Need help finding new cymbals...

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keilson

keilson

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I am going to be attending Berklee College of music in the fall and my teacher at home says that my Sabian B8 Pro cymbals aren't gonna cut it there. I need more "professional" cymbals. He is going to go with me to go looking for a new set. I was wondering if anybody could reccommend some "professional" or semi-pro line of cymbals.
 
My personal preference is for Sabian AA cymbals. I would also stay away from brilliant finish, they look cool but I don't like the sound.
 
Another Long Islander

Sabian B8 cymbals are the entry level Sabian cymbals, but don't ever get rid of them. They will always have a use. Zildjian ZBT and Paiste 502 are other enty level cymbals. It depends on what kind of music you are playing and what kind of voices you want from your cymbals and how you attack your metal. All of the main cymbal companies manufacture top of the line or more professional cymbals. The three major companies are Zildjian, Paiste and Sabian, but don't overlook Istanbul, Masterwork and Bosphorous. I personally prefer
Zildjian for my hi-hats and rides and Paiste for my crashes an splashes but I own a few Sabian cymbals also. Of the higherend models the differences are in the type of voices you want and how you are going to strike your cymbals. For jazz sound the Zildjian A series in thin to mdium are real good and for more rock sound the K's and Z's are good.
I also live on Long Island
and I reccommend that you go to the Long Island Drum Center and check out their cymbal room. They have an excellent selection and encourage people to just try the cymbals (this is important). The owner, Dennis, is very helpful and knowledgeable as is all of the staff. You might be able to get a better price at GC or Sam Ash on certain things, but you can't beat LIDC's customer service.
Good luck.
-Rimshot (Jeff)
 
thanks for the fast responses. I actually purchased my drum set from long island drum center. My teacher knew someone there so I went there and he pointed me in the right direction. I live in Lynbrook by the way. I play funk and rock mostly, but jazz as well. I need to try to find a cymbal that is versatile style wise. I am not going to be a performance major, but it's required that we have a principal instrument. I am going for a dual major of music production and engineering, and music business management. I'm gonna have to go to LIDC and just look around with my teacher I guess. Thanks once again.
 
for what it's worth (my opinion, that is), I like Zildjian As

they are pretty versatile and sound great recorded

I also have a sabian AA china and splash - and they mix well sonically with zildjian As.
 
Naturally you need to trust your ears - but that being said, Zildjian A's or Sabian AA's are both good choices which provide good sounding, versitile cymbals at a mid range cost.

For jazz Zildian K's or Sabian HH are great, w4ram sounding cymbals - but they are at the top of the price range for those companies.

While th B8's are entry level, they can still serve as exra colors - or keep them for when you get a practise kit.
 
FWIW the B8 PRO's aren't THAT bad of cymbals. I don't think they would do to well for recording, but for live work, etc they would be just fine. I have a B8 Pro Heavy ride that I use when I want a little more spread in a ride and a B8 Pro splash that complements my AAX splash rather nicely.

If money is an issue at all though, Sabians are lower priced than the competition. I prefer the AAX line over the AA.

The only thing you can do is try them all out and see what you like best. Sabian, Zildjian, Paiste, Istanbul, etc, etc...they're all good.
 
I hope that your teachers reason for dissing your cymbals is because he actually HEARD them first.
Otherwise you are about to blow a wad for potentially no reason at all.
I have a Sabian B8pro medium ride that I use on my studio kit.
I bought it because it sounds good. That's what matters.

If you play mostly Funk /Jazz /Pop , you may want to stick with lighter cymbals as many have noted.
I personally love my Zildjian 13" A Mastersound hats. They have the clamshell bottoms. Very tight and sizzly kinda sound.
 
thanks for all the great responses. My teacher comes to my house, so he hears my cymbals and comments on them honestly. He suggested I buy them in the first place, but that was a long time ago. He said my drums are fine, he just thinks I need new cymbals. Berklee has told me that for sessions, lessons, and ensembles I should just bring my cymbals in a case. My drums would only be used for giggin on my own. So hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll have some time to go to some stores with my teacher and try them out before I decide. I realize some of these cymbals cost by themselves as much as mine had cost together. But I am working all summer, so we'll see what I end up spending on them. Thanks once again guys.
 
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