Matching Cymbals to Drum Sets

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Syncopated_1

Well-known Member
I have two birch kits and two maple kits. I typically use my Zildjian K's and K Customs on the birch kits and Zildjian A's and A Customs on my maple kits. I like the warmer / darker cymbals on the brighter birch kits and the brighter cymbals on the warm maple kits.

What is your preference?
 
I try to bias my Paiste cymbals to the music. Drier for funk, wetter/brighter for rock.

Recently I tried to change the sound of my drums (Starclassic bubinga) to some music I recorded for a friend. I went from 10 mil single ply to 2-ply edge control tuned loosely for an almost flabby thud. This sound, paired with dry cymbals made for a coherent kit sound for my friend.
 
Vintage sets lean vintage cymbal.
Modern/ late model/ sets lean newer fresher simbol

Reality- Dump modern set/ modern cymbals
Late model set with vintage cymbals isn't all it's cracked up to be
Modern cymbals on a Vintage set is also a hard pill to swallow

so that's how I see differentiate it
in both drum and cymbal: Modern/ Vintage
as in 60s vs 2000s
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my wood shell make up is the same
Gretsch USAC line only makes vintage drums 😁 whether it's the newer set or older set.
difference is in possibly Dimensions and Tom Holder ease comfort (old wins on both scores
 
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I dont match cymbals to drums, i match cymbals to what Genre im playing. For pop, funk or swing i use my Zildjian A's cause they are darker and hold more sustain. For Roc, hard Rock or Metal, I use my Paiste 2002's because they are brighter and cut through the Loud mix Better. I tried mixing them up and it was just weird, lol. But, a little experimenting doesn't hurt.
 
Ummm... You folks have enough drums and cymbals that you can mix and match?!?

Maybe I should join a piccolo forum... I don't have a piccolo, but maybe the variables are lesser.

My buddy's a multi-instrumentalist - his daughter was a flautist. Is a flautist?!? Anyway, his joke - "How do you get two piccolo players to play in tune? Shoot one."

Yeah, he's also a US Civil War aficionado, so that might make sense.

In the meantime, I'll play what I've got. Hopefully nobody will take a pot-shot at me.
 
Smoke said:
Ummm... You folks have enough drums and cymbals that you can mix and match?!?

Maybe I should join a piccolo forum... I don't have a piccolo, but maybe the variables are lesser.

My buddy's a multi-instrumentalist - his daughter was a flautist. Is a flautist?!? Anyway, his joke - "How do you get two piccolo players to play in tune? Shoot one."

Yeah, he's also a US Civil War aficionado, so that might make sense.

In the meantime, I'll play what I've got. Hopefully nobody will take a pot-shot at me.
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Its an affliction we have. I feel guilty having 4 kits , three sets of cymbals and 6 snares , but then you see guys online with 40 kits and 200 snares. All of them live alone obviously as their spouses left years ago after kit 30 and snare 120 , lol

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classikdrummr said:
…you see guys online with 40 kits and 200 snares. All of them live alone obviously as their spouses left years ago after kit 30 and snare 120 , lol
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They’re probably happier that way. If somebody is bringing negativity to your life, saying nonsensical things like, “It’s the drums or me,” then it wasn’t meant to be.

I’m fortunate to be married to somebody who told me long ago that she didn’t care what music gear came into or out of the house, just as long as it didn’t intrude on our finances or daily life. She often jokes with people when we go out to dinner, saying things to me like, “So, HOW many drum sets do you have right now?!?!?” She’s a gem.
 
Syncopated_1 said:
I like the warmer / darker cymbals on the brighter birch kits and the brighter cymbals on the warm maple kits.

What is your preference?
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I use drums and cymbals according to the gig and the genre, not necessarily in relation to each other. I’ve actually got one set of cymbals that is seeing a lot of action lately, that I use with two kits—one is birch, and the other is maple. The cymbals are large and heavy, for rock (15” A New Beats, 18” A Med Thin crash, 20” A crash, 22” A ride). The kits have larger drums and lower tunings and sound great for rock as well. I definitely wouldn’t use that set of cymbals with one of my jazz kits, nor would I use my jazzier cymbals with the rock kits.
 
caddywumpus said:
They’re probably happier that way. If somebody is bringing negativity to your life, saying nonsensical things like, “It’s the drums or me,” then it wasn’t meant to be.

I’m fortunate to be married to somebody who told me long ago that she didn’t care what music gear came into or out of the house, just as long as it didn’t intrude on our finances or daily life. She often jokes with people when we go out to dinner, saying things to me like, “So, HOW many drum sets do you have right now?!?!?” She’s a gem.
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'It's me or the drums.' Easy choice there with those types.

I have four kits as well. I have a problem. But as long as it's not a problem with booze, drugs, gambling or other women she's OK with it.
 
I use the same crashes for everything. The only thing I switch up is the ride and maybe the hats if I need a certain sound.

If you swap you snare and ride out it gives the kit a totally different character.

All based on the genre I'm playing rather than the kit.
 
I wouldn’t use my zildjian earth ride with my 16” kick but aside from that I am not this discerning as to say drums don’t match certain cymbals
 
I recently switched from birch (Yamaha) to mahogany (Ludwig) and had been using all med thin A’s and now I don’t like how they sound. A bit too forward and loud for what I want; I got rid of the birch for the same reason.
So I think I’m switching to all K’s
 
Stx'n'Bonze said:
I recently switched from birch (Yamaha) to mahogany (Ludwig) and had been using all med thin A’s and now I don’t like how they sound. A bit too forward and loud for what I want; I got rid of the birch for the same reason.
So I think I’m switching to all K’s
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K's and K Customs are Heavenly. I have two K Custom Rides (medium and dark), a K Ride, multiple K and K Custom crashes.

I have never found a better bell than (pick any K series) K ride cymbal(s). Very musical sounding all around and works for any genre other than maybe hard rock, metal, etc...

I had no idea Ludwig was making mahogany kits until you just stated that...
 
caddywumpus said:
I use drums and cymbals according to the gig and the genre, not necessarily in relation to each other. I’ve actually got one set of cymbals that is seeing a lot of action lately, that I use with two kits—one is birch, and the other is maple. The cymbals are large and heavy, for rock (15” A New Beats, 18” A Med Thin crash, 20” A crash, 22” A ride). The kits have larger drums and lower tunings and sound great for rock as well. I definitely wouldn’t use that set of cymbals with one of my jazz kits, nor would I use my jazzier cymbals with the rock kits.
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I feel this is the correct answer BTW - having played in jazz ensemble through college and many a rock band.

I got wild a week ago and bought a Zildjian Z Custom 22" ride cymbal (rock genre). It's an A medium ride on steroids. Brighter, louder, but with an 'entrancing' wash to it. Excellent stick definition. Average bell.
 
mikyok said:
If you swap you snare and ride out it gives the kit a totally different character.
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The above is very true. My high school private teacher said, 'You can get by on a budget kit but you have to have a quality snare drum and cymbals.'
mikyok said:
All based on the genre I'm playing rather than the kit.
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This is the right answer I feel. Jazz, funk, rock background here as experience...
 
I've never matched cymbals to a kit other than for looks. The "Blood" on my Blood Spatter Stage Customs was color matched to the Red Paiste Colorsound 900's. I also have a set of Black 900's that I got specifically to match my Black on Black Live Customs Oaks. However, the two sets of cymbals are all Identical models. So, no matter what kit I play the cymbals sound the same.
 
Living Dead Drummer said:
The "Blood" on my Blood Spatter Stage Customs was color matched to the Red Paiste Colorsound 900's. I also have a set of Black 900's that I got specifically to match my Black on Black Live Customs Oaks. However, the two sets of cymbals are all Identical models. So, no matter what kit I play the cymbals sound the same.
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This is cool...
 
Smoke said:
Ummm... You folks have enough drums and cymbals that you can mix and match?!?
In the meantime, I'll play what I've got. Hopefully nobody will take a pot-shot at me.
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Don't feel bad. I played the drums for about 45 years before I ever had any extra cymbals or any choices other than what was on my kit. Today, after 55 years of playing, I have 6 crashes, 2 hats and 3 rides to choose from. It's been a long time coming.
 
mikyok said:
I use the same crashes for everything. The only thing I switch up is the ride and maybe the hats if I need a certain sound.

If you swap you snare and ride out it gives the kit a totally different character.

All based on the genre I'm playing rather than the kit.
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Most of the time I use a 22" AAX OMNI, 18 K Dark med thin, 17 K dark thin, 17 A thin and 14 New Beats for playing country. For rock I use 20 KC dark ride, 19 K dark thin, 18 K dark med thin and 17 A thin with 14 new beats. I have 3 drum sets ( birch, birch/ mahogany, and maple/poplar) but it's the music I'll be playing that determines what cymbals I use. I have a couple of other crashes that get used occasionally.
 
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