Cymbals

Types of drum cymbals

A popular way to stock up on cymbals for your drum kit is to buy a set. If you don't yet have advanced knowledge of the purpose and specifications of individual cymbals, a ready-made set is a safe choice. A cymbal pack contains three basic types:

• Hi-hat - actually consists of two cymbals, the distance between which can be controlled with a pedal. The hi-hat is the basic rhythm cymbal. It usually comes in relatively small sizes, e.g. 13” or 14”.
• Ride - the largest cymbal in a basic kit (often over 20”), usually also used to play the rhythm, but offering a gentler sound than the hi-hat. The character of the sound produced is also closely tied to where you strike it with the stick.
• Crash - is certainly the most spectacular cymbal. It offers the greatest attack and the longest decay. We use it most often to add an accent to the rhythm, emphasize key fragments, or crown an entire musical phrase or drum solo. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from 13” up to even over 20”.

Experienced drummers often decide to add effects cymbals to their kit, complementing the sound with more elaborate tones. This mainly refers to cymbals such as:

• China - a cymbal serving a function similar to a crash, mainly for accents. It has a very characteristic loud, trashy sound. Average sizes are 16-18”, but you will also find much smaller versions.
• Splash - a good addition for drummers who like to angle their cymbals forward while playing. This type of cymbal produces a distinct, short sound that works well, for example, for building melodies on the drums. This category often includes bell-type cymbals, which give the effect of a high, long-ringing bell.
  
  

Polmuz and Turkish Cymbals cymbals

Polmuz cymbals from the Hel, Pomerania, Rudis, and Classic series are hand-hammered in Turkey from B20 bronze, and alongside them we also carry Turkish Cymbals, made in that same centuries-old tradition.

Which drum cymbals should you choose?

How do you choose drum cymbals when the range on offer is so huge? First of all, it's worth taking the manufacturer's brand into account. The company's reputation alone is something of a guarantee of good quality and durability for its products.

When searching for the right cymbals, you should definitely take into account the type of material they are made from. The two main metals used in the production of drum cymbals are brass and bronze.

Brass drum cymbals offer rather low-quality sound and aren't very durable either. That's why they're considered a typical budget option. You'll often find cymbals made from this metal alloy in kits for beginners.

Bronze comes in several alloys from B8 to B20. These two specifications are also the most popular, although between them there are a number of other, less commonly used variants (e.g. B10, B12). The general rule is that the higher the number in the designation, the better the quality and sound of the cymbal. 

It should be kept in mind, however, that higher-end cymbals are more delicate. This is why B20 is not necessarily the ideal choice for beginners, who may quickly damage a cymbal due to technical shortcomings. They do work well, however, in the arsenal of experienced drummers who can make full use of their potential. For beginners, we recommend the cheaper but solid-sounding B8 bronze.

If you're on a tight budget, a good option is to check out used drum cymbals. Used drum cymbals can offer very good parameters at an affordable price. Don't worry about their technical condition either - well cared-for cymbals can easily serve several users over their lifetime!

How to clean drum cymbals?

Finally, a quick lesson that will come in handy for every beginner, and perhaps some intermediate players too. How to clean drum cymbals?

As for tools, a clean cloth or a fabric kitchen towel is enough. If you don't want your cymbals to end up on the scrap heap in no time, never use rough or wire scouring pads under any circumstances! 

For many, the philosophy starts with the choice of cleaning agent. Among homemade ideas for cleaning drum cymbals, you'll find lemon, vinegar or even ketchup. Is it even worth testing such solutions? Probably not. Cleaning agents dedicated to cymbals are not particularly expensive, and they provide definitely the best results. Besides, using them means you don't risk damaging your gear.

The technique for cleaning drum cymbals is quite simple - just wipe the entire surface of the cymbal with a cloth and a suitable cleaning fluid. Work in the direction of the grooves on the cymbal's surface. Now leave the fluid on for a few minutes, then wipe the cymbal dry with a cloth. Done!