I just picked up a 22" Nu Vader Ride that had 2 rivets in it for cheap from a local music store.
If I recall correctly, these (and all the "Vaders") were made in Paiste's West German factory and were beginner or budget line cymbals. I had a Sound Vader 16" crash when I was in high school (late 80's). I remember (with my adolescent brain) that it sounded decent. I think they also had a "Rainbow Vader" line as well, which were knockoffs of the Paiste Color Sounds. Yes, the "Darth" was only a joke.
The 22" Nu Vader ride actually sounds pretty good to me. The rivets sound awesome, because the ride is dry and actually pretty soft and controlled. The Nu Vader ride certainly has a silver color to it and lathing that you can really see and feel (by rubbing your finger over it). I'm sure it was a budget cymbal, but after 20 some years of aging, I dig the sound. It's not my best sounding ride by any means, but a nice addition to the family.
Does anyone else have a "guilty pleasure" of using and liking a "cheap" cymbal??
I'll go first:
I use (on one of my kits) an 18" Sabian B8 China. It's loud, obnoxius and trash can lid sounding................but it's EXACTLY what I need out of it on that kit.
I also own a Paiste 300 20" ride that is VERY dry and crashable, almost like it has tape on it. I use it a lot on jazz gigs. I've had drummers ask what that cymbal is and that they really dug it! It always blows them away when I tell them it's a very low end, West German made Paiste!