That's good news! My 18" crash is on the way. I'll post up a short review once I've had a chance to play it. Thanks for the feedback.

John

John, just watch out those cheap dates can grow on u, she could b one in a million a keeper LOL

Hey John,

I picked up a Paiste 505 22" heavy ride in the 80's, and played it for over 20 years, it was a great ride. I just recently, in separate purchases, paired up a set of 15" 505 Sound edge hi-hats, they sound great. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any 505 cymbals. Can't wait to hear about your results.

Now I'm excited! I'm just glad I made a good purchase. You all know what a crap-shoot it can be buying cymbals online that you haven't had a chance to play/hear first. As I mentioned earlier I don't know much of anything about the 505's other than I recall hearing some good things about them in the past. It's always good to know I didn't flush my cash down the toilet. :p

John

Enjoy your first date! Relax and don't over-think it!

Ok, it arrived today! I won't keep you in suspense... I love it! I made a soundfile for you using my Q2HD videocam that has a really good mic. It reproduces drum and cymbal sounds amazingly well for such a small ball-mic.

The cymbal is complex. It has a nice 'bright' sound when used as a ride, great stick. The crash is dark and cuts off right when you want it to. Dry cymbal! The wash doesn't go on forever. The bell is quiet, but then I always use the bell on my 21" Istanbul Sultan ride if I need some bell. I tapped my other cymbals about half way through the soundfile so you can hear where the 505 sits in the cymbal mix. I like it very much. I plan to spend some time getting to know it better. Let me know what you think!

[ame]http://youtu.be/x5cocZjxdeE[/ame]

John

I have a vintage black label (pre green label '74) 505 20" crash/ride that is an absolute dream of a cymbal.. It has a gorgeous dark wash, clear stick definition and best of all, crashes beautifully. It's not over bearing like most 20" crash/rides, and has what i can only describe as a perfect sustain and decay, almost naturally compressed as you'd hear in a recording.. IMHO, it compares with vintage 602's ! It's my favorite crash/ride cymbal , and i've owned a 602 and black label 2002 ride !..The 505's were made of B8 bronze (a.k.a 2002 bronze alloy) and were manufactured pretty much the same way..Most importantly, if you like the cymbal, then you've scored a great deal.. It's what sounds good to YOUR ears, and that's what matters..

Some great cymbals in the 505's you have good ears.

Paul - 50 years of knocking around on drums gives you 'good ears' for what sounds right and what doesn't - whether you want the ability or not. Learning by osmosis. :p

John

The 505 cymbals were basically 2002s, but with less hammering and more "space" between lathing. They had a little less complex sound as a result, in comparison to the 2002s.

The Heavy Crash was introduced to the 2002 and 505 lines in 1983. It was what Paiste had before they made Power Crashes. According to an invoice from around this era on the Wiki, the 18" 505 would've had a list price around $130 USD. Street price would've been around $80 or so. The 2002 18" Heavy Crash would've been listing for $170 USD at the same time.

Nice grab, the Heavy Crashes in either series don't come up that often. Off the top of my head, the 2002 Heavy Crashes were only offered in 16", 18", and 20". I'd assume the same sizes were available in the 505 series as well.

The 505 series was discontinued during 1986. It was replaced by the 1000 series.