Cymbal reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 138 Reddit reviews across 8 subreddits and 41 posts to rank the best Cymbal brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/drums, r/cymbals, r/Drumming, r/edrums, r/MetalDrums. Top-rated brands include Sabian (4.5/5), Wuhan (4.3/5), Zildjian (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews138
Subreddits8
Posts41
Brands22
Products93
138 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Sabian
4.5
(36)
"The god of all china cymbals."
"My favorite China I have ever heard."
"One of the most unique / versatile cymbals I’ve ever played."
"Lifesavers and they sound good."
"Sounds fantastic."
"Has one for 20 years, love how it swings."
"20" Sabian HH Leopard - it's heavy, but very responsive to dynamic control. Play jazz it gives you jazz, play rock it gives you rock. I've never had/played a more versatile ride."
"Sabian HHX evo ride! Dave Weckl sig I believe"
"Sabian HHX Complex 16" Thin Crash is another cymbal that is similar, a bit darker and larger-sounding with more sustain."
"I had a Sabian AAX El Sabor 16" once, it's supposed to be designed as a hand cymbal, and it had a really good sound."
#2
Wuhan
4.3
(32)
"I have a 18” Wuhan china, paid like $50 for it and it sounds awesome."
"Best value for money cymbals."
"I love how the 17" sounds along with the deeper tone crashes."
"Phenomenal b20 cymbals for 1/3 the price."
"Wuhan sells their for a fraction of the price yet are making the best on the market rn"
"I'm also a big fan of placing the splashes upside down on the crashes."
"I bought Wuhan splashes. I love them."
"Imma add to the wuhan train. Get yourself a wuhan."
"Wuhan if you’re broke."
"Wuhan china’s are great sounding cymbals for the money."
#3
Zildjian
4.5
(15)
"Zildjian cymbal polish WILL remove ink/non etched or stamped logo etc, but it WILL also restore the shine and finish to basically brand new."
"One of r/drums favorite (and mine too) the Zildjian A 21 Sweet Ride."
"The K Custom Dark Ride is a great crashable ride."
"Definitely the Zildjian K custom Hybrid 20"!! Thats the best ride."
"My favorites tho are the Zildjian Oriental."
"Zildjian oriental china trash is my personal fav."
"You try a Zildjian Oriental China Trash? I’ve had mine for 15 years and love it!"
"For brilliant finish cymbals, I'd consider Zildjian's cymbal polish."
"Zildjian oriental as preference. TBH just get a Wuhan."
"Aim for Zildjian A or Sabian AAX as there are a LOT of them in the market meaning pricing is more competitive."
#4
Paiste
4.5
(11)
"Paiste 20" Novo China. the best one I've ever enjoyed playing."
"Just got a Paiste 2002 22” heavy ride for $110 ... All are less than 1/2 retail prices."
"Just got a Paiste 2002 20” ride for $200 ... All are less than 1/2 retail prices."
"I bought a used Paiste 24" 2002 ride specifically to cut through and provide some easy power at smaller gigs ... it’s a helluva cymbal."
"Paiste novochina 18-20 made me retire it… so Paiste def NOVO China."
"See if you can listen to a Paiste Alpha Sensitive China somewhere."
"Paiste PST 7 are worth a listen too, if they’re available to you. The light session set with a free crash (14hh/16/18/20) is particularly good."
"The Paiste Dark Energy rides effectively combine these two things."
"I’m actually looking at the paiste novo chinas right now to buy, they look awesome."
"You can get a piaste 900 for decent money and they sound solid"
#5
Istanbul Agop
4.4
(7)
"I highly recommend checking out the Istanbul Agop Xist series."
"And I’ll say the istanbul Agop Xist series are great."
"Highly recommend checking out the Istanbul Agop Trash Hit series."
"Istanbul Agop Xist 10" is like 120 bucks new, you may be able to find a used one on ebay or whatever for under 100."
"I bought an Agop Traditional 22” dark crash, use it as my main ride."
"I've loved jazz rides from all 3 of these makers. Agop Jazz Special Edition TW."
"Istanbul Agop Xist Ion Crash 17”."
#6
Istanbul
4.3
(6)
"Such a crazy crash on that thing, plus its a pretty versatile cymbal."
"It’s the best bang for your buck and more versatile for your multiple styles."
"Istanbul Xist are really good for the money, imo. Certainly versatile, and I think better sound quality than Zil S, Meinl Cl. or Sab xsr."
"Istambul is always a great option (all of them, depending on your preference). Also Bosphorus. Another nice and fairly priced Turkish brand is... Turkish, in case they are available where you are."
"Check out the xist dry dark series."
"Just about any cymbal brand coming out of Istanbul sounds just as good, if not better than a Zildjian K, and they are typically far cheaper."
#7
Meinl
4.0
(6)
"Meinl 20" Byzance Dark ride"
"22" Meinl Sand Ride"
"I like meinl’s a lot. I cant remember what they’re called but like the 100 dollar set is p good imo"
"I love the extra dry china from Meinl, very atypical and not harsh at all."
"Meinl Extra Dry China (which is very OOB). Sabian's Holy China... were pretty good."
"I recommend a good 18" traditional thin byzance crash from meinl"
#8
Dream
4.2
(5)
"My favourite crashable ride is my 20" Dream Vintage Bliss crash/ride."
"I like Dream cymbals"
"Check out Dream’s Vintage Bliss line, good stuff."
"Dream also makes some pretty nice sounding Ride cymbals for around $300 new."
"Check out Dream cymbals."
#9
Lemon
3.8
(4)
"9" Lemon is what I use, it's great, been using it for a year."
"For just a splash I recommend getting a Lemon 9"."
"Lemon make some cool cymbals."
"It’s not premium but works fine for me."
#10
Stagg
3.7
(3)
"Stagg traditional lion china is what you are looking for."
"I’ve got a 16” stagg double hammered China... this one actually sounds really good."
"If you live in the EU, Stagg Genghis Series are highly underrated"
#11
Mono
5.0
(2)
"I have one and I love it."
"But man is it built well."
#12
RTOM
5.0
(1)
"RTOM Black Holes are amazing. There can be a bit of sticker shock, but they are super effective and easy to use."
#13
S series
4.0
(1)
"I just grabbed an S series ride and I've gotta say it's one of the brightest cymbals I've ever had."
#14
Xplosion
4.0
(1)
"I played an Xplosion ride at the store and it sounded great."
#15
Agop
4.0
(1)
"Agop 20” dark crash"
#16
Zultan
4.0
(1)
"Zultan 16” Aja China."
#17
Dark Matter
4.0
(1)
"Loved the dark matter 22” I got to check out. Definitely on the shortlist for a left hand crash ride."
#18
Wuhan Cymbal
4.0
(1)
"Very good for a stock cymbal."
#19
Bosphorus
4.0
(1)
"I only use a 20" Bosphorus Stanton Moore wide ride that has a nice wash to it."
#20
K Constantinople
4.0
(1)
"The K Constantinople Medium Thin High 20" Ride Cymbal, the Renaissance ride, or the Paiste 2002 flat ride."
#21
Roland
4.0
(1)
"I have a Roland cy8 that works great."
#22
Planet Z
3.0
(1)
"The planet Z ride is actually pretty decent the bell on that thing is pretty nice tbh"
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