cymbal comparison

[IndustrialDrummer]

Does anyone know what grade of cymbals from one brand equal the grade of another brand? Like what would zildjian k's be in sabian terms and so on...

[Woody]

Zildjians K's would be like Sabians HHX, nowadays.
For the time being, HHX are the top for Sabian.
Zildjians top of the line are the K Constantinoples.
I have a 16" crash and 22" Ride cymbal in the K Constantinople line.
Between the two I paid nearly $600.00 US.

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Woody

[Woody]

Paiste would be the Signature series.

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Woody

[puttenvr]

Originally posted by c. jude:
Wait a minute... that assumes that there are other brands lines that can equal the Zildjians?

Volkswagen

[fartnokker]

Hey, Putt, I not only own Zildjians, but a 2001 VW Golf Turbo 1.8!!!! I resent your tone on 2 different levels!

Seriously, tho, there are tons of tonal variations out there, so line comparisons from company to company are tough. The Zildjian K's are usually thinner, darker cymbals. Sabian HH's are dark, but many seem (to me) to be thicker & louder than most K's, which emulate the older jazz-style cymbals of the past. Paiste Signature cymbals run the gamut from bright & loud to dark & washy.

Then, you have the Meinl, Istanbul, & a cornucopia of other cymbals out there, each with their own idea of what is what. There are different alloys used, mostly variations of common bronze, but manufacturing techniques, cymbal profile & hammering make for many variations, even among cymbals of the exact same model from the same manufacturer!

My personal observation is that you just have to use your ear, and don't take anyone else's word. Cymbals are a very, very subjective choice, and great time & care should be taken in choosing them.

FWIW,

-Danny

[zendrums]

Ba-dum crash!

[MPCman]

The woman in the house next to ours buys herself a new Volkswagen Golf about every three years or something.

Now it finally makes sense to me that she never complaints about my drumming

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My Personal homepage - MPCman's E-drum Picsite! currently with 12 profiles

[parkkeeper]

When can we expect a new budget line of cymbals badged 'SKODA' and made in the Czech Republic?!!

[Jaay]

Let's see... as far as I can figure it, it would be thus:

Zildjian K Customs...Sabian HHX
Zildjian Ks................Sabian HH
Zildjain A Customs...Sabian AAX
Zildjian As................Sabian AA
Zildjian Z Customs...Sabain Pro/Sonix(in terms of sound, IMO)
Zildjian ZBT Plus.......Sabian B8 Pro
Zildjian ZBT...............Sabian B8

I'm not quite sure which series comp to the AA/-X, but I think this is a pretty fair analysis.

-Jaay

[drummercat]

Jaay,
AGREED!

[fartnokker]

Originally posted by Jaay
Let's see... as far as I can figure it, it would be thus:
(snip)

Zildjian Z Customs...Sabain Pro/Sonix(in terms of sound, IMO)

(snip)
-Jaay

Uhhhhh.... huh?

The Sabian PRO-series cymbals are made from rolled "sheet bronze" and are a bit of a lower-end budget cymbal. Nice sounding, but...

The Zildjian Z Customs, of which I have the entire Rock crash set (16, 17, 18, 19) are cast, lathed and hammered bronze, just like the A's and K's, but MUCH heavier. This translates into really, really f(_)cking loud. Like, incredibly loud and extremely durable. The difference is the same as between the Sabian PRO and Zildjian A Custom, but even more so.

Not being very familiar with UFIP, Istanbul, or some of the other companies, I can't speak for them. I can say that the Sabian HH Leopard crashes, hats & rides are vaguely similar to the old Z-series, which are much heavier, darker, and were unlathed. The Z Customs are distinctly different, more versatile & musical than either the HH Leopards or the old Z-series. The Paiste RUDE series is in the ballpark as well, but not as heavy.

Just wanted to set the record straight. I own a Sabian PRO ride, too, just to establish my creds on this one, bro.