::: Why is your cymbal set up the way it is? :::

[j_kay]

Click here for a graphical representation of my drum set and more importantly, my cymbal configuration:

http://www.pbase.com/image/83586691


Here is a listing of my gear:

Pearl Masters MMX (#151 - Platinum Mist) - 10"x8", 12"x9" and 14"x11" with an 18"x22" bass drum.


Sabian 7" Mike Portnoy Max Splash #
Sabian 10" Hand Hammered Splash
Sabian 10" HHX Evolution Splash #
Zildjian 12" A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats**
Sabian 13" HHX Groove Hats #
Meinl   13" Byzance Fast Hats*
Sabian 14" HHX Evolution Mini China #
Sabian 16" Hand Hammered Dark Crash #
Sabian 17" AAXPlosion Crash
Sabian 18" Hand Hammered Dark Crash #
Sabian 18" HHX Ozone Crash #
Sabian 18" Vault Crash
Sabian 21" Hand Hammered Raw Bell Dry Ride #


Snare drums:
Pearl Virgil Donati 5"x14" Signature Snare drum (8 plies in total; 4 plies of Birch for the inner section and 4 plies of Maple for the outer section)
Tama Starclassic G Maple 6"x14" Snare Drum (13 plies of Canadian Maple - whatever that means, eh)*
Yamaha Akira Jimbo Signature Snare Drum 7"x13" (8 plies of Beech)

Legend
*Coming (real) soon
** R.I.P.
# Cymbals featured in the drum set graphic.
* Snare featured in the drum set graphic.

I have the 18" Hand Hammered Dark Crash as my main power crash, followed with the 16" Hand Hammered Dark Crash as  the  quicker, punchier accent.  In between the hi-hats is the 7" Mike Portnoy Max Splash, which provides a really glassy splash in the right sections of the music.  This is placed here for really easy access.  I chose the 13" HHX Groove Hats to be really versatile, with a really 'mature' tone.  Towards the mid section of the set-up, I have the 10" HHX Evolution as a trashy china accent.  Sometimes, I strike the 7" and 10" to get a really unique tone - it's kinda weird, but it's cool at the same time.  On my right, I have the 21" Hand Hammered Raw Bell Dry Ride, which holds it's own.  The bell is penetrating, but not piercing, which is good for having a musical ride.  Going further to the right is the 14" HHX Evolution Mini China - that cymbal's looks are really deceiving!  This is a really quick, smooth and slightly trash china.  This is a great cymbal for me when I want to have a staccato accent (the splashes are for my extreme staccato accents) .  It can be ridden to some degree (like Bernard Purdie), but the tone is not what my ears would like to hear for that type of effect.  Maybe a larger one would do it.  Last is the 18" HHX Evolution O Zone.  This can easily  take the place of the china, because it's not brash as a china.  This is what I use to set up various phrases - basically a really breathy crash/trash sound.  It's really cool, as I'm sure that you all know. 

Well, this is the end of my tour.  Go any set up your kit and give us a tour and tell us why you use the cymbals that you've selected.  Peace.   

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

Great topic. Great kick off. I will get to mine shortly.

[j_kay]

Go to dwdrums.com to use the kit builder.  It's really easy to use. 

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

DDrum Maple Kit - 12"x10" and 16"x14" Toms 22"x20" Bass drum.
14"x6.5" Pearl Masters Mahogany (4 ply African Mahogany)

Meinl 13" Byzance Dark Hats
Meinl 16" Byzance Traditional Thin Crash
Meinl 18" Byzance Traditional Medium Thin Crash
Meinl 20" Byzance Traditional China
Meinl 20" Byzance Dark Ride

Setup:
I love my 13" hats. They have the all around versatility that I have been looking for. I play open hand so my ride is on the left side, right in front of my snare, above my hats. My ride has a nice ping to it and crashes pretty well. The bell is a little small and doesn't have the presence I would really want. Above my Ride and hats, is my 18" Medium Thin Crash. I am blown away at the dynamic range of this crash. It is more responsive and colorful than the 16" which is why I use it as my main crash. To the right of the kit, above the rack tom, I have my 16" Thin crash which I use when a louder in your face crash is needed. Just below the crash and above my floor tom, is my 20" china. This thing is a beast. Very loud for a church setting, so I am always cautious. lol. It makes a very nice trashy ride sound. Works well in certain applications.

Thats it.

I really want to add some other textures to my palette. Dark crashes and some Jazz series cymbals are on my watchlist.

[fretai03]

I don't own any cymbals worth discussing. 

One day, one day...

[j_kay]

I see that you had to be fancy and put a finish on the bass drum...   

[j_kay]

31 views, and no takers, other than Eccentric and myself?

[yamahaboy]

Yamaha Stage Custom( Oak Outer Ply) 8x7, 10x8, 12x9, 14x11,  16x16, 22x17.... G2 on all the toms... SK2 on the kick!... Yamaha Hardware... Pearl Eliminator Pedal.... 

Cymbals: 13" K/Z Hats
              13" AAX Studio Hats
              16" A Custom Fast Crash
               9" Oriental Trash Splash
               18" A Custom Projection Crash
               
My kit isnt high end like the rest of you cats out there but I make it do what it do with what I got!

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

31 views, and no takers, other than Eccentric and myself?

Chickens. lol. just kidding. I felt completely dwarfed to put my kit and palette after j_kay put his up. But I did it anyways.

[freddyfusion]

yeah ummmm... i'm in a cymbal recession right now... i need to get my collection back up to more than 1/3 a cymbal LOL.... so i'll have to save my answer for another time....sorry....
... but j_kay is that a Weimaraner- the dog? i know this is not on subject but... my wife wants one and i just wanted to know how yours is- like the temperment and all that...

[j_kay]

... but j_kay is that a Weimaraner- the dog? i know this is not on subject but... my wife wants one and i just wanted to know how yours is- like the temperment and all that...

No, it's a Daschund, and his color is labed "isabella", or fawn by the AKC.  A lot of people ask the same question, which is funny!   

I have two of them, one is a red dapple - she's down in West Palm, keeping my Mother-In-Law company.  She's very outgoing.  On the other hand, he's (the isabella/fawn colored one) is not very outgoing.  He's not agressive, and he's very quiet.  He only barks when he sees someone that he doesn't 'know'.  I think that it's a scare reflex.  It's pretty funny, actually. 

[shall176]

I'll try to take a stab on Saturday, when I get some time....

[freddyfusion]

No, it's a Daschund, and his color is labed "isabella", or fawn by the AKC.  A lot of people ask the same question, which is funny!   

I have two of them, one is a red dapple - she's down in West Palm, keeping my Mother-In-Law company.  She's very outgoing.  On the other hand, he's (the isabella/fawn colored one) is not very outgoing.  He's not agressive, and he's very quiet.  He only barks when he sees someone that he doesn't 'know'.  I think that it's a scare reflex.  It's pretty funny, actually. 

SORRY TO MAKE THIS A "DOG" THREAD BUT---
 this just got weirder ---  my wife wants the dog i thought i was, and i want..... yep you guessed it... a daschund.... and you have a dachsund that looks like the dog that my wife wants..... LOLLL.....
 but i have gotten mixed reviews on them..... so i was willing to settle for just my wifes dog, but you may have revived my hope....  i've heard that, like many other small dogs, they can be a little more moody and aggressive... fear biters, angry without notice or apparent reason, and not good with children..... i know you said a little about yours, but can you speak to any of my concerns? yea or nea
thanks

[j_kay]

With all dogs, it depends on how well they are socialized.  I have two, and have not had any of those problems with Macon or Savannah.  Savannah is the more outgoing of the two.  She thinks that she is the watchdog, and she barks at people that she doesn't know (most dogs do that, anyway).  Aside from the barking, she is a very amiable dog (and, so is Macon). 

[shall176]

I have two, and have not had any of those problems with Macon or Savannah.   

Got fond memories of Georgia?    ;D

[JFunky]

...I'm am soooo tired of playing and using other people's stuff.....it's time man, it's time.

[j_kay]

Got fond memories of Georgia?    ;D

Well, Savannah came first, and I like continuity, so...   

We were going to get another one prior to Macon, and her name was going to be Augusta.   

Maybe it's a 'sign' as to where I need to be...   

[freddyfusion]

With all dogs, it depends on how well they are socialized.  I have two, and have not had any of those problems with Macon or Savannah.  Savannah is the more outgoing of the two.  She thinks that she is the watchdog, and she barks at people that she doesn't know (most dogs do that, anyway).  Aside from the barking, she is a very amiable dog (and, so is Macon). 

thanks fam!

[HumbleGospelDrummer]

SORRY TO MAKE THIS A "DOG" THREAD BUT---
 this just got weirder ---  my wife wants the dog i thought i was, and i want..... yep you guessed it... a daschund.... and you have a dachsund that looks like the dog that my wife wants..... LOLLL.....
 but i have gotten mixed reviews on them..... so i was willing to settle for just my wifes dog, but you may have revived my hope....  i've heard that, like many other small dogs, they can be a little more moody and aggressive... fear biters, angry without notice or apparent reason, and not good with children..... i know you said a little about yours, but can you speak to any of my concerns? yea or nea
thanks

dude what snare is that in ur avatar?  nothin' but lovely.........

[sugabear]

dude what snare is that in ur avatar?  nothin' but lovely.........

It's a late model 7x12 Black Panther maple snare drum.