After seeing Mike Portnoy play at the Progressive Nation Tour, I was inspired to try out some of the cymbals he uses. This was by far, the most fun batch of cymbals I have played. Dream Theater's music changes constantly and Mike needs cymbals that will respond to a wide spectrum of volumes. After all, Panic Attack and Hollow Years are two very different songs.

13" HHX Stage Hats - These cymbals really changed my view on how 13" hi-hats can sound. Most people think of the 13" pairing as quick, funky, and better suited for funk and fusion, however, these cymbals are dark and full bodied. When played open, they sound great and really work well in a rock/metal setting. I found a lot of volume in these as well, something rarely seen in smaller hi-hats. Overall, these cymbals defined what a hi-hat should sound like. If I were to play a hi-hat to a non-drummer, these would be the ones.

18" HHX Studio Crash - I loved playing this cymbal! It produces a very punchy, dark sound and opens very easily for an 18". I used this as a main and a secondary crash, and in both applications, it worked perfectly. It was great to ride on and never felt overpowering. I was expecting a louder deeper bell sound because of its raw design, and instead I got a higher pitched bell tone. I could use this multi-application cymbal in any style of music. Don't be scared away by its "Studio" name, this crash could work in metal and of course, progressive rock.

18" AA Medium Thin Crash - The AA series' tonal characteristics change drastically when hit soft or hard and do not respond as quickly as the AAX or HHX series. I think this crash would work well in a rock setting; however, this cymbal might not possess the volume needed to cut through loud metal guitarists and bassists.

20" HHX Chinese - Wow!!! This is one of the loudest china cymbals I have ever played. It is dark, trashy, and explosive, and sounded phenomenal when played softer as well. It is one of the few cymbals I've played that can be described as in your face and beautiful all at once. After playing it for a few days, I can see why Portnoy uses this model so often.

22" HH Rock Ride - This is a real rock ride. It's loud, pingy, and has an amazing bell. It was bright for Hand Hammered, but nowhere near as bright as the AA version. This cymbal is perfect for rock, progressive rock, metal, and higher volume situations. So, if you bring this to a jazz trio gig as your main ride, the sound guy might look at you like you have two heads.

-Bob Sommer (SABIAN Intern)

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Katie Robinson
eMarketing Coordinator
SABIAN Ltd.

Hey Everyone,

Since the new Artisan crashes and hats were released, I have been looking forward to trying them. The ride has always been a personal favorite and I wanted to see how the new stuff stacked up against it. Here's what I found:

13" Vault Artisan Hats - These cymbals are a mixed bag for me. They're quick and sharp and seem to suit funk or fusion playing quite well, but for jazz they didn't work for me. The 13" size is known for being faster and brighter than 14s or 15s, but I was expecting the 13s from Artisan to be as dark and warm as the others are. In my opinion, these cymbals don't fit with the other Artisan cymbals I played. I believe the 14s or the 15s would work better for jazz and be more compatible with its "brothers and sisters."

16" Vault Artisan Crash - This is by far one of the darkest 16" crashes I have ever played. Lots of people talk about how smaller crashes create a bright splashy sound, but this crash totally goes against that. When struck lightly is creates a dark, warm, somewhat trashy sound that seems like the ideal sound for a light jazz gig. When struck with force it opens up right away and then gets out of the way in a matter of seconds, which brings me to my only complaint: I wish it had more sustain. But overall, this is the perfect 16" crash for any jazz situation.

18" Vault Artisan - This cymbal is absolutely amazing. Even darker than the 16", with a beautiful sustain and light riding capability. I really can't say enough about this cymbal. It opens up with ease and is a lot of fun to play. I would use this cymbal for jazz as well fusion and light rock. I can really see a jazz player bringing this as his/her main crash a long with one of the four amazing Artisan Rides.

20" Vault Artisan Medium Ride - To me, the ride cymbal is the toughest cymbal to choose. Sometimes you want definition and sometimes you want wash. But there are certain models that are good enough to be used in any situation and the 20" Artisan Medium Ride was just like that. Because of its medium weight, this cymbal possesses a dark, warm, articulate stick definition with a great crash. I really enjoyed laying into this cymbal, something I don't do often. The bell wasn't my favorite, but the bow and edge of the Artisan Ride were perfect. I could see this cymbal fitting into jazz, fusion, funk, latin, and possibly rock.

-Bob Sommer (SABIAN Intern)

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Katie Robinson
eMarketing Coordinator
SABIAN Ltd.

Hey Drummers,

This week I was inspired by the great Dave Weckl to try out some of his Legacy and Evolution Series cymbals. I found both lines perfect for the type of music Dave plays, but as I got into heavier styles, the Legacy series didn't seem to fit as much as the Evolutions.

22" HHX Legacy Heavy Ride - This cymbal was a joy to play. Mike mentioned in an earlier post about a cymbal that he "wanted to play for hours" and that was exactly how I felt about this one. Although it's named the "Heavy Ride" this beautiful cymbal is only medium weight and has an excellent dark, smoky crash. The bell is clean and articulate, but not suited for rock or metal. For as long as I played, I was able to hear every stroke and it never washed out. This cymbal sounds like one you'd hear in a New York City jazz club and would work great in styles such as fusion, latin, and funk. I wouldn't recommend it for louder genres though, but as a big, dark, defined, trashy ride, it's awesome.

17" HHX Evolution Crash - At first, both of the Evolution Crashes I tried didn't grab me. Although, the more I played, the more I enjoyed the amazing response I got from these cymbals. The 17" makes for an excellent main crash. It opens up very easily and seemed right about in the middle as far as dark and bright. When I played along with Dave Matthews this cymbal fit right in. Overall, I could see using this crash in any style of music except for metal or other styles of heavy music.

18" HHX Evolution Crash - The 18" version was just a louder and darker version of the 17". Like the 17", it opens up with ease and doesn't seem too bright or too dark. This Evolution model would work great in all genres of music. Unlike the 17", this one would work in Metal and is the choice of Cryptopsy's Flo Mounier.

14" HHX Legacy Hi-Hats - From the moment I played these, I knew right away these were my favorite hi-hats I've ever played. Surprisingly quick and clean with great stick articulation, these hats worked perfectly for funk, jazz, and of course, fusion. One of my favorite things about these hi-hats was the warm foot chick I got from them. Most of all, I felt like these were cymbals with character and I would never tire of playing them.

14" HHX Evolution Mini-Chinese - This was no doubt a good mini-china cymbal, but it did not produce the sound I look for in my china. It was trashy and quick, yet wasn't very loud or present. I would recommend this china for jazz, fusion, funk, latin, and maybe a lighter style of rock.

-Bob Sommer (Intern, Marshfield)

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Katie Robinson
eMarketing Coordinator
SABIAN Ltd.

Edited: 08/31/2009 at 11:48 AM by KATIE86

Hey all, today I went for some brighter and heavier stuff. After watching a Chicken Foot performance, I wanted to lay down some fat back, Chad Smith style grooves. I needed something big to compare to this style so here is what I got.

14" AAX Fast Hats: These are an absolute blast to play. Quick action, and pronounces every stick hit perfectly! These hats would fit perfectly on somebody's kit who plays like Chad Smith, John Bonham, or Mitch Mitchell. Perfect for the funk/rock drummer with a bit of a presence on stage!

19" AAX Metal Crash: It says "metal" but don't think just Heavy Metal folks. It's metal that you can hit many different ways. This cymbal, and this line for that matter, has so much diversity and can be used for so many musical styles that drummers and musicians shouldn't get too stuck on the name, but keep their ears open for a certain sound. This cymbal is bright, it breaks through, and drummers let me tell you it makes fellow musicians happy people! Oh, and you metal drummers out there, don't be afraid to try it out as well.

20" AAX Ozone Crash: I remember when I first started this internship and I came across this cymbal. I had no clue what this cymbal was. My first thought was, wow there has to be some huge rivets somewhere around here or maybe they forgot to finish the process up in the factory. So I got a straight answer and it kicked in my curiosity. So last night I tried it out and man was I amazed at what I got out of this cymbal! It was trashy but super flashy. In my head I would refer to this cymbal as the total package! It's bright like the AAX standard goes, but with a totally unique touch to it! It fluttered out so you can crash ride, but the trashiness of it gave you this extra control that allows you to go in different directions. I was really surprised by what I could do with this cymbal!

22" AA Raw Ride: Have you seen this cymbal? This cymbal is a character. Its un-lathed look is a stand out as is the unique sound you can get with it. Considering that the standard AA cymbal is for the more heavy duty, aggressive drummer I guess that makes this cymbal even more unique in its line. It's a very light, dry and warm cymbal. However, it's not your typical every day jazz cymbal. It has this really rough sound that makes you feel like you're hitting a cymbal with turf grass on it. That makes you put in the extra effort to really smack this bad boy! I wouldn't just use this for jazz I would rock out with this thing and smack it. The bell is smaller than my liking but it's got a lot of beef behind it that makes itself heard! This is a must for any drummer to check out.

***

As of today my internship with Sabian Cymbals, like any good thing must, has come to an end here in Marshfield. I would like to thank my family and friends for all their support. I also want to thank the folks from Sabian who are nothing but stand out individuals! I hope you readers have enjoyed my perception of the different cymbals Sabian makes. Please take my advice and keep playing what I feel are the best cymbals in the world. Thanks for reading and we'll talk in the future!

Cheers,
Mike Foote

WADUP drum fans!

So today I got a little bit from everywhere to talk about so let's get into it.

8" AA Rocktagon: I was expecting splashy, but what I got was kind of a trashy, china-like cymbal. I wasn't expecting that from this weird looking cymbal. I felt it served its purpose as an accent cymbal which is what, to me, makes a good all around splash.

14" HH Sizzle Hat: From the start I felt like I should have been sitting on the throne playing some eclectic jazz Miles- or Coltrane-style. These hats derive this rustic, dirty, vintage, raw sound that has the feel of those old cymbals that grandpa put away 40 years ago when he got a day gig. When I found these hats it was like finding a treasure in an attic chest. Why? Because of the rivets on the bottom hat that give it that old school touch. I love that old dusty jazz sound with washy rivets on it. It's so cool and sounds great! I found myself rockin' away on these hats as well.

18" Paragon Crash: This cymbal was bright and it felt like it was meant to be played hard. Its tonal characteristics were unique and it spoke its own sound. It definitely breaks through the music, and the bell is killer! If you're looking for a cymbal with bright, loud and heavy duty sounding characteristics, definitely check this one out.

19" AAX Stage Crash: Another bright and cutting crash. It's kind of a hard hit and the bell didn't get my attention like the Paragon. The edge fluttered some and it felt like I might lose control at any time. What does this all mean? Well for me, I love this cymbal. It's so raw and bitter! It's like waking up the beast and letting him out of the cage. Rock n' Rollers, Heavy Metal Heads, and those who play all too aggressively, this may just have your name written all over it!

19" AAX X-Plosion Crash: I have to admit of the two 19" AAX cymbals I tested last night, this is my favorite. This is probably my favorite crash of any line. So much so I got one for myself. It's very responsive. It responds right on impact. It's not as bright as the Stage, but it has its own unique characteristics. It has an un-lathed bell that's super raw and loud. It's easier to hit and more versatile at that. It felt a little lighter so that it allowed me to smash away on it and have fun while I go nuts! It's super powerful and looks beautiful in a Brilliant Finish!

20" HH Mini Bell Ride: I thought this cymbal was going to take me in a different direction than it did. Maybe it was my stick choice. I used the 2B Vater Rock Sticks. This might have been too much for this light cymbal, and it might not have suited my playing. I noticed this cymbal blended rather than cutting through. To me, it has a real smooth jazzy kind of sound. The bell wasn't too loud but it can be heard. I could see somebody with a light touch choosing this cymbal. I recommend this cymbal to the cool, calm, and collected Jazz kat!

-Mike

Edited: 08/31/2009 at 11:06 AM by MikeFoote

Hello drum fans,

Last time I tested a few selections from the HH series. I found some likes and others that didn't suit me so well.

20" HH Bounce Ride: As it says it was like throwing your drum stick on a trampoline. Its sound was saturated and very washy. I would use this cymbal more as a crash than a ride except for one thing - the bell. The bell was loud and clear! The stick attack on the bow wasn't strong enough for my personal interest. Don't get me wrong it's a great cymbal, but it didn't suit my playing. If you are doing a bunch of stick work and need great articulation, this probably isn't the ride for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a washy cymbal that can really roar, this baby's the one!

15" HH Sound Control Crash: This cymbal is like that kid wearing Dark Hipster Sunglasses and your Grandfathers Hat from the 1940's in the midst of a crowd that's way too contemporary, a total surprise! I love this cymbal. I used it in between two ride cymbals on a 7-piece Gretsch. It served its purpose perfectly. It feels like a medium thin cymbal that has a bright and crisp attack to it. It's responsive to all types of attack and is heard through most anything. It really colors up a fill and it's so easy to crash ride on. I really like a 15" because it breaks through and it's so easy to place on your kit and get a good sound. Ladies and gentlemen, it's the total package!

13" HH EQ Hats: These hats are as funked out as Funkmaster Flex himself. From what you can see the cymbal make has a super cool look. The top hat is a flat bell top, which gives it this really tight "chick" sound. It kind of reminds me of a midi sample that might be used on a drum machine in hip-hop music. The foot reaction is just as quick as some of the lighter stuff similar to the Fierce Hats. The bottom cymbal was way cool too. It has small holes that let the air out and could fit rivets. They give the hats these really nice textures that help it funkify. Like any cymbal it doesn't have to be for the funk drummer, it can be played by any type of drummer given the right situation.

-Mike

Hello everyone. I tried a few cymbals out upon request that I otherwise wouldn't have thought about trying. Here is what I found:

14" HH Rock Hats: Now here is a cymbal where I got results that I wasn't expecting. Hand Hammered cymbals are awesome, but to me I don't feel they are always ideal for Rock. So yesterday I searched for something new to get a different perspective, and what do you know I found these hats. From the first hit to the last hit I noticed there was nothing but sheer power in these hi hats. That alone blew me away! They were loud, bright and super responsive to quick funk and rock style slamming. I don't think they'd be my choice for speed metal, but for the rock drummer and somebody looking for power and finesse, say hello to these bad boys!

21" Vault Crossover Ride: I tested this cymbal upon request. Once again, I found my new favorite ride (is this happening every day now?)! Wow, I had no clue this ride even existed. As far as jazz is concerned, this cymbal is the be all and end all for me! It has a partially-lathed (like lines of lathing separated by un-lathed bands) top has this dry effect to it, but a fully lathed bottom. It has this flutter effect that I've never really seen before. So it really gives you an opportunity to smack it senseless! I think this cymbal is perfect for be-bop or hard bop jazz. It's great for that slam/swing thing that drummers like Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, and Art Blakey did. I was really happy about the results I got out of this cymbal. The bell has a sweet spot which kind of turns me off about a cymbal, but this cymbal was an exception because the sweet spot was so sweet and loud when you hit it right. This is one bad ass ride cymbal folks!

21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride: This cymbal is just like the Rapper, Mr. KRS-ONE. Super RAW, to the point and on target! The bell is super loud, which was a huge turn on for me. No sweet spot exists on the bell because the entire bell is sweet! The hand hammering on the bell give it a beautiful touch. The bow is dry but not in the standard sense. Its decay is quick between hits and with a nice ping. Personally, I would prefer this cymbal in a rock based setting due to the power you get out of the combination of the bell and bow. This cymbal wouldn't have been my first choice, but upon request I soon learned to love it. I might otherwise not have touched it.

-Mike

Let's go down the route of variety today. Like any drummer I like variety in my sound in drums, percussion, and especially in my cymbals. Last night I decided to go all over the map, which I often like to do. I used some light cymbals along with some super big and heavy stuff to try out everything I know.

8" Signature Max Stash Splash (Mike Portnoy): Talk about interesting! When I hit this combo I felt like I was hitting the side of a rusted out, metal garbage can on a busy NYC street corner trying to make some extra loot. It's got that super trashy sound. It gives a fill or a groove a really nice color and texture to spice things up. The Max Stash has one of the most distinctive sounds I've ever heard, and I'm not just talking about cymbals! I used it in the context of a funky groove hitting it on the &'s of every beat to give it this funky coloring. This type of cymbal is a great addition to help spice up your regular old crash, hat, and ride!

13" HHX Manhattan Jazz Hats: Personally, I love these hats! They're light, a lot of fun and easy to play, the foot and stick attack are equally incredible! It's another one of those cymbals that you shouldn't let the name fool you because they aren't just for jazz! If you don't smash them too hard you can rock out like Carmine Appice. Your stick attack will remind you of a type writer, or better yet a chick sound. When you open the hats it will remind you of a Southern California wave gently breaking off the shore. These hats aren't something I'd call your "bread and butter," but they're definitely cool to have in your collection.

16" HH Thin Crash: Big crashes are "in" these days, but you can't write off the 16" crash cymbal. It's not small and it's not huge. Not only is the size key on this cymbal, but it's super light as well. I grew up playing on a 16" crash so this cymbal suited me well. Playing this cymbal suits me even in a hard rock context. It had a bright attack with a powerful bell. It's a whole lot of fun to play!

23" HH Override Limited Edition (Ride): Uh oh, look out ladies and gentlemen, here comes Jimmy Degrasso and his limited edition masterpiece. I recently just got my hands on one of these rides for myself. I love this cymbal. It's an all around drummer's necessity. Its super powerful bell is like nothing I've heard from a cymbal before, not even the aluminum or stage bell! The bow depresses downward to create extra flutter for some serious slamming if done right. It's got a great ping on it to be-bop yourself to jazz heaven like Elvin Jones, or rock out hard and make great faces like John Bonham! It might not be the ideal cymbal for your main ride, but it's still a necessity in my opinion. Hurry and grab one of these before it's too late! You'll be delighted you got one.

-Mike

Hello all,

Yesterday I checked out some AAX cymbals that were all over the spectrum. Here is what I got:

16" AAX Bright Crash: Now folks it's funny because the word Bright caught my attention when I picked this bad boy out. What I found later was something unexpected. The AAX Bright was surprisingly complex. Its bell was powerful and was definitely the brightest feature of the whole cymbal. The cymbal had some undertones that really made me do a double take. I liked that it had a darker, fluttery swoosh to follow a brighter attack. Maybe it was the pitch of the cymbal, but whatever it was it worked for me!

17" AAX Extreme Chinese: WOW! This cymbal cuts through music like Oddjob's hat through Fort Knox in the movie Goldfinger. It is super trashy and bright. It's got the most punch I've ever heard in any cymbal. This is my favorite China of any line and certainly makes it on my favorite cymbal list! I recommend this to any drummer who plays any style.

21" AAX Memphis Ride: This cymbal is one of the most bizarre looking cymbals I've ever seen. Its top surface has this cool looking partly lathed finish that offers a dry sound. Unlike most partly lathed cymbals, there are alternating bands of lathed and unlathed surface. When you flip it over it's lathed with a normal cast finish. This side offers a brighter, saturated, and less concentrated sound. It seemed to me like brushes or auxiliary sticks such as mallets or "rods" would bring out the best in this cymbal. With that said, this cymbal didn't really appeal to me, but for drummers looking for a cymbal with a lot of soul, the Memphis ride says, "I'll take you there!"


Talk to you next time.........

Hello Drum fans!

You might find it hard to believe but instead of summer it's been rain season out here. Things are looking up here at Sabian due to the weather and the great cymbals. In dedication to the rain I tested the Saturation Crash. I also tried a few others to mix things up.

HHX 14" Stage Hats: To be honest with you folks, HHX is my favorite line that Sabian makes. I don't have a ton of things to say about these hats other than the fact that they are awesome! They're bright and crunchy and super tight and funky. They look great, sound great, and offer the drummer/percussionist a lot of variety depending on what he/she wants to do.

Vault 17" Saturation Crash: This cymbal was so much different than what I expected. When I first held it, it was light so automatically I presumed it wouldn't give me much punch. It's also a 17", which in my book is a relatively small cymbal. When I sat down to play I literally got a smack in the face. This cymbal is clearly for the drummers who love to crash. Its qualities are bright and loud, which allow it to break through any type of music. The cymbal flutters after a couple of hits, which I usually look at as an undesirable quality. I soon realized that letting this cymbal run away and just go is part of its true beauty. For such a small and light cymbal this bad boy really lets you do some damage and make your presence felt!

Signature 21" Salsero Ride: Sometimes I find it funny how at a first glimpse you automatically judge something, then find yourself surprised at being completely wrong. Over the past month and a half I've really found myself looking at cymbals completely different than I did before. The 21" Salsero Ride is a perfect example of this feeling. When I first started here I told my supervisor, Paul Panarelli, my musical orientation, I was directed towards the HHX and Lighter HH stuff and some AAX stuff. I like the lighter stuff with punch and a loud bell that's flexible. I found myself steering away from the Vaults and Signature stuff. After a few thousand recommendations from Paul I finally got around to trying this cymbal. At first glimpse I was like AHHHHH....whatever. At the end I said....OK! You can do anything with this cymbal. While it was designed for Latin guys who groove the clave hard (like Mr. Richie Garcia himself), I discovered that it was much more versatile than I expected. The bell is super loud and sustainable. The un-lathed surface gives you this punchy but dry sound that carries through like a clock. It looks great but sounds even better!

Hello drum fans,

It's Mike and I'm back from the factory. This past Tuesday and Wednesday I got a chance to go to the Sabian factory and see the real deal. New Brunswick is a world of its own and the people up there are great! The 6 hour trip to the Canadian province was worth it just to see the amazing countryside, but on top of that.....

I got a chance to tour the factory and see the actual process! It's one of the most unique arts I've ever seen. From a first glimpse you can tell it's an art that takes years to learn. I left feeling like each Sabian cymbal is an artistic masterpiece. At the end of my tour I got a chance to check out cymbals with Dave Williams and Mark Love. These guys were really cool: very enthusiastic, super knowledgeable, and down to earth. I think they have one of the best jobs in the percussion business. Dave worked with me to find a set of cymbals that suited my sound. I found some killer cymbals that I wish I could take, but I was limited to the things I really needed.

This is what I found:

13" AAX X-Celerator Hats: "Huh.......Give the Funky Drummer some" (James Brown). 13" hats are great because you can get a powerful sound, but at the same time they are tight and responsive to foot control and stick attack. The hats offer a very tight chick sound and schoop sound when you want to play some serious funk, and when you decide to open them some you can really rock away with it.

23" HH Over ride: A lot of drummers perceive the snare drum as the pinnacle of his or her drum set, but I consider the ride cymbal the most important part! This 23" monster is the new commander of the fleet as far as I'm concerned. While it was designed with hard rock in mind, I think it's great for the all around drummer. You can rock away, funk out, jazz up, or slam this cymbal and always get a good response. It's similar to the power bell but with more flexibility. It's got a monster bell that breaks through all the music, and it looks beautiful. I've got mine, if you want yours, hurry up and get one because it's a limited edition!

Hello Drum Fans,

Last night during my testing I took it down a bit to smaller cymbals sizes. I took a few from the AA line and took a peek at 14" HH cymbal that I used as a crash. I found that for my playing it might be better to stick to the bigger stuff even though it was a lot of fun to play the small stuff!

HH (Hand Hammered):

14" Duo Crash: The only other time I've played a 14" crash is when I had to use a hi-hat cymbal for a crash! I felt it was time for a little change in my testing style so this is what I found. It's super light, and dry because the inner half is not lathed. It responds well to drumming that hits light, average, or even heavy, but I would be surprised if this cymbal appealed to most heavy hitters. If I was to place this cymbal in my set up it would be more of a background cymbal to support another cymbal in a fill or something along those lines. I could see this cymbal being a great hi-hat. This cymbal seems like a great fit for you technical or more avant-garde cats out there!

AA:

10" Mini Hi-Hats: This was all for fun! I probably would never get a chance to play hi-hats this small anywhere else. I just had to do it. They were a lot of fun to smack the heck out of and groove with! They have such a high pitch and gave a new feel to my funk grooves. These cymbals were very cool to play.

17" Medium Thin Crash: Personally, this cymbal did not do a whole lot for me. It's a great cymbal however for a drummer looking for a cymbal that does an all-around job. I would describe this cymbal as "focused" rather than punchy. This cymbal would suit a rock drummer best in my opinion.


Thanks for reading!

Hello drum fans,

Looking at the rain outside has made me realize how lucky I am. I'm fortunate enough to be writing blogs about my favorite cymbals and what I think is the best cymbal company in the world. Be thankful for things you have and don't be afraid to do the things you value most in life. Yesterday I tried out 4 very different cymbals which have made me realize just how much diversity really exists within the drum community. In my opinion, diversity will always keep things interesting. On that note I really mixed it up the other day with a few cymbals from the Hand Hammered line (HH), the Chad Smith 20" Signature, and the Richie Garcia 14" Cascara. I hope you can see what I mean about being thankful for diversity.

Hand Hammered (HH):

13" EQ Hats: I found these cymbals were right up my alley. They were very light which gave me great foot and stick control. There is no bell on the top hat which allowed me some great stick attack. Overall I have to say these cymbals have made my favorite list. Musically I can see these cymbals pulling any style if used correctly - especially in the studio.

22" Power Bell Ride: It must seem like every other day or even every day I say I found a new type of cymbal that is my favorite. Well guess what ladies and gents, I found my new favorite ride cymbal! The 22" Power Bell is AWESOME! I thought the HHX Groove Ride was the commander of the fleet. Well, I was happily surprised to see I was wrong. Personally, the Power Bell did it for me. It's loud, powerful, and yet scintillating. That's right folks, SCINTILLATING! The bell has more power than the aluminum or stage bell. I would be impressed to find a better bell. If you can't tell, I'm very big on a loud and definitive bell that breaks through the ruckus of music. The rest of the cymbal is great. You can see all the work that goes into it. It's got a loud ping that defines every stick hit perfectly. I found myself pulling off hard bop phrases and smacking the heck out of it. If you're a drummer gear freak like me who is obsessed with the perfect cymbal sound, then in my opinion this cymbal is something you should check out!

Signature:

14" Richie Garcia Cascara: To be honest with you I didn't intend to play this piece of metal the other day. I was doing inventory check and happened to start with the signature cymbals. I came across this cymbal and drew a big????? So, for those of you who aren't into afro-cuban percussion, cascara refers to the rhythm a timbalero plays on the side of the timbale. This instrument was designed to be mounted on the side of a wood drum so you can play cascara without carrying around a set of timbales. It was easy enough to mount and gave a pretty authentic sound. Having a piece like this in your set up can really inspire you to try things you wouldn't have considered otherwise. It really contributed to my theme of diversity. This cymbal truly brought a unique voice to my playing. Whether you try this particular piece or something like a chopper, I highly recommend putting something totally different in your set up just to see where it takes your playing. I'll bet you'll be really surprised.

20" Chad Smith Crash: I feel that this cymbal is like Chad, and that it speaks for itself. The one word I think of is presence. It sends off a tone that makes a drummer's presence felt. It's powerful, heavy duty, and rockin! This cymbal is great for an aggressive drummer. It's made from 8% tin alloy which gives it the bright tone with so much cut. It also keeps the price in line. Sabian has "de-listed" this cymbal, but there are still some around.

Hello all,

Yesterday during my testing I was super curious to try out the 22" Artisan Ride. My supervisor, Paul Panarelli, had been telling me all about the work that goes into this cymbal. I also tested out some more AA series cymbals. Yesterday I found mixed results.

22" Artisan Ride (medium-light): Look no farther cymbal lovers; this hand-crafted beauty is a work of art. I felt like I could be playing in a smoky Manhattan jazz club. This cymbal is truly a hand hammered masterpiece! It's super light and has amazing stick definition. It outlines any phrase or stick pattern amazingly well. The bell is small but very responsive. Like all the lighter rides, I could see some using this as a crash ride. For me, though, this cymbal is meant for a lighter touch in order to bring out its finest qualities. It's best suited for jazz in my opinion. You could also pull it off in some jazz-fusion settings.

AA Series:

20" Rocktagon: The look of this cymbal made me want to try it. I wasn't sure what I was going to get as far as sound was concerned. I placed it above the Artisan Ride so I could crash and ride on it. Its large surface area made for a hard hit but I was surprised to find that I could ride on it and get what I thought was a surprisingly good tone character. It was pingy and heavy in a way that would work well for a rock setting. This cymbal would be suited for a heavier hitter in my opinion.

19" Rock Crash: Honestly, this cymbal didn't inspire me. Don't get me wrong it's a great cymbal, but it's just not my style. It had a quick decay and you had to hit it HARD to get it to open up. It also had a really loud bell.

-Mike

Hello drum fans,

I ended my last session by testing a few more cymbals from the HHX line. I reused a few cymbals from my previous discussion. One of these was the X-plosion crash. I sized it down to a 16". This is what I found:

16" HHX X-Plosion Crash(Brilliant): Its smaller size allowed me quicker action. My hands are much quicker than my feet. Go figure that with the last name of Foote! So if I can find anything to help progress my hand speed I am all about it. In this sense, smaller is better for me. It's got great projection, but with a light tone. I had more fun playing this crash than any other I've had a chance to play from the HHX line. You can really use it in many musical contexts. You can slam away on it in the midst of a hard rockin' Red Hot Chilli Peppers-style song, or compliment a fellow musician in a John Scofield-style band. Its brilliant finish gave a snappier touch than I expected which gave it a nice edge.

-Mike

Hello all,

Yesterday I found that curiosity got the best of me. As a player I really dig the doors that Jojo Mayer has opened. He has pushed more boundaries more than I have ever seen as far as technique is concerned. So yesterday I decided to give a few cymbals from his line a try. I found GREAT results. I also decided to try out a couple cymbals from the Will Calhoun line because of the weird but interesting style the cymbal has. I found unique cymbal characteristics I have never heard before.

Jojo Mayer:

13" Vault Fierce Hats: Now I know in the past few blogs I have mentioned personal favorites but this time I really mean it. These hats are truly my favorite of any hi-hat I have tried so far. They must be light because I got quicker foot response than the Bozzio Radia hats. Both the foot and stick response are phenomenal. They also serve for great brush playing! You can brush the tops of the hats and get great bristle response. The cymbals give a relaxed tone but project to the player and listener. These cymbals are great for jazz, drum n' bass grooves and anything else if used correctly!

17" Fierce Crash: I can't say this was my favorite cymbal but I enjoyed playing it. It's a very light cymbal that can project. It's also very trashy. It sounds like a very thin China. It's responsive but flexible. It's fun to ride on and colors a groove nicely. For me, this would suit a funk-fusion setting best.

Will Calhoun:

10" Alien Splash: To play this cymbal and call yourself a drummer is not enough. You need to be a bad guy or an "alien" with light saber like drum sticks and Darth Vader on the opposing drum set to pull this off. On the other hand you can just be Will Calhoun and call it your signature splash cymbal. This cymbal is very cool and unique. It has a series of three rivet groups (nine total) to give it some more spark. It almost sounded like a pipe or a piece of hollow metal. It compliments other cymbals in a groove or fill nicely. For those looking for a different or unique tone this is for you.

21" Calhoun Ride: This cymbal isn't as wild as the 10" Splash. It's very heavy and dry. It had a nice bell. It blended well and didn't project as much as I thought it would. It could go two ways, Heavy Metal or Hard Bop! Now I think there is something to be said for that!

Thanks for Reading.

Hello drum fans,

Before this round of testing I was listening to some nineties alternative and grunge. This put me in the mood for some hard and heavy playing. I decided to go right for the AAX style punch! Here is what I got:

AAX Series:

14" AAX X-Celerater Hats: These Hats are BRIGHT! You can take these cymbals in many directions. They offer punch when the hi-hat is open for all you John Bonham style rockers out there. When closed it's got a loud and defined stick attack that could be used in a funky setting or something similar. These are great cymbals for the rock oriented drummer.

19" AAX Dark Crash: This cymbal threw me off. At first glance I thought I was going to get a loud, in-your-face punchy sound. Instead, this was a cool new side of AAX. It was less bright and had more warmth, but still blended well with other AAX sounds. If all of your cymbals are about cut and power, it can be kind of one dimensional. Adding this crash would fix that. Don't get me wrong, you can still hammer away on it and get a good rock sound but it almost serves a better purpose in the musical mix of your playing. An example might include hitting it with another cymbal to support that crash. It's a flexible cymbal that gives you a long, dark ring. The part I liked best about the cymbal was the bell. It was much louder and pingy than the rest of the cymbal. It reminded me of a fill in a Matisyahu song, "Short Nigun" when the drummer hits a fill using two bells.

20" AAX Extreme Chinese: An extremely trashy cymbal! It sounded great to ride with if you are looking for a cool but different tone. Also has a lot of punch for the more aggressive drummer. I could use this as my main chinese cymbal for diverse musical settings.

22" AAX Metal Ride: The metal ride is definitely for the metal drummer. It features perfect qualities for this musical style. It has great stick attack for complex ride patterns in metal breakdowns. It also has a quick decay which is a nice bonus. It reminded me of "The Power of I and I."

-Mike Foote

Hello Drummers and Percussionists,

Today I've decided to take a different route with my cymbal testing. I took a little bit from everywhere and mixed it together. I did all cymbals from the artists lines such as the Terry Bozzio 13" Vault Radia, the Mike Portnoy 8" Max Stax Splash, the Jack DeJohnette Signature Encore Ride, and The Dave Weckl 18" Evolution Crash. Throughout my playing I got a great variety in sound and a new outlook on other lines of Sabian products.


8" Max Stax Splash (Mike Portnoy): As you can see this cymbal is very small and light. It produces a high pitched dry sound, and has a very quick decay. With a cymbal this size, you have to give some thought as to where you place it on the kit - especially in a more up tempo setting. It would be cool to have right next to the hi hat. When I first started playing the cymbal the first thought that bounced into my head was The Police, especially "Don't Stand So Close to Me". This cymbal isn't a good fit for my playing style, but if you are into splashes and quick accents, this is one to check out.




13" Vault Radia (Terry Bozzio): I liked what these Hats had to offer because the tone, feel, and characteristics were much different than anything I've ever played. They were light and dry like a jazz cymbal, but gave me more sense of a symphonic or orchestral cymbal due to its warmth. I really liked how light they were because of the quick foot action it allowed me. After hearing and playing them, I understand why these cymbals are great for experimental or progressive music. They have a unique sound, but they blend and could be flexible throughout many different styles.




18" Evolution O-Zone Crash (Dave Weckl): This cymbal was a lot of fun to play! It played the role of a crash cymbal, but also sounds a lot like a trashy china. It's not a cymbal I would hit a lot. I used it for more background, ambient sounds to compliment other cymbal tones. It's super light, and has a cool after ring that lasts a while and sounds cool. This cymbal can be used in a lot of different musical settings other than Fusion.




22" Signature Encore Ride (Jack DeJohnette): This is a very unique cymbal that comes from a very unique drummer. The cymbal is light, dry and responsive to every hit. It gives off a relaxed tone that sets the perfect jazz setting. It's 22 inches, but might be the lightest cymbal I've ever held. If you're looking for a cymbal with these unique characteristics then this is for you!




Next time I am going to follow the same procedure and mix up the cymbals to get a variety in style and cymbal makes.

-Mike

Hello Drummer and Percussionists,

This is Mike from Marshfield. I am an Intern here at Sabian. Last night I got another opportunity to try out some cymbals from The HH (Hand Hammered) series. While testing I tried something different - I used brushes to give the cymbals a new element and feel. I experimented with the 20" Flat Bell Ride, 13" Bright Hats, and 21" Hot Ride. This is what I concluded:

HH (Hand Hammered)

13" Bright Hats: In a brush setting where the cymbals can mask the attack of the brushes, these hats certainly do not muddy the sound. In fact, they help compliment the brushes very well if used correctly. As it says they are very bright, and loud. They have great brush definition when rubbing or hitting the bristles over the top hat. When the foot comes into play the cymbals offer a tight "chick" sound that is good for all musical settings.




20" Flat Bell Ride: This is a great cymbal for a jazz drummer. It is very dry, great definition, and has a classic dusty Manhattan sound. Something about this cymbal, I'm guessing it's the hand hammering, gives the cymbal a unique character that fits jazz playing so well.




21" Hot Ride: From a first glance I expected the cymbal to share similar or possibly identical sound characteristics with the flat bell ride. However, I was surprisingly mistaken. It was dry, but yet very bright. It cut through much more clearly than the other cymbals. It had the best response to brushes. It gave great definition and response to every note I played in different ride patterns, and sounded great when I rubbed the bristles over the top of the cymbal. The bell was also pronounced which surprised me because of its small size.




That's it for today.

Mike

Hello everyone,

Today I got a chance to check out a few cymbals from the AA line for my first time. Going in I suspected that the cymbals would not live up to the standard of the AAX line, but I found I was gravely mistaken! I found the hammer marks were different from the AAX line. The cymbals offered a lot of punch, but I noticed (especially in the ride) that there seemed to be a lot of diversity in the sound that can come from this particular cymbal line.

AA line:

13" Light Hats: Quick response but not too punchy. These hats blended well so you almost felt them more than heard them in grooves or fills. Every open Hi-Hat was crystal clear. This is probably the best all around Hi Hat cymbal I've played from any cymbal line.




19" Medium Crash: Relatively heavy, very loud, and very in your face when you want it to be. I took it down a notch and found that it would sound great in a jazz context in clubs, or even sound good in a coffee house depending on how you play. The bell was also very pronounced which is how I like them.




20" Extra Heavy Ride: This cymbal had a great ping and a strong bell. No big surprise there. What was cool was how good it sounded when you rode this cymbal on the edge Bill Ward style. It opened up into a roar that I loved but that was easy to control.




Thanks for reading!

Mike