The single most important thing regarding cymbals is that no matter what the brand or series, the cymbal collection for a specific gig or kit must meld properly together. There are plenty of very high end cymbals that might not mesh well with the tones of other cymbals. Doesn't mean they are bad cymbals at all, it is just that they were the wrong fit for the other cymbals being used. For many years I wanted and searched for a Paiste Dark Energy ride which I had played on someone else's back line kit at a charity event. I fell in love with it but it was frightfully expensive. I finally found the one I wanted at a fair and decent price, and it was in mint condition. Sadly, it really didn't work well with the Zildjian K cymbals I was using extensively at the time and I had to sell it. It wasn't the cymbal, it was the uniformity of my cymbal collection's tone. It was beauty that killed the beast.
Good advice for people who haven't expanded past the old "K vs A" mindset (in regard to how far cymbal creation has come). I have the same ride/problem and can't find other cymbals that meld with it. I've played the matching hats and think they sound atrocious. K Dark Customs don't blend either. As much as I like owning a stockpile of cymbals, I don't want to have a set designated to a single pricey ride.
This times a hundred! I've been messing with various Paiste 900s, Meinl Custom Darks, and Sabian AAXs to get the right balance. You know how it is though, I've now spied a HHX 20 suspended crash that could be the missing link...oh, the endless quest for gear.....
Very interesting. I always hear a mid range hum in the XSR Fast crashes, but I'm also hearing it in the AAX medium and not the AAXplosion or the HHXplosion (noticeable in the cymbal swells). I prefer the Xplosion line myself , so this really cements my thoughts haha.
I'm with you on this one... I think for me it's the best option. I'd like to get my hands on the matching 20" AAX X-plosion now and compare that to the 19". But for me that's where I'm at also! Thanks for watching and your feedback!
I played an 18" X-Plosion Crash, and a 19" X-Plosion Fast Crash, both AAX models for ten years. Great cymbals that served me tremendously well. But now that I'm older, and my tastes have changed a little, I've found that the newer AAX Thin Crashes provide just what I need. They're not too thick, or too thin, both in how they feel when struck, and how they sound to my ears. They feature the unlathed bell, just like the X-Plosion models, so they're plenty loud, and sound just as massive, and full. They're smoothe as butter, and have just the right amount of "give" when hit. Not too bright, not too dark, but definitely not lacking in character, or complexity. I highly recommend everyone give them a try, I promise they're not as boring, or as puny as their name might suggest. And since it's something that is never brought up in demo videos, I play with Vic Firth Extreme 5A sticks. Your personal experience could completely depend the size/model of stick you use, so keep that in mind.
Yeah I hear you! I have a full set of AAX X-Metal cymbals I loved like 20 years ago. Great for Hard Rock and Metal... but now I just can't stand how thick and heavy they are! But I still over play and a thin cymbal sounds best but just to brittle for me.
I have Sabian 14inch sizzle hats that I have used since 1987 and a HH 20 inch ride that I bought in 1990 and still sounds awesome. Most cymbal makers aren’t putting out good stuff,they look flashy but there not as solid as they used to be,I’ve noticed this across the board.
Might be worth the gamble on some of the alternative Turkish brands like Mehteran, Masterwork, Anatolian, or Pergamon. They specialize in traditional styles, but they all make bright/brilliant lines as well.
I actually think all of them sound good, but I like the 2 x-plosion cymbals the most. They sound really bright like they would cut through a full-band performance very well. The HHX is a tad darker to my ears so I guess a preference would depend on what I’m playing. If I had to choose one to win in a contest on the Price Is Right, I’d take the HHX x-plosion over the AAX x-plosion 👍 (Plus I already own 2 AAX x-plosion crashes and 1 XSR fast, all of varying sizes, so a change-up would be cool). Cool video!!!
Yeah I also personally have no issues with any of the four and I'd gladly play any of them (obviously) haha My biggest surprise was the lack of bell in the XSR it just had nothing.... I would love to see how a 20" AAX X-plosion would compare to the 19" AAX X-plosion and hear how much that 1" differs. . . For me I think the HHX sounds great but I'm still not sold on $470 great, that's a tough pill to swallow. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have a tendency to go for HHX, as I own several (also HH). But I also found the XSR seeming to be usable, I usually go for thinner crashes, so that may be it. Definitely see why the AAXplosions sell like they do, particulary for a Rock or "I need a full bright crash" application. Good video, I"ll subscribe!
I’m surprised how close the XSR is to the AAX-plosion, it almost sounds like a good middle ground between the HHX line and the AAX line and their cheap
I have a brand new HHX Evolution ride that I won in a contest years ago. Believe it or not, it has never had a stick on it. Still as new as the day it was sent to me. I won it in a contest run by Sabian but I have so many rides, I just never used it. Tried to post and sell it a couple of times but never put much energy into it. I did have, at one time, a 20" Sabian XS ride which I thought was the best low cost cymbal you could buy. So much better than the crap Zildjian low end trash. Most of the cymbals I use are Zildjian Ks, Hybrids and a few A's.
Well that just made me SUPER JEALOUS! I use to play the Sabian HHX Evolution crashes when Dave Weckl did cause I was a huge fan. It's a beautiful cymbal series! But I hear you on the XS... I own 3 of those XS20 rides and an XSR ride and they are powerhouse/workhorse cymbals that do a great job for their price! I'll cover shipping when you're ready to gift me that Ride for the collection or I'll do a Sabian Ride video hahaha :P
I also have a XS 20" ride which I refuse to get rid of. I like it so much for straight up rock tunes. My current ride is a HHX Complex ride which is tremendous.
@@cthurow Is your Complex Ride a Thin, or Medium ride? I bought the 22" Thin, and the 23" Medium a few years ago. I'm not crazy about the 23" Medium, too thick to crash/wash on, and too thin to get any satisfying stick definition out of. The bell cuts okay, but that's about all I really like about it. The 22" Thin was a huge surprise for me, I initially only bought it with the intention of using it as a crash, but it's become my gigging ride over the last year and a half, and is probably my favorite cymbal now. It crashes really nicely, so I don't even have to bring a second crash to gigs with me, which saves me room/weight in my cymbal bag, and room/weight in my hardware case from not having to bring a second crash stand.
Well thank you so much I greatly appreciate hearing that! I took a watch to the video and looks like my ride is the AAX 21" Memphis ride and the hats are standard 14" XSR Series.
You know why Sabian doesn't put their logo on top of the cymbals anymore? because their new logo is so god damn ugly, they don't want to scare anyone away,
The single most important thing regarding cymbals is that no matter what the brand or series, the cymbal collection for a specific gig or kit must meld properly together. There are plenty of very high end cymbals that might not mesh well with the tones of other cymbals. Doesn't mean they are bad cymbals at all, it is just that they were the wrong fit for the other cymbals being used. For many years I wanted and searched for a Paiste Dark Energy ride which I had played on someone else's back line kit at a charity event. I fell in love with it but it was frightfully expensive. I finally found the one I wanted at a fair and decent price, and it was in mint condition. Sadly, it really didn't work well with the Zildjian K cymbals I was using extensively at the time and I had to sell it. It wasn't the cymbal, it was the uniformity of my cymbal collection's tone. It was beauty that killed the beast.
Good advice for people who haven't expanded past the old "K vs A" mindset (in regard to how far cymbal creation has come).
I have the same ride/problem and can't find other cymbals that meld with it. I've played the matching hats and think they sound atrocious. K Dark Customs don't blend either.
As much as I like owning a stockpile of cymbals, I don't want to have a set designated to a single pricey ride.
This times a hundred! I've been messing with various Paiste 900s, Meinl Custom Darks, and Sabian AAXs to get the right balance. You know how it is though, I've now spied a HHX 20 suspended crash that could be the missing link...oh, the endless quest for gear.....
Very interesting. I always hear a mid range hum in the XSR Fast crashes, but I'm also hearing it in the AAX medium and not the AAXplosion or the HHXplosion (noticeable in the cymbal swells). I prefer the Xplosion line myself , so this really cements my thoughts haha.
Yeah definitely due to the thickness. Good call and good catch!
Nice video! I like them all but I think the AAx explosion is my favourite. I think it would be the most versatile of the bunch. Keep up the good work.
I'm with you on this one... I think for me it's the best option. I'd like to get my hands on the matching 20" AAX X-plosion now and compare that to the 19". But for me that's where I'm at also! Thanks for watching and your feedback!
I have 16" and 18" AAX X-Plosion crashes. Love them.
I played an 18" X-Plosion Crash, and a 19" X-Plosion Fast Crash, both AAX models for ten years. Great cymbals that served me tremendously well. But now that I'm older, and my tastes have changed a little, I've found that the newer AAX Thin Crashes provide just what I need. They're not too thick, or too thin, both in how they feel when struck, and how they sound to my ears. They feature the unlathed bell, just like the X-Plosion models, so they're plenty loud, and sound just as massive, and full. They're smoothe as butter, and have just the right amount of "give" when hit. Not too bright, not too dark, but definitely not lacking in character, or complexity. I highly recommend everyone give them a try, I promise they're not as boring, or as puny as their name might suggest. And since it's something that is never brought up in demo videos, I play with Vic Firth Extreme 5A sticks. Your personal experience could completely depend the size/model of stick you use, so keep that in mind.
Yeah I hear you! I have a full set of AAX X-Metal cymbals I loved like 20 years ago. Great for Hard Rock and Metal... but now I just can't stand how thick and heavy they are! But I still over play and a thin cymbal sounds best but just to brittle for me.
All sounded great in my opinion
Love from the UK
Thank you!
I have Sabian 14inch sizzle hats that I have used since 1987 and a HH 20 inch ride that I bought in 1990 and still sounds awesome.
Most cymbal makers aren’t putting out good stuff,they look flashy but there not as solid as they used to be,I’ve noticed this across the board.
Might be worth the gamble on some of the alternative Turkish brands like Mehteran, Masterwork, Anatolian, or Pergamon.
They specialize in traditional styles, but they all make bright/brilliant lines as well.
Back in the day you had two choices Zildjian or Paiste and both were works of art,Spun Brass old style
Today they don’t even use brass just alloys.
I actually think all of them sound good, but I like the 2 x-plosion cymbals the most. They sound really bright like they would cut through a full-band performance very well. The HHX is a tad darker to my ears so I guess a preference would depend on what I’m playing. If I had to choose one to win in a contest on the Price Is Right, I’d take the HHX x-plosion over the AAX x-plosion 👍
(Plus I already own 2 AAX x-plosion crashes and 1 XSR fast, all of varying sizes, so a change-up would be cool). Cool video!!!
Yeah I also personally have no issues with any of the four and I'd gladly play any of them (obviously) haha My biggest surprise was the lack of bell in the XSR it just had nothing.... I would love to see how a 20" AAX X-plosion would compare to the 19" AAX X-plosion and hear how much that 1" differs. . . For me I think the HHX sounds great but I'm still not sold on $470 great, that's a tough pill to swallow.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
HHX sounded the most complex to my ears bro , and love your pork pie kit !!
Thank you!
20" AAX Medium!! Simply awesome sound
That's my favorite go to :) good choice!
I have that same xsr crash and love it, out of what you have there I'd say I like the hhx the most, which I'm actually a bit surprised by.
I have a tendency to go for HHX, as I own several (also HH). But I also found the XSR seeming to be usable, I usually go for thinner crashes, so that may be it. Definitely see why the AAXplosions sell like they do, particulary for a Rock or "I need a full bright crash" application. Good video, I"ll subscribe!
Thank you so much! Much appreciated. And yes I definitely enjoy the thinner I just wish I didn't play so hard sometimes haha 😅
@@ZackZweifel seriously! I'm a bit of a basher myself trying to pretend im not haha!
I’m surprised how close the XSR is to the AAX-plosion, it almost sounds like a good middle ground between the HHX line and the AAX line and their cheap
I tell ya the XSR line doesn't get enough credit for what it is!
@@ZackZweifel couldn’t agree more I purchased the super pack and loved em so much I also picked up the 17 and 19 fast crashes.
Excellent content! Very helpful indeed!
Glad it helps and thanks for watching!
My go to crashes are the AAX-Plosion
Interesting video! Would be curious to see one with a couples different ride cymbals from the line you pick and maybe add the complex! Thx
I have a brand new HHX Evolution ride that I won in a contest years ago. Believe it or not, it has never had a stick on it. Still as new as the day it was sent to me. I won it in a contest run by Sabian but I have so many rides, I just never used it. Tried to post and sell it a couple of times but never put much energy into it. I did have, at one time, a 20" Sabian XS ride which I thought was the best low cost cymbal you could buy. So much better than the crap Zildjian low end trash. Most of the cymbals I use are Zildjian Ks, Hybrids and a few A's.
Well that just made me SUPER JEALOUS! I use to play the Sabian HHX Evolution crashes when Dave Weckl did cause I was a huge fan. It's a beautiful cymbal series! But I hear you on the XS... I own 3 of those XS20 rides and an XSR ride and they are powerhouse/workhorse cymbals that do a great job for their price! I'll cover shipping when you're ready to gift me that Ride for the collection or I'll do a Sabian Ride video hahaha :P
I also have a XS 20" ride which I refuse to get rid of. I like it so much for straight up rock tunes. My current ride is a HHX Complex ride which is tremendous.
@@cthurow Is your Complex Ride a Thin, or Medium ride? I bought the 22" Thin, and the 23" Medium a few years ago. I'm not crazy about the 23" Medium, too thick to crash/wash on, and too thin to get any satisfying stick definition out of. The bell cuts okay, but that's about all I really like about it. The 22" Thin was a huge surprise for me, I initially only bought it with the intention of using it as a crash, but it's become my gigging ride over the last year and a half, and is probably my favorite cymbal now. It crashes really nicely, so I don't even have to bring a second crash to gigs with me, which saves me room/weight in my cymbal bag, and room/weight in my hardware case from not having to bring a second crash stand.
lol i bought my 20" hhx xplosion used at GC for $160 back in 2016. Thing is unreal playing on gigs
That's a killer deal!
Not a bad cymbal in the whole video
well said!
My Top 3
Sabian AAX
Sabian HHX
Sabian B8 Pro/B8X
Interesting... the B8 Pro huh?
tankyou for your trubles bro
No troubles! Thanks for watching
I love watching your videos
I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
What kind of hihats to you use here,,, and ride????.😊😊😊😊😊 I love your channel
Well thank you so much I greatly appreciate hearing that! I took a watch to the video and looks like my ride is the AAX 21" Memphis ride and the hats are standard 14" XSR Series.
@@ZackZweifel ohhh cool!!!!!!! Thanks so much for letting me know!!!!!!!! Your the best
I remember paying for a 21 AA RBDR with an 18 AAX Dark crash for 400 flat. times have changed.
yeah you're telling me!! I just bought a set of 15" hats and I chocked on the price tag. . . costs have definitely gone up!
@@ZackZweifel I'll still tell myself "You deserve it" and "Top Ramen is cheap. Go for it"
Can you tell me about your snare rack? Are those the usual snare racks I see for sale, but just stacked atop each other?
They are stacked Proline racks yes. Here's my DIY:
th-cam.com/video/MW4GgCkzKSA/w-d-xo.html
XSR wins. especially for $250
100% my opinion too!
I sold my AAX-plosions and switched to XSR fast crashes.
And what are your thoughts on the switch?
@@ZackZweifelI prefer the XSR crashes, they just sound better to me.
HHX, Come on, waooo
20" AAX Medium sounded the best
That's my personal favorite. My go to for serious business!
@@ZackZweifel great choice
You know why Sabian doesn't put their logo on top of the cymbals anymore? because their new logo is so god damn ugly, they don't want to scare anyone away,
Hey now... thats the CEOs 5yr old daughters artwork you are talking about 😆 🤣 😂
They all sound good….but I have to say your drum kit is the show stealer bruh
I love that Pork Pie kit for sure!
💥STARTS at 2:58 , 🤦🏻 so much intro. 🤦🏻
Cymbals are too fucking expensive.
Yeah some are crazy!!
100% NOT WORTH THAT KIND OF MONEY...BUY PAISTE FOR THAT PRICE😊😊😊
Those sound effects are extremely cringe, please remove them