The Perfect Cymbals Setup

I am going to offer some advice on how I think one should go about picking out a cymbal. This method was taught to me personally by Jazz great Louis Bellson and I don’t think the method has changed in the last 35+ years since he gave me the following advice. However, it has become more difficult because stores carry fewer products and then there’s that internet thing.

The reason mail-order is bad has nothing to do with price. Rather, it’s the whole concept of achieving a quality sound that’s at issue. If you do go out and do this enough, you will realize that very few of the better cymbals ever sound the same. 

Because your friend or hero uses a MegaBronze 20" dry Heavy, it doesn't mean your going to get the same sound with the exact same cymbal. This is true even if you order the exact same cymbal, from the same place, etc.

Keep in mind the mic, room, placement, how hard one hits, stick tip shape, size, etc. all influence sound.  So chances are even if you buy the same thing, or for that matter, play the same setup as someone else, it has a very high probability of sounding different. On cymbals, this is important because where one strikes the cymbal greatly influences the sound.

All that said here are ideas on how to go about the process:

General Guidelines: Some general rules are to pick fast or dry cymbals for music that has many instrumental parts, intricate patterns and fast changes. This leaves space in the mix to appreciate what the music is doing. Pick long or full cymbals for music with few parts, instruments and changes to help fill the space.

Step 1 - Take Your Cymbals (if you have any): Take your current ride and/or hat's if you have them to your local drum retailer.  Most have large displays with many makes and models to choose from.  If yours doesn't, take a road trip, it’s worth it! (Note, if you don't have a current ride, just keep reading.) These are important cymbals, they are the foundation of your kit, so they need be the basis from which you augment your current set.

Step 2 – The Right Time: I suggest you ask the retailer for times when the shop is usually dead of traffic and try to get there at those times.

Step 3 – Serve Notice: Once you arrive, tell them (nicely) you will be there awhile and may try everything they have and will ask advice as you get closer to deciding upon what you want.

Step 4 - Take “Your” Sticks: Sticks dramatically affect sound of both drums and cymbals. The weight, material, tip design, angle and force of the hit, all contribute. Use your sticks!

Step 5 – Forget Budget: Forget about budget, this is very important, more on this later.

Step 6 – Picking Order:  You should pick cymbals in this order.  Hi-Hat, Ride, Primary crash, Secondary Crash, special effects (china, splash, etc.) This too is important.  If you intend to ultimately replace all your cymbals, first pick a new set of hats because you need to blend from there.  Otherwise, move through the above list in the order given. If you blend from a current setup, then you'll never achieve your long-term goals.

Step 7 – Compare:  Play your ride cymbal (or the Rides in the shop if you do not have any) and new desired hats in the room and listen to all other cymbals.  Be careful you do not pick cymbals from different rooms or areas without having heard your current cymbals in the same or similar acoustic environment. For example, if the room has lots of glass, make sure you also listen outside of the room once you've narrowed it down. Glass makes cymbals sound brighter whereas cymbals in an open space, or carpeted space sound warmer, less shimmer.  They will not be as sibilant. Now with reference to the “budget” issue; If you find one you cannot afford but really like, use that cymbal for reference and look for one in your price range that sounds closest to that cymbal, or preferably, save and buy quality rather than quantity (easy to say, right?).

Step 8 – Distance Matters: Once you have narrowed your choices, listen from across the room with someone else hitting the cymbals, they will sound different.  And seeing as you are playing for the audience, or should be, this is a very important and often overlooked step in the purchase of a cymbal.

Step 9 – You are the Judge and Jury: Most important, please let your ears be the judge, forget about people saying, go buy cymbal "X" or don't buy or recommend cymbal "X".  You've got to be happy with it so keep an open mind and don't buy something you have not heard.  Listen to opinions about quality and customer service.

Step 10 – Age Matters: All cymbals do mellow with age - keep this in mind.  No matter how much you clean them or how, they will still mellow.  So you may want to buy them a little brighter than you would otherwise like. Many seasoned pro's will seek out used cymbals for just this reason, they want the mellowed tone as it takes all the guess work out of what you'll end up with.

Step 11 – Beware of Fatigue:  Ears tire of sound this loud and with frequencies that a cymbal emits.  DO NOT buy the night after a gig, or right after practice.  Give your ears a rest and do not play for extended periods.  Try to move quickly through out the selections and let your instinct be the judge.  The faster you move, the more you can tell about what you'll like in the end.