Best Dark Ride Cymbal – Exhaustive Reviews of Top Items

With an endless list of available options, I had trouble with getting the right cymbals and ended up making the wrong purchases. Some cymbals that I bought were short-lived. They resulted in a crash while others broke, not to mention the poor tone and sound resonance.

Now that I’ve had the opportunity of working with a wide array of cymbals, I figured out it would be great to do reviews on quality ride cymbals. I would like to help other drummers make informed choices before making a purchase. I will be covering four of my favorite cymbals, doing a comprehensive black ride cymbal review of each.

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4 Top Quality Dark Ride Cymbals

As far as music is concerned, the quality of an instrument is a vital factor for an excellent performance. Whether a beginner or a skilled drummer, any musician is inclined to appreciate the superior sound.

Looking at ride cymbals, these typically play the role of holding down a constant groove in diverse music styles. Some provide a sustained slow crash depending on the design.

A ride cymbal is normally placed at either of the drummer’s furthest side depending on whether they are left-handed or right-handed. The plethora of brands available on the percussion market can make it overwhelming for any drummer to make a pick. Let’s have a look at the top four cymbals for an awesome tone.

1. Roland Ride Cymbal CY-13R – Best Dark Ride Cymbal

Without a doubt, Roland is a dominant brand in the music gear space. The brand is known for its exceptional quality instruments which include drum kits. The 13” CY-13R ride cymbal is one of the best black ride cymbal units out there.

It is a high-end unit, but one that is worth every dime spent. When talking about comfort while playing, this ride cymbal offers drummers a natural relaxed feel, thanks to its extended bow area. This aspect is further augmented by the cymbal’s natural swing motion.

The CY-13R is an impressively durable cymbal, due to the sturdy alloy used in its build. The cymbal is also resistant to bending, breakages, and cracks. Another outstanding feature of the CY-13R is the precise three-way triggering for edge, bow, and bell which promotes great playability.

Looking at the sound quality, this Roland ride cymbal has a rich acoustic tone that makes it a great option for professional drummers. The Roland CY-13R is one of my top picks, and I would recommend it to drummers of all levels.

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Specifications:

• Item Dimensions: 13.13 x 13.13 x 2 inches
• Item Weight: 1 Kilograms
• Material: Rubber
• Size: 13-inch Ride
• Volume: High dynamic range and sensitive velocity response

What’s included:

• Roland Ride Cymbal CY-13R

2. Meinl 22” Crash/Ride Cymbal – Best Black Ride Cymbal

Meinl is a reputable music gear brand known for the high-end percussion instruments. Their Meinl 22” crash/ride cymbal is a notable unit that displays exceptional performance besides having a classy look.

One of its outstanding attributes is the wide dynamic range which gives drummers the flexibility of using it as either a crash or a ride. It also has a heavy hammering, and this gives the cymbal cool shadowy tones. It is for this reason that this Meinl cymbal is suitable for different drumming styles and music genres.

Moving on to its appearance, the cymbal has a unique dark finishing that does not fade off as it is part of the design. Strength is a vital aspect when looking for a good cymbal, and this Meinl 22” cymbal is characterized by sturdiness. It is designed to withstand cracks and breaks.

I like this cymbal not only because of its awesome tonality but also because of its durability. The bronze alloy used in its build facilitates longevity and a cool acoustic resonance. It has a wide bow area which enhances playability. I would recommend it to all drummers.

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Specifications:

• Item Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 1 inches
• Item Weight: 1.5 Pounds
• Material: Metal
• Size: 22 in
• Volume: Medium to High

What’s included:

• Meinl 22” Crash/Ride Cymbal

3. Paiste 18” 2002 Gig Bell Ride Cymbal – Good Dark Ride Cymbal

Paiste is another top manufacturer of first-rate percussion instruments. The 18”2002 gig bell ride cymbal is one of their superior models and a favorite of many drummers. I love this item for its impressive tonal quality.

The hybrid hammer technique design is one of the reasons for its rich tonality. With a large and energetic bell, this cymbal has a clearly defined stick tone, and this makes it a great option for professional drumming.

Also, its impeccable quality makes it a good cymbal for playing in loud settings where clarity of every stroke is vital. The unique black shiny appearance is a cool embellishment when producing music videos.

The Paiste 2002 ride cymbal is durable, thanks to the sturdy metallic material used in its design and also the deep wash build. For its peculiarity, I would recommend the item as a reliable ride cymbal.

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Specifications:

• Item Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 2 inches
• Item Weight: 2.28 Kilograms
• Material: Metal
• Size: 18 Inch
• Volume: Medium Soft To Loud

What’s included:

• Paiste 18” 2002 Gig Bell Ride Cymbal

4. Paiste Colorsound 900 Mega Ride Black Cymbal – Dark Ride Cymbal Review

The Paiste 900 mega ride black cymbal is among the best cymbals on the market, the one which quality matches its price tag. Looking at its physical properties, the item has an extended bell which is vital in delivering a rich acoustic tone.

You can be sure of a long service span as this cymbal is made of strong alloy to withstand tear. Besides having an awesome dark finishing, this cymbal is compatible with numerous drum kits.

The resonant tone characteristic of the cymbal makes it great for use in professional performances. I would recommend it to drummers of all levels. Here are its advantages and downsides.

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Specifications:

• Item Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 2.4 inches
• Item Weight: 8.87 Pounds
• Material: CuSn8 Bronze
• Size: 24 in.
• Volume: Loud to Very Loud

What’s included:

• Paiste Colorsound 900 Mega Ride Black Cymbal

Considerations to Make When Buying Cymbals

A good cymbal could make all the difference for drummers as it is vital in spicing up the groove. The diversity of cymbals on the market is an indication of characteristic variations, making each suitable for a specific niche of players. Following are some of the things to consider when purchasing a cymbal:

• Tonality
• Durability
• Multi-functionality
• Budget restrictions

For many drummers, it’s always about the quality of sound. Tonality is a crucial factor to consider, more so for professional musicians. Several factors influence a cymbal’s sonic attributes.

The size of a cymbal partly determines its fundamental pitch, as small cymbals have a higher and brighter tonality while large cymbals feature a lower pitch. The material used in designing a cymbal also contributes to its sonic quality.

While different styles of playing require various sounds and tones, there is no specific ‘best’ sound that can work for all drummers. The choice of a cymbal’s tone should primarily depend on a player’s taste and music genre.

You can research the tones of various cymbals and check out what works for you. Noteworthy, cymbals are some of the components of a drum kit that cannot be tuned to fit a given tonality requirement. Therefore, a drummer needs to get one that definitively matches their playing genre.

Durability is another essential consideration, as you do not want to be in and out of the music store often to replace your cymbal. Some brands have a rigorous manufacturing process and, therefore, are known to have durable cymbals than others.

Here, it all comes down to quality. You should also check the material used to build it and the heaviness. Generally, cymbals made of bronze alloy are tougher and more resistant to cracks and breakages.

Also, if you are always in the spotlight performing in gigs, the appearance of your kit matters. Try to go for a cymbal, the coloration of which doesn’t fade quickly with time.

Moving on to multi-functionality, some cymbals can serve either as a crash or a ride. If you are the kind of a drummer who likes experimenting with their kit, often altering the setup, this is something worth considering.

The last factor to look at is your budget. Some cymbals, despite the impeccable quality, are simply too costly for some drummers, especially for those who are not into music professionally. There are several good quality cymbals out there that are ideal for drummers on a budget.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good sounding cymbal. Nevertheless, ensure you get a cymbal that fits your style of playing in terms of tonality.

Which Is Your Favorite Ride Cymbal?

Cymbals play a major role in the overall sonic quality as far as drumming is concerned. However, choosing a good one suitable for a personal music genre has never been easy for many drummers.

For many percussion instruments, the tone is always the most important thing to consider when making a purchase. Considering that cymbals cannot be tuned as it is with most other kit components, a drummer needs to get one that has a generally interesting sound quality depending on the player’s musical interests.

Ensure that you also get durable kit components as this will help you cut down on additional replacement costs upon tear. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a good cymbal, you should only know the sonic quality you’re looking for.

In case you have used other ride cymbals and consider their performance notable, I would be glad to hear your suggestions. What is your favorite ride cymbal? What qualities do you look for in a good cymbal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.