picking the right cymbals

[moo4munson]

OK GUYS AND LADIES I NEED SOME HELP FROM YOU THAT PLAY DRUMS..IAM GOING TO BE PURCHING A DRUM SET AND I ALL AREADY KNOW WHAT KIND WHICH IS MAPEX . THE CYMBALS OF MY CHOICE IS PAISTE 2002 CLASSIC.. IAM GOING WITH 3 CRASH 1 RIDE BUT PROBLEM IS SHOULD I GET DIFFERENT SIZE CRASH OR US THE SAME SIZE AND THE HIT HAT WILL BE THE RIPPLE ON THE BOTTOM OR SHOULD I USE SOMTING ELSE..SO ANY OF YOU WHO KNOW WHAT TO GET I WOULD LOVE YOUR OPION..THANKS IN ADVANCE DANIEL E ADOLFSON

[Jonathan]

Depends on what you are doing with them.

With three crashes, it appears you will be doing some pretty hefty rocking. You can do sizes that are the same, but try to listen and get a different tone from each of them, like a bright and dark sound.

I have an 18" Sabian Crash that's huge, bright, and powerful, and depending on how you attack it, I've taken just about every kind of sound out of it. Good to have a standard 14-16" crash with it too, even if to go from cymbal to cymbal. Anything smaller than a 12" will start to give you the splash sound which is good for accenting, and give you a wider range of sounds with subtlety than 3 crashes.

Someone else will have to answer about hi-hats, as I don't really concern myself with them too much...I have Sabian classics, and they work great for what I do...small scale gigs and church services.

Mapex I'm hearing good things about...warm tone, good construction. Nice mid-range kit.

[brent]

Yeah, cymbals can make or break the kit and your pocketbook, but you get what you pay for. Really you should find a good pro drummer that has the sound you are after and use less of what he/she has.

It really does depend on what you are going to play. It would be easier to say if we could hear some MP3s of your playing. It also depends on if you plan to play live with one band or record with multiples. Recording is a bit different, as your kit may have to be more flexible. Although recording does not require as many cymbals typically.