Zildjian ZXT's

Are the new ZXT's decent cymbals for the money????

While trying out cymbals in my local music store I hit a rock crash that was a ZXT. It was a horrible sound. But that is a matter of opinion. Some people like the extra loud and bright cymbals. I myself prefer the sound of thinner and darker sounding cymbals.

Well, if you like thin cymbals, I don't think you should judge a line of cymbals off of a rock crash. After all, A series rock crashes are about the same thickness, and I don't like those, and I'm guessing neither do you. Try something else out.

Which would be better for the money B8Pro rock or the ZXT rock. Im looking at getting hi hats, 16" cymbal and a ride cymbal.

Out of those 2, the Sabian by a very long shot in my opinion, even though I'm a Paiste player, albeit the Signature line.

Zildjian makes some great products, those just are not one of them, again.....my opinion. Out of all the great product they produce, I've never understood why they even put their name on these things? I think its just nothing short of selling their name to the uneducated, and thats a shame. To me, it just degrades the entire concept of that company, much the same as Paiste producing 302's, etc. They can do much better I would think and still produce a line that doesn't cost a fortune. Sabian has all of them beat in these low dollar price ranges, at least to me ear. Again, I need to stress, this is my opinion and if you disagree, we'll just agree to disagree.

But some like the metallic trashy sound and if you are in that group, no disrespect intended, they (ZBT or ZXT) may be just the right thing for you?

Have you heard them? If not, why not? You should listen to hear.

The pre-packaged cymbals I mention below are all very uniform from lot to lot. The best prepack out there from my perspective is the Sabian AAX. Above that is where everything begins to change and yes, almost every cymbal while it fits a mold, the timbre changes slightly, even those stamped exactly the same.

Would you be an idiot to buy something unheard? I wouldn't go that far, but remember, only you know what you hear in your head for a sound. If you can try to describe that, I may be able to point you further in some direction?

So here the list I often recommend on pre-packed (from good to very good and nice):

Cymbals

** Sabian B8 Pro Performance Set $234.00 B8 Pro Performance Set includes 14 inch Medium Hi-Hats, 16 inch Medium Crash, 20 inch Medium Ride, and a Free Cymbal Bag. More mettalic sounding than the 502 below

** $243.00 - Paiste 502 four cymbal set up with 20" Ride, 16" crash and pair of 14" hi hat cymbals. Includes bag! Has longer sustain to it that does the B8 Pro above, more shimmer to the tone.

** Sabian XS20 Performance Pack $299.00 Secret-process B20 alloy is precision crafted to deliver incredible value. Performance Pack includes 20" Medium Ride, 16" Medium Thin Crash, 14" Regular Hats and free hard case! Note: If you are a basher, get the "Rock" version, same price, heavier cymbals, not as bright a tone. Overall more controlled and refined sound to the above two choices, will record better.

** Sabian AAX Stage Performance Set $469.00

AAX Precise performance set includes 14 inch regular hats, 16 inch medium thin crash, and 20 inch medium ride with free deluxe cymbal bag. Very well balanced cymbal in this price range, smooth sound, glassier high end, moving towards real quality now.

i don't think you should get rock cymbals. They aren't good for anything, not even rock. They are too heavy and take way too much effort to get them singing. I'd say get something medium weight. I have zildjian A medium cymbals and i love them, and i play hard rock regularly; they hold up just fine. Don't base your opinions soley on the fact that they have "rock" printed on them. Go on the zildjian website, barely any of their endorsers that play rock use "rock" cymbals. And if they do, it's maybe one or two on their kit. Medium weight cymbals work great in just about any musical setting, very versatile. I'd get the sabian B8 pro cymbals if you can. If not, get the (medium weight) b8 cymbals. Most all intro level zildjian cymbals don't sound very good.

Thanks for the info Stapes!........Im not a drummer so I wasnt really sure what to buy!