I agree, play what you like. I have a few "cheap" cymbals that I really like. One is a Sabian Powerbeat 18" Crash/Ride (Replaced by Solar, then sbr) that I got for $10. It is dry and crashable, with a pleasing tone. I put 6 rivets in it, and it makes a nice light ride. I've had more than one drummer ask me what that "killer" cymbal is to my right. We always have a good laugh about it when I tell them, but in the end, the conversation always ends with something like "but that thing sounds great".

I agree, sometimes they make "cheap" cymbals for students and beginners, but end up make some really good sounding cymbals for a smokin price. I don't like ZBT's in general, but years ago I got a used one from a guy, and told me that he was always amazed how well that ZBT 18" crash Ride played and recorded, anyhow now I own three of them.

But, they have made like 3 different models of the same fracken cymbal. Zildjian got it right the first time and has since then proceeded to screw them up by changing the original contours, lathing and hammering profiles:mad:

I hate that SH*T, some big ass company makes a rockin product then just stops makin it, it's like the chocolate mint Zone bars wal-mart used to carry. Best damn protein bar you could eat, I'm talking candy bar good, but super healthy. NOW they have 20 different flavors and stopped selling the chocolate mint! AAAHHHHHH....ok I'm better.

Here is a short Ipod video of this cymbal...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30M6Q5qkVC4&feature=plcp"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30M6Q5qkVC4&feature=plcp[/ame]

This cymbal just sold for 75. Must not sound to terrible lol.

Of course price is not an indicator of whether a used cymbal sounds good or not. But if it were, I wouldn't expect much for $75.

lol My band mates think I should charge more like a 100, but I prefer to sell at lower prices, since most drummers I know, dread having to buy new cymbals, because they are pricey. Besides, I don't try to get rich off of people, just trying to put a little scratch in my pocket.

I guess, because I actually play on my own "product", I think they sound damn good; only time will tell if my customers agree...

I'm very suprised that the cymbal was able to be welded. What material was used to weld it? My brother attempted a Zildjian tig welding and had no luck. It just kept popping. Also the heat generated from welding will affect the integrity of the cymbal surrounding the weld probably making it more brittle. Very cool though. I probably would have dressed down the weld as to not be so noticable. I usually just grind away the affected area of a cracked cymbal. It doesn't generate too much heat at all and I am still using it today. This one had a larger crack that was vertical then went horizontal too.

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

Yes cutting out the crack will certainly remove the problem, just that it also removes a large portion of the cymbals mass, reducing volume, sustain; as well as creating two floating points that just kinda hang there vibrating like crazy, completely un supported, that is trouble trouble trouble IMO, but if it works for you, Amen brother!

My tig welding technique is classified,lo(I ain't telling anybody for free)l I will tell you that I use silicon bronze filler. I remove enough of the weld to reduce over reinforcement cracking, but I like to leave a little, and for me , function over form is fine ;when it saves me hundreds of dollars lol.

My brother had attempted to weld one recently and was successful. It had a long crack along the bell and a short one at end. (Top side and underside pictures) The first and last pic are the underside where I had marked with a sharpie that I was going to grind out with a cutoff wheel before deciding to weld it. I may want to dress off some of the weld flat but will see how it sounds first once I get it back.

I’ve been playing on it and even after several good wallops, I’m pleased to say it’s holding strong so far. Great welding job by my brother!