A cymbal to pair with a Paiste 17" Dark Crash

basset52

basset52

Senior Member
I have the above cymbal and I'm looking for a larger cymbal to pair with it. I like Paiste and would like to stay with that brand and on the darker side because of venues we play as they tend to be easier on the patrons ears. I've been on the Paiste site and exploring options via their sound room. I thought the 19" Masters Extra thin was great but there is none to be had in Australia from any store and my local store says the wait could be months. if I ordered one. I listened to the 19" Masters Dark Crash but it didn't seem to have much tonal difference to my 17" Masters Dark. Thoughts anyone?
 
Are you looking for another crash? Or only a ride? What about hats?

Also, the "Dark Energy" series have muted tones but still have that Paiste brightness. Was that brightness too much for what you want?

Last month I was at DCP and asked for some 15" Masters dark hats. They didn't have any and brought out (from their stock room) a set of 14" Paiste Dark Energy and 15" Istanbul Agop hats. I bought the Agop. It's the first time in decades I have another brand in my quiver. They sound & feel great, and mix well with my Signature Fast Crashes (I'm not using a ride at the moment).

Maybe contact DCP and see if they ship to Oz. 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm not sure what kind or level of contrast you're looking for, but maybe Big Beat 20" or signature traditionals 18"? Dark energy 19" or 602 Modern Essentials 18"? I have an 18" masters dark crash, and it plays well with other non-paste cymbals. You could probably go into Zildjian K custom dark crashes or Sabian artisan...maybe HHX complex, but that might sound a little different. Agop traditional or dark crashes or menial byzance traditional would also probably work if you got the pitch right. One reason I like paiste is that I can go to their site and pair crashes based on soundfiles. They end up very close in pitch and color to those sound files, which makes online buying a little easier.
 
I would bet there will be a decent difference in pitch between the 17 and the 19. Or are you wanting a completely different sound?
 
basset52 said:
I listened to the 19" Masters Dark Crash but it didn't seem to have much tonal difference to my 17" Masters Dark.
Click to expand...
can you ride the 19"? then it could be dual-purpose opposite to the ride; or is it strict function crash-only; If ridable you could delete one other cymbal- unless you need a splash- actually only need one -the ride - you can touch any cymbal for an accent unless it's a Broadway Show where you'd need a crash-crash..
You know the Mel Lewis or Elvin Jones approach of - "all rides"..
basset52 said:
my local store says the wait could be months
Click to expand...
I'd find something in that store
but I'd have two rides ; one or both you could hit once- and carry on riding..
unRidable Crash -specific cymbals are a load to haul for such a singular role
unless you're in some Hard-rock band or a Ethel Merman Broadway show..

😁

basset52 said:
because of venues we play as they tend to be easier on the patrons ears.
Click to expand...
that is the final reason for two rides; they aren't as disruptive as a crash-crash..
I used to call them groove-knockers; every time a drummer I was watching in a small restaurant - hit a crash-crash- the time-flow would stop...and have to be started up again..
whereas with two rides right and left the flow - and the patrons are barely interrupted
 
Last edited:
cbphoto said:
Are you looking for another crash? Or only a ride? What about hats?

Also, the "Dark Energy" series have muted tones but still have that Paiste brightness. Was that brightness too much for what you want?

Last month I was at DCP and asked for some 15" Masters dark hats. They didn't have any and brought out (from their stock room) a set of 14" Paiste Dark Energy and 15" Istanbul Agop hats. I bought the Agop. It's the first time in decades I have another brand in my quiver. They sound & feel great, and mix well with my Signature Fast Crashes (I'm not using a ride at the moment).

Maybe contact DCP and see if they ship to Oz. 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
Only a crash- the local shop had a Paiste dark energy 19” that I could hear - but it was brighter than I imagined and wanted. DCP do ship to Australia and I’ve had excellent service from them in the past. I’ll check them out including shipping costs. Thanks
 
Duck Tape said:
I would bet there will be a decent difference in pitch between the 17 and the 19. Or are you wanting a completely different sound?
Click to expand...
I would have thought so - and I may end up going that way, it’s just on the Paiste site they sounded a bit close, maybe my ears?
 
dvexcraf said:
I'm not sure what kind or level of contrast you're looking for, but maybe Big Beat 20" or signature traditionals 18"? Dark energy 19" or 602 Modern Essentials 18"? I have an 18" masters dark crash, and it plays well with other non-paste cymbals. You could probably go into Zildjian K custom dark crashes or Sabian artisan...maybe HHX complex, but that might sound a little different. Agop traditional or dark crashes or menial byzance traditional would also probably work if you got the pitch right. One reason I like paiste is that I can go to their site and pair crashes based on soundfiles. They end up very close in pitch and color to those sound files, which makes online buying a little easier.
Click to expand...
The signatures on the Paiste site sounded like they would work, the 18” sounded like it would be ok.
 
basset52 said:
The signatures on the Paiste site sounded like they would work, the 18” sounded like it would be ok.
Click to expand...
I have a 20” signature medium light ride that doesn’t have much brightness. Maybe check those out.
 
cbphoto said:
I have a 20” signature medium light ride that doesn’t have much brightness. Maybe check those out.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll have a listen. BTW checked the Drum centre of Portsmouth - had the 19" Masters Extra thin I wanted but with the USD to AUD exchange rate USD 1 to AUD 1.52 and a $552 USD price + shipping it was a bridge too far!
 
Traditionals series are nice.
You may want to look at the larger thin crash or a light ride from that series.
 
Last edited:
I am a big time Paiste fan, so hopefully I can help. My first thought was an 18 or 19” 602. The Traditionals line would be a great choice but those are also quite pricey. The 19” Masters is not a bad option and should give you enough of a sonic difference from the 17”.
 
Maybe any of the following :
20” 2002 Medium
19” 2002 thin crash
19” Signature thin crash
19” 602 thin crash (my favourite of these )

For older discontinued models you could look for
19” or 18” Dimensions thin crashes
18” or 19” Sound formula thin crashes
 
After spending what seems like countless hours on the Paiste website I have narrowed it down to 3 . All within budget and seemed to be complimentary to the 17:
Masters 18” extra thin
Signature traditional 18” thin crash
Masters Dark Crash 19”( - despite what I hear 2 of you have said the sonic difference would be ok. )
Just seen Iristones suggestion of 19” signature thin - so I’ll check that out sound and price wise.
 
basset52 said:
After spending what seems like countless hours on the Paiste website I have narrowed it down to 3 . All within budget and seemed to be complimentary to the 17:
Masters 18” extra thin
Signature traditional 18” thin crash
Masters Dark Crash 19”( - despite what I hear 2 of you have said the sonic difference would be ok. )
Just seen Iristones suggestion of 19” signature thin - so I’ll check that out sound and price wise.
Click to expand...
I think your choices will match well with your 17" Masters Dark Crash.

I have Signature Fast Crashes: 16", 17", 18". The pitch is higher on the 16", lower on the 18". The decay on the 16" is the quickest of the three and under an electric bass & electric guitar it's almost like a splash. Almost. I think you'll find the 19" Dark Crash very similar to your 17" with a slightly lower pitch.

What size sticks do you use? I ask 'cuz I played 5A (Promark rebound Active Grip) for decades. When I tried 5B I loved how they felt in my hand but they were too heavy for my cymbal quiver. The buttery ping of my Trad ride was lost, and it sounded like I was ugly clubbing my Signature Fast Crashes (thinner/lighter than standard Sigs). I've since moved to Promark maple Sucherman sticks. They fit my hand very well and their lightness brings back nice pings on my rides (especially my 20" Signature Mellow ride).
 
cbphoto said:
I think your choices will match well with your 17" Masters Dark Crash.

I have Signature Fast Crashes: 16", 17", 18". The pitch is higher on the 16", lower on the 18". The decay on the 16" is the quickest of the three and under an electric bass & electric guitar it's almost like a splash. Almost. I think you'll find the 19" Dark Crash very similar to your 17" with a slightly lower pitch.

What size sticks do you use? I ask 'cuz I played 5A (Promark rebound Active Grip) for decades. When I tried 5B I loved how they felt in my hand but they were too heavy for my cymbal quiver. The buttery ping of my Trad ride was lost, and it sounded like I was ugly clubbing my Signature Fast Crashes (thinner/lighter than standard Sigs). I've since moved to Promark maple Sucherman sticks. They fit my hand very well and their lightness brings back nice pings on my rides (especially my 20" Signature Mellow ride).
Click to expand...
Thanks I use 7a sticks . FYI I use a 20” Masters Dark flat ride . My departure from Paiste is with the hats. I use 15” Zildian K’ light.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top