Cymbals
Cymbals are as vital to a drumer as the drums themselves. No two cymbals sound alike, and drummers and percussionists each have their own tastes in cymbal brands, sizes, and sounds. This leaves beginners stuck in a seemingly impossible situation, as the options buyers have to sort through are countless. Here's how to get started.
The Bare Essentials
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Hi Hat Cymbals  are generally used for time keeping, and are the cymbals you will rely on most. They come in sizes ranging anywhere between 12 and 15 inches with the bottom cymbal being a little heavier than the top. Many companies offer sets with different top and bottom cymbals. |
Crash Cymbals are used by both drumset and orchestral percussionists. Crash cymbals come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, and it's up to the buyer to decide what's best for his/her situation (but we're here to help!). |
Similar to the hi-hats, the ride cymbal is most commonly used as for timekeeping. Ride cymbals are the heaviest cymbals, and come in sizes from anywhere between 18 to 24 inches. These are named for the tonal characteristics they possess. |
Other Options
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Splash cymbals are smaller cymbals used for accenting parts of songs. The name is indicative of the sound produced by a splash, and they usually come in sizes between 6 to 12 inches. |
China cymbals are known for having a "trashy" tone, and usually serve as mock gongs for drummers who don't have the resources and/or the space for a full-sized gong. These usually have a distinct, cylindrical shape. |
Serving as a great accent piece, Zildjian's ZilBel is similar to the bell piece you would find on a cymbal. It's small size makes it easy to place in any setup, and many drummers have been sold on its distinct bright sound. |
Cymbal Buying Strategies
The most common approach beginners take is to buy a matched set of cymbals, meaning that all of the cymbals are made by the same manufacturer and from the same line. Most new drumsets come without cymbals, so beginners tend to gravitate towards starter packs, which range anywhere between $220 to $2200. However, after developing a unique taste, drummers like mix and match cymbals. Ignoring brand names and loyalties gives you a better opportunity to find a cymbal that fits your style. Some brands tend to be more expensive than others, so mixing and matching has the potential to save you a considerable amount of money. Keep in mind that the best way to find cymbals that suit you is by going out and trying a handful of them out for yourself!
What are cymbals made of?
In a nutshell, all cymbals are made of bronze, which is a combination of tin and copper that is mixed in a cast. When the mixture hardens, the cymbal is hammered into its final shape. The cup (or bell) is then added, and the entire cymbal is spun on a lathe to make it perfectly round.
That explains why no two cymbals are alike, but why are some more expensive than other if they're all made of the same material?
To provide players with a cheaper alternative, most manufacturers have lines made of sheet bronze. These cymbals have a distinct sound, which most players consider "cheap" and unuseable. However, most of these cymbals are pretty durable, considering the price, and many professionals use them on occasion while doing gigs where they'd rather not have their more expensive cymbals crack. Some professionals have even developed their signature lines with sheet bronze. Jack DeJohnette's entire line through Sabian is made of similar metal as their B8 line.
Major Manufacturers
Here's a list of some of the most popular cymbal manufacturers.
External Links
Tweakheads.com - Tweak's Guide to Cymbals
Pearl Drummers Forum - General Drumset Discussion, as well as other percussion
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