I was very impressed with the sounds (at gigs and on recordings) which led me to purchase several crashes and splashes (all Hand Hammered).

Although I still own many great sounding Zildjians (some over 40 years old) and a few Paiste, I now consider myself a Sabian guy.

All 3 companies make some great sounding cymbals (and some not so great entry level stuff) - but I think Sabian makes much more of an effort to come out with new sounds - rather than resting on past years glory.

[musicsdarkangel]

Originally posted by Tim Brown
Neither.
I'm a Paiste man.


Tim

good call



outta zil and sab i'd have to pick zil though.


I too am a paiste man

[SirPsychoSexy]

I use all AA, HH, and HHX models, and although I don't play punk, they certainly sound great in Metal and Prog.

Nobody makes a China like Sabian does... Even Zidjian K's sound like crap compared to a good 18" or 19" AA.

[dcptnsdcvd]

imo
zildjian crashes, splashes, hi-hats
paiste china's are the best. awesome rides too.
sabians are good so long as you don;t mix. they don;t sound goo to me when u mix a sabian 18 with a zildjian 18, the zildjian is always warmer.
and pro makr sticks cuz they don;t break on the ride bell like VF.

[vaughn]

to answer the question, my favorite cymbal maker is sabian. they're innovation and experimentation is fabulous.

when comparing cymbals you must do an apples to apples comparison. if you play ZBTs, Ks or even A customs in your punk band then sit down to a set of sabian AAX's or AA's of course they're going to blow you away because those zildjian lines are made for anything BUT punk. they may have just been clean too :-). check what line of cymbals, there are so many for so many different styles. I sure hope you didn't play a set of B8s and like them :-)

[JR#97]

why isn't pulse on the list? $79 gets you a full set. You can not beat that value any way you slice it.

I had a set of B8 Pros and they were poopy. I do like Vaughn's set of Sabians though. Very shiny like.

[dr.colossus]

Originally posted by SirPsychoSexy

Nobody makes a China like Sabian does...

what about Wuhan?

I play a mixed set of cymbals.... zildjian ride and crash and sabian crash. my hi-hats are sabian hh bottom and a zildjian newbeat top (made in canada, in the sabian factory)

to me the two brands are both just extensions of each others range, and i think that they complement each other very well

[vaughn]

Originally posted by dr.colossus


what about Wuhan?

they can be good and they can be very bad. poor consistency but sometimes they're great.

[/QUOTE]
I play a mixed set of cymbals.... zildjian ride and crash and sabian crash. my hi-hats are sabian hh bottom and a zildjian newbeat top (made in canada, in the sabian factory)

to me the two brands are both just extensions of each others range, and i think that they complement each other very well [/QUOTE]

sabian and zildjians are tough to tell apart, they're both great. knowledge of the product and price are huge in the decision making process obviously. I like the idea of the sabian/zildjian mix on the hats. I was thinking of experimenting with a couple of 16" crashes as hats to see what I could get out of them

peace~

[ZEKE SAYER]

i like them both! (but stay anyway from the zbt, zbt-plus,bb and bbpro cymbals. there made by zildjian and sabian but the suck!)

best zildjian: z customs,a customs and k customs

best sabian: aa, aax and hhx




zeke

[-passenger-]

Basically I play a cymbal first before I purchase it. If I like the sound then thats the cymbal. I usually bring at least two of my other cymbals with me to see if that cymbal compliments the set-up.

Right now I'm playing a 17" Zildjan A Custom Projection Crash, 18" Sabian AA Crash, 22" Sabian AA Dry Ride, 14" K Custom Dark top hat/ 14" K Bottom, 6" K Custom Dark Splash, 6" LP Ice Bell, 14" Wuhan China, 16" Sabian AAX China, 16" Zildjan A Custom Paper Thin Crash w/ rivets, 14" Zildjan New-Beat remote hats.

I don't know if all of this mess will help you, however another thing about Sabian is they seem to be more consistant. If you play 2-3 cymbals of the same size and model they generally have pretty close to the same characteristics. If you do that with Zildjan that is not the case (since they tend to be hand crafted). So you stand a better chance finding a more unique sound with the Zildjan.

[closer9:18]

I didn't read all the posts but I saw that someone mentioned the Zildjian people leaving to join Sabian.

Did anyone mention that Sabian cymbals was founded by a guy named Robert Zildjian? I guess the story is interesting, but I never heard the "real" reason, but he evidentally branched away from the family business to start his own.

As for sound? I've always loved Zildjians, but Sabian has a lot of great ones also.

The best bet is to try out cymbals 'til you find one you like. Simple as that, it might not be that simple. It may be hard to pick one over the other when played side by side. My setup right now has all Zildjian, but I've mixed 'em up with Istanbuls, a Paiste every so often and a couple of Sabians.

When it's all said & done, they're musical instruments. They're all made in their own unique way, and good cymbals will be good cymbals regardless of who makes 'em.

[maddrummer]

I like the ones that sound better when i hit them

[mikeh]

I actually had a chance to share a dinner table with Mr. Zildjian (and his very charming wife) when I visited the Sabian plant a few years ago.

In addition to some great stories about some of the historic jazz drummers (Buddy, Gene, etc) he explained the start of Sabian.

While it is not my place to relay his history, in essence like many families there were some disagreements which led to a parting of the ways. In turn some Zildjian employees followed him to Sabian.

Zildian and Sabian both have some great sounding cymbals (as do Paiste, Wuhan, Meinl and others). As with any instument - it is a matter of personnal preference.

[my2cents]

i have all zildjians, except for one paiste crash. i've never owned a sabian (actually, i do have one...a destroyed sabian crash that i found in the garbage, but it's basically unusable). on a recent trip to the guitar center to try out ride cymbals i only found two that i considered buying...a 21" zildjian k custom special dry ride (which i bought) and a 24" paiste (can't remember the model). aside from a couple of $400 zildjians no other rides in the store were up to par...at least in the confines of a cymbal room. sabians sound good, but i hate their bright finishes and how easy they get figerprints all over them.

[coolsoundman]

I've used Zildjian once in awhile and to me they are ok. I really prefer paiste. Why paiste instead of sabian/zildjian? Paiste are hand hammered cymbals, or pretty much made by hand. Unlike Zildjian, these cymbals are machine made. Thats why there are so many cymbals of this brand and the cost of them is a little cheaper than that of Paiste. Sabian cymbals are both hand and machine made. They have great sound at an affordable price, but they also break or crack. Zildjian's also break and crack as well, thats why they are made so cheaply, imho. I have a paiste crash cymbal for almost twenty years and that cymbal has gone through heck and it still sounds great even without any cracks or breaks. I think its due to the hammering process where the metal is pressed down to where its more condensed, I think. Well, that's my $0.02.

[PhilGood]

Originally Posted by coolsoundman

I've used Zildjian once in awhile and to me they are ok. I really prefer paiste. Why paiste instead of sabian/zildjian? Paiste are hand hammered cymbals, or pretty much made by hand. Unlike Zildjian, these cymbals are machine made. Thats why there are so many cymbals of this brand and the cost of them is a little cheaper than that of Paiste. Sabian cymbals are both hand and machine made. They have great sound at an affordable price, but they also break or crack. Zildjian's also break and crack as well, thats why they are made so cheaply, imho. I have a paiste crash cymbal for almost twenty years and that cymbal has gone through heck and it still sounds great even without any cracks or breaks. I think its due to the hammering process where the metal is pressed down to where its more condensed, I think. Well, that's my $0.02.

Ok, I'm gonna have to step in here. Only a few Paiste's are hand hammered. MOST are machine hammered. The Zildjian K series are hand hammered and the Sabian HH series are hand hammered. All are hand lathed except some newer Paiste lines which are computer lathed.

Paiste's cost more due to tarrifs and shipping costs to the US. That and the companies set their own price point. Zildjian manufactures more, so they are mid priced. Sabian is made in Canada, where manufacturing costs are lower. BTW, Sabian was started by Bob Zildjian.

Zildjian and Sabian both cast their high end cymbals into ingots, which are then heat rolled in different directions to add strength. ALL Paiste's are cut from sheet bronze. The hammering is what shapes the cymbal and adds overtones. Hammering doesn't add strength.

If your Paiste has lasted that long, it because its thicker or you are lucky.

And I *AM* a long time Paiste owner/player.

[sile2001]

I don't play punk, but here's my story so far.

I started out with one of those really crappy Zildjian ZXT Rock starter packages with a sucky crash, a sucky ride, and sucky hi-hats (yes, everything totally sucked). I've been gradually switching them out for and adding Zildjian A Customs and I've been really happy with them. I've still got the ZXT ride and hats, but I tried an A Custom 18" Fast Crash (which was actually rather a "slow" sounding crash), then got a 16" normal crash, then switched the 18" out for a 17" normal crash (sits very well with the 16"), and added 8" and 10" splashes. I'm still trying to find a good set of hats that I really like, and that ride has GOT to go.

[jonnyc]

Its funny comparing Sabian and Zildjian, one of the earlier posts pointed out the fact that a lot of people left zildjian to go to sabian thats because the owners of both companies are brothers. Sabian comes from the initials of the owners kids put together. The Sabian owner(name escapes me) basically is taking what his father taught him(originator of zildjian) and trying to make it better. I own both and prefer the Sabians particularly the HHX series, I love the sound.

[drummerdude666]

Each cymbal to it own.

A 15" A custom is totally different to a 15" A custom...

I buy per cymbal, regardles of make. I have a £300 21" Sabian HH ride next to a £7 Stagg splash!

I wouldn't trade a stagg splash for any other splash, i just like that sound.

[tilinmyowngrave]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

Ok, I'm gonna have to step in here. Only a few Paiste's are hand hammered. MOST are machine hammered. The Zildjian K series are hand hammered and the Sabian HH series are hand hammered. All are hand lathed except some newer Paiste lines which are computer lathed.

Paiste's cost more due to tarrifs and shipping costs to the US. That and the companies set their own price point. Zildjian manufactures more, so they are mid priced. Sabian is made in Canada, where manufacturing costs are lower. BTW, Sabian was started by Bob Zildjian.

Zildjian and Sabian both cast their high end cymbals into ingots, which are then heat rolled in different directions to add strength. ALL Paiste's are cut from sheet bronze. The hammering is what shapes the cymbal and adds overtones. Hammering doesn't add strength.

If your Paiste has lasted that long, it because its thicker or you are lucky.

And I *AM* a long time Paiste owner/player.

Between Z CUstoms and AAX Metal, I would MUCH prefer heavy Paiste Signature cymbals. The only heavy cymbals I like. Of course, Paiste has kick ass cymbals that aren't for metal... I especially love their bells and chimes and all signature cymbals. And I have to give a hand to Wuhan, for their 27" china... I havent tried it, but for only $100... I'm definately getting myself one of those :-D. The point is... I am a fan of Paiste. I don't really like Sabian or Zildjian that much.

[Nick The Man]

i like to match Paiste and Zildjian



but sabian rides are good