DRUMMER CAFE

In my current primary band gig (Clear Blue...music the baby boom generation loves) we play some jazz oriented tunes but mostly Van Morrison/Joe Cocker/Bonnie Riatt/Linda Rondstadt/Stevie Wonder oriented tunes. My current (and only ever) ride cymbal is a 20" A Zildjian from the early sixties. It's a great cymbal and one I will not part with but it's a little lacking for some of the rock stuff we do (too "washy", not enough stick definition and not a loud/resonant enough bell).

So, I'm in the market for a new ride to fit the circumstances described above. Suggestions? I'm all Zildjian now but would definitely consider other brands. Thanks in advance for your input.

BigBill

Or a Paiste 2002 24" Ride  

I have a Paiste 2002 24" ride.  It's my baby, what sound.  The bell rings like a ...well....  

Since this is largely period music that you're doing, I would look first towards the options that were available at the time that these songs were recorded.

Might I suggest you look at a Ping Ride?  AFAIK, it has good stick definiton—I don't know about the bell.  I do believe I read that these were first manufactured in 1967 as well, so it meets the period requirements.

Well, Bill—quite honestly—this question would be easily answered by an hour-long session in the cymbal department of your favorite music store, and maybe moderately so by the admittedly-middling sound samples at Zildjian's website.

I hope I didn't butcher too badly the use of the word "period" in reference to music of a bygone time; in this case, rock of the seventies and eighties (all performed some fifteen years ago at best).  I thought I would chime in with my method of taking seriously the essence of this music with the closest thing I knew of that would help, which would be using an instrument that is closest to that of what actually may have been used while fitting in with your wishes.

Of course, it's all up to you, as it was before you began this thread.  You could very well use any cymbal with a minimal wash and a clear bell, be they a B8 ride a la ARCHxANGEL (I once played a killer B8 crash/ride, by the way), or Felix's suggestion of a heavy K.  I don't really care.  However, that's how I personally, given the means, would go about this as a first resort—assuming utmost accuracy is an issue.  

I do not give a rat's arse how old you are.  Moreover, I don't even know your age or whether said age is commonly thought of as a mature one.  Further, I listen to much of the same music and otherwise in my twenty-fourth year.

Choose in good health!
Joe

Joe, I appreciate your suggestion. My intent was to make an age joke on myself not offend you. Sorry if I was unsuccessful (hey... I AM old   ).

I certainly plan to go to the local GC and drum shop to try out some options and I'm aware of "sound samples" available a manufacturer (and other) website. But I was interested in opinions and I'm happy I got several. For instance, with out the ground swell for Paiste's evident in some of the posts I'm not sure I have givem them serious consideration. But, I will now.

I did get a kick out of the "perod music" comment. My wife and I attend the local Handel and Haydn Society concerts here in Boston and they describe themselves as a "period music" group. Comparing what my band plays to what they do is what I found funny.

Regards,

BigBill

BigBill and JoeK...Looks they they've made...

A Love Connection!

(Hugs)

After that exchange, who can say anything about being prickly on the DC?

Since you mention classic rock, both Bonham and Paice seemed to like Paiste.  I like them too, but they always seem un-necessarily expensive to me.

I'd go with a 20" Zildjian K (not K custom, but a regular K---K Custom is nice too, but I like the light and airy "Riders On The Storm", Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Steve Gadd sound of a normal K).  My other current favorite is the  A. Custom Ping Ride.  Both give you volume if you need it, but they aren't blindingly loud, and the stick definition is nice.  

I had an A Zildjian that washed too much before I bought the two mentioned above.