lulimet said:
:scared-eek: That's a lot of cymbals!
really?
Two Crashes
I have two fast response smaller sized crash cymbals - you cannot repeatedly hit them over and over because they will sound washed out if you do. But I like the way fast crashes sound in general because the go "crash" then get out of the way for the drums or other cymbals - they are defined and crisp. So, if I need to accent several "hits" in quick succession, I need at least two of those.
Two Splashes
Two splashes are needed for the same reasons as two fast crashes, but the two I have are also different pitches which adds a bit of tonality to using them - like a cymbal melody (or bongos).
Two Rides
While out of style these days, ride cymbals which offer plenty of stick definition come in dozens of tonal styles from light jazz, dark funk, clean light rock or country, tight prog rock, or heavy bell metal rock. I chose two, a Ping ride which has a very well defined "ting" but a weak bell tone and no depth and a "Armand Sweet Ride" which is more open, robust, and nuanced but still provides stick definition. It also has enough bell to play complex patterns on in heavy grooves, if I want.
Two Chinas
I have two china style cymbals, but the smaller one is for effects only and I rarely use it. I am considering removing it altogether. The other is the standard, dark china with lots of dark sustain. I love that sound, though it drives my wife nuts.
Crash/Ride
This is generally the type of cymbal modern rock drummers are using for rides. It offers that sustained sizzle sound that Ringo Star made famous in the mid-60s and todays rock drummers seem to really like. It can also act as a huge crash with lots of sustain when you need it. I don't use it much, but if I want to play like Bun E. Carlos or Dave Grohl, I have to have one.
Hi-Hats
Every set except Keith Moon's has a set of these.
It may look like a bunch if you are comparing to the current crop of minimalist drummers, but it isn't that much when compared to what drummers have used from 1970 forward. In fact, prog rock, classical metal, and jazz fusion drummers still use this many cymbals, or more.
What I don't want to do, since I am only having fun, is have to take the time to replace cymbals for every style I want to play that evening. If I were in the studio, I would only put up the cymbals I needed for the track I was recording, which would usually be just a few. But for a general set like mine where I want to sit down whenever I want and play any style I happen to be in the mood for at that moment, having them all setup is very handy and makes it more appealing to just hop behind the drums and go to town.
I also have other cymbals in my collection, like another set of hi-hats, two more rides, a couple of chinas, and a more middle of the road crash, I could put on the kit (I have mounting arms for three more), but I feel that would be overkill. :happy-smileygiantred:
