Two of my favorite drummers, Nicko McBrain and Josh Freese, have used two ride cymbals in their set ups.  I can definitely see the benefits of this.  For instance, at one point, Josh used a 21” Paiste Dry Heavy Ride (a killer cymbal, by the way) as his primary ride, along with a 20” Dry Crisp Ride for situations that required a lighter, more airy sound. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else uses or ever used two rides in their setup or if anyone has opinions on this.

I think two rides is pretty common, it just kind of makes sense, you want to bring as many dimensions as possible to the music you are playing. As Bart says, very common in Jazz as well as rock.

While there are many more, (rock oriented drummers) off the top of my head, Ringo used to ride on both his cymbals, Alex Van Halen, Carter Beauford, Billy Ward does, Simon Phillips has a number of different surfaces he rides, including a "ride cymbal" or two and then a Swish Knocker or Pang (whatever they call them).

In my set up (depending on the type of music I was playing) I have a 20" Paiste ride with a prominent bell, and then next to that I have a Sabian AA 18' Medium that is technically a "crash" but heavy enough to ride, but which also provides a nice wash. The Paiste and Sabian sound totally different which is what I like.

Sometimes it is nice to have a contrast when you go to the bridge or you are backing up a soloist etc..


If you've got the space and the money, go for it.

I usually set up two 20" rides. I've done that since the late 1960's. One with a more rock sound and the other with a softer country sound. Plus I use an 18" crash, 16" crash, 14" fast crash, and 2 high hat cymbals. I will switch the setup by the gig and how much room I have on stage. I love using two rides, I'm more versatile doing that. People can't see me as easily, but I'm a better musician using both. I don't care if I'm the latest style, I'm Chip. May as well get used to me, you're stuck with me until I'm done. 

Count me in with the use-two-rides group.  I have been since almost forever.   

I play mostly jazz and soul/RB/funk. I use two rides in both sets.

A 21" Sabian HH raw dry bell on the right. A 20" medium jazz-style on the left (it is an old cymbal and I'm not sure exactly what it is, other than Zildjian... and more washy with a nice stick sound).

I vary my crashes and effects cymbals quite a bit, depending.

I use two rides for jazz (sometimes three), but for everything else I only use one ride.

I use 3 crashes, all of which have a pretty good, cutting bell sound and "frying ride" sound on the shoulder. 

I got rid of my ride earlier this year and am glad I did.

Good thread.   LOLz at chrisso and louis  

I usually only bring one ride to a gig - but I end up riding on other cymbals, usually the main crash I bring.

My jazz setup includes my 20" K Con and now....drum roll please.........my new 18" Istanbul Agop SE Jazz crash (used to be one of two other crashes, 17" or 18"). I may use the 'crash' cymbal for riding in any genre whether it's 'wall o' sound' in rock or lighter articulated playing in jazz or more acoustic stuff.

If the situation calls for it, I have an A Zildjian flat ride. But it doesn't usually hit the cymbal bag on most gigs.

Jim

I have considered quite often to use two rides, but than placing the second ride on the left (like Simon Philips does). Never done it by the way. If want to use two rides this would probably the way. In the near future i'm going to experiment with this, because I'm more and more in to open handed playing AKA Simon Philips Billy Cobham style.

René / Netherlands

For jazz gigs I use two rides.  One is usually an 18" Zildjian K Custom Session ride, the other is an old 18" Zildjian Swish - no rivets - mounted upside down.