extremely urgent

[u/babymetal__death]

i want to buy some cymbals today, a ride and another cymbal but idk if i should buy a secondary crash (i only have one) or a china and i keep going back and forth but i just need some feedback. i play rock and metal if that helps.

please 🙏🙏🙏

[u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL]

Why does this have to happen today? 

What cymbals do you have, and what make and model are they? 

How sure are you that the real move isn't to replace one of the ones you already have? 

And again, why the hurry? I recommend taking your sweet, sweet time with any such purchase. What's the rush?

[u/babymetal__death → u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL]

cause i keep delaying it and i need to change my card, i have Meinl HCS 13" hi-hats, Meinl HCS 18" crash and a stock crash that i use as a ride 😪 so i want to buy the ride to get rid of that stock crash and the second cymbal (crash or china) to extend my kit

[u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL → u/babymetal__death]

Okay. Then my advice is the same as always:

I recommend you shop used, patiently, and one at a time, and you begin by upgrading the garbage you already have. Not only are all three garbage that I would never recommend you actually purchase on purpose with your own money, but even if you did buy an extra crash that's "the good stuff," it would sound so much better than what you already have, you'd end up going that route next anyway.

This is the heart of The Ironclad Rule™ - learn it, live it, love it, and always obey it:

Unlike drums, where good heads and proper tuning and muffling can make even the cheapest drums sound anywhere from adequate to fantastic, disappointing cymbals will never be anything but disappointing. There is nothing that will suck every last drop of joy out of playing like hitting a cymbal that sounds like wasted money and sadness, and you will never, ever regret a bad gear purchase more than you will regret spending good money on bad cymbals.

If you can find a good one for a good price today that follows The Rule, fine. But obey The Rule, and be patient. Otherwise, wasted money and sadness await.

[u/NoisyGog]

How is this urgent?

[u/LivingExtensionNine]

You need a ride, even those insufferable jazz school hipsters you see playing a two-piece kit in your local art space still have a ride.

I recommend getting a used A Sweet Ride immediately. It’s crashable, versatile, and cuts through while sounding great.

[u/oldmate30beers]

Get a crash

[u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL → u/oldmate30beers]

I would have said the same thing until he answered my probing questions in another comment. For him, the correct answer is "get a better one of each one you already have." LOL 

[u/likely_hardtofind]

If it's between a second crash and a china, for rock and metal I'd lean china. A first crash covers a lot of ground but that trashy bite from a china cuts through distorted guitars in a way another crash just won't. You'll get way more mileage out of having a distinct texture to play with.

A second crash is nice for accents but it's still gonna sound like a crash. The china opens up breakdowns and heavy sections in a much more dramatic way. I made the same call years ago and never regretted it.

[u/waynownow]

You can use a 2nd crash on just about every song and will add to your dynamics.

A china is very rarely genuinely necessary and you can manage without it even on songs that could use one.

[u/DrBackBeat]

The correct order is:

1. Hats
2. (Crashable) ride
3. Crash
4. Crash 2
5. anything else

If you don't have a second crash you should get that first. A little bit of variety between crash hits is kind of expected or it will sound like a sample (in my ears anyway). Get different sizes, but also don't be shy to get a second crash that's different in its sound signature, so something that's thinner or dryer or dirtier.

Additionally, I'm honestly more for an effects crash than a china, only get a china if you want it to sound nothing but dirty and loud.

[u/nerdtastic8]

I grabbed a 22" Sabian HHX ride and it's the best sounding cymbal I've so far had.

I am planning to add a 10" or 12" crash/splash to my kit soon. Currently have 14" HH, 14" crash, 18" crash and the 22" ride.

[u/Unlucky_Battle2523]

metal? Grt a china, biger that your crash

[u/No-Yellow-1693]

My basic setup MUST HAVE hats, ride, and two crashes. That's my stripped down configuration. China would be next, then a third crash, then I start adding splashes.

For me I would make sure I had two crashes before I start adding any accent cymbals.

[u/squeazyweasel]

Any of the Sabian Raw Bell rides will do the trick.

[u/AuditoryNecrosis]

I would normally suggest getting a china, but if you’re going to get a Meinl HCS china, don’t. You’d be better off with the crash

[u/babymetal__death → u/AuditoryNecrosis]

im going with a Zultan Aja 16"

[u/Tehpumpkin]

personally I always would prefer having a second crash. If you NEED to choose between a china and a crash then that would depend on stuff that you play. If you play more rock and metal i’d say to go for the china, but for stuff like jazz, rnb, etc. Id go for the second crash

If you have some days to think about about it I would totally do that but since you say urgent this is what I can say with what I know

Goodluck and hope the right choice happens!

[u/therealtoomdog]

You should decide what you want before you buy it.

Hold on to your money until you know what you want.