Which Sabian ???

[lemuelp311]

Which is the best series of Sabian cymbals?

[Nez]

Depends on what sort of sound you want!
I have some ProSonix and an AA El Sabor splash, and they're great -very bright, which is what I like, but I'm sure the (more expensive) AAX and Hand Hammered are very cool for certain sounds - I just don't have that much money! :(

[disord3r]

It was a toss-up with me between AAX and Hand Hammered. I like them about the same, but I'm mostly a Zildjian Man. I compare the two models to A Custom and K, respectively, and I'm currently in a move AWAY from the K and K Customs that I've played for so long in favor of more A Customs, which is why I chose AAX.

[Warhamster]

AAX is good!!

[Jamie]

AAX for cutting sounds and accents-splashes, crashes, chinas and hats (for me), and Hand Hammered (HH) for boosting the power and depth of the music-crashes, rides. There are some crossovers, as sabian has a massive range to choose from. I know this sounds like a marketing spiel, but i have found it mostly true. For a foundation triangle (3 cymbals) i reckon: AAX stage hats (versatile open and closed), HH powerbell ride (big, powerful yet cutting, low wash), and AAX studio crash (thin, explosive, classic crash sound). works for me, anyway. I play progressive mettalic emo-core, whatever that means to you guys!
Jamie

[Rooner]

Well I have a mixture of Pro-Sonix and HH sound control's. They both seem to work well together but the quality of the HH's does come through.

[Duggalo]

I went to Mars yesterday and played on a 18 inch AAXplosion crash, it was amazing. An amazing tone and very cutting.

[Jake]

I'm hoping to have a setup of just HH cymbals. What do you think? Really would love that! And the Evolution setup I would LOOOOOVE to have as well. Then I'd be covered for all kinds of situations...

[DrumYoda]

I am a confirmed lover of the Hand Hammered line but it doesn't serve well for all applications. To echo a previous post, the Sabian line of instruments is sufficiently broad to supply just the right sound for any need.

[Jake]

What situations doesn't HH work in? Tell me so I can "fix it"

[Jamie]

If you are sad enough like me to look at the sabian website lots (:p ) or whatever then you'll prob know that HH has the lowest (and therefore most musical/blending) tone of the sabian range. This means it is good for boosting the power of music, or blending in-good in a jazz situation. However, if you need a cutting sound that will still be heard in a high volume situation (punk or metal for example) then HH will not give you that often, unless the cymbal is very big and heavy:D . AA and AAX will supply more cutting sounds-these are the best, tho sabian says Pro cuts more. This is because theyre cast, not pressed, giving a better sound. some people prefer pressed tho, so its all a matter of opinion.
hope this helps, post more if you dont understand
Jamie

[Jake]

Yeah I understand, and thank you I know the theory of cymbal sounds, high vs low pitch vs thickness vs size etc. I was more wondering if someone had knowledge in specific sabian cymbals on the HH and AAX line (for example).

My thoughts are about HH Medium Crash, Rock Crash, and Medium Thin Crash. According to the sound clips on the sabian site, the rock crash and Medium crash are suitable for rock (higher pitch etc) but has anyone played with them and have direct experience from them, not theoretical, not what Sabian says.

[lemuelp311]

i have the HH medium thin crash
it sounds good for rock

[weezal]

The obvious thing is, to get a really good variation in sound, you obviously need a big variation in cymbals. You don't need every single one from every range (however nice that would be) but you should look at playing them from the AA, AAX, HHX and HH range. I personally use the HH, HHX and AAX ranges, but it is a personal thing. You need to go to your music shop and see if you can get to play all the different types. Don't be a tight *** when it comes to buying your cymbals. Good cymbals will last for a long time and give you a great sound.

['Stumpy' Pepys]

Depends on how you play. I find that the AAX series are great when you play them loud but no so great if you're trying to play anything else. I love my AAX crashes but will be trading out my AAX china that I find sounds more like a gong than a trashy china.

[jddrummer666]

It really is personal preference. But I'm sure nobody wants bad sounding cymbals. I like Sabian's Hand Hammered. Good quality and sounds better than some Sabain's I've heard. Also AA and AAX can be good. I'm also a Zildjian fan too. I like the combination I have which is thin crashes and heavy hi-hat and ride. These are my cymbals...

Zildjian A Rock hats 14"
Zildjian A Custom crash 18"
Sabian HH Hand Hammered Manhattan ride 20" (it actually makes a way better crash than a ride)
Zildjian A Rock ride 21"

[shaolindrummer]

you know I may be a loser but I like to b8 series, you can't beat the price (I am Poor) and they sound suprisingly good..I would probably play aax but I didn't finish college..

[Rooner]

:cool: Well all Sabian cymbals are well made, so each to their own. I use a mix of Po-Sonix, HHX, and HH as each have their own sound I find a mixture gives me more flexibility so B8's well each to their own.

[Jake]

Here's what I'm drooling at...

Hand Hammered setup (Rock/Pop/Metal etc)

16" and 18" Rock Crash
16" and 18" Medium Thin Crash
10" Splash
20" Rock Ride
13" Fusion Hats
18" Chinese
14" Mini Chinese

Hopefully also getting an Evolution setup, for the jazz & funk stuff.

[BRIG6366]

If you're looking at a Medium-Thin Crash, check out the new HHX Evolution series crash cymbals. I'm not sure if the are thin or medium-thin, but they explode and you don't have to lay into them to get a big sound. They are very impressive cymbals and this is coming from a Paiste guy. The Ozone Crashes are cool too.

[Jake]

I'm very familiar with evolution. I used them in studio this summer. I was going to get an Evolution setup too, but couldn't afford it, so I'll wait a while.

Have you tried them? The crashes are very very thin.

[Rooner]

I'm looking at updating the quality of my Pro sonix 20" ride to either a HHX Manhattan or a HH Manhattan. I've read the info in their mag but any personal experience would be helpful.

Thanks

Rooner

[jddrummer666]

I have a 20" HH manhattan ride. It doesnt really make a good ride for me. Depends on the sound you're looking for. Its pretty washy. It's medium-thin. So its not pingy at all. Sounds like riding on a crash.

[shaolindrummer]

i forgot to be cool and tell ya'll what i have so here you go
14" b8 hihat
20" b8 ride
16" & 18" b8 medium crashes
18" zildjian z custom medium heavy crash
18" zildjian platinum A china high ( the best china in the universe)
6" & 8" b8 splashes
oh and I made my kit (well except the snare which is a noble and cooley alloy) and all pearl hardware

[Flipkid]

For me, it's a matter of practicality. I only play "semi-pro" (more of an avocation than a vocation!), so I really can't justify spending the $$ for HH, HHX, AAX, etc.

That being said, I really like my "lower-end" Sabians:13” Pro Fusion hi-hats, 20” Pro Sonix ride, 17” & 18” Pro Stage crashes, 10” Pro splash and 8” AA splash. In fact, I get a lot of compliments on both the hats and the ride!

I would like to eventually (someday) upgrade to all AAs. I like the "brighter" sound of the Pros and AAs (as opposed to the "darker" AAX, HH and HHX).

[Rooner]

Jddrummer666 !

This What I've got at the moment ;
10" Pro Sonix splash
12" HH sound control crash
14" Pro Sonix hats
14" HHX Studio crash
16" Pro Sonix crash
18" Pro Stage crash
18" Pro Sonix chinese
20" Pro Sonix ride.

Any ideas of what ride would best suit this set up of cymbals ?
Again any feedback from any forum member would be helpful.

Thanks

Rooner

[JoBe-Fin]

Do anyone has experience of AAX Stage Crash 16", 20" ride or 14" hats?
Are those fine for Alternative/Rock?

Planning to buy AAX Stage kit including:
AAX Stage Crash 16"
AAX Stage Ride 20"
- || - Hats 14"

[blinkfan141]

I had to go with the AAs, because they suit me just like I want them to. I like the AAX and HH lines too, but they are more for my effects, or accents. If I had only one Sabian line, it would be AA.

Dream Set Up-

18" AA Rock Crash
19" AAXplosion Crash
16" AA Medium Crash
15" AAX Dark Crash
21" AA Rock Ride
14" AA Rock Hats
12" AA Mini Hats
8" AA Splash
10" AA Splash
12" AA Splash
10" AAX Oriental China Splash
18" AA Chinese
20" HH Dark Chinese

[7acres_drummer]

Hey, wot series does ne1 think would sound good in metal music?

[emopunker]

Originally posted by JoBe-Fin
Do anyone has experience of AAX Stage Crash 16", 20" ride or 14" hats?
Are those fine for Alternative/Rock?The 16" Crash: Sound is not full enough, the 18" is slightly darker and deeper, but both sizes are bright and cutting at the same time.
The 20" Ride: Too washy, get the AA Rock Ride instead, same price, more stick definition, sounds great for Alt. Rock.
The 14" Hats: Perfect, the best cymbals in the AAX Stage Pack, lots of "cut" and not too bright.Originally posted by 7acres_drummer
Hey, wot series does ne1 think would sound good in metal music? AAX Metal or the AA Metal-X will do well for metal music.

[GotMyDrums22]

HHX Evolution, Sound great but one thing that I love about em is hitting em' with the fat of the stick and not getting that gongish type sound. Enjoyable.

[emopunker]

Hey, this thread is outdated!

Ya gotta have the new XS20 and the AA Metal-X in the poll! ;)

[superG]

Well, I got basically a free Promo Pack of B8 Pros, so I'd say they're my favorite, though I haven't used any others at this point.

I think I got a great deal. A New 2002 825DH w/ a Sabian B8 Pro pack and a Tama seat for $730.00 including tax.

The cymbals were a Promo Pack, but as far as I could tell were new. I did notice a few blemishes on the 20" Ride, but nothing too bad.

Anyway, I was happy.

:D

[7acres_drummer]

well, i think it's just down to taste. it depends if you want bright sounds, dark sounds, etc. it also depends wot type of music you play

[sk8dave16]

I got the Sabian Pro Sonix pack and i would say they were the best for me and at a great price :)

[7acres_drummer]

well, i'm upgrading all my cymbals to AA and AAX. the mix would sound lush

[Jamie]

hand hammered have got to be the NICEST and most professional of the series, as well as being classics, but aax are good for lots of stlyes (i have 6 aax cymbals). the aax stage pack is pretty good, the hats are the best bit, and if you like the crash then its great. it is fairly cutting, not loads but responds very well at low-highish volumes and is a nice sound anyway. the ride is ok, not the best, quite adaptable but a bit washy. i use a hand hammered 21" raw bell dry ride at the mo, with the stage ride off to the side. but overall, it is a good deal.
cheers
Jamie

[Vivi22]

I chose AAX because that series makes up most of my setup and They're great for rock which I play. I also use some AA and HH which are great series as well. But every series has something for everyone, so it's best to try them all.

[MFDFdrums]

i go back and borth between AA's and AAX's. I like them both alot.

[el daino]

It really depends on your musical situation. Sabian is probably one of the best companies out there, they eclipse zildjian in a lot of aspects. AA's and AAX's are great for rock, punk , metal, hh for jazz, hhx for everything, and event the B8's are good!