I see what you're saying for sure! And I agree about the Wuhan v. ZBT. But I really do think it sounds far better in the sense that artisan would definitely record better in a professional environment. As well as project far better and prettier live. Overall, on a practice kit or not as demanding situation, I think a cheap cymbal is whatever. As long as it gets the job done. But I've also been spoiled by a collection of very high end Agop for five years and couldn't fathom going back. Even when I have to buy cheaper working cymbals, I go XIST, for a little more than beginner cymbal price, you get something really versatile and pleasing to play. Lastly, I think there's definitely a difference in the feel of the cheap crash vs. the pricier one. ZBTs or HCS feel far more stiff and also tend to craft sooner cause of the rigidity of the metal. Whereas pricier ones are generally more malleable with the vibration, and feel absolutely incredible to play. Which will 100% make a difference in playing conviction and confidence with any player. People like expensive, boutique items. Sorry for the essay, I guess I just really love cymbal talk haha.
Wuhan!!!!!! All the way.Sorry,There we’re some nice stuff in there.But for the price I could get an entire set of the Chinese made cymbals for under the price of the last sabian.
I’ve got all Wuhan cymbals, except for a Meinl big bell and a Paiste Psychoctopus Giga bell. If Wuhan made big bell rides, I would probably have got them instead, but I REALLY love the Psychoctopus.
That's crazy I couldn't hear any better than that $110 Wuhan except one of the lower end paiste sounded pretty good too. I've always been a Sabina fan but idk now. And zildjan has always sounded like a cymbal with now high or lows. It's like cranking the mids all the way. Pure ASS!
Best sound for value -- the Wuhan hands down. The one that surprised me was the Sabian HHX Complex -- really nice. Zildjian K, Turkish Classic, Meinl Byzance Traditional and Foundry Reserve, Istanbul Traditional Dark are my favs.
Wuhan is hands down the best value! Sounds like the more expensive cymbals than the other cymbals in its price range. My favourites were the Turkish Classic and Sabian HHX Complex.
@@Myriam-nk2fw They are my favorite cymbals, but I have cracked 2 of them and I'm not a hard hitter. One cracked in a circular manner around the bell - something I've never seen. They are just too brittle for me to keep buying.
The Paiste Signature Traditional $440 had a nice, even and long "shwoosh" and not too trebly, not too dark first frequencies and the affordable end Paiste is a viable option too (together with the Wuhan). Safe investment, all around fitting.
The Wuhan shocked me! Went to Amazon immediately to price check. For the money, huge winner. I own top of the line Meinl crashes and rides. The Wuhan I'm told might not last as long but for a bit over a hundred bucks I'm willing to take a chance.
I was on a mission in late 2021 to find the perfect 17" crash, so much so that my TH-cam homepage was cymbals, cymbals, cymbals, and one other video titled "15 Signs You Might Be Autistic". The hunt was hell and algorithmic insult made things hotter still. But then it appeared: the Istanbul Agop Traditional Dark Crash. This cymbal, it will slap the cheeks on your face. It sounds like waves spanking the shoreline of a copper planet. It's difficult to explain, but I feel this Agop keeps an eye on me while I sleep at night. In a rocking chair, perhaps.
The Zildjian A and K sound like what I would want my 18" crash to sound like. Not surprising since all my crashes are (regular) K Zildjians. But honorary mentions certainly go to the Wuhan for the price, and I also like the sound of the Turkish classic and the Sabian HHX.
We have the EXACT same taste in cymbals. Ha! i was scrolling through the comments when the Zildjian A came up and I quick scrolled up to see what it was because when I heard it I said to myself "Ooo, now that sounds like a cymbal..." I, also, really liked the Turkish!
Can't agree more. I am using only Turkish cymbals - Classics and Kurak series mainly - and boy, those things are singing! Beautiful overtones, very musical cymbals - for a not too high price.
Cymbals, in general, have skyrocketed in price over the past 6-8 years. I got a brand new Sabian 22” HH Rock ride for $211.00 in 2014. It’s now listed for $650.ish
I believe you got a steal on that ride cymbal. I remember buying a Sabian 16" AAX-plosion Fast Crash for just over $205 back in 2013-2014, they're now listing for around $240-250.
Yeah, that Wuhan sounds pretty outrageous for the price... I'd just be worried that they'd crack really easily. I really liked the Turkish Classics at 3:56, I imagine it'd record well, meaning you can compress the room mics a bit harder. I can also see why the A-Customs and Meinl Byzance Traditional cymbals are so popular - they sounded great!
Wuhan are hit and miss. I had a 20" china that crack in just a couple months but I have a 18" china that I've had since 2014 and it cracked a couple years ago but I trimmed it down to 16" and still use it.
@@ChimichangaGuy I thought that would be the case. I've also heard that the consistency between the cymbals is pretty drastic, as in two of the same cymbal can sound wildly different from each other.
Wuhan "Western Style" is their best cymbal. It's a B20 alloy like high-end cymbals. I have a set. The crash is great. The hi-hats are great. The ride is average. (IMO).
I've used Paiste Signatures and 602s, they've all cracked after a few years. Just got too expensive to keep replacing them. Switched to Sabian and Ufip. No problems.
I bought a 8"A custom splash and got a 16" Wuhan China for free back in 2000 from Guitar Center. 23 years later that Wuhan China is still going strong, no cracks or keyholing. Still sounds fantastic!!!
Still a huge fan of my Zildjian A medium thin 18". That Wuhan though, absolutely can't beat that for the price! Overall favorites on sound alone in this video, the Turkish Classic and the Zildjian A thin.
Wuhan sounds as good as K Custom Dark, HHX Complex, Foundry Reserve, K Constantinopole... Does it have a model or is it just "Wuhan crash"? It might seem crazy, but i've known for a good while now that you don't have to pay high buck for great sounding cymbals. Take that Turkish Cymbals one as another example. They're probably even cheaper in Europe.
The immediate jump in sound quality from the ZBT to the Wuhan is staggering for only a $40 price difference After watching the full video, I’m blown away by the Wuhan. It holds its own against many of the $300-$500 cymbals. There’s only a handful I really like more than it, the HHX Complex, Turkish Classics Custom, and the K Constantinople are the only ones that I would say stood out as “better” to me than the Wuhan
Under $200, the Wuhan sounded best. The Meinl Classics Custom and the Paiste PST8 also sounded good. Over $200, just about everything sounded great, and it's a matter of taste. I used to play ZBT 13" hats. They weren't refined, but in a hats/crash-ride setup with a more expensive crash, they worked great because their open sound was so loud and bright for accents and crashes.
...for me "Paiste Signature Line" full or fast crashes are the best, but the prices are very high too. Believe me, the best cymbals in the world. Cheers
Great video, that will definitely help a lot of people. Wuhan was the best. The others sounded different but not bad. However, those sounds are not worthy the price. I mean, the Artisan is a beauty but $570 is too much for it.
First, as a drummer playing for more than 40 years, it's ridiculous how the prices for cymbals exploded while the quality went down! It's a pain in the ass! For my taste the good sounding crashes start with the Bliss - except of the Wuhan which sounds pretty ok for low budget. At the highest range I would go with either the Paiste Traditional, the Foundry Reserve or the Constantinople . And no, I don't think that the most expensive sounds the best!
The Istanbul Agop Traditional for me sounds the best. For the money though, I would have picked an Xist. Amazing sounding cymbals at a great price point. 🙌
@@johncollins5552 I have a early version. Riding it with the bead of your stick it sounds amazing. Dark and the right amount of dry. The bell is amazing. Not enough sustain to ride the edge.
Sometimes, I randomly will find a cheap cymbal that happens to have a more-expensive sound - it's hit or miss. Sometimes it's a wash. *haha, Snort* / Dad Drummer joke. Ok I'll sit down. Thank you for this video.
Also I'm not sure they're very durable. Had a Stagg crash which is similar and didn't really last long, though in its defense it was one of my first crashes as I was learning to drum, so my technique was trash.
The Wuhan for the price had a really nice sound. Since sound is 'subjective', the $200 cymbals compared to the $300 were irrelevant. The price of cymbals has become outrageous..!!
That Wuhan takes the cake hands down no contest. Crisp, clean, and to the point. Wish I would have heard that before destroying thousands of dollars worth of A Customs.
@@Myriam-nk2fwI have the 18” A custom crash and I have always liked it a lot. Only cymbal I’ve ever had personally that sounded good still with a crack in it lol
i elect not to fully answer this question on the grounds that i may sound like a snob. i agree that Wuhan offers the best bang for your buck. there were about 6 cymbals i liked more than the Sabian Artisan crash.
For the money, the Wuhan sure sounds great. Outside of that, it seems like there are a lot of good choices just north of the $225 zone. That’s a lot better than I expected!
Wuhan for cheap and either meinl foundry or paiste signature trad. for expensive. That Sabian artisan probably cut through the best though. Zildjian were cool but kinda pingy in this demo. Maybe 20inch would be better. Great job guys!
Best value: Wuhan. Balance of price and great sound: Turkish Classic Crash. Surprisingly Good: Paiste Signature Mellow. Effects Choice: Cindy Blackman. Runner Up: K Constantinople. My favorite: Paiste Traditionals.
Well the Wuhan certainly wins the value for money prize!! My favourite here is probably the Meinl Byzance Traditional which sounds similar to the Zildjian K Dark Thin crash that I use.
Bought a 19" Sabian HHX complex thin crash (that's a mouthful 😂) about 5 months ago. It's one of the best cymbals I've ever owned (makes a lovely jazzy, low volume ride too). I'm majorly impressed by that Wuhan though, for the money it's staggeringly good (though I have heard they're fairly inconsistent in quality).
I'm a sabian guy and clearly the artisan brilliant is infinitely the best overall cymbal but the Wuhan sounds incredible for the price. If I was blindfolded, I would've guessed it was a 300-400 crash
To answer the question in the beginning. Yes it does. Lol. Cymbals are what I spend cash on. I can make any decent kit sound like a drum set. Cymbals you are stuck with what you get. Love the vids guys. Funny how palates high end cymbals are sheet bronze and generally what you find in the lower lines but they definitely have mastered the art.
My two favorite Paistes are the 20" 602 thin crash and the 18" and 19" masters dark crashes. For a clean 18", Zildjian A thins cannot be beat, and I always thought the K dark thins are ironically harsher in the midrange than the As because of the pitch they tend to cut at. Vintage As are all over the map.
GUYS! Thank you so much for doing this video! It's not only helpful in finding out what certain makes and models of cymbals cost, but also exploring what cymbal sound any certain person may gravitate to since tone ranges can ultimately boil down to personal vision and preference. THANKS ❤
An excellent way to show that spending more doesn’t always mean getting more. The unspoken message is how personal the cymbal buying experience is. Though I prefer 16”’medium crashes,18” med/thin & thins seem to dominate the market now. Buying a crash is almost as subjective as choosing a snare (Ok, maybe 96% less than that 😆). So comparing the stunning high shimmer of the Dream Bliss Paper Thin to the dark, heavier overtones of both the Turkish Classic Crash & the Agop Traditional Dark is more about what TYPE of crash fits ones needs and/or style. I have an unbranded 20” medium (student)ride I bought new for $70 32 years ago. I added 2 rivets to it & still get asked, “Wow! What IS THAT cymbal!?”. It’s got a dark, rich voice & a killer bell. Yet few ask about my favs: a 22” Sabian Omni AAX, & the 16” Zildjian Med Crash sitting on the other 2 stands. Still, this video is a great education in crash cymbal buying/budgeting, but tone is still king. Thanks for all you do!
Wow! That Wuhan crash was nice so it’s tough to go wrong there. But DAAAAAAAMN IT, I loved the Istanbul cymbals (especially Cindy’s), the last Sabian, and the last two Paistes!! Looks like, nay, sounds like it’s time for me to make another trip up your way!! CURSES…but I LOVE it and your shop so much! Just don’t tell my Wife 😂😂.
Taste is subjective to the individual. Smell, taste and sound etc. You get the idea. Personally for me I don't care much for the B20 alloy so yes I thought the ZBT recorded well compared to the $570 cymbal. However the Paiste's to me sounded the best. Especially the PST 8 and the 2002. Just because it cost a lot doesn't mean it sounds good. Many of those "dark" cymbals sound like trash can lids. But Ike I stated, taste is subjective If I only had the 2 cymbals to choose I'd pick the ZBT. As always....great fun video! Cheers!
Funny thing about the Wuhan's, if you think they're cheap now you have no idea. I first heard Wuhan's traditional, or sometimes called western style, (they never really had a proper series name) cymbals in 2010 when my teacher got a 10in splash free with a china. I was blown away by the sound. I ended up buying TONS on these cymbals over the years and have yet to be disappointed. But the price; in 2014 when I bought a set I ended up paying between $60 and $80 dollars per crash. Brand new! Last crash I bought brand new was a 22in thin for $99! They're now $250, if you can even find them. Now they tend to be thinner, even the medium and heavy labeled Wuhan's, but if you're a lighter player like myself absolutely awesome. The Koi series are the successors to these. While they do cost more, they're still a fantastic deal.
Look at it this way... If you have ZBTs, you never have to worry about unloading your cymbals from your vehicle after a gig, when you arrive home late, sweaty, and tired. In fact, if they get five fingered you're sort of happy--you now have a legitimate reason to upgrade when you talk with your wife. Just be sure to drive your gear around in a beater, and leave the doors unlocked, so they don't break anything to get at the treasure within. All kidding aside, another great comparison by DCP. And, just about everything played sounded at least five times better than the ZBT... and this proves it doesn't have to cost you a sack of cash. My favorites in the sound bought for money spent: Wuhan Westerns, Istanbul Agop Xists, Zildjian A.s, and Turkish Classics. I see a set of Wuhan Westerns for worry free practice and gigging in the hopefully not too distant future.
Horses for courses, a really good spread of tones and types, from simple short sustains to deeper wash and sizzle. The main thing for me is whether you can control the level of the wash rather than having something that over-sustains. Too crisp a ping on the strike without any higher tones is either a lesser alloy cymbal or going for a darker, dry tone. And the winner is.. I’m looking at Zil A’s so lighter than full Custom, I also like the Paiste offerings here if I was staying in a purely rock tone palette. The first Meinl didn’t appeal but they have a nice spectrum of tones in the HHX. The Wuhan certainly is full of colour, so useful in the right context, perhaps a second or third crash, to fill the role with near-fx resonance.
By pure sound I thought the best sounds came from Paiste, Meinl and surprisingly Wuhan. And this video convinced me that if I purchase anymore cymbals in my lifetime, they need to be Paistes.
That first Wuhan sounds amazing for its price
Was about to say the same thing
Also agree
i had to listen to it again, out of shock lol
Damn right!
Indeed. Just be very careful with it!
"Does the Sabian Artisan really sound 8x better than the ZBT?" Even the Wuhan sounds 8x than that ZBT 🤣
I see what you're saying for sure! And I agree about the Wuhan v. ZBT. But I really do think it sounds far better in the sense that artisan would definitely record better in a professional environment. As well as project far better and prettier live.
Overall, on a practice kit or not as demanding situation, I think a cheap cymbal is whatever. As long as it gets the job done. But I've also been spoiled by a collection of very high end Agop for five years and couldn't fathom going back. Even when I have to buy cheaper working cymbals, I go XIST, for a little more than beginner cymbal price, you get something really versatile and pleasing to play.
Lastly, I think there's definitely a difference in the feel of the cheap crash vs. the pricier one. ZBTs or HCS feel far more stiff and also tend to craft sooner cause of the rigidity of the metal. Whereas pricier ones are generally more malleable with the vibration, and feel absolutely incredible to play. Which will 100% make a difference in playing conviction and confidence with any player. People like expensive, boutique items.
Sorry for the essay, I guess I just really love cymbal talk haha.
That Wuhan is punching ridiculously above it's weight. That's a phenomenal sounding crash
The K Constantinople is very tasty.
Yup those two really caught my ear the most also.
Ha, those two were my favorites too.
but from my experience, the wuhan can break easily
@@davidnunes9528 I haven't tried the crashes but have a 70s 24" china that's still going strong
I just grabbed my first K Constantinople. The more I use it the more I love it. Major investment but, well, takes things in a whole new direction.
To me, The Wuhan is an amazing sounding Cymbal for the price 👍
Wuhan!!!!!! All the way.Sorry,There we’re some nice stuff in there.But for the price I could get an entire set of the Chinese made cymbals for under the price of the last sabian.
For real tho! Best sound from the lower end for sure!
I agree I love Wuhan
Had to back and make sure wuhan was my fave, next to the k dark or byzance. I have the 16 and 18 wuhan. Ganna snage the 17 and 19 off amazon
I’ve got all Wuhan cymbals, except for a Meinl big bell and a Paiste Psychoctopus Giga bell. If Wuhan made big bell rides, I would probably have got them instead, but I REALLY love the Psychoctopus.
That's crazy I couldn't hear any better than that $110 Wuhan except one of the lower end paiste sounded pretty good too. I've always been a Sabina fan but idk now. And zildjan has always sounded like a cymbal with now high or lows. It's like cranking the mids all the way. Pure ASS!
Best sound for value -- the Wuhan hands down. The one that surprised me was the Sabian HHX Complex -- really nice. Zildjian K, Turkish Classic, Meinl Byzance Traditional and Foundry Reserve, Istanbul Traditional Dark are my favs.
Wow, that Paiste signature traditionals sounds amazing.
The best..
I'd choose those, although the Wuhan is another I'd consider.
💯
That one was a nice surprise
Paiste 2002 series. The best !
Wuhan is hands down the best value! Sounds like the more expensive cymbals than the other cymbals in its price range. My favourites were the Turkish Classic and Sabian HHX Complex.
That ZBT sound 8 times worse than high end for sure but not wuhan. Wuhan sounds so good.
Paiste signatures are really in a class by themselves. They sound so glassy
So true, Ill probably buy a signature traditionals set when I go to study because the 20 and 22" rides are soooo good too
Word
Yes, I’ve always said the same about Paiste… Glassy!
@@Myriam-nk2fw They are my favorite cymbals, but I have cracked 2 of them and I'm not a hard hitter. One cracked in a circular manner around the bell - something I've never seen. They are just too brittle for me to keep buying.
Paiste Signature in my humble opinion is the finest sounding cymbals made.
The Paiste Signature Traditional $440 had a nice, even and long "shwoosh" and not too trebly, not too dark first frequencies and the affordable end Paiste is a viable option too (together with the Wuhan). Safe investment, all around fitting.
Hands down
The Wuhan shocked me! Went to Amazon immediately to price check. For the money, huge winner. I own top of the line Meinl crashes and rides. The Wuhan I'm told might not last as long but for a bit over a hundred bucks I'm willing to take a chance.
The Istanbul Agop Traditional Dark just sounds gorgeus, and I didn't expect that Zildjian A Thin to sound that good!
The traditional darks ride better but the thins open up quicker.
I agree..
Wuhan’s are great for the price- pretty sure they’re made out of the same metal as paiste/zildjan all the good ones-
@anthonymarks1306 Wuhan claims they use B20 like Sabian, Zildjian, Isantbul and Byzance.
I was on a mission in late 2021 to find the perfect 17" crash, so much so that my TH-cam homepage was cymbals, cymbals, cymbals, and one other video titled "15 Signs You Might Be Autistic". The hunt was hell and algorithmic insult made things hotter still. But then it appeared: the Istanbul Agop Traditional Dark Crash. This cymbal, it will slap the cheeks on your face. It sounds like waves spanking the shoreline of a copper planet. It's difficult to explain, but I feel this Agop keeps an eye on me while I sleep at night. In a rocking chair, perhaps.
That Turkish Classic Crash sounds great for $225, wow! 4:00
Yeah that one made me look over at the screen.
I keep listening to it.
The 2002 is So Incredible!
Meh
used to be the best cymbal . I had the " new " 2002 and the old one side by side ... same cymbal allegedly .... The new one sound like a cheap rip off
The Zildjian A and K sound like what I would want my 18" crash to sound like. Not surprising since all my crashes are (regular) K Zildjians. But honorary mentions certainly go to the Wuhan for the price, and I also like the sound of the Turkish classic and the Sabian HHX.
We have the EXACT same taste in cymbals. Ha! i was scrolling through the comments when the Zildjian A came up and I quick scrolled up to see what it was because when I heard it I said to myself "Ooo, now that sounds like a cymbal..." I, also, really liked the Turkish!
@@boobo3763 the exact same GREAT taste, haha 😉
@@Theratron When are the kids gonna learn??
That Turkish Classic crash sounds ridiculously good, regardless of price. That should be an auto buy.
I thought it sounded quite similar to the 2002 thin, but with added lovely complex harmonic overtones. so good.
Can't agree more. I am using only Turkish cymbals - Classics and Kurak series mainly - and boy, those things are singing! Beautiful overtones, very musical cymbals - for a not too high price.
That was my favorite too.
Cymbals, in general, have skyrocketed in price over the past 6-8 years. I got a brand new Sabian 22” HH Rock ride for $211.00 in 2014. It’s now listed for $650.ish
totally
You ain’t kidding they are way overpriced now
They will probably blame it on covid
I believe you got a steal on that ride cymbal. I remember buying a Sabian 16" AAX-plosion Fast Crash for just over $205 back in 2013-2014, they're now listing for around $240-250.
They have, right!? I have a 17" Sabian HH Thin Crash, but I swear I never would have spent over $200 AUD for it! Equiv to $100 USD!
Yeah, that Wuhan sounds pretty outrageous for the price... I'd just be worried that they'd crack really easily. I really liked the Turkish Classics at 3:56, I imagine it'd record well, meaning you can compress the room mics a bit harder. I can also see why the A-Customs and Meinl Byzance Traditional cymbals are so popular - they sounded great!
Wuhan are hit and miss. I had a 20" china that crack in just a couple months but I have a 18" china that I've had since 2014 and it cracked a couple years ago but I trimmed it down to 16" and still use it.
@@ChimichangaGuy I thought that would be the case. I've also heard that the consistency between the cymbals is pretty drastic, as in two of the same cymbal can sound wildly different from each other.
Wuhan "Western Style" is their best cymbal. It's a B20 alloy like high-end cymbals. I have a set. The crash is great. The hi-hats are great. The ride is average. (IMO).
@@Martin-kn6vc yes, it’s because they’re all handmade ;)
Super impressed by the Wuhan and Dream crashes, but the Paiste's always grab my ear. Would love to see this same approach with chinas and/or splashes
Wuhan has the best. The explosive sound of their Chinas have no comparison.
Dream was pretty trashy to me, would love to hear the next thickness line from dream, the contact i think?
@@stanleyc.348 honestly was thinking to myself it almost sounded like a smaller accent thing
The wuhan sounds great! Problem is that I have never owned a wuhan cymbal that hasn't cracked after a year or 2
I've used Paiste Signatures and 602s, they've all cracked after a few years. Just got too expensive to keep replacing them. Switched to Sabian and Ufip. No problems.
I have a dream I bought ten years ago. Still going strong. I'm not a super heavily hitter. I've bashed it a good bit. I have heard they are brittle.
I bought a 8"A custom splash and got a 16" Wuhan China for free back in 2000 from Guitar Center. 23 years later that Wuhan China is still going strong, no cracks or keyholing. Still sounds fantastic!!!
Still a huge fan of my Zildjian A medium thin 18". That Wuhan though, absolutely can't beat that for the price! Overall favorites on sound alone in this video, the Turkish Classic and the Zildjian A thin.
just bought a 16" A medium thin.. really a perfectly balanced cymbal for almost every genre imho
Wuhan sounds as good as K Custom Dark, HHX Complex, Foundry Reserve, K Constantinopole... Does it have a model or is it just "Wuhan crash"? It might seem crazy, but i've known for a good while now that you don't have to pay high buck for great sounding cymbals. Take that Turkish Cymbals one as another example. They're probably even cheaper in Europe.
It's called Wuhan western .
Sabian has lost their damn minds with their prices.
The immediate jump in sound quality from the ZBT to the Wuhan is staggering for only a $40 price difference
After watching the full video, I’m blown away by the Wuhan. It holds its own against many of the $300-$500 cymbals. There’s only a handful I really like more than it, the HHX Complex, Turkish Classics Custom, and the K Constantinople are the only ones that I would say stood out as “better” to me than the Wuhan
The Turkish Classic & Paiste 2002 for the win
My exact thought too
That Turkish for $220.00 hands down !
Turkish classic wins the $/♥︎ equation. It sounds like a great old Zildjian survivor of the 60's/70's.
Under $200, the Wuhan sounded best. The Meinl Classics Custom and the Paiste PST8 also sounded good. Over $200, just about everything sounded great, and it's a matter of taste. I used to play ZBT 13" hats. They weren't refined, but in a hats/crash-ride setup with a more expensive crash, they worked great because their open sound was so loud and bright for accents and crashes.
Wuhan!! Best bang for your buck.
Artisan!
...for me "Paiste Signature Line" full or fast crashes are the best, but the prices
are very high too. Believe me, the best cymbals in the world. Cheers
Also, I used dream cymbals as well which are fantastic at their price point and really hold up!
Great video, that will definitely help a lot of people.
Wuhan was the best. The others sounded different but not bad. However, those sounds are not worthy the price. I mean, the Artisan is a beauty but $570 is too much for it.
The Cindy Blackman OM was delicious, so too the 2002 thin. Brilliant showing DCP!
Istanbul traditional dark and sabian complex sounds best for me.
Great presentation guys(still setting the standard of excellence) Wuhan stole the show for me! 👍💨
Much appreciated!
👍👍👍
The $110 Wuhan is really surprisingly good!!!
First, as a drummer playing for more than 40 years, it's ridiculous how the prices for cymbals exploded while the quality went down! It's a pain in the ass! For my taste the good sounding crashes start with the Bliss - except of the Wuhan which sounds pretty ok for low budget. At the highest range I would go with either the Paiste Traditional, the Foundry Reserve or the Constantinople . And no, I don't think that the most expensive sounds the best!
I knew it was fixing to be a great day!! DCP ALL THE WAY! 💯 🥁
The Wuhan and Meinl Byzance Traditional sound almost identical! Wuhan and Dream are sooo underrated!
The Istanbul Agop Traditional for me sounds the best. For the money though, I would have picked an Xist. Amazing sounding cymbals at a great price point. 🙌
The thins open up a bit more easily and the dark crashes ride better, in my experience.
I hate when people ride crashes,
crashing rides can work great on certain rides for sure .
@@johncollins5552 I have a early version. Riding it with the bead of your stick it sounds amazing. Dark and the right amount of dry. The bell is amazing. Not enough sustain to ride the edge.
@@johncollins5552 In a Jazzier context, not like metal where they keep time on the crash.
really excellent test.........very unique and informative. i liked almost all of them........is that so wrong ?
Sometimes, I randomly will find a cheap cymbal that happens to have a more-expensive sound - it's hit or miss. Sometimes it's a wash. *haha, Snort* / Dad Drummer joke. Ok I'll sit down. Thank you for this video.
The Waffle House has found its new host
🤞🏼
Zildjian ❤️
Those Wuhans are a hit or miss. Only on some occasion you happen to find a good sounding Wuhan cymbals like the one in this video.
Also I'm not sure they're very durable. Had a Stagg crash which is similar and didn't really last long, though in its defense it was one of my first crashes as I was learning to drum, so my technique was trash.
1. K Con
2. Turkish Classic Crash
3. Instanbul Traditional Dark
Honorable Mention: Wuhan! It sounds incredibly good for the price
Paiste Trad, Meinl Foundry, K Con.
Confirmed: A ZBT still sounds like a ZBT.
the Wuham sounded the best up until the Zildjian A which is almost 3 times the price!
From the HHX and above they all sound amazing
The Wuhan for the price had a really nice sound. Since sound is 'subjective', the $200 cymbals compared to the $300 were irrelevant. The price of cymbals has become outrageous..!!
That Wuhan takes the cake hands down no contest. Crisp, clean, and to the point. Wish I would have heard that before destroying thousands of dollars worth of A Customs.
I don't like a custom that much, the 20" crash is not bad but the 22" ride is terrible
@@Myriam-nk2fwI have the 18” A custom crash and I have always liked it a lot. Only cymbal I’ve ever had personally that sounded good still with a crack in it lol
If we’re factoring in price, I’ll take the wuhan. If not, I like the paiste signature traditionals
paiste 2002 is still the best sounding for me.
These DCP comparison videos are the best ones out there! You guys rock🤘
This, to me, sounds like a great demonstration of "You get what you pay for". Just my opinion. Great job as always!
Except the Wuhan, that thing has no right sounding that good lmao.
i elect not to fully answer this question on the grounds that i may sound like a snob.
i agree that Wuhan offers the best bang for your buck.
there were about 6 cymbals i liked more than the Sabian Artisan crash.
For the money, the Wuhan sure sounds great. Outside of that, it seems like there are a lot of good choices just north of the $225 zone. That’s a lot better than I expected!
Wuhan for cheap and either meinl foundry or paiste signature trad. for expensive. That Sabian artisan probably cut through the best though. Zildjian were cool but kinda pingy in this demo. Maybe 20inch would be better. Great job guys!
My favorite was the 226 dollar Turkish .
That Wuhan is definitely the best value by a mile, but outside of that, the Sabians allll day 🤙that OM crash was really unique and great sounding too!
😎👍💗🇨🇭🔥🎼🔊)) PAISTE!!!
Best value: Wuhan. Balance of price and great sound: Turkish Classic Crash. Surprisingly Good: Paiste Signature Mellow. Effects Choice: Cindy Blackman. Runner Up: K Constantinople. My favorite: Paiste Traditionals.
If I could only have one crash, I liked either of the Zildjian K’s. Just have that classic sound.
Paiste Signature Traditional was also excellent.
Well the Wuhan certainly wins the value for money prize!! My favourite here is probably the Meinl Byzance Traditional which sounds similar to the Zildjian K Dark Thin crash that I use.
At $110 I’d go wuhan on the list and I’m a Paiste player.
Bought a 19" Sabian HHX complex thin crash (that's a mouthful 😂) about 5 months ago. It's one of the best cymbals I've ever owned (makes a lovely jazzy, low volume ride too). I'm majorly impressed by that Wuhan though, for the money it's staggeringly good (though I have heard they're fairly inconsistent in quality).
I'm a sabian guy and clearly the artisan brilliant is infinitely the best overall cymbal but the Wuhan sounds incredible for the price. If I was blindfolded, I would've guessed it was a 300-400 crash
To answer the question in the beginning. Yes it does. Lol. Cymbals are what I spend cash on. I can make any decent kit sound like a drum set. Cymbals you are stuck with what you get. Love the vids guys. Funny how palates high end cymbals are sheet bronze and generally what you find in the lower lines but they definitely have mastered the art.
My God... That Wuhan is absolutely amazing for a mere $110! One of my favorites of the bunch.
Okay that first Wuhan crash caught me off guard. Sounded way better than I was expecting 😂
What a cool video! Thanks for the unbiased presentation of all.
Honestly the only one that sounded truly bad was the ZBT, haha. All the rest are very usable.
The Turkish Classic, Paiste 2002t, Zil A - the best!
My two favorite Paistes are the 20" 602 thin crash and the 18" and 19" masters dark crashes. For a clean 18", Zildjian A thins cannot be beat, and I always thought the K dark thins are ironically harsher in the midrange than the As because of the pitch they tend to cut at. Vintage As are all over the map.
Turkish the best crash.
2002 thin, Zildjian A thin, Signature Mellow, and the Istanbul Dark
Wuhan is great
In regards to the price vs quality ratio, maybe I would be more preoccupied about the feel rather than the sound.
Surprised by Wuhan... My favorites are of course A, K Zildjian & HHX Complex
Wuhan was in my opinion the best sounding cymbal, and then there’s the price. Just magnificent
LOL
“For the price” is necessary here.
@@powbobs The Wuhan sounded identical to the $400+ cymbals despite being less than half the price.
@@mpk6664
I completely disagree.
It didn’t sound horrible, but no one would use that for jazz.
@@powbobs Miraculously, Jazz isn't the only genre of music.
Also, Jeff Hamilton has used Wuhan for years.
GUYS! Thank you so much for doing this video! It's not only helpful in finding out what certain makes and models of cymbals cost, but also exploring what cymbal sound any certain person may gravitate to since tone ranges can ultimately boil down to personal vision and preference. THANKS ❤
Yep, everyone crapping themselves over that $110 Wuhan, myself included! Something tells me the price is about to change 😆
My fave,,wuhan, Cindy Blackman,
HHX complex, any Istanbul shown here, Sabian artisan,♥
Wuhan sounds amazing! Nothing to envy to expensive lines at an affordable price.
For the value, the Dream cymbals are impressive. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a dynamic cymbal I can’t recommend the Istanbul cymbals enough.
Turkish Classic crash has me rethinking everything. Great cymbal!
An excellent way to show that spending more doesn’t always mean getting more. The unspoken message is how personal the cymbal buying experience is. Though I prefer 16”’medium crashes,18” med/thin & thins seem to dominate the market now. Buying a crash is almost as subjective as choosing a snare (Ok, maybe 96% less than that 😆). So comparing the stunning high shimmer of the Dream Bliss Paper Thin to the dark, heavier overtones of both the Turkish Classic Crash & the Agop Traditional Dark is more about what TYPE of crash fits ones needs and/or style. I have an unbranded 20” medium (student)ride I bought new for $70 32 years ago. I added 2 rivets to it & still get asked, “Wow! What IS THAT cymbal!?”. It’s got a dark, rich voice & a killer bell. Yet few ask about my favs: a 22” Sabian Omni AAX, & the 16” Zildjian Med Crash sitting on the other 2 stands. Still, this video is a great education in crash cymbal buying/budgeting, but tone is still king. Thanks for all you do!
I like how the difference is obvious while you start going into B20s
Wow! That Wuhan crash was nice so it’s tough to go wrong there. But DAAAAAAAMN IT, I loved the Istanbul cymbals (especially Cindy’s), the last Sabian, and the last two Paistes!! Looks like, nay, sounds like it’s time for me to make another trip up your way!! CURSES…but I LOVE it and your shop so much! Just don’t tell my Wife 😂😂.
Wuhan and Meinl HCS sounds great! I personally wouldn't pay more for cymbals because these sound great!
Great demo guys...Nice job Tony:)
Taste is subjective to the individual. Smell, taste and sound etc. You get the idea. Personally for me I don't care much for the B20 alloy so yes I thought the ZBT recorded well compared to the $570 cymbal. However the Paiste's to me sounded the best. Especially the PST 8 and the 2002. Just because it cost a lot doesn't mean it sounds good. Many of those "dark" cymbals sound like trash can lids. But Ike I stated, taste is subjective
If I only had the 2 cymbals to choose I'd pick the ZBT. As always....great fun video! Cheers!
Funny thing about the Wuhan's, if you think they're cheap now you have no idea.
I first heard Wuhan's traditional, or sometimes called western style, (they never really had a proper series name) cymbals in 2010 when my teacher got a 10in splash free with a china. I was blown away by the sound. I ended up buying TONS on these cymbals over the years and have yet to be disappointed. But the price; in 2014 when I bought a set I ended up paying between $60 and $80 dollars per crash. Brand new! Last crash I bought brand new was a 22in thin for $99! They're now $250, if you can even find them. Now they tend to be thinner, even the medium and heavy labeled Wuhan's, but if you're a lighter player like myself absolutely awesome.
The Koi series are the successors to these. While they do cost more, they're still a fantastic deal.
Look at it this way... If you have ZBTs, you never have to worry about unloading your cymbals from your vehicle after a gig, when you arrive home late, sweaty, and tired. In fact, if they get five fingered you're sort of happy--you now have a legitimate reason to upgrade when you talk with your wife. Just be sure to drive your gear around in a beater, and leave the doors unlocked, so they don't break anything to get at the treasure within.
All kidding aside, another great comparison by DCP. And, just about everything played sounded at least five times better than the ZBT... and this proves it doesn't have to cost you a sack of cash.
My favorites in the sound bought for money spent: Wuhan Westerns, Istanbul Agop Xists, Zildjian A.s, and Turkish Classics. I see a set of Wuhan Westerns for worry free practice and gigging in the hopefully not too distant future.
(crash)
listened with my ears and not my eyes and the wuhan was one of the nicest all together. A thin and Agop trad. dark were also nice.
Horses for courses, a really good spread of tones and types, from simple short sustains to deeper wash and sizzle. The main thing for me is whether you can control the level of the wash rather than having something that over-sustains. Too crisp a ping on the strike without any higher tones is either a lesser alloy cymbal or going for a darker, dry tone. And the winner is.. I’m looking at Zil A’s so lighter than full Custom, I also like the Paiste offerings here if I was staying in a purely rock tone palette. The first Meinl didn’t appeal but they have a nice spectrum of tones in the HHX. The Wuhan certainly is full of colour, so useful in the right context, perhaps a second or third crash, to fill the role with near-fx resonance.
By pure sound I thought the best sounds came from Paiste, Meinl and surprisingly Wuhan. And this video convinced me that if I purchase anymore cymbals in my lifetime, they need to be Paistes.