The Best Ride Cymbals to Buy
There are many different ride cymbals out there, but it’s not always clear which ones are the best for you. In fact, the “best” ride cymbal actually depends on several factors, including what type of music you play, what kind of sound you want to get out of your cymbal, the venue you are playing, and more. What makes the process even more difficult is that each cymbal seems to sound a little different, even if it’s made by the same company. This means you really need to be able to try out the cymbals and compare them to your old ones before you buy them. If you’re playing rock, the industry standard is considered to be the Zildjian A in a medium weight. For those who want more ping, there are specific Zildjian A’s that are called a ping ride that are designed to deliver more ping than standard versions. For more wash in your Zildjian A ride cymbal, a medium to thin ride is suggested.
Another good ride cymbal is the Sabian. For rock players, you’ll want to look at Sabian’s line of AA medium rides, AA ping rides, and AA medium thin rides. These cymbals tend to have great ping and a lot of character. They’re also a bit more quite than cymbals made especially for rock, making them versatile enough to use for jazz as well. Sabian’s HH Raw Bell Dry Ride 21 inch is also a great ride cymbal, although it has been noted that it can be a bit too loud for some people.
If money is no object, then look at ride cymbals from Paiste, especially the Stewart Copeland ride cymbal. Players have commented on the amazing ping they get from this cymbal, and it can be heard over just about anything. It’s not the most versatile cymbal around, and it’s certainly not the most inexpensive, but it is worth the money.
As you can see, it all depends on what you need in a ride cymbal. Some people want volume, some want ping, and some want a versatile cymbal that can be used for different types of music. It’s always best to inspect a cymbal before you buy it, and if possible, see how it sounds. That’s really the only way you’ll be able to determine which ride cymbal is the best for you.
