A drum assembly without a decent set of the best crash ride cymbal kit is like a plate of French fries without salt and ketchup. There is a great choice of these cymbals, and sometimes, it’s very hard to make the right decision. Of course, many of us start our path by coming after our favorites, and we try to reproduce their sound and their styles. And that’s why we strive to buy exactly the same crash and ride cymbals and other parts of a drum kit to achieve a similar sound.
Table could not be displayed.However, it is not necessary to completely copy someone to be a professional. You should follow your budget, your goal, and the idea of how you want to sound. Considering these factors, I recommend taking a look at the Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbals as the best option for a crash ride cymbal. This product has a perfect ratio of quality and price, and moreover, it’s recognized as the best choice for performing in any room. So, if you want to sound like you’re driving a crowd crazy at a huge concert, you should definitely check it out. There are also some quality alternative options for you.
5 Best Crash Ride Cymbal Models
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Remember that the cymbals you choose should suit your musical tastes and blend in harmoniously with the rest of your drum kit.
1. Top Pick: Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbals
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Zildjian cymbals are one of the best 18-inch crash ride cymbal options you can buy on the current market. In fact, Zildjian is the oldest family business in American history, founded in 1623, even before the United States was even created. And as a dedicated fan of Zildjian instruments, I’d like to tell you a bit more about its history.Avedis Zildjian was an Armenian alchemist from Constantinople. During his attempts to make gold, he came across a specific mixture of metals with unique sound characteristics. Then he was invited to live in the palace to earn money by creating musical cymbals. He was later granted permission to leave and start his own company, which the founder named after himself as well. His legacy was passed on to his descendants until they eventually moved it to America.
Zildjian’s logo speaks for itself, so it’s not a surprise that these cymbals reproduce the original deep sound, making them the top choice of drummers in genres as diverse as jazz, country, and rock. Moreover, if you are struggling with rehearsing at home, these Low Volume cymbals are exactly what you need.
This cymbal, made of high-quality brass, comes in a standard 18″ size. The main advantage of the Zildjian 18″ Low Volume Cymbals is that the model is a lot quieter than regular crash and ride cymbals. It makes them great for rehearsals, small practice rooms, quiet performances, or any other place where you want to play without being too loud. Also, this product weighs only 2.4 pounds, which makes it easy for transporting.
What’s included:
- Cymbal
- Deep and high-quality sound;
- Quieter than most of the crash ride cymbals on the market;
- Lightweight and easy to transport if needed.
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2. Runner-Up: Zildjian 17″ El Sonido Cymbals
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Zildjian 17” El Sonido Multi Crash Ride cymbals are a perfect synthesis of new and, at the same time, time-tested technologies, which Zildjian has been developing for 15 years. Many of my friends passionate about music have already bought, tested, and admitted the El Sonido Multi crash and ride cymbals in action and gave amazing feedback.Zildjian knows all about the art of making cymbals. Using its legendary secret (or not really secret) 80/20 alloy and centuries-old craftsmanship, the company maintains a consistently impeccable reputation as the world’s largest cymbal manufacturer. If you enjoy live music, perform on your own, or regularly record in the studio, the chances you have seen and heard Zildjian in action are huge. This Zildjian 17” El Sonido cymbal fully responds to the traditions of a good Zildjian crash and ride. With the size of 17” and weight of only about 2 pounds, it will blend perfectly into your drum kit.
What’s included:
- Cymbal
- Excellent sound characteristics;
- Suitable for rehearsals and stage performances;
- Fair price.
- The logos might erase after you clean the cymbals.
3. Premium Pick: Meinl Cymbals Byzance 20″ Dual
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Meinl Byzance is a full-fledged professional 20-inch crash cymbal that Meinl manufactures at its own factory in Turkey. Each cymbal in the Byzance series is a work of art with its own unique and inimitable sound characteristics. Most Byzance cymbals are made of bronze alloy, have amazing musicality, and have a wide range of sound effects in a wide variety of styles.This Meinl series of cymbals come in six original types: Traditional, Brilliant, Dark, Extra Dry, Jazz, and Vintage. They form a full spectrum of sound and can be used for a variety of music styles, from heavy metal, punk, alternative, rock, pop, r & b to jazz and classical music. Meinl Byzance Dual crash and ride cymbals is an option with a stunning contrast of super dry and shiny surfaces and a unique combination of forging and processing.
What’s included:
- Cymbal
- Made of top-quality materials;
- Suitable for playing a variety of music styles;
- The unique technology of manufacturing.
- A bit pricey.
4. Great Value: Sabian SBR Pure Brass 18” Cymbals
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Sabian was founded at the end of 1981, and its production is a real family business. The very name of the Sabian brand consists of six letters, two letters from the names of each of three sons of the company’s founder: SA (Sally), BI (Billy), AN (Andy).Today Andy is the president of the company, and Bob, his father, is the chairman. And the rings under the inscription are grooves carved into the surface of the plate.
The company’s products are designed for the widest range of musical styles. Known as “a modern, innovative cymbal manufacturer with a history and tradition,” the Sabian brand has combined experience and craftsmanship with a creative vision to design the Sabian cymbals. Therefore, Sabian products are chosen by top drummers such as Jack DeJohnette, Mike Portnoy, Dave Weckl, and Neil Peart, as well as percussionists Evelyn Glennie DBE, Bob Becker, Ney Rosauro, Li Biao, Dennis DeLucia, Ralph Peterson, and many other famous drummers all over the world.
The Canadian manufacturer has released a special series for aspiring drummers on a budget. The 18-inch plate of the most versatile ride cymbal by Sabian is made from inexpensive brass but has a protective layer. This model can be used as a crash for loud, punchy sound or as a ride cymbal. This cymbal is perfect for students or drummers on a tight budget.
What’s included:
- Cymbal
- Versatility and high-quality of cymbals;
- Perfect sound;
- The brand has an amazing history.
- A bit expensive.
5. Best for Starters: Meinl 18″ HCS Drum Ride
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If you are looking for the most inexpensive cymbal set that doesn’t seem completely awful or break your urge to play, the Meinl HCS series is the place for you. At the end of the day, you will want to upgrade if you decide to play seriously and choose a higher level of equipment, but I would say these are the best cymbals for beginners.These Meinl HCS cymbals are made of MS63 brass alloy. It’s an essential and experience-proven choice for both pro and amateur drummers. They have a balanced sound, good quality, and an affordable price. Recommended styles of music for this model are alternative, pop, rock.
What’s included:
- Cymbal
- Perfect choice for beginners;
- High-quality alloy for manufacturing;
- Solid and nice sounding.
- Not designed for big concerts.
Crash Ride Cymbal FAQ
If you are still in doubt about your choice, I recommend reviewing this section with questions for more confidence.
What is a good crash ride cymbal?
A crash ride cymbal is generally used to make loud, defined accents, rather than playing with a steady rhythm. Most modern kits usually have at least one or two crash and ride or just crash cymbals. They can be played with sticks, hands, or mallets to produce a wide range of tonal colors. Sometimes rock drummers play two crashes at the same time to get a super powerful accent.
Can you crash a ride cymbal?
First of all, let’s see what is a ride cymbal. The ride cymbal provides a steady groove in most drumming styles. It is usually located in the far right corner of the drummer. Its name derives from the role it plays in maintaining a stable, dominant pattern. And while cymbal makers recommend using crash and ride for different purposes, some drummers use ride cymbals for crash sounds. Moreover, there are crash and ride cymbals that deal with both aims in one product.
What is the difference between crash and ride cymbals?
If you think about the differences between crash vs ride cymbal, let’s take a closer look and consider their characteristics in simpler words. A ride cymbal is used similarly to hi-hat cymbals but consists of a single cymbal that sounds short and loud and provides a more open sound than a hi-hat. The improvement in sound in heavy music styles is directly proportional to the size and thickness of the ride. Ride cymbals are often the largest cymbals in a setup.
Crash cymbals add distinctive accents and help give dynamics. Crash cymbals have more variation than other types of cymbals. Some have a longer time to take for the noise to fade, while others have a more choppy and harsh sound.
When it comes to crash and ride cymbals, these cymbals offer long, slow crashes with a long time of duration of the extracted note. They are used sometimes as the only hanging cymbal in small drum kits.
How do you choose a crash cymbal?
The crash cymbal can sound very bright or very dark, depending on the prevalence of low or high scale of frequencies in its sound. More low frequencies mean darker sound; the majority of high frequencies provide the brightness of the sound. In any cymbal, there are both, but in different proportions, which depends on the material of manufacture (alloy), the shape of the cymbal, and processing methods (hand-customed or machine forging, polishing, surface treatment).
Things to Consider About Proper Crash & Ride Cymbals
Since your setup will likely have several cymbals, it is important to consider how each cymbal sounds will work together. Your kit should sound consistent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have different-sounding cymbals to create a wide range of sounds and effects.
Summing up, let’s clarify once again that a good crash and ride cymbal should be suitable for both rehearsing and performing, have a high-quality material of production, and provide a wide range of sounds. All these characteristics apply to the Zildjian 18″ L80 Low Volume Cymbals.
Whether you are an experienced drummer or a novice in the drumming world, please tell me which brand of cymbals you prefer? Do you value the price of the product or its specifications? Let’s discuss it in the comments section.
