CYMBAILS '83

CYMBAILS '83

CRASHING SUCCESS OR METALLIC K.O.?

Dave Patrick

by

CYMBALISM

Cymbals, the most mysterious of musical instruments, have played many roles in our musical evolution—and, indeed, our world history. From the tinkling fingers of gyrating belly-dancers, to marching to war atop elephants with Hannibal, to that smooth Nashville country studio sound, to blazing drum corps stadium performance and even to Neil Peart’s fiery punching to accenting with Rush, cymbals add sound available from no other musical instrument. Cymbals, made from alloys of precious metals including brass, silver, nickle and tin, offer an indefinable range of musical tones, sounds and special effects to modern-day musicians. Because of the many different alloys used in cymbal making, and the many different processes each manufacturer uses to make their cymbals, all descriptions in this article must be deliberately general—and subject to change without notice!

There is no rule of thumb for cymbal selection that works all the time, because each cymbal sounds different, and the wise cymbal user will choose his sounds with his ears, not his eyes!

Today, a drummer’s cymbal set-up is as exciting and versatile an instruments his drumset. In fact, bdd-sounding cymbals can ruin the effect of a great sounding drumset, so take some time to listen.

CYMBAL CARE

Cymbals are expensive, and will last you much longer with the proper care and handling. A separate cymbal case is a good idea, because each little nick, gouge or

bruise to the edge of your cymbal may be the start of a crack that will ruin the cymbal’s sound/Make sure your cymbal stands have nylon, plastic or rubber insulators in good shape at all times, or the cymbal hole will wear away from the metal-to-metal contact. Many drummers feel cymbals sound better if you don’t clean them, but if you want to clean your cymbals, use a cleaner made especially for cymbals. Many cleaners people try to use can discolor the cymbals, or may contain chemicals that will eat away some of the metal. Also, some cleaners may be too abrasive. Make sure your cymbals are free to move on the stands, or you may damage them when you hit them. The cymbal spring attachments recently introduced let the stand absorb some of the shock from ,. hitting the cymbals and can be a worthwhile investment for heavy handed players.

Lastjy, be sensible in your stick selection when playing. Aluminum practice sticks can

destroy a cymbal quickly if they make metalto-metal contact. Sticks are cheaper to replace than cymbals!

CYMBAL SELECTION To properly select cymbals, some important questions should be asked, and only the drummer buying the cymbals can answer them. Buy your cymbals where there’s a good selection and you can hear them!

1. SOUND—Does the cymbal sound good for the style of music you’re playing? Have you played the cymbal with the stick you use? Brush? Mallet? Is the cymbal you’ve selected the best sound available for the price? Does the cymbal sound good with your other cymbals?

2. VOLUME—Can you get the volume you need to keep up with the other instruments in your band? Can you play the cymbal quietly enough to keep from blowing the band offstage? (If you need volume, buy thicker cymbals, they’re louder and more durable. Thinner cymbals usually respond faster and dissipate quicker.)

3. DURABILITY-Will the cymbals hold up for your use? (This is a hard one!) Cymbals will break! Take two tree limbs and beat the cymbals four-to-six hours nightly and problems can arise! If you like the sound of thin cymbals, but play loud with big sticks, don’t blame the cymbal companies when your cymbal bites the dust. Mike ’em, or buy the heavier “Rock” weights.

4. RESPONSE—Does the cymbal play well? (The size, weight and shape of a cymbal can make it feel and play differently.) Does it play well with the stick you like at the volume you play? > 5. TUNING—If you buy a cymbal you’re not sure about, can you change the sound? Answer: not much! Cymbal sounds can be altered somewhat with tape or different types of mounting, but basically, once you’ve bought it that’s it. Some get better with age, but that’s unpredictable

6. FLEXIBILITY—Can you play more than one style of music with the cymbals you’ve selected? (If your intention is to play all styles, stay in the medium cymbal weights and ranges.)

7. PRICE—Is this cymbal worth the money? Because of the metals used and the amount of hand labor involved, cymbals can be very expensive. What would you pay for the right sound? Remember, you get what you pay for.

CYMBAL BRANDS

CB 700 CYMBALS CB 700 Cymbals are distributed by the C. Bruno Company in the U.S. A., arid the CB 700 drum and cymbal lines are targeted at the student and semi-pro percussionists who need good instruments at reasonable prices. Although these product lines are designed for the cost-conscious musicians, you’ll find CB 700 products in use from the pee-wee league to professional applications.

CB 700 MX cymbals (20” Ride-$51.00) are made available as starter cymbals, and serve best as practice cymbals for beginning students. For cymbals, MX series are very inexpensive, and give the student an economical place to start working towards his ultimate cymbal set-up.

CB 700 Solare cymbals (20” Ride—$79.50) are their semi-pro models, and are offered in pre-packs that simplify cymbal selection for young drummers and keep prices in line with the CB 700 drumsets.

CB 700 Professional bronze cymbals (20” Ride—$109.50) are CB’s top-of-the-line cymbals, and are manufactured to the specifications of C. Bruno’s percussion specialist, Fred Hoey. CB 700 Bronze are said to offer high “Overtone Apex” in the 18” and 20” ride cymbals, and the hi-hats come in matched pairs.

AMIR CYMBALS

Amir cymbals were introduced to the U.S.

market in 1982, and represent Avedis Zildjian’s first non-cast cymbal line. The Amir name means “Prince” in Arabic, and is quite symbolic, as Amir cymbals are the younger brother to the king of the cymbal world, the A. Zildjian line. The Amir’s offers a less expensive cymbal line to the A. Zildjians. Formed in the same manufacturing facility, they add a completely different sound from the cast cymbals. Amir’s are made from a rolled alloy and give a bright, crisp sound that’s already being used by rock players like Carmine Appice and Phil Ehart. Amir’s are only available in select sizes currently, but* have been very well received by student and pro alike.

K. ZILDJIAN CYMBALS

The new K. Zildjian cymbal line is now being manufactured in the USA at Zildjian’s Norwell, Massachusetts plant. The original K. Zildjians were made in Istanbul, Turkey and good ones are now very rare, but that sound is still very much in demand by many drummers. The “K” sound is a dark, dry, funky sound, difficult to describe, but legendary to jazzers. The new K’s are made from the same alloy as the A’s, but are handhammered by experts to achieve the darker sounds.

Hopefully, Zildjian’s modern facility will enable them to produce enough “K’s” to supply the demand, and their experience should enable them to arrive at the desired sounds.

Tony Williams has always played the original Istanbul K’s, but has recently begun playing the new K. Zildjians. Recent additions to the Zildjian player list include Larrie Londin, Steve Smith and Steve Gadd. AVEDIS ZILDJIAN

The Avedis Zildjian line has evolved over 360 years, beginning in Armenia, and settling in the USA, early in this century. The Zildjian name means “cymbalsmith” in Armenia, and today the Zildjian name is synonymous with quality cymbals.

Zildjian offers cymbals for most every style and type of drumming imaginable, and they continue to expand their lines as the demands of drummers change and grow. They recently added the Amir and K. Zildjian cymbal lines to their selection of cymbals, and further expanded the A. Zildjian line with the new China Boy cymbals. The China Boy cymbals join a special effects line that includes Pang, Swish and SwishKnocker cymbals, all styled after traditional Chinese cymbals. They’ve added a squaredoff cup to the cymbals to make it easier to mount them upside down, the method most drummers seem to prefer on these type of effects cymbals. The China Boys are available in low or high pitches, and in 16”, 18”, 20” and 22” sizes (rivets available also). Another recent addition to the A. Zildjian line is the paper-thin crash cymbals.

The paper-thin crashes offer immediate response when hit and make excellent studio crashes because they’re fast, bright and dean. (No. 35 sticks please!) Paperthins are available in all crash sizes.

Avedis Zildjian .cymbals are used worldwide by drummers like Neil Peart,

Tommy Aldridge, Louie Bellson and Steve Smith.

PAISTE CYMBALS Paiste cymbals are made in Switzerland, and the selection of cymbals available is 'staggering.

> Paiste now offers seven main lines of cymbals, hoping to cover all musical styles. The Nuvader series recently introduced by Paiste are made in Germany, and offer the beginner cymbals with Paiste know-how, yet an economical price range. The 404 series cymbals are the more advanced beginners next step up, and this line has been recently expanded to include heavy hi-hats. The

505 series cymbals are called semi-pro but offer quality sound at good prices, with a selection that includes heavy hi-hats, splashes, china types and heavy ride cymbals. Paiste Formula #602 cymbals offer professional drummers delicate, clean and quieter cymbals for low volume and acoustic style playing. Formula #2002 cymbals are just the opposite, offering bright, powerful and energetic sounds good for rock, fusion, big band and electric music. The Rude series cymbals are super-loud, raw and powerful cymbals specifically made for heavy metal and rock music. Finally, Sound Creation cymbals offer esoteric viewpoint, creating special sounds and effects as different as the drummers playing them.

WUHAN CYMBALS AND GONGS (World Percussion— Mldco) Wuhan cymbals and gongs are handmade in the People’s Republic of China and are imported into the U.S. by World Percussion, Inc. Wuhan’s cymbals of interest to the drumset player are called Lion cymbals, and they are the original “China Type” cymbals. The Lion cymbals come in pairs, and were originally used as hand cymbals in funerals in old China.

Wuhan cymbals are extra funky sounding and they can be added to the modern drumset as driving ride cymbals or lightning crash cymbals, i

Wuhan also offers many styles and sounds of gongs, chimes and hand-held special effect cymbals.

PEARL CYMBALS Pearl Drum Company recently introduced two new cymbal lines, the CX-500 series and the CX-600 series, to the American market. Both cymbal lines are -handhammered and come in sizes from 11” to 22”

The CX-500 series (20” Ride-$80.00) also offers cup chimes from 5” to 8”, costing from $5.00 to $12.00. The CX-500 series are brass and include an 18” to 20” China type and matched hi-hats.

The CX-600 series are their professional cymbals, and are made from an alloy that looks a lot like some cymbals we’ve seen before. The CX600 sound nice and are priced well into a struggling drummer’s budget. Watch for the Pearl WILD cymbal series next!

KRUT CYMBALS Krut Cymbals are made in England by the Premier Drum Company, and they’ve been a popular medium-priced cymbal in the U.S. for years. Krut (Turk spelled backwards?) cymbals are made from a special nickel-silver alloy and offer a bright, high-pitched sound range. Krut cymbals are offered in 11” thru 22” sizes, and are available with or without rivets.

SABIAN CYMBALS Sabian cymbals were recently introduced worldwide, and are being manufactured in New Brunswick, Canada. -Bob Zildjian heads up the Sabian Cymbal Company and, as the saying goes, it’s a long story! The name Sabian comes from his children’s names, Sally, Billy and Andy..

Sabian is currently offering two lines of cymbals, with plans for more in the immediate future. Sabian’s AA cymbals are made from cast bronze, rolled, tempered and machine-hammered, and are available in standard or brilliant finishes. Sabian AA cymbals are offered in dozens of weight and size combinations for all styles of music. The special AA cymbals include flat-hats, Chinese-flat, flat bell rides, and classical and band cymbals.

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Sabian HH (hand-hammered) series cymbals are made from cast bronze, rolled, tempered and hammered by hand by cymbal craftsmen from Istanbul. This hammering process produces a low, warm, dry type of cymbal, with that elusive funky sound so many jazzoid drummers crave. The HH series are available in select models from drumset, band and classical music. All Sabian cymbals are available in brilliant finish.

UFIP CYMBALS & EFFECTS (Gretsch)

Ufip cymbals and sound effects are made in Italy and distributed in the USA by the Gretsch Drum Company. Ufip’s are offered in sizes from a 10” splash to a 24” ride cymbal and are available in eleven different weights. Ufip offers a line of special effect cymbals, including flat-top rides, Chinese cymbals, ice bells, bell trees, tarn tarns, Tarnpangs and square bells. Ufip’s sound effect line includes cattlebells, Burma bells, hand bells, clangs and sound plates called Sheng & Ogororo’s. Write Gretsch for a catalogue on more information.

Camber Cymbals and Accessories

Camber Cymbals are made in Germany and distributed in the U.S.A. by Ambico, Inc. Camber offers three lines of cymbals in the U.S., which are brass, nickel-silver and bronze. Camber brass cymbals are designed for the beginner drummer, and a full set of Camber brass cymbals can be purchased for the price of a pair of some other brand hi-hats. Camber’s nickel-silver cymbals are considered the semi-pro models, and are sold along with many young drummers’ first good drum set. The nickel-silver alloy gives better clarity and resonance while keeping the price reasonable.

Also distributed by Camber, and certainly of equal interest, is the superb Avanti series. Over 20 different Avanti cymbals are available, not to mention four separate “prepacks”—the company’s choice for drummers who play specific types of music, with categories ranging from “Light ’N’ Airy,” and “Light Jazz” to “Rock” and “Fusion.” In case you get the idea the company’s trying to steer you in any specific direction: don’t. There’s enough care and craftsmanship in the Avanti line to insure your success in any “prepack” you’d like to invent on your own!

Maybe one reason Avanti’s making waves lies in their extensive testing of their products. Avanti asked dozens of musicians to look at cymbals from many different companies to evaluate them as being good or bad and then they ran sonic checks on them with electronic equipment, to observe the results in graphic form. End result, basically, is that Avantis not only sound good— they look good on graph paper, which is by no means small potatoes. Not to mention that they simply look good in general. Good product! ^