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Last updated: 24 Aug 2021
Best Cymbals for Drum Sets Review
Cymbals add extra dimension and richness to any music you create! Not all cymbals are created equal, and some will add much more to your drum set than others in terms of quality and durability - particularly because some will fit into your existing kit and complement the overall sound much better than their counterparts that may rather sound unnatural. Each cymbal will have a slightly different tone to the next one and the more cash you'll spend, the better quality, profound sound, and unique craftsmanship you'll be able to discover. In this article, we've reviewed some of the Best Cymbals For Drum Sets in 2021 for your next gig or jam session.
We've reviewed a number of cymbals to help you match well with your desired genre. Whether it's jazz, metal, rock, funk, or pop that you play, we have got you covered. So, without any further ado, let's get you to it!
Best Cymbal for Drum Set
1
Zildjian Planet Z Ride Cymbal
– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP
This is a Zildjian’s cymbal, one of the most famous manufacturers in the industry! It’s a professional-quality symbol for amateurs and experts alike. This brass cymbal has a bright and focused sound that’s great for the developing ear. It comes with an updated hammering and lathing pattern to provide a refreshed look and sound.
It has a bright and cutting sound that delivers excellent projection and an outstanding stick sound. It comes at a fantastic price, looks excellent, and sounds clean! If we were you, we’d go for this one with closed eyes.
Pros
- You can’t beat the price and the sound quality is clean and bright – great to complement most drum sets
- It has a decent sustain sound
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a stand
2
Sabian SBR Promotional Cymbal
– Runner-Up
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THE SCOOP
The Sabian Promotional Cymbals Set is a well-made cymbal set with various sizes and types of cymbals. It has an exceptional sound, and we recommend it for anyone who is looking for a quality cymbal set without spending a lot.
The Sabian SBR Promotional Cymbal Set is an all-in-one set that comes with a 14” hi-hat cymbal, a 16” crash cymbal, a 20” ride cymbal, and a free 10” splash cymbal. It’s easy to set up and a complete addition to any drumset!
Pros
- They offer a bright and sustaining sound
- It’s a great set if you’re planning to go up a notch on your gear from a beginner set
Cons
- They don’t come with a stand
3
GoDpsMusic Zildjian Cymbals Complete Set
– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP
This complete cymbal kit comes with everything needed for an exciting drumming experience! These cymbals come with a padded cymbal bag and hi-hat felts, as well as a cymbal sleeve. They’re also available in several different sizes so you can choose the one that best suits your playing style. The cymbals are made from high-quality materials. The set includes; 14″ Hi-Hats, 16″ Crash, and 20″ Ride. Design-wise, this set rocks a traditional finish and we’re in love with it!
Pros
- It comes with all the standard sizes you’ll need for your next drum set
- Decent set, ideal for metal and rock genres
Cons
- They don’t have a good resale value
4
Meinl 18” Crash Cymbal
– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP
This Meinl 18” Crash Cymbal is a versatile and easy-to-use option that offers a bright, authentic sound. It features a high-quality reinforced metal body that is ideal for the studio and the stage.
These cymbals are made from a durable Brass alloy that maintains its tone while holding up to the brunt of drum sticks! The 18 Meinl crash cymbal works well at any dynamic, from heavy crash fills to light riding on the bell of the cymbal — used to cap off roaring fills or crash-ride when music levels peak for a serious burst of energy. Teachers will find these as an outstanding affordable solution to outfit their lesson sets within a studio or classroom. We’re in love with it and so will you!
Pros
- The best choice if you’re looking for a big crash sound
- It’s great for instructors and teachers – take your studio, class up a notch with a quality cymbal
Cons
- It has a thick-gong like sound and some may not need it
Best Cymbals for Drum Set Buying Guide
If you are a drummer, or you’re about to start drumming, you may already be interested in buying a cymbal. But, why? Simply because you want to get that crunchy, chimey crash sound to complement your beat. Why else? Because you want those calm hi-hats clapping, making your track rich, giving it that stereo width. And there's more to it. But, before we get to it, you should know what can you expect to pay for a quality cymbal.
We have put together this shopping guide and some recommendations to answer these questions and more! Let's dig in!
What Do I Need To Consider When Buying A Cymbal For My Drum Set?
Cymbal Thickness
The size/thickness of your cymbal is directly related to the volume and pitch you want to have. That being said, if you play in an intimate jam session or just want to jam, playing a thicker cymbal sensitively will help you hear all the nuances of the sound better! The most important factor is finding a cymbal that will complement the size and sound of your available drum kit!
Material
When it comes to Cymbals, you've got three material options; Brass, B8 Bronze, and B20 Bronze. Brass is usually the least expensive but produces the lowest quality sound. B8 Bronze is a decent choice and the money is decent as well! Lastly, the B20 Bronze alloy Cymbals sound the best but they're also the most expensive ones.
The quality categorization based on materials is not a hard and fast rule but rather an observation. Remember, some of the best cymbals like the Paiste Collection are made from bronze!
Hand-Crafted vs. Machine Made
People often ask, why are cymbals so expensive? The simple answer is the hours of labor, handcrafting work that goes into their production! Cymbals can be divided into two categories when it comes to formation; hand-crafted ones and machine-made. The hand-crafted ones are usually more expensive and offer a much more unique sound as compared to other cymbals of the same size/model.
On the other hand, machine-made ones offer uniformity of sound throughout a single model.
Type
It goes without saying but in case you're a beginner, you need to find out which ones of the cymbals do you want to have. We'll dig into this part in detail after a while.
Individual vs. Cymbal Sets
Whether you decide to buy cymbals individually or plan to have a set, your primary goal should be to get the best sound out of them and your drum kit ultimately!
When you buy a set, you're at an advantage because the manufacturer usually has featured well-blending, complementing cymbals in a pack. However, if you decide to buy them individually, you'll need to have an idea of their sound beforehand, especially if you're planning to use them with a kit later on. You don't want bright, punchy toms or a tight snare if they're going to be followed by a dimmed-down crash. If you know what you're doing, buying cymbals individually can give you more versatility and better sound!
Lathing
The record-like grooves you see on your cymbals - those are created by lathing. Artisans do this to manipulate the pitch and sound of a cymbal. This is also enhanced using hammering - fine lathing results in less debris and a brighter tone. Wide lathing leads to a darker and warmer character due to the wider grooves created on cymbals.
Hammering
Hammering adds shape and complexity to the sound. When it's done by hand, it's usually irregular and large and that leads to a harmonic, musical sound. If the hammering is done using machines or is done uniformly, the sound would be purer. If a cymbal is hammered too much, it creates that trashy sound that some musicians and drummers adore!
Rivets and Holes
The rivets and holes are also used to achieve the nitty-gritty of cymbal harmonies. For instance, apertures in crashes may help reduce overtone, eliminate airlock in hi-hats. Similarly, if there are rivets in the bell (center) or edge, it helps create a sizzle sound.
Types Of Cymbals
If you're a beginner or a parent buying a drum set for your kid, here are a bunch of cymbals to get started:
Crash
The crash cymbals have an explosive, large sound. Their sizes typically are 14" to 18".
Ride
The ping-like sound you hear during your favorite songs - mostly panned to the extreme left or extreme right. That's what Ride cymbals do! 20" - 22" rides are a good starting point.
Hi-Hat
The hi-hats produce a cool, calm sound that's not necessary but feels like a delight if you're playing it right.
Some Famous Brands That Make Excellent Cymbals
You may come across some local or newer brands or cymbals out there but for a regret-free purchase, these are the options you should go for:
Zildjian
Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world right now - they were founded in 1623 in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey).
Coldplay, Linkin Park, John Mayer's band, and many more are seen flaunting their Zildjian cymbals because they love them!
Sabian
Sabian is not that old - was formed back in 1981. Fun Fact; it was founded by Robert Zildjian, one of Zildjian's owners. They are known to produce quality cymbals for both professionals and beginners.
Meinl
They were founded back in the 50s and have produced some of the best cymbals since then. They're known for their experimentation with different cymbal alloys!
Best Cymbal For Drum Set FAQ
Q: What is the best size for a cymbal?
A: The best cymbal size depends on the style of music you play and the sound you want out of them! It's the thickness/diameter that help define the pitch/volume of your cymbal - more thickness and diameter means louder sound with a higher pitch.
Q: Can I use a smaller cymbal with a large drum kit?
A: The summary of this buying guide; as long as your cymbal sits well with your band, orchestra, or the sound you are trying to achieve, you're good! Heck, if you can achieve the cymbal sound you desire with a spoon and a piece of steelware, that's fine too. The point is, your goal should be to extract a good sound and have a kit that's easy to set up and play.
