I've always found choosing cymbals to be difficult. You have not only stick choice to think about, but how the new cymbal matches with your existing cymbals, how it sounds with your drums, and the loudness you're playing at...somehow when you focus on it it becomes harder to judge! I've definitely bought cymbals that sounded nice in the shop and, once I was home, was less thrilled about.

I would try both the tip and butt end of the stick, as they will reveal different kinds of attack and wash, at different dynamic levels and angles (direct and glancing hits), from the edge to the bell. Playing with brushes, mallets and hands also will reveal the cymbal's characteristics. If you're lucky the store you buy it from has a return policy, and so you can try it for a bit before committing to it.

To add to what you say, sometimes it takes a little while to truly figure out whether or not you like a cymbal. I have found that for myself. Sometimes, a cymbal may have to "break-in". And as consistent as Paistes are, for example, there are still little idiosyncrasies with them.

You definitely bring some good points out.

I actually find my ears have to 'break in' more than the cymbal! You're basically acclimating to the entire new sound palette, and you have to open up to what it can and can't do.

Yeah- that, too!!!

Wow guys, that´s a lot of reactions and opinions in a short while. I am truly glad with everything you said. It´s comforting to read and hear that everyone is agreeing that sticks and tips do matter and that you can have a lot of different sounds from the same cymbal.

Buying a new cymbal, indeed, good thing to bring different sticks, and even then it can be disappointing. I had quite some disappointments, buying something that sounded right in the shop and not right at home, but then quite OK on one gig and horrible on another.

Cymbals can change in sound, don´t they? I had this wonderful Masterworks Jazzmaster that sounded awesome but now, after some years, it just doesn´t have it anymore. Or did my ears change, or my perception of the sound?

My sticks were merely 5A and 7A, wood and nylon, occasionally a signature Weckl or Gadd, sometimes a maple, but after all these responses I shall definitely try other sticks on my cymbals to hear the difference and I might be surprised about a new great sound, or not and then sell some I still won´t like.

So much to say about cymbals, I might start another thread on another aspect...

Thanks to all, and if anyone would like to add more, happy to read it!

About 15 years ago, I bought a job lot of percussion instruments at a junk-antique shop in Toronto. They probably had been owned by someone who did radio soundeffects. Along with the ratchets , clappers,castanets,gongs, triangles and such there were several sets of ebony drumsticks. Now, these were a totally other thing but they tweaked my interest. Why , were there such a limited range of hardwoods used for drumsticks? It's pretty much limited to Hickory,Maple,Oak,Ash; with a couple of exotics thrown in there . I think the reason for this is simply commercial availability. With respect to Oak alone there are about around 9 species spread across N.A., roughly divided into the Red Oaks and the White Oaks but despite the fact that the 3 White Oaks(white,swamp white, burr) that grow in my area all have different characteristics and specifically, density, they are all graded by the lumber industry as White Oak. Same is true of Ash,Hickory,Maple,Beech,Ironwood and the harder conifers such as Juniper. ---------------I think there is a lot to be done in the refinement of drumsticks, certainly regarding the specifics of the hardwood used. There are over 50 species of hardwood ,in eastern North America alone but very few of them are available on a broad scale commercial level , such as a could be sourced by a big company making drumsticks.

Been playing 37 years and for the last, don't know how long, have been using VF wood tip 5A's. Feel good in my hands, whether I'm hitting a cymbal, drum or an annoying person.

B

My advice:

1) Find some cymbals you like/love

2) Find some sticks you like/love

3) Play the cymbals with the sticks

To paraphrase my favorite Max Roach line..."Play the Cymbal, don't let it play you"...Max actually used the word "Drum" in this line, but it's all the same. Buy what you like & learn how to coax the most out of it. It's not the drum or cymbal or stick...it's the man "using" them to create music "with" them. For me, over thinking interrupts the creative process...don't let the instrument play you! Just my 2 cents.

Dan

Agree with Max Roach's sentiments, although its nice to have cymbals that start off with the type of sound and texture you're looking for. And, in any case, what the drummer hears 2 feet away, and what the audience hears 20 or more feet away, can be very different.

Plus 1! You can't tune a venue, too many drummers relay on what they think their kit sounds like, instead of what it sounds like out front. I use the same philosophy when buying a cymbal. I get a buddy or the sales guy to smack it around & move around the room to listen...I've even taken them outside the store, and just listen. I also take my bag with a small go to set of cymbals & some sticks. Throwing down $300 or so bucks on something that doesn't sonically match my go to's pi$$es me off! Do I annoy sales people?...yep, but I no longer buy dogs that can't hunt.