Buying the WEIRDEST Cymbals

[@rdavidr]

Yo, that china sounds insane 😮 Shoutout to everyone who has joined my Patreon! You can find my full drum mixes and unmixed stems if you are interested in joining! www.patreon.com/rdavidr

[@adriansmith3825]

@rdavidr I am from South Africa and I do play the drums but I cannot find any drum kit that’s affordable other than a mint condition Mapex Prodigy for 4500 rand, could you review the Mapex prodigy? (Original owner has 20/22” inch Zildjan ride)

[@Chillidog650]

that china is the heaviest of the hev yo

[@alanduncan1980]

@1:27 that's what I'm talkin'bout

[@l337drums9]

I have that baby, love it.

[@annasophiarobb69]

That china does actually sound pretty legit. But over $200 for Wuhan quality? If it was like half that price it would make more sense.

[@benmogs231]

You can't play a spiral without looking like you're fighting off a snake 🤣

[@TainoMoya]

Facts its hilarious 😆

[@tyraal1]

Bahahahahahahahahahaha 🤣

[@Spezifestos]

I can‘t see one without thinking of chris dave. i think they were even meant to put them on top of regular cymbal and chris made it popular as a standalone one

[@Spezifestos]

I can‘t see one without thinking of chris dave. i think they were even meant to put them on top of regular cymbal and chris made it popular as a standalone one

[@mikepalmer1971]

It did look like that. Now it’s all I can see lol.

[@RolandTheJabberwocky]

I enjoy the imagery that the spiral gives of the drummer having to actively fight his set to make music.

[@pippat73]

thats a good concept for a sci fi world

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

That China sounds phenomenal… as a sample probably, I sure as hell don’t want to mix it in a live kit with that kind of volume 😂

[@rarecrom]

FR LOL

[@mh13mini]

i own a Wuhan china. You have to hit then hard for them to open up and they are so freaking LOUD

[@ifgwelf]

It'd be good for beatdown

[@MadCritter]

Try mixing the 27 incher they have… own one myself

[@Skeleton_Dork]

Unless you play scrapyard serial killer metal or some shit

[@drivingtennessee4926]

I was just randomly wondering what happened to the Sabian Rocktagon crash the other day. I always remembered seeing them at drum shops in the 90s never saw anyone actually using one.

[@devinvenne]

A guy I sold a set of hi hats to actually had one on his kit. First time I'd ever seen it, confused me a lot lol

[@highergrounds8018]

I have one! Very loud and heavy crash!

[@McCormickfarrier]

I worked in a music store in the early 90´s, of course we had one in stock and EVERYBODY wanted to check it out.... and THAT is why nobody wanted it, I can tell you 🤣

[@brutesquadbbq2268]

Every music store I remember from the 90’s had a Clocktagon. Just a Rocktagon with clock hands mounted in the hole 😂

[@IrishStoner]

last i saw they were coming back into stores

[@fallenshallrise]

I'm sad to admit that as a kid, when I went to buy my first real cymbals new from the music store I was taken in by the gimmicks and bought both a 16" Roctagon AND a 16" black Paste Colorsound crash. If they had that spiral thing I probably would have bought that too.

[@fleatactical7390]

Nothing gimmicky about either of those, son. Both are amazing!

[@coreyw5981]

Ew i hate colored cymbals. Some people care so much about look over sound that they'll but a whole damn set of those

[@user-fx4hp2em8s]

@@coreyw5981 i think they look cool but i don't like the sound of those sets enough to buy one (from the ones i've heard at least). plus it'd be weird to have just ONE cymbal thats colored if you got it just for the sound

[@jbro2780]

@@fleatactical7390tbh i think they sound amazing but i do think that if u were a kid and bought that and u grew up it may not be the sound that u like

[@yep-that-happened]

My dad had a band saw in his shop. Every cracked cymbal I ever had eventually got turned into a Rocktagon.

[@joeovermoe2124]

With the junk hats, you can get a pretty cool reverse sound by spinning the bottom part (trash can lid) and then closing the top part down on it.

[@blujay9191]

That was fun. I would have loved to see if the spiral cymbal could walk down the stairs.

[@johncollins5552]

It made me laugh everything you went to crash it although it looks like a piece of scrap it sounds ok ish... Looks like it would shred sticks in short order! I forget what the springy slinky cymbal is called....

[@seatspud]

Alone or in pairs?

[@felsinferguson1125]

@@seatspud Who knows, but I bet it makes a slinkety sound... :)

[@ZizZap4]

Honestly I actually really like the trash hi-hat. It's a sort of hi-hat/snare/shaker blend in terms of sound and it works well on the backbeats.

[@MindboxHost]

Same. I think it would sound great in funk or hiphop music.

[@scottoclark3637]

The Wuhan Conical had a great sound. That would be a great MIDI sound for an electronic drum set.

[@LostInPripiat]

Next project: Make the Rocktagon round, and see how much the sound changes.

[@jimjordan4345]

What a novel idea!!!

[@niekesselbrugge1132]

Pretty much would be a regular 16” crash i guess. Or a smaller ride. I dont expect it would have a sound that is different from regular rides or crashes

[@alee0426]

@@niekesselbrugge1132 that's crazy

[@RobertWrightOneManCovers]

He missed the boat on that rocktagon. I've got several thousands of dollars in Paiste, Zildjian, Sabian, and Meinl cymbals, and my 18" Rocktagon is easily in my top 3 for any studio project.

[@CommanderNewton]

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

[@ericstearns170]

I've owned (and used) my Rocktagon since 1984. I LOVE it, loud, brash and super versatile. Crash - check, China when inverted - check, Secondary ride - check, Symphonic for swells - check. Gil Moore of Triumph use to use these exclusively in his live set-up.

[@rasslebaby]

It’s really neat how on the flat gong-ride, the “bell” is technically the bend at the edge. I just think that’s so neat to me.

[@joeday4293]

It's actually got a great glassy ride sound, too.

[@Aeduo]

If I had to guess I imagine that's where it has the most rigidity? I wouldn't know the physics for why that produces the different sound though. I don't really know anything about drums, either, haha.

[@fochefi752]

I just started to play the drums because you are so good at it thank you

[@rdavidr]

thats awesome to hear!

[@TruthNTime]

That spiral cymbal actually sounds good, it's sort of a hybrid of a splash and a china mixed. Crisp with a fast decay. I like it but it seems like it would be kind of hard to always get a clean hit on it though?

[@lapin-rouge]

YES, I use the Zildjian K 17 Special Dry Trash Crash on my electric kit and listening to that I was like, "wow that sounds really familiar..."

[@Wumbo_the_Mumbo]

You can kinda see in the video he tries to hit it and it's swinging away from him.

[@malthuswasright]

I remember seeing one in use (possibly Nubya Garcia's band at the Proms last year) - looked like it needed some practice to get used to. Sounded great though.

[@teejay1646]

Maybe springs on top and bottom at low tension?

[@jbro2780]

what ive mainly seen them used for was for stacks which give the stack a crispy and jingly tone

[@Uncle_Drywall]

Seeing you fight that spiral splash is the best thing I've seen all morning. 🤣 Another great video nonetheless! 👏

[@NoStupidItsManbearpig]

The wooden chain hit hat had such a unique sound. Love it!

[@bwgrindle]

Great cymbal video. But what I liked the best was the way that kit sounded. Its great!

[@gargangrg2116]

The first one is brutal, and this doomy sludgy part is insane !

[@UPdan]

If anyone is auditioning for a rock band and play like David just did, you will get the gig. Solid time and perfect for moving the music.

[@rcjd7834]

The spiral cymbals make amazing stacks by the way, I think that may be their intended purpose

[@JohnD72277]

I remember Zildjian offering the spiral like that, and then years later the stacker came out. I always wondered if it was exactly the same thing or if some changes were made.

[@nicorosbergbeatlewishamilt3890]

We used one of those spiral cymbals in our WGI winning indoor percussion show (I played rack percussion for that season). It was called spring theory. Get it. It’s a spring. The show went through the seasons. From a raging blizzard, to beautiful spring, to spring storms. Ending with a bit of “here comes the sun.” It was really cool but a pain to transport from show to show

[@jackchase79]

More breakdowns please! I wanna see everyone pick up change, windmill and stage dive!

[@jedialf99]

My high school marching band back in the late 90’s used the rocktagon as ride/crash for the snare line. I think was more for visual effect than anything

[@tuskedbeast]

I think all those sounded really musical and cool. Loved seeing you crack up trying to actually land a blow on the spiral thingy, and the assault segment was also rather hilarious. Great video, David! :)

[@miloshk11]

Is it weird that i like how almost everything he uses sounds…? Like the only time any of the items he says sounds off in any video, i almost always enjoy the sound. Maybe im just used to literal garbage😂

[@presterjack9764]

The magic of recording and mixing means it's not going to hurt your ears like it would in real life

[@fleatactical7390]

@@presterjack9764 Yeah, I'm thinking these sounds have been... attenuated a bit for our ears.

[@maffooo2040]

@@presterjack9764 also the magic of being a good drummer

[@eusevis]

The spiral crash sounds insanely good.

[@modellking]

But it looks so shitty to play

[@eusevis]

@@modellking yeah this is true 🤣

[@samueljacob5399]

@@modellking i have one and i mount it on top of a trash crash whenever i use it, makes a very good dry sound

[@randyroberts4855]

That spiral crash would make a great top cymbal on a stack of some sort!

[@SaltWaterDrums]

I've definitely seen them used for that!

[@01gtlimited]

I also recently saw a video of someone with one nested inside a pair of hi-hats! Unsure if the center hole was resting down with the bottom cymbal or tightened up against the top

[@MrAPCProductions]

Played in high school and a little after, these videos and the rebuilding the cheap sets with good heads was my life 20 years ago. What does it sound like when... insert random material into or about a cymbal stand, was life. Happy to see this type of life exist in the world still.

[@caryd67]

I actually like the sound of that Zildjian gong-thingy.. makes a cool secondary ride/crash

[@fibboobbif]

That Sabian crash ride looks like a refurbished broken cymbal. And the Zildjian Gong looks like they could use it in the kitchen for Chinese Paella ;-) And that chain hi hat sounds pretty funny.

[@RolandTheJabberwocky]

Honestly that junkhat would be a great add on just for its crash. Adds a lot to the backbeats, but not much after that.

[@msnrc]

Knowing that this is not a death/techical metal channel I was about to write a comment that this china should be tested in a metal breakdown, but now I hear that you just didn't dissapoint :)

[@lochlanrivers1021]

Those spiral crashes are really good for using as the top of a stack. As they conform to mostly any cymbal shape

[@mal2ksc]

The Slinky-cut cymbal sounds way more useful than I thought possible, although it suffers horribly from not being in the same place every time you swing at it. The chain and trash lid contraption does fatten a backbeat, but it's very much a one-trick pony. The hi-hat with the jingles reminds me a bit of putting a tambourine on your hi-hat clutch, meaning it still has the usual range of expression of a hi-hat, although not a particularly captivating one. I think it might just be too thin for the job, but fundamentally not a bad idea. It might be worth homebrewing one to see if you can do it better.

[@peaceboogie]

Really fun to hear the drums at 1.5x speed for break beats. Pretty mind-blowing sound

[@ProfessorChocolateCake]

5:41 I have a spiral crash and they definitely have more than just one sound. You can make millions of sounds with them!

[@kasieclark6673]

I’m a string instrument player and I love watching your videos I’m really enjoy the different sounds that come from different gear and have gotten a lot of new inspiration for songs so thanks and keep up the great work

[@shobhitsushobhan]

The way you bring about variations around the set even with new and weird things is really impressive, just want to become a drummer just like you one day

[@BerenCamlost666]

I love how you find different kinds of music that fits with the different kinds of cymbals, you make them sound great! (except the hihats, sorry for your expenses on those)

[@perryboucher2946]

A few orchestra bands and symphonies I played with used that flat zildjian gong, it was always referred to as a "tam tam" I don't know if that's a generic term for gong or if that's the name of the flat zildjian thing. Either way it sounds awesome as a gong. And side note sabian makes these two and calls them "zodiac gongs'

[@tobynsaunders]

I've never seen your channel before, but KZbin recommended it, and then you had me laughing when you played that spiral cymbal, so, I subscribed. Thanks for sharing.

[@AaronTremblay]

Been binging your channel recently after getting served your videos in my feed. Really enjoy your content! I’ve been a drummer for 27 years now (feel old typing that) but doing it very part time these days. Kids and work take the vast majority of the priority and time these days, but I’m living vicariously through all your drum videos! Loving the content, thanks!

[@Torn_Shoe]

Mom: Where's my bank card? Me in my room: 9:21

[@NatiiixLP]

I know absolutely nothing about music, but I love watching these videos, and I think they all sound... pretty interesting

[@jeffrittenour8202]

Mannnn this brings me back to being a teenager and getting stoked on finding some weird effects cymbal on craigslist for super cheap, meeting up in a parking lot, running home, playing it, being fucking disappointed and trying to convince myself that i'll use it, and then ultimately taking it down and throwing it on the stack of B-squad cymbals in my closet. I think every drummer can relate.

[@brutesquadbbq2268]

Nice! Comment featured in an rdavidr video! I have seen those spiral crashes stacked onto other cymbals, could be a fun thing to play with

[@mikerophone235]

Great video David. I'd like to shout out Billy Martin from Medeski, Martin and Wood for using a spiral cymbal, he was the first person I saw ever use one. Peace

[@tblev97]

"I'm never going to use these cymbals" *pulls out the sickest ride*

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Cymbals were vaguely interesting but your kick and snare tones in this vid are sublime my friend.

[@denizbluemusic]

3:35 many early drummers of dance orchestras, especially those of bigger bands like duke ellington's sonny greer and vic berton of the paul whiteman orchestra had very extravagant drum kits with complete with gongs, timpani, a set of many temple blocks, mallet instruments and sometimes even a set of tubular bells in the back.

[@michaelkearney2186]

The first china sounds awesome. The junk hats have a cool backbeat “ handclap “ sound but that’s it. I like the spiral crash because you can hit on the down and the upstroke

[@L0CV5T]

I did not expect david to absolutely beatdown on that koi china. Thats was awesome with the guitar and bass

[@The_Mister_E]

The bell of that China sounds like it would be great for rolls, the rocktagon sounds awesome when hit on its edges, the 24' gong has amazing tonal variety depending where it's hit, and the Zen sounds like if a tambourine and a high hat had an estranged love child.

[@lhadrummer5756]

You need to buy the pearl president drums

[@Espo97734]

The zildjian gong cymbal kinda sounds like those big swish knockers that Simon Phillips uses and havent been made in like 40 years

[@tiffanygordon9950]

The junk hats look like something Oscar the Grouch would play if he ever decided to jam.

[@pcrudge]

Love the trash can chains on the backbeat, would be really cool with a hip hop beat, I’d like to hear what it sounds like on the off beat as well. Would be a nice option as a second hats / specific effect for a song but it would have to be a whole lot better to replace real hats. The chimes on the other set would drive me mad bouncing around the place as you move about the hat, maybe I’d try them in the bottom to see if that’s any good. Not a bad sound but limiting, also just sticking a tambourine on the hats sounds pretty similar, bonus being you can take it off easily. I’ll vote for the bin and chains but neither of these are versatile enough to be used as your only option. Best thing about it though is for the price of a clutch and som junk you’re off, free really… Cool video, thanks 👍

[@chrishtmusic]

the wood and chain hi-hat is like nothing i’ve ever seen or heard before, very cool idea!

[@tylerdukart3162]

Subscribed because you spent so much for our entertainment... Cool video! Very neat use of odd cymbals, you make them sound awesome!

[@blakeneal7205]

I thought you were just messing around with that spiral cymbal to see what kind of sound you could make, but DANG i wasn’t expecting that groove. Instant stank face from me. Rock on, my dude

[@anthonygillette]

Tapping that gong could make for great psychadelic music. Very sparkly

[@tb7077]

That giant Zildjian lathed hole gong thing is screaming to be a giant wall clock. That one in particular was na aa sty.

[@mohdamiruddinsulaiman1383]

Yes! A new video! RDAVIDR never disappoints

[@viktormuerte]

The spiral crash and the junk hats would be great for percussionists imo.

[@vandavis2182]

I love the zildjian gong I would use as a China. Very awesome and happy drumming David.

[@uber_stuber]

with that spiral cymbal, i've mainly seen that as a layer piece placed on top of another crash or ride cymbal

[@shadow105720]

That spiral crash is just begging to be stacked. Actually all of these weird cymbals are. A whole new series.

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

that's some super tight drumming, bass drum patterns are cool too.. i played guitar and other instruments for decades but getting more in to drums recently, it struck me that you are great basically!

[@PYROWORKSTV]

Like how you tried to make the spiral work - great job and play! :D

[@MegaEmmanuel09]

Not you attacking the spiral 😭😭 And yeah, at least the name for those Junk Hats was accurate

[@jomamastool]

That snare just sounds way too delicious... It's almost completely distracting me the funky cymbals 😂

[@footlongrat2755]

5:20 goofy ahhh cymbal 🤓🥸

[@atmghst7112]

I LOVE THAT SNARE OMG

[@360.Tapestry]

people come to hear the different drum sounds, but i keep coming back for his different groove stickings.... need to steal some of these

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

My fave 2022 vid of yours yet!!!

[@FLmanHardcoreMusic]

The China had an awesome sound to it, it'll fit well for metal or punk. The Sabian hi hat sounded good for a groove beat.

[@twistedviewlabs]

1:18 extremely brutal breakdown for no reason

[@weksheddweller]

The "Slinky" cymbal honestly sounds pretty dope. Always wondered how they sounded like.

[@piccalillipit9211]

FROM 1:00 onward that first one sounds AMAZING

[@nathanielnicholson559]

Junk Hats... truth in advertising. I love sounds in general, but that noise cold have cost nothing with a visit to the trash can. That gong and the Wuhan sound pretty awesome, but my favorite part was watching you with the spiral. You looked like "this is absolute Hell, but I just... can't... stop. I will be VICTORIOUS".

[@spwitti7232]

I've seen spiral cymbals used at the top of a stack. Kinda cool visually. Not sure about the sizes though. Big ones probably won't be that "springy".

[@beast_of_burden7762]

Hey Dave, I was wondering, how do you remove metal washers from tension rods? Love your work!

[@_sandy_]

the plywood/trashcan lid actually sounded kinda good at 8:13-8:18 with that specific combination of other stuff and the track at least

[@silhy37]

O man that "Sombrero" sounds amazing (1:03). Thick as heavy duty hand made tortillas.

[@BretCahill]

The rocktagon actually sounded really good to me. Definitely my favorite of this lot

[@multipleerrors3037]

that first wuhan china sounded great, probably the best overall. Runner up has to be the junk hi hats which I expected to be terrible & gimmicky but actually produced some surprisingly useable sounds, still very specialized though & definitely not a replacement for regular hats, but probably good as a second pair.

[@Gavynnnnn]

I’ve actually seen that same set of hats in person at a local drum shop, they’re uh, _interesting_ to say the least

[@go-away-5555]

I actually love the sound of that chain hi hat thing

[@Stgpop]

the decay on that spiral is beautiful!

[@clayfoster8234]

8:12 peak ridiculousness lol

[@Lkease]

i remember talking to one of the guys that make those trash hats at PASIC, one of the cooler things he did was spin the bottom hat as he played and it gives it a cool crescendo effect.

[@CNder77]

I love the sound of that rocktagon, nice and bright. Thanks for posting these videos, I’m subscribing :)

[@crankygunreviews]

the chain trash can lid Hi-Hat reminds me of one of the trash monsters in Elmo in Grouchland lol

[@snrb3]

JAJAJAJJAJAJAJAJA THE 6:39 IT'S SOMETHING I WOULD'VE DONE, TOOO hahahahah, first time and found your channel and clearly getting a new subscriber here, great videoo

[@grayhefe5989]

1:40 That looks like a cymbal in a PS2 guitar hero game

[@HA11EYS_COM3T]

junk hat would be good as an aux hat simply for the pedal sound, could be used in conjunction with the snare to thiccen it up, or just to add a little anticipation from the sound of the chains striking the bottom... thing... before it's actually fully closed.

[@bak1358]

That China belongs on Joey's kit. Right next to the trash can snare. Man I love the sound of his kit. RIP

[@stevebrown3955]

Thanks so much for keeping me entertained with drummer mixology!!

[@georgepoveymusic]

David! You need to check out Zultan cymbals! Amazingly cheap cymbals of really high quality. B20 made in Turkey, hand hammered and rebranded by Thomann. I have a strong superstition they come out of the Turkish/Instanbul factory as they have the same font on the bottom. You can pick up a ride cymbal for $120!