not to regress, but somebody mentioned the "Feel" of cymbals.
different cymbals ABSOLUTELY feel different a lot of times. it has to do with how it was hammered out (or wasnt
)--- the hammering creates or lessens tension in the metal, depending on what the cymbalsmith is trying to make the cymbal do. there is more to it than that, but the final "voice" of a cymbal is very dependent on how it was hammered and lathed (or not).
the point:
cymbals with high tension like a typical "metal" ride, for example, feel a lot "harder" than a low tension one, like a wobbly old K. this not only affects stick response, pitch and volume, but can even contribute to wrist pain and other nasties. the "hard" cymbals arent very forgiving.
also, with regard to lathing.... aggressive cleaners are very much capable of changing the character of a cymbal by changing the nature of the lathing grooves. likewise, anything that "polishes" or "coats"--- the polish is abrasive, whether or not it is very aggressive, which "rounds" the peaks of the grooves, and coatings or wax can collect in the valleys. on a cymbal with mild lathing, the effect may be negligible, but one one with heavy lathing, the character can completely be changed--- IME, always for the worse. the lathing affects the sound of a cymbal more than you might think. if you have a crap cymbal to sacrifice, try sanding the lathing grooves smooth and see what it sounds like!
sorry for the brief derail....
a
. I don't really have a good ear for good or bad cymbals yet so don't want to buy something then find out they're overpriced crap. I've already explained the rotten selection of cymbals in shops round about be in another thread, I'd have to travel a long way to try out cymbals & I can't afford to go on long random trips like that!! I listened to the samples on the paiste website & was impressed but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have crap samples!! It's very confusing the amount of manufacturors & product lines those manufacturors have for drums esp for a non equipment savvie player!!
I just have too much respect for my stuff I guess 
(not that you guys don't!!). I don't want to come across as overly anal, but the way I see instruments is that they are tools to get a job done, so keeping things pristine makes me enjoy playing them. There's another side though: I have a fender usa deluxe strat & I hardly play it, because it's in too good condition to play 
It's an open discussion anyway, not a strict & fixed question. I kind of like the idea of a cymbal "giving" a little when I play. I know my current cymbals are crap, but they make me cringe a little when I play them. Seem very hard to play. I've heard that some jazz drummers used to soak the tips of their sticks, to reduce the attack & dull the click. It's something I'm definatley looking to get rid of. I like to hear the cymbal not the click of wood on metal!!