Gretsch 8-ply Birch, now I need cymbals

  • Thread starter Thread starter jimballs
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jimballs

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Ok, so I just purchased a set of drums!

I have been playing guitar for the last 13 years now. I have 4 Guitars and one bass. Seeing as now I am old, and all of the ex-band mates have real jobs and are to busy to play anymore, I thought, "I should just buy a nice intermediate level 5 piece kit and record and make my own music." So that is what I am doing.

I just purcahsed this kit Gretsch 5 Piece Catalina Birch. Now I need to add some cymbals. Since my wife is ragging me about how much all this costs, I do not have much money left to spend, here are my options:

Paiste PST 3 Cymbal Set Rock
14" hi-hats, 16" crash, 20" ride
$159.99

The Zildjian ZBT
13" hi-hats, 14" Crash, 18" Crash Ride, FREE 16" Crash and a travel
bag
$179.95

The Sabian B8 Set
14" hi-hats, 16" Crash, 20" Ride, FREE Hard Shell Case
$209.00

Paste PST 5 Cymbal Set Rock
14" hi-hats, 16" crash, 20" ride
$248.99

Any light that you guys could help shed on the situation would be awesome. Oh, by the way, first post ... awesome site.
 
i would recomend the 1st 2 sets of cymbals you listed both great deals but if money is really an issue i would just get the first set....
 
IMO, the ZBTs are pretty harsh and "gongy." They do sound pretty good with Hot Rods. I haven't tried the others.

I'd say, if it's a starter set and you are planning to upgrade later, just get the ZBTs or B8s. At least you can sell them later and not lose too much. If you really want good cymbals. Buy them one at a time as you can afford them.
 
The thing about the B8 unlike the ZBT is that the B8 goes through the same manufacturing process as the AA by sabian. ZBT's are just pressed sheets of metal (basically). A sabian set of cymbals will give you the better sound especially for recording. I know professionals that still use the B8.
 
The B8's sound good. When compared to similar AA model cymbals the B8's did not have as much life to them and sounded much more 'manufactured' for lack of a better word. All, in all, they are a good starter set.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I have been leaning toward the B8's based on the reviews I've read on other websites. But it is hard to decifer the quality of the those reviews. I think a lot of them are written by younger uninformed players who really have do not know much about the gear or technology in which the gear was manufactured ... that is how I stumbled upon this forum, I was looking for some non-biased feedback from people who know what they are talking about.

I very much appreciate your comments.
 
have you thought of lookign into used? Cymbals mellow over time...if you purchase used, its likely they are already mellowed and so you wont have to guess how they will sound later on. Plkus, used can also be cheaper.
 
dude, go sraight for the B8, in my opinion they are the best out of all of those, my school has ZBT's and in my opinion they suck, but i have a B8 crash/ride and splash, and they sound awesome, but then again paste is also good, but i'd go for the B8......

- CuBaNoRoCkEr316
 
masterb8

The B8s are pretty nice. They sell a two pack of 14" hi hats and a crash ride (which I actually use for my ride and it's pretty nice) for $129 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Drums/Percussion/Cymbals?sku=445471 this link has free shipping and a free splash cymbal and a free stand.
Then buy a nice crash somewhere and you're set, I've got a big 18" A custom.
Just my opinion, just avoid the ZBTs, not a lot of resonance going on there...
 
Another vote for B8s.


I've never used the paistes, but I have used ZBT's and I would definitely not recommend those.
 
In big rooms I like Zildjans but in smaller rooms(studios and practice areas) Sabians sound better. The Sabians just sound better with a lighter strike imo.
 
Zildjian "A" cymbals are awesome. I've been playing and recording on them for over 30 years.
 
johnnyfever said:
Zildjian "A" cymbals are awesome. I've been playing and recording on them for over 30 years.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more, they're $550 a set though.
 
Keep in mind, you get what you pay for.

There's really no way around buying decent cymbals except to buy used.

B8's aren't bad. The ZBT's are crap. I have not heard the Paiste's you listed, so I can't comment on them - they may by junk - they may be fairly decent - I really don't know. Personally, I'd save a little cash and invest in a better grade of cymbals. I've found that you can get away with mid priced hi-hats, but the crashes you're better off buying a little higher grade (perhaps Sabian Pro series - I've played them, and they weren't too bad at all.)

Since this is for recording - you'll want thinner cymbals, as they will record better, and you would probably be better off with 16" crash, and a 20" ride to start with. Smaller crashes tend to work better for recording - just as smaller drums do as well. (Unless you're after a Bonham type of sound, then bigger all the way around is better.) :)


Tim
 
Tim Brown said:
Keep in mind, you get what you pay for.

There's really no way around buying decent cymbals except to buy used.

B8's aren't bad. The ZBT's are crap. I have not heard the Paiste's you listed, so I can't comment on them - they may by junk - they may be fairly decent - I really don't know. Personally, I'd save a little cash and invest in a better grade of cymbals. I've found that you can get away with mid priced hi-hats, but the crashes you're better off buying a little higher grade (perhaps Sabian Pro series - I've played them, and they weren't too bad at all.)

Since this is for recording - you'll want thinner cymbals, as they will record better, and you would probably be better off with 16" crash, and a 20" ride to start with. Smaller crashes tend to work better for recording - just as smaller drums do as well. (Unless you're after a Bonham type of sound, then bigger all the way around is better.) :)


Tim
Click to expand...

Or you could save some more and get Paiste Alphas. They are as close to professional as you can get without getting real pro cymbals.
 
Ok dude if your buying cymbals go into a store and hit them, if you like the sound buy them. As I see it Pro cymbals don't exsist it what sounds good for your style or to your taste.
 
Thanks for all of the information guys. It was very helpfull ... I acutally went out to a local Guitar shop the other day and hit the ZBT's and the B8's. It was a small cymbal room, similar in size to the one I will be playing in. Anyway, I personally liked the B8's over the ZBT's. So that is what I am going to go with.

Thanks again, this forum is great.
 
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