Inexpensive Crash Cymbals: Meinl Classics 18" Crash vs Paiste PST7 18" Crash

In this video, we compare two inexpensive 28" crash cymbals, the Mainl Classics 18" crash ($199.99) and the Paiste PST7 18" crash ($129.99). They both have what is considered "low-end" price points.
0:00 Intro
2:29 Audio Comparison
5:24 Conclusion
Vanilla Fudge-Ed Sullivan Show:
bit.ly/41VghLc

[@Unknown-pi6xe]

Seems to me the meinl classics and paiste pst 7 crash work in good together in this recording was there any processing done,.is my question would have liked to hear raw with no music comparison u had a very good demenstration with a song both cymbals agree seems they are both good sounding in this recording good job u play very good

[@Mikesdrumchannel-kj8qv]

With the Pst7 vs oh say 2002 you get more hammering and probably better quality lathing. Less skilled labor (artisanship? ) of course is going to result in a more expensive cymbal. Does the extra labor and craftsmanship result in a better sounding cymbal? Maybe but not by much. Now to the Meinls. I've played on Classics Custom (B12 alloy) and MB10 models that I thought sounded as good as any 2002. Maybe better. Personally, I've never heard any of the PST series that really sounded good. I don't know if you did any post work on the audio but I do know that you used some pretty good mics. Those cymbals sounded "good" and even the best cymbals are going to sound bad with low quality mics. BTW I've noticed (or maybe just imagined?) that Paiste 2002 alloy cymbals usually don't really sound good until played played as part of a drum kit.

[@ivanbajovic3476]

Cool. They fit together in music perfectly.

[@vincegomez1212]

Thanks for the video. I picked up used pst7 16" and 18" crashes for $100 and they get the job done. They are not as nuanced as the 2002 big brothers but when playing louder they work great!

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Agreed!

[@earldrum]

First off, I love your drumming. The fact you live in NJ means we could have passed each other in my young music career, being I’m from the Long Branch and Asbury Park part of Jersey. I loved the video on Shorefire Recording. I visited that studio in the 80s trying to get session work. Anyhow, cymbals. I have played all the major companies! I agree, there are some great lower line cymbals to sound awesome. The Paiste PST7 is similar, but different than the 505 line in the 70s and 80s! I love that B8 alloy sound today and back in the day! Paiste does B8 best! PST 7 are a lesser quality 2002! But great cymbals! Keep doing what you do! You are an excellent drummer!

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

First off thank you sooo much for the kind words! So cool that you're also a Jersey Shore Dude! I used to live in LB back in the early 80's. I had an apt. on 3rd Ave right by the post office. My band, Line Drive, used to play every weekend at Scruple's on Broadway. Man those were the days!! Yea Shorefie has been around for quite a while. Really love recording there. Joe is a great guy as well as a superb engineer. He's great to work with. We may have crossed paths....wouldn't surprise me. Anyway, yea I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the PST7 18" crash.....especially given the price. Also, I still have my Paiste 20" 2002 ride. Love that cymbal....very versatile and I use it for everything except rock and a large funk band with horns. When I need volume I go to my Sabian 22" heavy ride. t has a ping that cuts through everything. Regardless, I hope we do cross paths at some point! Thanks for posting!

[@earldrum]

@@thecreativedrummer5546 thanks for writing back. I remember seeing Line Drive a few times in clubs and restaurants. You guys always played some interesting songs other bands didn’t touch. We moved to S FL in 2001 so my Jersey gigging days stopped at 40 years old and are past me. But visit family and friends often in NJ. My music career in NJ was lots of club dates and weddings during 20s and 30s. I also did some original music in the Contemporary Christian Music scene in late 80s and 90s. I really got the recording bug so I built a studio in my home and then move to S FL! I had to essentially start over with musical connection in another state! But it’s been fun meeting great musicians here in S FL. Anyhow, most of my drumming is in churches and on my KZbin channel. It’s amazing that this video platform allows me to still meet great drummers and share my art! I really enjoy your drumming. Maybe we can chat sometime about music. I like the way you break down drum parts … keep up the great work.

[@davidwak680]

For me I need B 20s because I play a lot of semi acoustic music with brushes and hybrid sticks and I find these cymbal lines just don't have enough dimension or nuance for that type of playing. It would be different if I only used sticks I think

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

You bring up an interesting point. I think I should've made it more clear that these lower-end cymbals are fine for rock or any higher volume music. What I neglected to say in the video is that I have a completely seperate set of high-end cymbals that I use for lighter gigs where the music needs to be more nuanced . Recently I was playing in a situation inwhich there were several bands, and we all used the same kit that one of the other drummers was kind enough to let us all use. He had a Paiste 18" Signature Crash...their most expensive crash in that size....and it sounded absolutely stunning! Anyway, thatnks for pointing out that hiigher-end cymbals actually do make a different where the music demands more subtle shading.👍

[@davidwak680]

@@thecreativedrummer5546 Thanks for the reply. Yes, there's certainly a difference between cymbals you can just rock out on and cymbals with a large dynamic range. When I purchase crashes they have to respond to brushes or they're very limited for me.

[@bobkreizel596]

They actually sound very nice together to my ear via the recording(alternating).

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Agreed!