Members Carpathian Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 I've been browsing ebay and occasionally I will come across a cut, cracked, or drilled cymbal. Referring only to those tiny cracks and the cymbals that have been repaired to prevent further damage. Exactly what do each one of these do to a cymbal's sound quality. I'd like to try out many cymbals without a large investment but will these cymbals give me a fairly accurate representation of the cymbals natural sound. I understand each cymbal is on a case to case basis but just an overview of what to look for and what not to. Or just stay away completely. Thanks - Carpathian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members barny15 Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 Most people will say stay far far away from a cracked cymbal, but to be honest, I have several cracked cymbals in my arsenal that sound no different than they did before they were cracked. If you can get a really stupidly great deal on a cracked cymbal, I'd say go for it, but buy with the understanding that the crack could get worse over time and eventually make the cymbal unplayable. That said, none of my cracked cymbals have gotten any worse in the last 5 years, so you might get lucky like I have (although I rarely use those cymbals anymore.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sirskatealot066 Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 put it this way. new sabian 18" AA medium thin crash - $190 (150ish used)mine with 1 half inch crack - $60 honestly can not tell a difference between mine and a new one in terms of sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 Depends on a lot of factors but generally I would stay away. It would have to be a pretty sweet deal and a VERY minor crack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zarazabas Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 *sniff*... yeah man... *sniff*...crack's the bomb dawg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members marko46 Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 Personally, I would just stay away from a cracked cymbal. $5.00 - $10.00? Maybe, I guess. But why? It's basically broke. Depending on how hard you play will depnd on how fast it gets bigger, plus where it's at on the cymbal will make a difference. If a cymbal is cracked on the edge, and it's struck close to or next to it, there is a difference in it's sound and it's wash, at least I hear it or think I do. If it's the best you can do for now, and it's minor, then I understand why your contemplating buying one. But don't expect it to last very long if you play a lot.JMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members manoeuver Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members marko46 Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 no. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boxofrocks Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 I've had a few used cymbals that had that hairline spider web cracks around the bell, I assume from someone having it tightened down to tight. I had no problems with it, the cracks never got bigger, and were hidden under the felt anyway. So cracks like that wouldn't bother me at all, especially since I don't bash my cymbals. Cracks that fallow the lathe in the meat of the cymbal, that would bother me and I would stay clear of those. Little keyhole or bell cracks, no biggie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zildjian@consol Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 Personally, I would just stay away from a cracked cymbal. $5.00 - $10.00? Maybe, I guess. But why? It's basically broke. Depending on how hard you play will depnd on how fast it gets bigger, plus where it's at on the cymbal will make a difference. If a cymbal is cracked on the edge, and it's struck close to or next to it, there is a difference in it's sound and it's wash, at least I hear it or think I do. If it's the best you can do for now, and it's minor, then I understand why your contemplating buying one. But don't expect it to last very long if you play a lot.JMO. I agree ,cracks do one thing only, that is grow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Disney Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 I'm the poorest drummer on this side of the ocean, but i would never buy a cracked cymbal. Keyholes are alright. As far as i know, they don't alter the sound of the cymbal and they don't grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members joe97yo Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 i know from my own experience that if the crack is repaired by cutting it out of the cymbal you get weird overtones. these become more prominent depending on the size of the chunk missing.if the cymbal just has a crack in it, the crack could either bind up when struck and cause a short decay, or just sizzle for like a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zildjian@consol Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 I'm the poorest drummer on this side of the ocean, but i would never buy a cracked cymbal. Keyholes are alright. As far as i know, they don't alter the sound of the cymbal and they don't grow. I'm #2 on the poor list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carpathian Posted December 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 i know from my own experience that if the crack is repaired by cutting it out of the cymbal you get weird overtones. these become more prominent depending on the size of the chunk missing.if the cymbal just has a crack in it, the crack could either bind up when struck and cause a short decay, or just sizzle for like a week. This was my biggest concern. I wanted to experiment with repaired cymbals only if the sound wasn't off by much. The cracks didn't bother me because if I liked the sound I would eventually replace it if need be. I'm going to pass for now only because the cymbal I was looking at was repaired. I might one day invest in a cracked cymbal if the deal is too good to pass up. I only need a crash/ride to round out my kit but I'm not going to rush that purchase. I thank you all for your knowledge you have provided. - Carpathian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ResoHead Posted December 15, 2008 Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 I definately wouldn't want my main cymbals to be cracked. (hats, ride.) If it's a dirt cheap crash, splash, china etc. than what the heck, life is short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carpathian Posted December 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 Yeah that's exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to try out different sizes and weights to find what sound I was looking for. No way I would want to change my ride or hats. Not for a while at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agogobill Posted December 15, 2008 Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 After watching the Time Warp video with Mike Mangini, I'd stick with non-cracked cymbals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kabaalk Posted December 15, 2008 Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 I have a cracked (round the bell) 10" AA splash that sounds almost as good as new. The crack in my 14" china changed its sound (though it sounded good - still a china) and it kept changing until it cracked to the hole. Cutting a cymbal can fix the crack, but there's definitely an increased chance of cracking afterwards. It's all a matter of ears, but I've yet to hear a "repaired" cymbal that sounds as good as the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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