Thanks for your support. What do you mean 20-12-14 sizes? Are you talking about the drums or the cymbals? And I'm in New Jersey.

If you get a splash, don't get a B8, ZBT, or ZHT or any of those lower-quality splashes. If you like more "tone", then get an A Zildjian Splash. If you want more "trash", then get a Wuhan splash (but realize you may have to replace it sooner than a Turkish-style cymbal). That might drive your cost up a bit, but if you look to the used market, you should be able to find something good quality on the cheap.

As for the "vintage" discussion (which seems to come up often on other forums), the word "vintage" actually means "of a specific age or era". When people refer to vintage drums, it often refers to drums from the "golden era" of drums, which is from the late 50s to the early 70s. Whereas the term "antique" has a specific timeline of being over 100 years old, there is no timeline for when something is considered vintage. My DW kit is "of a 2004 vintage", for example. I've heard the "more than 25 years old" definition a few times, but I don't think I'll ever be able to bring myself to label a 1985 CB kit as "vintage".

I will say, though, that Stop-Sign badge Gretsch kits from the 80s are nice kits. Oh, and yes, 12/14/20 refers to the drum sizes...

Isn't ZBT a type of Zildjian? I have Zildjian that all say ZBT on them.

ZBT is a budget line of Zildjian. To get an idea of whats what, maybe look at some catalog sites like Midwest Percussion or Cascio Interstate. They have most of the major brands and almost all the models. With cymbals you get what you pay for. Study up and then buy used cymbals locally where you can hear them. There are sites like Cymbalsonly where you can hear pretty good soundfiles. From the pics of your set, you have enough cymbals. Take your time and upgrade slowly. Just my 2 cents.

Wise words! I agree with you. Was just thinking aloud.

Bump Can anyone respond to my original post please? We got off topic haha

Ha hah - Happens here from time to time Yes Sir

I'm a bit of a novice myself, but I don't think it's too early to explore splashes and such. If I recall, before I owned a set (used one from a friend) I believe my 1st cymbal buy was a 10" Sabian AA Splash, just for kicks. Pretty inexpensive at the time ($35 i think).

To me, as I teach a little bit of beginner drums, I encourage exploration of every sort on the drums & metals.

However, I do encourage 2 things - Don't be in a big hurry to buy. Look around at stores, Listen around, too. Plus, as someone stated Craigslist is a good place to keep your eyes opened in your town.

I picked up a K Zildjian 8" splash on CL for $25.

Soooo... "Should I Get New Cymbal? Or Is It Too Soon?"

Conceptually it's never too soon (if you're as into it as you seem to be) -

However, don't just rush to spend the $$$ - Look, Listen, Read, Research, Keep yer eyes opened for deals - new or used.

Drumming is a cool realm, but it can nickel & dime you a bit - especially when you have the bug, but don't have the easy money. The good of that is, that you can build your kit / sound palette gradually.

In one way, doing without can have advantages in forcing you to be creative and learning to use what you have to the fullest. - - For myself, I started to explore my dad's workshop (and elsewhere) searching out pieces of metal, large bolds, pots & pans (found instruments) to discover what different sounds where out there that were freely available. FREE! - - Composer John Cage got me into that.

While you ponder your direction....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IMd2rNa7ZE[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatSjiAmWXU[/ame]

I hope that was enough on topic Toilet - Although it might seem a little strayed, people like Bill Bruford, and ex-Crimson pal Jamie Muir incorporated a good bit of this sort of thing. Look for "King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic - Part I - Beat Club" on youtube. Cheers!

I think Atomic said it. Take your time. You are young and excited, and we get it. But if you take your time and search out the CL ads, you will be much better off. And as someone also said, the cymbal pack you have is, well, a budget line. Start saving your pennies, and begin a serious re-think of what you are going to play, musically. Metal, classic rock, hardcore, C&W, techno, blues, funk, R&B....and then ask around here for suggestions about what will sound best in your needs. The advice we give is from many years of varied experience. Take it, bend it, use it. And do this for yourself. As you begin to look at cymabals on CL, make a list of what you want. Older stuff is gonna kill your pocket, so plan carefully. And make certain you are ready to sell the stuff you have around the time you are ready for the next piece. If you see a 60s or 70s 18 ride, and you have the money but it will take all of it, get the one you are replacing listed and sold. That will ease the pain. And look for the 70s stuff. Someone like one of us might take less from a serious kid than from some not so bright redneck with money just because it warms our little souls to see it taking shape in our eyes. We would be helping you become a more in tune drummer. I am not saying it is an absolute, but I might be more inclined to sell you my 60s A Zildjian 14" crash for 45, than maybe some guy that wanted to give me 60. My reasoning is this: The redneck drove up to my nice house in a beat up truck and left an oil stain in the drive, and you came to my house in a very respectful manner, searching for that vintage sound that your friends don't yet understand. Now that is how I roll. Not everyone here is like that, and the same goes for most people you will deal with, but it does happen. And the negotiating lesson I gave you should be well headed when dealing with CL sellers. I have been a salesman for 25+ years, and I know how it works. If you have a line on something like the ads I showed you, and you have a pocketful of monies, go to the house, never, ever make offers over the phone or by email, it is too easy to get a NO! because "someone else might call"--that is the mentality of the sale. I know this sounds funny to you, but when we call someone on an ad, we are NOT looking to qualify that lead, we are DISqualifying it. That is the whole reason we make the call. When responding to an ad on CL, always make a positive and excited reply in your first email. Get a few pix and a phone number, then call and make an appointment to see and hear if they look like you might get a deal. Never pass on a lead because the cymbals are dirty. And if you are looking at drums, many times people will not know what they have, nor what it's worth and may really need the cash. If the cymbals/drums are dirty, you might make an off-hand comment about it, as a side note, more to yourself "thinking out loud", always respectfully, but like this..."yeah, I really kind of like them, but the clean up is going to take me hours..."-this is a bargaining chip and the seller will make an immediate reply, negatively, or positively, almost every time. If you need someone for support, take your Dad, but be prepared for his input, as he will likely want to get involved in the deal making. It is way easier to get closer to your price when deraling with most CL sellers when you go cash in hand. They do not want to take the chance of losing what may very well be the only shot they have at selling, especially if they have any selling experience with CL Flakes to begin with. Oh, and don't ask someone to seperate a drum set or cymbal pack unless it is clear that is the intention. If they are selling "as a set", you likely will be wasting time, unless the ad has been up a long time or you notice the same listing over and over.

Now, if you see someone overposting, they are in desperate need, and it is time to take advantage of the situation, and go to them as stated above, and you will walk out a winner. Look for the over-posted stuff, the guy that is screaming in caps lock, "MUST SELL, NO LOWBALLERS" and the stuff is way over priced, but he has put it up 7 times in the last 8 days. You should get a feel for the market in just a few days. You are looking at this funny, I know. Make the appointment, asking how many people have you had over? If the answer is "lots" make no bones about it. Make your offers, and when he declines, you have, at this point, wasted a trip. But you got to get involved in your first negotiation, congrats. Go cash in hand, knowing you are going to lowball. He knows it and will open the door and say, no lowballing. Do it anyway, he needs the jack, and you got it, and him, over the barrel--you have cash and he knows it, and he ain't lettin' you out with it either, unless he is too high. Never be afraid to walk toward the door, he will start sweating then, or he will keep them. But don't be ridiculous if you know you are looking at a $1500 K from the 40s. Good luck and happy hunting.