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i just can't help it: when i play drums, despite how much i try, i just get all excited and carried away and can't stop wailing on the cymbals. i mean, i hit everything else hard as well, but the cymbals: PPPSSSSHHHHAAAAAAAAAAH!
and it just sort of drowns out everything else and sounds a bit silly. so, does anyone know of any make of cymbal that just doesn't sound too loud? i.e. even if you really smack them they're just not very loud? would thicker or thinner cymbals make a difference?
cheers,
jon x

All other things being equal, thinner cymbals are generally quieter then thicker cymbals.

I have a major gripe with cymbal manufacturers in regard to the volume of cymbals being manufactured now. There are actually LOTS of playing situations where I use older cymbals primarily because they are quieter then their modern counterparts. The older K Zildjians made in Istanbul, for example, are excellent-sounding cymbals and very highly sought-after amongst many drummers. There are many manufacturers such as Istanbul, Bosphorus, Grand Master, etc. making excellent-sounding cymbals in the sonic tradition of the old Ks, but they're usually thicker and/or louder. I think one of the beutiful things about the old Ks is that you can play them at a semi-normal comfort level and not get the same amount of volume from them as you would from a modern cymbal with a similar sound. Meaning that you can play without having to hold back as much if volume is a concern.

I suspect that the biggest issue with these manufacturers is durability, because in reality, these older cymbals are not really known for their robust qualities. If these manufacturers offered cymbals that were VERY likely to break under many types of harder/louder playing conditions, people who bought those cymbals unknowingly would likely be returning them left and right. Of course, this is pure speculation on my part, but I can't seem to find an explanation otherwise.

I'd love to see cymbal manufacturers work towards developing lines of cymbals that didn't have to compete with ramped-up guitar amps and still sounded appealing.


Sorry for the rant.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

Smaller diameters are quieter.

I think you should find a band that also wails, though.

I've found that generally speaking the Zildjian A Custom line to be a great sounding quieter cymbal.

vockins wrote:Smaller diameters are quieter.

I think you should find a band that also wails, though.

yeah but i like the feel and sound properties of bigger cymbals. i want something that still sounds meaty but just isn't as loud. smaller cymbals that go "pish" just ain't my thang!
the band is loud, but it's just the sort of wall-of-white-noise coming from the cymbals (especially when i really get going on the ride) that i'm looking to avoid. it just destroys all the mid-range details on the guitar.
goosman - cool, cheers, i'll try and investigate those!

I had the same overpowering issue with my ride, then I switched to a Paiste dry ride. That helped. You get less wash and less volume.

Still working on the crash cymbals tho.

I use 17" thin and 16" paper thin Zildjians, and they have one of the best sounds in my opinion, and are very quiet compared to thicker cymbals. I also tend to "smack" the cymbals pretty hard, and I've had my Zildjians for about 4 years and they have never had 1 crack. I would recomend those in a heart beat! (sorry! they are A customs)