What ride would you use if you could only have one?
Needs to cover pretty much all genres from rock, jazz, funk, pop, songwriter (don't need it to play metal or super loud gigs with no PA).
Any ideas?
Posted Sep 11, 2017, 4:15 PM UTC
1149
What asshole is downvoting reasonable answers?
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A huge one. It's all good, I upvoted them back to +1. I see that all the time on this sub though, and I'm sick of it.
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Yeah I've noticed it multiple times as well.
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This happens all the time in this subreddit tbh. no idea why
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Meinl 20" Sand ride. I think its the most versatile ride out there
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Do you use the sand hats too? Do you find them as versatile?
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No i have 14" vintage pure. Haven't had the chance to try sand hats outside of guitar center for 2 minutes.
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[deleted]
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Sabian 21" HHX Groove ride.
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I take my Groove Ride with me as much as I can. I absolutely love that thing. It is nothing but sweet spots all over. It does everything I ask of it - riding, crashing, crazy bell rhythms - and does it with beauty and grace. I've got heavier rides for when they're needed, but if they're not necessary the Groove Ride comes along.
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I'll get buried with my K Custom Dark
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Second this
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20" zildjian ping from the a series. I think that's the standard. Nice definition. No hard wash. Still crash able I guess. Able to get loud or quiet. I think that's my final answer.
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You and I must have different ping rides.
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My ideal ride is a 22" Istanbul Agop signature. They're very thin but the balance of the wash is just perfect. I find a lot of rides have an uneven distribution of where the energy sits. In my opinion, the most important part of the usability of a ride is being balanced throughout the whole range so it doesn't step on any instrument in particular. Some rides build up energy in the low end which creates mud, while others sound like they have weird gaps in the frequencies that make up the wash. Also I like rides that you don't have to beat the crap out of to hit the sweet spot, which is why I prefer thinner ones.
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"Some rides build up energy in the low end which creates mud"
My 21" Sweet Ride does this, though it's typically near a corner in a small room when set up at home. I had suspected that room modes caused this. Hadn't considered that the cymbal itself could be a factor.
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I've been a giant fan of the 22" K light ride ever since it was suggested to me on this sub. It could be a little thin for your liking, but it's worth checking out! I use it for every genre pretty much. Another one I've been looking at is the 20th anniversary A custom ride from Zildjian. It looks like a pretty great cymbal. Haven't had the chance to try it yet though! Good luck!
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Have you tried it against the 24" K light ride? I've been lustfully eyeing that cymbal for a while, but had never considered the 22" before. I wonder how they compare.
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I haven't! I don't live near any music/drum stores so I purchased my 22 on line. I felt like a 24 is big for the gigs I play. I would enjoy hearing it though! If you get to compare the two let me know!!
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see my reply to the comment above, but i own both. i wouldn't use the 24" as my only cymbal, but i frequently do with the 22". both are fantastic, but the 22" performs better on its own than the 24". 22 has more definition and clarity to it, the 24" gets out of control pretty quickly. but every one is different, so it helps to play them side by side in person. :)
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i own both the 22" and 24".
the 24" is much more washy and dragon-breathy than the 22". i can (and do) comfortably use the 22" as my only cymbal, but not so much with the 24". if i do a hats & crash/ride setup, it's always the 22". stick definition is better, wash is a little bit lighter. the 24" gets out of control pretty quickly.
that being said, every cymbal is different, so there could be some out there that are the opposite of mine. helps to play them in person!
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Thanks! This was what I wanted to know.
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Paiste 20" 2002 ride. It's got a nice bell and works with just about any combination of other cymbals. It also has a nice wash and can be used as a crash.
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Anything medium-thin to medium in weight. Larger sizes will give you extra volume for rock, but will also be slightly lower pitched/darker which will blend with jazzier music better. I use a 24" Paiste Big Beat as my main, I typically play more rock genres but I've also used it in a jazz/concert band gig.
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Yeah I'm very interested in the Big Beats, they sound amazing. A bit concerned about volume though, I guess I could just crash ride it for louder stuff if the stick sound gets lost. Have you played the 22"? What other cymbals do you use with it?
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The ping definitely does get lost in louder music, but I crash ride almost everything anyways. Haven't played the 22", but I've played the 21" and 18" and aside from pitch, they're all very consistent in sound. The rest of my main set are all Paiste as well: 16" Prototype hats, 20" 70s 2002 crash, 20" Dimensions light ride (used as a crash), and a 20" Dimensions power china.
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I don't have one in particular but probably a 22" medium ride that's pretty dry since that's what I like.
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I've been using my 22" A Custom for 20 years now. Tried many since but haven't fallen in love with anything else yet.
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Sabian Artisan 22" Medium Ride. Jazz, Rock or Swing, it's pretty sweet.
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K 20" is the best ride I've ever owned. Not too bright, just dry enough, and you can get a nice ping or a crash out of it.
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I really like my A Custom Medium, 20". A bit of ping, strong bell, nice bit of wash when you lay into it. Perfect.
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Check out a thin Zildjian 22 K Dark Medium. End of story.
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20" A Medium
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I’m still trying to find my trapped on a a desert island ride. I’m getting close. Right now I’m enjoying a 26” Istanbul Traditional Dark Ride. If it had a tiny bit more ping and stick definition it would be perfect.
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Zildjian K 20" Custom Hybrid Ride
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I only came to this thread to see if anybody else had one. I love mine.
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Yeah dude they are great. Also have k Hybrid hats.
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I actually haven't even heard them. I have A Customs. Got them used and they still sound great with the K ride. Also have the K Custom Dark crash in 16" and a K Custom fast crash in 17". They all play very well together!
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I'll be the one to say it. 21" Zildjian Sweet Ride!