tell me about crash/rides

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Hi_Flyer

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I'm going with kind of a minimalist setup... I'm a converted guitar player, well actually I have palyed drums on and off in different bands for years, but I'm getting back into the drumming game with one of my bands...

anyway, I'm going with a VERY basic setup so I can concentrate more on rhythm than fancy fills: kik, floor tom, snare (no rack toms), hats, 18" crash on the left (recently purchased Zildjian ZHT) and I want a crash/ride on the right.

music is sort of heavy/hard rock/punk mix. budget is modest, maybe $150 or so, but I got a 20" Sabian B8 Pro I can trade...

I never really played with a crash/ride before so I'm not sure what qualities to look for. I usually can't tell whether I like a cymbal or not in a store, it takes a few practices with the band before I can tell whether or not I like the way it fits...

So I guess crash/rides are a bit of a sound compromise between the two? thinner than a regular ride? what can you guys tell me?
 
i can tell you my favorite crash/ride that i've tried was the 20" Paiste Giant Beat, but it appears to be above your budget. and yeah generally crash/rides are thinner than a normal ride i guess.
 
...

Find a nice washy thin-ish ride at a pawn shop...

...or as I do, Zildjian 21" Sweet Ride with a 19" A Custom crash. It works well, just pair a ride that can be crashed with your crash and good things will happen...
 
The main thing to look for (or rather listen for) is a cymbal that will allow you to play a ride pattern without too much build-up (sometimes called wash). A tradional ride is normally heavy enough (or has enough of a balanced tone) so the individual sounds of the stick attack on the cymbal have clear definition without the continued vibrations building to the point where the attack is lost.

It has been many years since I've used a crash/ride - so I can't recommend a particular cymbal. I think you have to try several cymbals - playing ride patterns that you would normally play and decide which gives you definition while still giving you the crash sound you want/need.
 
well, I want something that I can crash on to my right. a regular ride is probably not gonna cut it. I have that B8 Pro and its decent as a ride, but you can't crash on it... can you crash on a Sweet Ride? I was thinking 20" would probably be as big as I would go, anything bigger is gonna have a slow attack and/or be too loud when you crash it...
 
mikeh said:
The main thing to look for (or rather listen for) is a cymbal that will allow you to play a ride pattern without too much build-up (sometimes called wash). A tradional ride is normally heavy enough (or has enough of a balanced tone) so the individual sounds of the stick attack on the cymbal have clear definition without the continued vibrations building to the point where the attack is lost.
Click to expand...

I was playing with a Zildjian ride for awhile that would get pretty washy. I started to get better sounds with it by smacking closer to the bell, it seemed to get less of that washy build up. I've watched other guys do that, so I started to try it. I tend to hit hard, a little too hard maybe, especially on the ride... sometimes I like that washy build up for a different though...
 
I use a '70s (I think) 20" Avedis Ride, and it crashes like a beaut. It's probably not the sound you're going for - I play funk/rock/a bit of Jazz, and find it very versatile, but something similar may be a little dark for your needs.

That said, I've heard great things from the newer Zildjians.
Check out www.myspace.com/howardsalias - their drummer uses exactly the setup you described, plus one rack tom. I'll try and find out the exact spec for you.
 
Some rides do sound good as crashes, some don't sound good. Usually the more washy sounding rides are more likely to be a good crash. I would look into a 20" AAX Stage Ride that is a decent ride and crash. The Zildjian sweet ride is said to be a crashable ride, but I have never heard it. Go to a store and hit all the rides around. Usually cymbals that are labeled as crash/rides are not the greatest cymbals because they are often cheap beginner cymbals, but there are a few good ones out there.

Since you already have a larger sized crash, I personally would get hi hats before getting a ride and currently use the crash as a crash/ride, but obviously that is all up to you. I am assuming the 20" B8 pro cymbal you have is a ride, which is actually a decent ride for the price is worth, if this is true, I would use that crash you have, your ride, and get hi hats if you don't already have some.
 
yeah I got a set of hats, they are 13" B8s. They sound OK to my ears, surprisingly. but my "cymbal ears" might not be developed enough to hear subtle stuff. generally, the low end sabian stuff sounds OK to me though.

having said that, I wouldn't mind picking up a better crash ride, even if I gotta save for that Paiste Giant Beat. fewer pieces mean I can spend more and get better quality...

thanks for the advice.
 
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yes, you can crash a sweet ride, that's why I brought it up. Two crashes and a ride in two cymbals. Add some nice hats and you're good to go.
 
well i use a 20" avedis medium ride and it crashes wonderfully..... it's a bit pricey new but i got mine used for 100 bucks flat.
 
looks like the sweet ride may be about the same $$ as a giant beat... maybe I gotta spend a little more for something that sounds good... I'll check them both out. thanks for the tips.
 
may not be helpful for your budget. But I myself play two rides and use them both as crashes and ride

they are a paiste 2002 ride
and paiste dimensions deep full ride
both 20inch

it seems paistes rides always had a good crash quality.
maybe their lower end may also have the same qualities I like..
they're definitely rock style rides.. they're not dry they have a good amount of wash to the ride sticking, but if you know how to control your sticking well then you'll be quite fine.
 
Hey, I found out those specs:

"I use 14" ZIldjian Mastersound Hi hats a 20" A custom Medium Crash
and a 21" Avedis Sweet Ride but when that's broken I use a 20" A Custom Medium Ride.

Hope that helps?

Rob"

Sounds like those rides are popping up quite a bit, personally I love Rob King's sound, very bright and cutting but not too harsh. I don't know what they cost unfortunately but buying used can save a lot of money.
 
For a heavy/hard rock/punk mix try the Paiste Rude Crash/Ride or the Sabian XS20 Series. Both websites have samples.
 
I use the 21" Sweet ride as a crash. I hardly use it as a ride anymore. I use a 24" A Medium ride. The Sweet ride is an excellent crash. It is also a good ride if you know how to hit it. For a big crash in a song, sometimes I'll crash on the 21 AND the 24 together!!!
 
Stick technique is important here, too.

If you're trying to get a crash out of a ride, you need to use the shoulder of the stick, not the tip.
 
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