Need a cutting, loud RIDE for classic rock

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tomtomz

tomtomz

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As a reference, I play a Sabian 20" AA (Sound Control series) that is a little weak for some of the loud classic rock gigs I'm doing. The other Sabians I'll play together are:

AA 14" Flat Hats
HHX Evolution 18" Crash (Weckl)
Both 20+ inch Paragon Chinas (Peart)
AA 18" fast China

Any suggestions on which ride cymbal to purchase with these cymbals, and what thickness/diameter/weight?

I need a loud MOFO! Readily available would also be good, $350 max budget.

I like Sabians, but will break away from the brand if needed. It has been 20+ years since I've owned a Zildjian brand, and I've never owned Paiste or Meinl.
 
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One of those unlathed brilliant finished K Customs from the eighties should be sufficient, they were extremely popular among rock drummers
But there are lots of loud ride cymbals, will you be using overheads?
 
tomtomz said:
As a reference, I play a Sabian 20" AA (Sound Control series) that is a little weak for some of the loud classic rock gigs I'm doing. The other Sabians I'll play together are:

AA 14" Flat Hats
HHX Evolution 18" Crash (Weckl)
Both 20+ inch Paragon Chinas (Peart)
AA 18" fast China

Any suggestions on which ride cymbal to purchase with these cymbals, and what thickness/diameter/weight?

I need a loud MOFO! Readily available would also be good, $350 max budget.

I like Sabians, but will break away from the brand if needed. It has been 20+ years since I've owned a Zildjian brand, and I've never owned Paiste or Meinl.
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Paragon 22" Ride played with an oak stick.
 
I would think the Sabian AA Rock ride would be right up your alley. I've never played one, but my guess is it would work. Check out the sound samples at Sabian's website - I've found them to be somewhat accurate.
 
Cannons said:
I would think the Sabian AA Rock ride would be right up your alley. I've never played one, but my guess is it would work. Check out the sound samples at Sabian's website - I've found them to be somewhat accurate.
Click to expand...

Those are nice, especially the early 80's version, before they were stamped as AA.
 
EvEnStEvEn said:
But there are lots of loud ride cymbals, will you be using overheads?
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Not guaranteed, hence the need for louder.
 
Cannons said:
I would think the Sabian AA Rock ride would be right up your alley.
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I'll try to find one and give it a listen in person.
 
You're right on track with that Paiste, and a few cents under budget :D
 
tomtomz said:
You're right on track with that Paiste, and a few cents under budget :D
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Yeah, I didn't want to spend all your money. :D

I play Sabians and Zildjians now but my first ride cymbal and still my best rock ride that can cut through everything, yet remain remarkably musical, is a Paiste 2002 Power Ride.
 
Heartbeat said:
Classic rock you say? Paiste 2oo2 Heavy or Power ride.
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Ditto on the Paiste 2002 Power Ride---insanely loud. I played mine, a 22, at church years ago, trying to be as gentle as I could, and I could see our piano player at the time cringing every time I hit it. When the first song was over, she sidled over, pointed at the ride and whispered, "What is that?" "That's my ride cymbal," I replied. "Oh," she said, "Would you mind not hitting it anymore?" :lol: I wound up getting a 20" Sabian Rock Ride, which was much easier to control.
 
Same here. I have a 22" Paiste 2oo2 Power Ride, and that cymbal can cut through anything!
 
i have an ACustom 21" projection ride that is pretty darn loud.it works well for what i do,hard classic rock,and i never have overheads.
 
I needed a louder ride for the gig tonight, so I bought one at the local drum store.
EvEnStEvEn said:
This could be one of the "loudest" offerings from Sabian...
Sabian AAX Raw Bell Metal
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That was by far my favorite ride cymbal of this listening test, and had a great bell.

Manhole cover? (I read the Paragon thread... hmm)

I bought the 22" Paragon ride anyway. It had a slightly less defined bell than the "AAX Raw Bell," but more body and projection. It sounded good played at different volumes, especially played hard and loud. It has a nice shimmery top, yet the sound doesn't build up and it remains very well defined.

The 22" Zildjian K medium ride was my least favorite - too ringy and not enough fundamental "klang" for me. The Zildjian A Custom 22" ride was also a contender - not as nice as the Sabian, but it had a midrange shimmer that none of the others had. It also didn't have the projection of either of the Sabians.

The Paiste cymbals I had to choose from were limited - none of the cymbals listed were available to test. The other Paiste 2002's didn't sound right with my other cymbals.

The "best value" ride was the Sabian XS20 - by far the best of the starter/intermediate rides I have ever heard. I'm past my "starter gear" days, but will keep it in mind next time I'm asked for a suggestion.

Thanks to everyone who provided information. The suggestions were helpful and narrowed the choices quickly.

Meinl and Paiste have great products, but suffer from a less robust distribution channel. It is hard to buy their stuff when a potential buyer can't lay hands on it.
 
I got a Zildjian Z Custom 21" Mega Bell as a gift. And let me tell you, it is super loud and super heavy. It has a very deep and dark sound, and when you are jamming on the bell with the shoulder of your stick it is piercing. It has the clearest loudest bell sound I have ever hear, almost too "chimey" at times, but it does the job for me. They are a tad expensive, but I'm sure you could find it online for cheaper. Normally retail at $270.
 
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