Sabian

The Sabian HHX China 18" is a higher end china cymbal for use in your drum kit. I wouldn't say that china cymbals are exactly essential cymbals to have in your drum kit like crash, ride, and hi hats are, but it's another color to consider having. In my experience, which is somewhat limited when it comes to drum gear since I'm not primarily a drummer, this has been one of the best china cymbals I've ever used. The drummer that I grew up playing with had a nice Paiste china cymbal, but this one blows it out of the water. First off, it's made extremely well and this is highly evident when you feel it or get a good look at it. This definitely shows in the sound quality as it's a full sounding china cymbal with the perfect amount of crash to it. The 18" size seems to be the perfect size for a china cymbal in general, though admittedly I haven't tried too many china cymbals at other sizes. The setting I was recording it in was in the context of a huge drum set with a ton of other cymbals. The drummer wasn't hitting this china cymbal all the time, but it definitely crept in there enough where it was easy to get a good idea of what the cymbal sounded like on record. The Sabian HHX China 18" is going to be okay for genres of all varieties, but probably best in rock and harder varieties of the genre at that. The Sabian HHX China 18" is far from the least expensive china cymbal you can get, as it's actually going to cost a pretty good amount for a cymbal like this. It's really only worth it if you're a professional or semi-professional who already has a top of the line kit and more traditional cymbals to match...

The Sabian AAX Studio Crash 16" is a cymbal that I've used in both my home studio and in a few different professional studios. I'm not a drummer my trade, but my best friend is and he owns one of these. We've been playing together for years, so I've recorded him playing with this cymbal in various locations over the years. This is pretty much the go to crash cymbal that we'll use whenever we're recording together, and I'm definitely glad that it is, as it really has a great sound to it. It's a really full sounding cymbal, and isn't as bright sounding as many of the crash cymbals out there, which is something that I like a lot about it. While this one in particular is a 16" crash cymbal, I do believe that the AAX Studio Crash series of cymbals from Sabian has a variety of different sizes to choose from. I've mostly used Neumann KM 184's to capture the sound of this cymbal and the full drum set, but have used a variety of microphones to record it depending on where I'm at. This has been a great way to get used to the cymbal, as hearing it from so many different perspectives has made me realize that it's a great cymbal in any situation. It's a pretty versatile cymbal as well, as it sounds great for both jazz and rock music, in addition to other genres as well of course. The Sabian AAX Studio Crash 16" is priced right, but it certainly doesn't make it the cheapest cymbal on the market. If you're looking for quality regardless of price, there are better cymbals than this, but if you're looking for something that sounds great and doesn't cost a fortune, you can't go wrong with this one...

This Hand Hammered Vintage Ride is another great cymbal from the Sabian lines. In general, I often only use the HHX line because I find them slightly more versatile for my kind of music. However, this Vintage Ride is certainly an exception. We used to have some at the music store I worked at, so I played them a bit. It wasn't until got to gig on someone else's kit before I got to play this live, and I really felt its full power and quality. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp;"> If I had to compare this to another cymbal, it would probably be between the sabian HHX Groove Ride and the Sabian Hand Hammered Manhattan Jazz Ride (both 20''). The Vintage is a bit lighter than the Groove, and has a softer smoother bell sound. The Manhattan is thinner than the Vintage, much darker and dryer. For this reason, the Vintage would probably be well suited to louder, big band style jazz or some kind of fusion, light rock, or funk. This cymbal has a good blend of dark definition, but with a sweeter wash than most comparable cymbals. The ping is loud and articulate, while the bell provides a new deeper sound that is not overpowering. I could easily compare this to many older, actually vintage rides from the early days of Zildian. I guess thats where the Vintage name comes from.... Unfortunately, like many good cymbals, the HH Vintage Ride is a bit expensive. You definitely get what you pay for, and this cymbal is less expensive than other Sabian HH Manhattans or Zildjian K Constantinoples. If a versatile ride for jazz with a vintage sound is what is desired, this is the way to go.<span> </span>Having played this cymbal, I gained a lot more respect for the versatility of HH rides and I will keep my eyes open for one of these once I can afford some more gear.</span>

The 19'' Sabian Paragon China cymbal is without a doubt my favorite china cymbal ever. It is reasonably affordable and comes from an impressive Niel Peart line of Paragons. It looks different than many other chinas, with such a deep groove turning flat for the 5'' border. The edges are very chisseled, producing an uneven appearance. The sounds it gets are also very special, because it doesn't react like most big chinas. Rather than having a powerful attack and quick decay, producing the typical pssshhh sound, this is much more gong like. Depending on where it is struck, it can sound like a deep china or a trashy, gong crash. I often play it with the bell at the top, not the bottom. If the center is hit, it produces another amazingly dry and resonant ping that I have only ver heard from this cymbal. This paragon can be played at low volumes and is responsive, which cannot be said about almost every other china I have encountered. When need be, it can also be played at incredible volumes and really just blow everything away. In general, this is receiving a perfect rating because it is what I consider to be the best china cymbal available. It is versatile, has a specific character about it, and just sounds great. Too often people but expensive chinas and only find themselves using them once and a while, a highlight here or there. I guarantee that this china will work its way into your playing more than you expect. There is another china in the Neil Peart Paragon line, which is an inch larger than this. It has a totally different structure and sound, so don't confuse the two. This is the better one, so I say stick to the 19'' and you won't regret it.

I am a huge advocate of the HHX line, and one of my favorite examples of why this line kills are the Groove Hats. Funk and groovy rock/jazz are my favorite styles to play, and that is what these cymbals are marketed for. They certainly deliver on all accounts, and are just amazing cymbals. Everyone always reminisces about the old zildjians and classic hand hammered techniques etc., but to me these exhibit the pinnacle of fine cymbal production. I picked up a pair used for a deal, and every drummer who has ever played on them admits how great they are. These are dark, but also have bright overtones. They are smooth and responsive, with possibly the best funky chick I have ever heard. When riding with a pumping shoulder of the stick they are crunchy as anything, with a great dry wash sound when opened. They feel so fat that all you want to do is make the other musicians cut out and give you a nice syncopated 8 bar break. Just the sound of these alone is enough to encourage a non-funk player to play like Clyde Stubblefield. The cymbal bell is also an option because of its applicability. There are also coated forms of this cymbal, which I like a bit less but are a bit louder, brighter and possibly more versatile in louder harder types of music. Both are great, just personal preference. The only drawback is that these may be a little bit less vaeratile than other cymbals, such as the HHX stage hats, which are also unbelievable. That being said, nothing beats the HHX Groove hats on their home court, when playing funky jazzy stuff. These cymbals aren't cheap by any means, but I also suggest you at least try them at any cost. As good as cymbals can get.

This is the most versatile ride I have ever used. Obviously, personal preference plays a big part of any cymbal purchase. However, time and time again, I am impressed by the sounds this cymbal produces and it receives many compliments from fellow drummers. 2 of my old teachers ended up buying this cymbal after I brought mine in and let them rock it for a while. It is dark and warm, with a nice hand hammered bell that has a great smokey sound. I am primarily a rock drummer, but generally like to incorporate more influences. This cymbal has provided me with all the versatility I need. It has the typical HHX coating, which is a good balance between coated and non-coated because it isn't too bright, isn't too dark, and has a very good response. I ride this, crash it, do whatever and it sounds great. It is clean enough for light music but still not flimsy or thin, producing crunchier vibes when necessary. I have played many ride cymbals in my day, but this is by far my favorite for the music I like to play (mellow rock, funk, jazzier stuff, etc.). The sabian HHX line is slightly expensive, but not for the sound you get. When compared to other cymbal lines such as HH or Zildjian K's, I still feel like this cymbal has the best value. The only drawback to this cymbal is its relatively high price, but as i stated it is well worth it. I have recorded with it and it sounds even better in studio than when it is live. I would definitely buy this cymbal again and again, and would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a perfectly balanced ride cymbal. The only cymbal line that can compare to this is the HHX groove series. Obviously, HHX parallels the K custom series, but I have never played any K custom that sounds as good as this. Buy this cymbal if you can.

I’ve been using the Sabian AA Heavy Ride cymbal for about a year or so for recording and while I myself am not a drummer, I have worked extensively with this cymbal for recording in my home studio. The tone color of the Sabian AA Heavy Ride is pretty awesome and is perfect for rock and roll as well as a variety of other genres. The sound of the cymbal can be described as extremely full with a great deal of low presence as far as ride cymbals are concerned. While maybe not the best choice for an overall ride cymbal for all genres because of this unique, heavy tone quality to it, it excels at what it is good at and is a perfect addition for the drummer looking to get a variety of different sounding ride cymbals for different applications. This being said, it will work fine in any situation that you decide to use it is I just believe it is best for rock and you are probably better off get a more versatile cymbal if you are going to be using it as your only ride cymbal and are going top be playing a variety of different styles. While I haven’t personally used the Sabian AA Heavy Ride for live shows, the drummer that I record with who has this cymbal loves to bring it out for live shows as well as for recording. The price of the Sabian AA Heavy Ride is very reasonable and is therefore capable of being brought out on the road and for gigs without the fear of breaking an expensive cymbal. Sabian is a leader in the world of cymbals, making all different types of cymbals for all sorts of genres and applications and I would strongly encourage drummers to go to the store to try out the cymbal before you buy it because each and every cymbal is different. All in all, the Sabian AA Heavy Ride is a great sounding ride cymbal that is a great addition to any drummer’s arsenal.

I've been on a search for the perfect ride, and I think I found it. Problem is- I can't afford it, more on that later. Sabian's Paragon cymbals are made in Canada, just the man behind these cymbals; Neart Peart of Rush. But you don't even have to be a Rush fan to appreciate this line of cymbals. First of all, I love the size of this cymbal. Its a beast; 22&quot; in diameter and thick, its like 8 pounds so don't drop it on your foot. One you move up to a 22&quot; ride its hard to go back to a 20&quot;. Its thickness means you get a really good 'ping' out of it that cuts through like no other ride cymbal I've ever heard. It also has an incredible shimmery wash that is subtle but definitely there, and can be tapped into even more by how and where in the field you play the cymbal. There is a complexity in the overtones, very musical. I read somewhere that Sabian used a distinctly different lathing technique on the top than the bottom, that might be a contributor to the sweet and complex tones. This cymbal might be a bit much for those who are used to mellow 20&quot; rides. Its loud, its bright (though not harsh at all), its cutting, and it shimmers while giving excellent stick definition. It's kind of a cymbal that does everything you want without having to make any trade-offs, but be warned it is an overwhelming cymbal. Now price; this is seriously one expensive cymbal. I haven't seen it under 350.00. Thats a lot of money, but frankly this cymbal does things that nothing in the Hand Hammered line up can do, and outperforms many of my beloved favorites from Paiste. I would like to see this cymbal go head to head with some of the K Kustom line from Zildjian but until then..... this cymbal is worth the money because it surpasses anything I've played to date. Now where's that credit card I have hidden from the wife....

I recently acquired those hats because they were gifted to me with a whole lot of drum stuff (including a 1964 Ludwig drum kit). I was sceptical at first since I thought writing rock on a cymbal was like writing gaming on a hard drive but I was pleasantly surprised when I found out they don't sound like trash. Those are not the best hats I have ever used but I definitely wouldn't complain if they were my only choice. I cannot say much about value for money since I don't know how much they cost. Ps. Why are people calling this a "Charley" and why is Charleston even used to describe hi hats in the 21st century?

I've been playing drums for about 4 or 5 years. My range of interests in music is far too broad to be discussed here.... Online. I love the sound of these cymbals, particularly the crash. When you nail those crashes full force, they have a sound that goes on forever.....I love it!! Also the sound has different levels of intensity depending upon how hard you hit it. Some cymbals may only give you maybe 2 layers of intensity that sound good when you hit them, the pro sonix give you about 4 or 5 layers, meaning they sound great at even the most quiet section of a song to the most intense. The cymbals also have an excellent sheen and are quite nice to look at... Unfortunately, they are extremely fragile cymbals, and can't handle intense abuse from the user. I don't consider myself a hard hitter, (except for maybe when I'm getting into what I'm doing ) but the problem is, I managed to destroy 2 16' crashes just from routine use. Cracks start to appear in the lower corners. If you're a pounder like Dave Grohl, you might want to shop around a bit more to find something else that can take a higher level of use. Due to the fact that I managed to destroy 2 crashes tells me the construction quality is a bit low for a cymbal. They seem to be a bit brittle. I also have a 20' Pro Sonix Ride and that holds up just fine. The Pro Sonix cymbals would be great for home or studio use, but I would not suggest them for heavy gigging. These are beautiful sounding cymbals, but all that beauty comes at a price. Unfortunately that price happens to be the build quality. Since Sabian no longer carries this line, they are getting harder to find....I love these cymbals, but they cannot take the level of abuse that I put out. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I play mostly pop/rock with influences from all over the world,jazz,latin,fusion,dance,disco,funk.. you just name it.Also playing progressive rock.Mostly i play Sabians,because the quality just can't get better from here!!! I ordered it cause i loved the 16 version,but my Paiste 18 crash had broke (25 years of use),so i needed a good replacement,or should i say,a new sound! I bought it for 220 €,i thinks it's the same as US dollars.Completely new and shiny! Versatile all round crash for a large amount of musicgenres (from soft to heavy).A nice silvery sound.You can crash it gently or bash it for loud crashing.The 18 crash does it all!Also a good very light ride!Sabian is so!!!! Nothing !It's just perfect. Sabian cymbals offer big time quality!Treating with respect,Sabian cymbals stand out a lifetime!Amazing !The vault isn't different.Class quality NR1!You can fold the cymbal a litte at both side,so you see it's quality from the best.It won't break because it's construction is awesome but strong like steel!! Versatile all round crash for a large amount of musicgenres (from soft to heavy).Sabian is a true innovator in cymbalsounds.They always want to do better than the other,yet they respect classic sounds! This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

After not playing for a few years, I decided I wanted to get back into it so I purchased a new kit for which I needed cymbals with. I did't want to buy peice by peice or used after I saw the performance sets available. Having also been told that the foundation of your cymbals have been matched by sound for you was aperfect idea. Between HHX and AAX I chose AAX when I mentioned to the salesguy that I played hard and soft, he recommended AAX which were actualy cheaper in price. I figured buying in bulk was going to be cheaper and it was. The versitility behind these cymbals are endless.I like how they blend rather than overpower.They offer a great blend of tones with brightness and clarity. Most of all what I like is that they are very easy to control and are sensitive to hard or soft playing and sound amazing either way. The brilliant finish on them are very attractive and captivating. There's nothing I don't really dislike about them other than the sizes which are only based on preference anyway. I would have prefered a 21" ride instead of 20" and,an 18" crash instead of a 16". The lathing appears fairly simple like two groove patterns. one is a straight circular lathing and the second angleling itself outward to project it's tone. Also very dull hammerings fairly cimetricly placed. They apper to be machine hammered but sound like they have been hand hammered, especialy the AAX Dark Crash which is the only AAX I beleive to not be available in in a brilliant finish. These cymbals are cast made from durable SABIAN B20 Bronze unlike the lower lines of SABIAN cymbals such as B8 Pro which are made with B8 Rolled Bronze and are much cheaper in price, but also in sound. HH, HHX, AA, AAX are all the best series of SABIAN cymbals. Durable stuff that delivers great results everytime. A practical buy worth every cent and more. I recommend drummers of any style to try them. If versitility is your thing AAX Stage is a godsend. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com