It's just another piece of information that helps buyers to figure out what a cymbal might sound/feel like. Without being able to check out a cymbal in person, you want to know everything possible. Gram weight isn't always an indicator of what a cymbal will sound like, but it's an important piece of the puzzle. Videos and soundfiles are great, but they don't tell you much about volume or feel. For example, a 22" ride weighing 3000g could sound the same on video as a ride weighing 2400g, but in reality be significantly louder and feel totally different under the stick.

Regardless of whether you buy into the weight thing or not, it's become such a common requirement of sellers that it would be a wise investment to purchase a scale, since many buyers won't even look at a cymbal if the weight isn't listed.

I do put weights on most of my cymbals but have to dig out my scale for this one. I did have every intention of putting the weight u there but it just seems like a like a lot of people only want to know the weight.

I hear ya...a lot of buyers give too much credence to the whole weight thing. You'll also frequently see the weight question from people looking to flip a cymbal, since a thin weight will almost always sell for more than a heavy weight.

I left out a gram weight once and got flooded with "what's the weight?" questions. Never again! And of course once I posted the weight none of the people that had asked about it bought the cymbal! DOH

where can you get a gram scale that is relatively accurate without paying a fortune?

At your friendly local Post Office. Cost = free. If your time is more important than the money, you can buy one. If you search here I'm sure you will quickly find a few threads with recommendations.

And not to judge sound file quality without having heard your sound files CT Pro Percussion, many of the sound files which people provide are just about useless because they are so poor in quality. Auto-level and poor microphone on some video camera? No thank you. DOH

For an example of great sound files you need look no further than Bill's ones. Yes Sir

http://www.classicvintagedrums.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68_78

I have to admit that I still look at the weights on Bill's offerings however. Can't help myself. I'm just a numbers guy.

The reason I like to know the grams is to compare very similar cymbals that I already possess to the prospective cymbal. While hammering and lathing and bell shape and contour and...and...and..... and composition all factor in (there are many factors that produce sound characteristics)....it is still nice to know exact weight to help compare that variable. It has proven to be a very significant factor, not only in sound but also feel (as previously stated).

BTW - I use a standard (English) scale that goes up to 5 pounds. I see how many ounces it is and then convert on the computer (many sites with converters).....then (and this is a key CYA) state the weight as approximate, though it will likely not be significant if off by only 10 grams or so. I bought the scale for $2.60 at a Salvation Army.

Not only are there lots of converters on the web, but the conversion (like nearly all others you can imagine) is built into Google. My search engine is set to Google so I just have to type in a weight in lbs and oz and the answer appears as a suggestion:

[img]http://black.net.nz/cym2013/lbs2g.jpg[/img]

without ever leaving the page. If you do push return at this point Google puts up a calculator which allows you to continue converting several weights. Clever programmers. Yes Sir

I do put weights on most of my cymbals but have to dig out my scale for this one. I did have every intention of putting the weight u there but it just seems like a like a lot of people only want to know the weight.

I have a scale that goes to 10 pounds and can weigh in grams as well but for some of the larger cymbals that have come through my shop and are over ten pounds it is a little harder to convert from my regular shipping scale that goes to 100 pounds.

Also, click here and you and see the sound files that I have put up for all of my cymbals. My camera has a pretty good mic in it.