The Best Cymbals for Your Drumkit

Zildjian’s K Custom Hybrid Cymbal set is one of the most effectively unique cymbal sets available. Zildjian is one of the biggest and greatest cymbal makers in the world, and their K Custom line is one of their best. These cymbals were designed with the help of drumming legend Akira Jimbo, and they truly reflect his unique style and tone.

This set includes a 17-inch K custom hybrid crash, 21-inch K Custom hybrid ride, and 14-inch K Custom hybrid hi hats. The hybrid name is in reference to the surface and finish; the inner half of the cymbals is un-lathed and brilliantly finished while the outer half is lathed with a traditional finish. These Hybrid cymbals are a bit brighter than regular K Custom cymbals and more “splashy” sounding; they’re described by Zildjian as offering an audibly pleasing combination of brightness and darkness.

The hi hats are very crisp, the crash cymbal blends well with almost any band, and the articulate ride cymbal sounds great for rock or jazz. In fact, all of these cymbals are very versatile and will sound great when utilized across multiple genres. They also look very professional because the brilliant half provides a perfect amount of flash for any setup. This set is a little more expensive than other packs, but is still a great value when considering you’re getting Zildjian’s legendary K Custom cymbals.

Paiste’s 2002 cymbals are an important part of drumming history because they capture the amazing sound of 70s era drummers. These cymbals have a classic sound that is unique and leaves you wanting to hear more. In fact, the Paiste 2002 cymbal pack is the ideal choice for a drummer in a classic rock band or anyone looking for a retro sound.

The 2002 Cymbal Pack includes a 20-inch ride cymbal, 16-inch medium crash and 14-inch Sound Edge hi-hats. The cymbals are made from a CuSn8 bronze alloy (commonly referred to as 2002 Bronze) and have a unique finish that’s somewhat brilliant (but not too flashy) along with red lettering which completes the retro-look. They have a sound that is warm and very unique in addition to being very articulate cymbals with an almost flat decay.

The Sound Edge hi-hats have a rippled bottom hat to control air pockets and create a crisp closure. The 16-inch medium ride is a bit heavier that most crash cymbals included in packs, and this makes it a bit more durable for live playing. The 2002 ride has the sound you hear on many of the famous classic rock albums and it’s a joy to play because of the cymbals level of responsiveness. This set is usually packaged with a cymbal bag for added protection as well as adding to the overall value.

Sabian’s SBR Performance Set is the best cymbal pack for drummers working with an extremely limited budget. For a relatively small investment, this cymbal set provides you with a 20-inch SBR ride, a 16-inch SBR crash, and 14-inch SBR high-hats. In fact, these SBR cymbals sound better than most entry-level cymbals and are less expensive.

These brass cymbals feature a traditional finish and have a bright sound without sounding too pingy or ticky, while having some depth. These are also a bit thicker and much more durable than other entry level cymbals. This set provides all the basic cymbals needed to start playing at a friendly price, making it perfect for a young drummer figuring out if they’re really interested in drums or not.

The Sabian 18" Medium Crash is the biggest crash cymbal I have in my set-up and it delivers a very big sound. It has a deep sound that’s fairly dark and sounds great when played simultaneously with other cymbals, kind of like the harmony under the melody. This is probably the most durable cymbal that I own and many schools use this cymbal because of its solid construction.  This cymbal can be used for any style of music, but it sounds the best  when used for loud rock music. Sabian describes this as a bright cymbal, but I think it’s on the lower end of the bright spectrum. It has medium weight and a traditional finish.

The AA series is not considered a "high-end" series, but this crash is definitely a stand-out. The benefit to that is that this cymbal is very affordable, which makes it a great value buy. This is my workhorse cymbal and is probably the most used on my kit. I began to play it more after my first recording session, when I discovered that it sounded better on tape than it did in the room.

Zildjian makes some of the best sounding cymbals in the world, and they are probably the most popular. Their traditional line is called an "A" cymbal which are different than "A custom" cymbals, as they are made different from a different combination of metal (often sounding brighter), usually made with a "brilliant" finish, and the "A" line cymbals are a little darker. While both of these cymbals sound great, but they sound very different.

The "A" Zildjian Medium Crash can be used in any genre of music as it’s not too bright and not too dark, producing the perfect crash cymbal sound which doesn’t limit you to a particular style of music. My Medium Crash has been with me on every gig that I have ever played. I used to use Zildjian Thin, but that stopped when I recorded for the first time and discovered that the Medium sound a little better. They have more weight and are a little less splashy than Thin Crashes. I prefer the 18 inch size because it sounds the best, and has a lot more depth.

This cymbal has a medium pitch that can sound high when recorded and a long sustain which gives it a big sound. It has a traditional finish that helps it blend with other cymbals and compliments them well. This medium weight cymbal is very durable which follows the reputation of Zildjian's other cymbals used by many professionals. This cymbal is available in several sizes, but I prefer the 18 inch size because it has the best sound. The 16 inch size is also exceptional but has a slightly different sound that’s not as full.

Zildjian's 16" K Dark Crash Medium Thin is a cymbal with many names, which is important to note because there are many other cymbals that are very similar. It's important to note that this is a "K" cymbal and not a "K custom" cymbal as the two lines are made from a different combination of metals and therefore sound different from one another; I find some "K custom" cymbals to be more "pingy" than "K" cymbals. The K Dark Crash Medium Thin is a darker cymbal but not too dark, with a long sustain and low pitch. It also has a very mature sound that works really well in the jazz genre to add some depth to your sound.

While the jazz genre doesn’t generally require a lot of heavy hitting, this cymbal is still very durable and can be played intensively. I love using this cymbal in combination with brighter cymbals for a great one-two punch. While this pick sounds especially good for jazz music, it can be useful for rock music. It has a traditional finish that I think looks great when surrounded by a jazz drum set.

Meinl Cymbals have been popular in Europe for years and starting to appear more in the U.S. (metal drummer setups in particular) because they make many powerful, durable cymbals. They also have many lines of cymbals appropriate for all genres such as the 18" Soundcaster Custom Medium Crash. This is a medium cymbal with a brilliance which helps it cut through the texture along with a high pitch which also helps it stand out.

This cymbal speaks quickly with an average sustain along with a polished finish that looks great, particularly in a metal kit setup. While many top metal drummers use this cymbal, it’s also well-suited for other genres because of its medium weight and warmth. While this cymbal is available in many different sizes, I prefer the sound of the 18 inch option.

Zildjian’s New Beat Hi-Hats are probably the most popular hi-hats on the market thanks to their great sound which can be applied to a variety of different musical genres. They are part of the "A Zildjian series" and it’s important to note this is different than the brighter "A Custom" series. They generally have a lower pitch than other cymbals and are medium to heavy in weight. They’re also not as bright as other cymbals, and therefore they blend better and lock in the sound of when you’re playing. I mainly use my New Beats for rock music, but I’ve also used them for lighter styles of music; I think they have an edge that is even appropriate for metal. New Beat hats have a traditional finish which isn’t as shiny as a brilliant finish, often sounding drier as a result.

Zildjian’s A Custom Hi-hats are part of their amazing A Custom series designed in part by top drumming professionals. These cymbals have a quick decay and a medium pitch caused by the cymbals being a bit lighter than most Hi-hats, but they’re still heavy enough to give them a bright sound. This combination makes them very versatile and can be used in multiple genres from jazz to rock. They have a brilliant finish which adds additional brightness to the sound and makes the cymbals very pleasing on the eyes.

I have found A Custom cymbals blend well when being paired with other cymbals of this type, but they particularly stand out when they are paired with darker cymbals. If you have a lot of dark rides and crashes in your setup that you like, than adding a set of these hi-hats can really brighten up your sound. If you have a set of darker hi-hats, they’ll make a great alternative option in a second set.

Zildjian pays careful attention to detail, and they’ve maintained very high standards when creating these cymbals. The one drawback to A custom cymbals is that they’re sometimes susceptible to cracking, but I have found that these hi-hats are some of the most durable that they make in this series. As with most of my picks, they are competitively priced with other top models.

Zildjian’s “A” Splash has the perfect “splash” sound you’re looking for with a fast attack which comes off bright and splashy. This pick has a high pitch whichhelps it stand out and produces effective accents. While it does speak quickly, this cymbal actually has a longer sustain with a nice ring. The cymbal has a traditional finish that looks professional and takes some of the harshness out of its sound. The 10 inch size also has the ideal sound for a splash cymbal which is perfect for when a drummer has only the space and set-up time for one splash. The “A” splash is a surprisingly durable cymbal despite its paper-thin construction, so you can trust this cymbal to take a beating. Manufactured by Zildjian, you can be sure you’re purchasing a cymbal of the highest quality.

Sabian’s 11” AAX Max Splash is the more extreme version of their AAX splash and designed with help from master drummer Mike Portnoy, who is known for creating interesting sounds with his cymbals. He uses splash cymbals a lot in his playing, so much that they’re sometimes part of the beat and not simply accents. The 11” AAX Max Splash is a great sounding cymbal that creates a bit more sound than traditional 10” splashes and just like the AAX 10” splash, this cymbal is part of Sabian’s AAX series.

These cymbals have a lot of punch, but also have maturity in their overall sound. In fact, I find these cymbals have a sound which appeals to everyone, but with enough power to stand out. The AAX Max Splash is offered in usual sizes, and I think the 11 inch size sounds the best. It has a very full sound and is a pitch lower in pitch than most 10 inch splashes. This cymbal will sound great as a primary splash or as a cymbal that accompanies other splashes. It ‘s very articulate, provides a bright punch, has the same modern finish as other AAX cymbals, and is fairly brilliant in look and tone.

Sabian’s 10” AAX Splash has a lot of the qualities that make the AAX series favorites of drummers everywhere. It has a very bright sound that provides explosive accents to a song. It is an extremely thin cymbal that speaks very quickly and can be used in several different genres. Blending well with other cymbals, this pick has a modern finish that’s fairly brilliant in look and tone. It’s also available in several different sizes but I believe the 10” sounds the best.

These cymbals have a lot of punch but also have maturity in their overall sound. As I’ve said in previous reviews, Sabian is one of the best cymbal makers in the work, and the AAX line could be their best line of cymbals. I find that these cymbals have a sound that appeals to everyone, but with enough power to stand out.

Zildjian’s “A Custom” cymbals are very bright and tonal with the 8” “A custom” Splash being no exception. This is one of Zildjian's finest line of cymbals and they are very well made. The 8 inch "A custom" splash is one of the brightest I’ve ever heard and a great complimentary cymbal to add to your set-up for providing an extra level of brightness. Working especially well in combination with 10 inch splashes, the 8 inch “A Custom” cymbal is extremely short so you can even play articulate rhythmic figures. It has barely any sustain so the sound will get out of the way immediately after playing. It has a brilliant finish which shines and help produce its bright sound. If you like your splash cymbals to provide a wide range of extra colors, this cymbal is sure to extend your audio palate.

The Zildjian 18” FX Oriental China “Trash” is the clear choice for many of the world’s top professional drummers and has become known as the standard China cymbal for rock music. Zildjian has labeled this cymbal as a “trash” cymbal, but it still has a great combination of trash and tone. The 18 inch size has a huge sound and still produces a nice tone with enough “trash” to be heard over a band with great sounding overtones. It has a high pitch that helps it penetrate through the texture of any music.

This cymbal has a very brilliant finish that adds ping to the sounds and looks beautiful to boot. While many China cymbals look trashy by design, this cymbal has a refined look which is sure to add a touch of class to your kit. The 18” FX Oriental China “Trash” is easily the best sounding cymbal on the market but expect to pay a high end price for the Zildjian quality.

Sabian’s 19” Paragon Chinese cymbal is a very popular cymbal is used by many professional drummers thanks to a very bright sounding cymbal with the “trashy” sound associated with China cymbals. In fact, the cymbal was actually introduced to the world by drummer Neil Peart who happens to be an expert in creating unusual sounds. It’s one of the fastest speaking cymbals I’ve ever heard and has a fast decay for a 19 inch cymbal. And while a China cymbal this big often starts to sound like a gong, this pick maintains its trashy sound all the way.

The cymbal is fairly thin but it’s extremely well made with durability in mind. The unusual thing about this cymbal is its understated look. It looks less mature than it sounds and you can barely see the label. However, once you hear it you’ll be suitably impressed! It still has the traditional design with the inverted bell and up-turned edge, and is priced similar to other high-end cymbals on my list.

I knew Meinl had become a serious name in cymbal making the minute I heard their 18 inch Byzance Brilliant China. It has a very mature sound with depth often lacking from China cymbals. The cymbal has a full-bodied sound and sustain with enough "trash" to sound like a China cymbal. It’s also perfectly weighted to produce a bright sound and the brilliant finish adds additional brightness. It has a relatively high pitch that will cut through and ensemble and has enough body to provide thickness to the texture.

Meinl cymbals have become very popular with metal drummers, but this cymbal is actually versatile enough to use in almost any genre a china cymbal would be appropriate for. Like most China cymbals, it has the traditional design with the inverted bell and up-turned edge. This is a very well made cymbal and is very durable while priced similar to the other high-end cymbals on our list.

Paiste’s 18” Signature Heavy China has an amazing sound that has become associated with all Paiste Signature cymbals. The signature line is Paiste’s top of the line series of cymbals and they are extremely well made and durable. The cymbal has a heavy weight which adds to its power, giving it a full sound. This cymbal has the traditional design with an inverted bell and up-turned edge, with a lined finish that Paiste’s Signature cymbals are known for. This cymbal also has a slightly brilliant for a very professional appearance in addition to a strong attack and longer decay than most China cymbals. While priced a little high on the spectrum, it has an amazing sound. Paiste’s Signature cymbals because of the amount of care and artistry which goes into making each one.