Aquarian Cymbal Springs

[sts1]

Ok. I just bought a brand new HD 14" E-cymbal II. Came with a brand new Aquarian Cymbal Spring. Guys (and gals), I gotta tell ya -- this thing stinks. The hole at the bottom of the spring is square shaped with a triangle on the side opposite the retaining screw (not round). The retaining screw hits plastic and you have to twist the screw with some force to get it to break through the plastic to tighten onto the boom. Next, it only inserts about a quarter of the way onto the boom so that you end up tightening the retaining screw onto the threads of the the boom! I went to a Guitar Center and compared it to springs they have and they are the same. I thought these springs would just screw onto the boom?

Anyway, I'm going to drill mine. If that doesn't work, then maybe I'll use my felts. Anybody here play the E-cymbals with felt rather than the cymbal spring? How do they feel?

-Kevin

[Ranman]

Actually, this is a weak point about the aquarians in my opinion.

I have two Roland booms and two Gibralter booms. They fit better on the Gibralter booms... but still clamp down on the threads.

At first I found this really disconcerting. Then I noticed one small advantage: to remove the springs from the boom I can spin them off without losening the set screw. This helps because the cymbals fit so snugly on the springs that it is more convenient to pull the springs off the booms than it is to pull the cymbals off the springs. (And working that set-screw single-handedly os a pain!)

I did try just using them on loose-fitting felts. I didn't like it. Your opinion may be better.

[szvook]

[edm]

Re: Aquarian springs

Originally posted by szvook

Recognizing this as a problem, we are now offering the Peace boom arms both with and WITHOUT the threads if desired to avoid this issue...

http://shopping.netledger.com/app/site/site.nl/site.ACCT97787/mode.items/sc.2/category.77/it.A/id.430/.f

Cheers...

Ed

[sts1]

Well, I drilled mine and helped a little. But, unfortunately, I've decided that I don't like the cymbal. I feel like I'm hitting a frizbee. Makes too much noise for our church. The plastic thud can be heard everywhere. Oh well. Back to the Roland pads.

-Kevin

[szvook]

Originally posted by sts1
I've decided that I don't like the cymbal. I feel like I'm hitting a frizbee. Makes too much noise for our church. The plastic thud can be heard everywhere. Oh well. Back to the Roland pads.

[sts1]

Something about the way our sanctuary is setup, you could hear a pin drop from the other side of the room! When the music is loud, you don't hear the whack (as much), but sometimes church music is quiet.

I'm going to keep the cymbal for home use. It triggers fine. And, like Chris, most of the time I wear headphones at home.

-Kevin

[Mohawk10]

On the cymbal noise issue... I noticed the same problem with the polymer crashes so I added some craft foam that I found at one of those large arts and crafts stores. It comes in big sheet and is pretty dense. It's about 1/8" thick. It's prety much the same as the rubber pads that Hart sells for the ride cymbal and Hihat. I just stuck it on with a washable glue stick and they work great. Really sounds no loader than hitting a rubber pad.

[diatonic]

Originally posted by sts1
I've decided that I don't like the cymbal. I feel like I'm hitting a frizbee. Makes too much noise for our church. The plastic thud can be heard everywhere.

If you strike the E-Cymbals with a swiping motion and use the shoulder of the stick there is very little volume.

Of course this requires that you change up your technique a bit so I can see where this would be an issue for some players

[sts1]

I've decided to use the cymbal as my #2 crash which I don't use as often. It seems to be working out this way. I find that I hit the cymbals to my right differently than the ones in front of me or to my left (I'm right handed). It's more natural (for me) to use the shoulder of the stick this way.

-Kevin

[sts1]

Originally posted by c. jude
I guess that depends on your technique. That is pretty much the correct way to hit a crash cymbal, although I know a lot of players hit 'em in all kinds of ways.

LOL at myself! I've been playing drums a grand total of 6 months now (and I'm not half bad and I'll say it -- modest ) ! My technique is changing everyday! For the better, though, for the better. I have an excellent teacher and am having a great time.

-Kevin

[sts1]

10 years ago, I taught myself to play the guitar. And I'm pretty good (there's that modesty thing again ). But all the guitar players who are better than me (most - there's some humility ) have taken lessons and it shows in their technique. When I decided to take up drums, I was determined to take lessons and not teach myself. And (for me) that has been the best decision I could've made. My teacher has been more of a facilitator. As I discover things, he guides me so that I do it right. He put me on the path and I run. Fortunately, he's happy to run with me.

(Yeah, I know, this post is WAY off the topic, but since I started the topic in the first place, I give myself leave )

-Kevin