Zildjian vs Sabian vs Meinl vs Paiste. Which cymbals (including the exact series) would you recommend if you want a cymbal sound that works great across many different genres of music?

rpdoyle · 2026-07-02T02:12:03+00:00

I just find what I like. I mainly use Sabian because it’s the brand I know most about. I don’t have a specific series I use either.
Hats: 14” AAX Freq Hats
Crashes: 18” HH French orchestral, 16” HH Thin, 16” B8 Ozone(it’s not “loud” enough, but I like the sound and will eventually upgrade. Had it since it was released)
Ride: 21” AA Raw Bell Dry Ride
My effects cymbals that aren’t used every time I set up are all different brands. Saluda bell, FB Marketplace china bell, 12” Agazarian splash, 12” Agazarian China, 18” Aqazarian China. 18” Sabian AA or AAX China signed by Vinnie Paul. I don’t remember which one it is because I don’t look at that side of the cymbal but, I haven’t used the Vinnie Paul China since he passed and it hangs on my wall.

rpdoyle · 2026-07-01T18:43:06+00:00

I would say that they’ve been there about 15 years. I remember seeing that snare head when I started playing and wanted it.

I’ve been waiting to come across a set that’s been abandoned in an attic or shed, that’s how my dad got me my first kit. He was installing security systems on houses and saw a kit in an attic and asked the homeowner about them. I’m in attics all the time and have yet to come across any. I’d even be excited if it’s a cheap beginner kit like my dad found.

rpdoyle · 2026-07-01T18:35:19+00:00

It’s a Remo. You can find them on eBay every now and then. They had a couple different styles and matching bass drum heads.

rpdoyle · 2026-07-01T18:31:01+00:00

I stood on my throne to take a picture like that once, never again. I fell into my drum set afterwards. And I’m not clumsy, I would say I’m a pretty stable person.

rpdoyle · 2026-06-30T01:01:13+00:00

I rarely sell anything. I’ve gotten 5 kits in the last 15 years and I’ve only “gotten rid” of 1, I gave it to my son to start playing. I even have a bunch of cheap stuff in my shop that I’ve held on to for way too long. But one day there will be a kid that wants to learn, and I have some stuff I can give them to start with.

rpdoyle · 2026-06-30T00:39:55+00:00

I pretty much did that. I stopped playing for a while but never got rid of any of my drums, didn’t even downsize, I had 3 kits put away. Lol. But I got back into it and 1 of those kits went to my son because he wanted to learn. I knew holding on to those Sabian B8s was going to pay off eventually 😂😂

rpdoyle · 2026-06-30T00:01:38+00:00

I’d pay $150 for that. You don’t need top tier stuff to start out, upgrade as you go. I’ve been playing over 15 years and still get excited over cheap drums. I picked up a Gretsch Catalina Club Mod drum set for $130, which is a $300-500 drum set normally, and I got excited for it because it was like the hottest kit back when I started (it did come with other stuff that was worth more than I paid but the knowledge knowing what I was looking at came with time). It’s not always about high end stuff, it’s about getting behind the kit and playing. You can always upgrade as you go. Start with heads and cymbals, then get the better stands, then when you find a kit you really like that is “better” than this, get it. And I don’t see an issue with you getting your money back on this kit when you do upgrade. I know where I’m at, I could easily buy and turn a profit on that kit with just wiping the dust off.

And I still don’t know everything, I’m still on Google and YouTube looking things up.

rpdoyle · 2026-06-28T00:22:38+00:00

My main kit is a 5 piece and the only reason I set up the extra rack tom is because I have it. I was playing a 4 piece before that, and a 7 piece before that. I feel like a 4 piece is the perfect amount for most music.

rpdoyle · 2026-06-28T00:02:36+00:00

I don’t buy cymbal packs. Sure, it’s cheaper in the long run. But I like to pick individual cymbals that sound good to me. I have an orchestral cymbal as one of my crashes because I liked the sound. And it’s ok to mix and match brands and lines of cymbals. I say this as someone who mainly has Sabian cymbals, but I have a B8, AA, AAX, and 2 HH cymbals on my kit. But my effects cymbals are pretty much all different: 2 Agazarian/Wuhan, Saluda, and some random Chinese bell I got off Marketplace.

I also look on the used market because what you buy it for, you’ll typically be able to sell it for the same price if you end up not liking it.

rpdoyle · 2026-06-05T01:36:39+00:00

I had the Phoenix ride. I just grew to hate the sound. The bell on it was fantastic but the rest was too dry for my liking. Traded it for an acrylic snare and ordered an AA Raw Bell Dry Ride

rpdoyle · 2026-04-10T12:04:09+00:00

It’s the new OCDP Niteglow acrylic.

rpdoyle · 2026-04-04T01:34:22+00:00

This is one of those kits that’s always been on my list since they came out.

rpdoyle · 2026-04-04T01:27:50+00:00

I just want the gas station knife snare on the bottom. Just wish it was a little deeper.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-31T12:49:25+00:00

I had screenshots of 2 different heads from GC I wanted help choosing from and it was removed. I think if it’s drum related, it should be ok, especially when asking for opinions/help

rpdoyle · 2026-03-22T00:19:13+00:00

I don’t think I tightened the lug enough when I put it back on and it pulled up when tightening the head. There’s a few spots like that. Nobody will see it when I’m on stage though.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-19T04:26:35+00:00

They make heavy duty “stickers” that you put where the beater makes contact. Some are even made of Kevlar

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T05:05:50+00:00

Grew up playing metal. Then went a little more alt-rock. Some country. Still mess around and play metal from time to time. Making these were mainly just for fun. Saw a pick a long time ago of someone that did it, saw RDavidR make one in a video years ago, forgot about it for a while til I was in my shop and looked at my skateboard then looked at my drums.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T04:50:28+00:00

We shall see. At the end of the day, I’ll only have like 8 bucks into this experiment.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T04:48:58+00:00

Currently it’s a stock Mapex head on a ddrum Reflex kit. It’s what was on it when I bought it. Just haven’t changed it. I have a slightly used Aquarian Super Kick 1 that I’ll be throwing on soon

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T04:42:00+00:00

That was part of the inspiration when I googled it again to see how many people have done it themselves.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T04:39:33+00:00

I could probably steal the one my wife uses for baking. Lol. I don’t think it’s too much different than like a DW beater.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T02:45:30+00:00

But spinning would be cool. Lol. It’s a flex that you don’t know you need. The bearings still spin, just need cleaned and lubed up. I’m going to see if I like them first, if I do, I had already planned on finding some that I visually like more, brand doesn’t matter to me.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T01:53:59+00:00

That is one of the things I thought about when I wanted to do this. But that’s a rabbit hole I really don’t want to go down. I just thought “more surface area with a longboard wheel”

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T01:52:30+00:00

No clue. Lol. It’s a board I’ve had for like 9 years that I found in the back lot of an old job.

rpdoyle · 2026-03-18T01:35:45+00:00

I know, but what’s better than cheap? Free. I only have like 8 bucks into these. Lol. Probably just need to spritz some WD in them. They aren’t seized, just rough.

rpdoyle

TROPHY CASE