My FOUR FAVOURITE Ride Cymbals

Louis Sellers is a Drummer & Educator from Hampshire, UK.
What's YOUR favourite ride cymbals? Mine include:
Sabian AA 21" Rock Ride
Sabian HH 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
Sabian HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
Sabian Artisan 22" Medium Ride
For more information on Sabian cymbals, visit: sabian.com
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Mixed and edited at Anton Road Studio, UK. Audio captured using Logic Pro X. Video edited in Final Cut Pro.
#sabian #ride #drums

[@louistotalcontrol]

Enjoy the video and be sure to let me know what your FAVOURITE ride cymbals are!!

[@healyhurst7829]

That HH Raw Bell Dry Ride was amazing! Would definitely buy it. So much stick definition.

[@queso5566]

Me too! I think I'm gonna sell my kidneys for this hhx ride..

[@si1995gtnupe1997]

Make sure that you have the ability to listen to them before you purchase, as they differ drastically. I have a buddy that has one, and compared to mine, they have two different tonalities.

[@evanhayes5891]

I'm sure one day I'll learn what that means.

[@scotthendricks6652]

Your crashes go so well with all 4 ride cymbals. Sounds great.

[@pacificdrumma]

Years ago, Troy Wright put out a comparison video between an Omni, a Groove Ride, a Legacy Heavy, and perhaps a RBDR.. the Legacy heavy really shined as a good all around ride in the video, so I went out and found a deal on a used one. Absolutely fantastic cymbal. Pretty bright for an HHX, and pretty crashable for a heavy ride. So far my favorite to date. I play a 22” Artisan Light as a crash, and may have to find a medium to go along with it... your medium sounded very very nice.

[@louistotalcontrol]

I remember the video well and loved the overall format - only watched it again just yesterday! I think the Groove and Legacy Ride cymbals were my favourites!

[@stephentyler4352]

Hey Louis. I used to own a really great sounding 21” Sabian HHX Manhattan Jazz ride. It remains to be the one piece of gear that I regret selling the most. I would love to have another one in the future if I happen to stumble across it. It had a really nice wash and a lovely very musical sounding bell. It also just felt really good to my hands. They hit a grandslam home run with that particular model. That would have been back in the early 2000’s that I owned it. My ass is still sore. 😂

[@ontheone9559]

They are all very good I like the AA best!

[@davidbeaumont4038]

The HH raw bell ride is a dream! Played this cymbal before and is a very well balanced and musical cymbal.

[@louistotalcontrol]

Amen!!

[@ericmsandoval]

2:34 playing Incubus’ “Warning” hahaha. Jose Pasillas also got me into Sabian. These days I’m really into Mark Guiliana and Jojo Mayer when it comes to Sabian drummers. I must have at least 20 Sabian rides now. I love having the option to switch em out. Also I don’t seem to hear much of a difference between that AA Rock ride and the AA brilliant Raw Bell Dry ride I have. As for my favorite rides it would have to be: 22” HHX Omni 22” HHX Evolution 22” HHX Groove 24” AA Bash ride

[@louistotalcontrol]

You know it - guilty! Again, excellent choice of ride cymbals...we have very similar tastes :)

[@TheDayisMineTrebeck]

Great collection! I'm a Sabian guy too, but have really gotten into Istanbul rides over the last 5 years. My arsenal consists of: -20" Sabian B8 Pro Rock Ride (My first ride. Had since 1997. All articulation and zero wash) -20" Meinl Benny Greb Sand Ride (only Meinl I own. Traded a 21" AA Rock Ride for it. Articulate yet warm and dry) -21" Sabian AAX Memphis Ride (Commissioned for Memphis Drum Shop, all around med weight workhorse) -22" Sabian Legacy Heavy Ride (Big brash and crashable with a great bell) -22" Sabian HHX Shimmering 75 Ride - #72 (Made for Jack DeJohnette's 75th Birthday. Beautiful wash and tone) -22" Istanbul Agop Turk Ride (Dry but not too dry, trashy but heavy, very distinctive look) -26" Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary Ride (Just stunning in every way. Hits you in the gut when crashing) After seeing your video, I feel like I should make my own now. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@louistotalcontrol]

These are some unbelievably solid choices! Let me know if you ever post your ride video.

[@redonred0924]

At the moment, I only have two ride cymbals, which is pretty odd since I have a ton of crashes, and hats 😆😫. Everything's just so damn expensive now, I'm stuck waiting for a good deal to pop up on Guitar Center's used section, or Sweetwater, etc.. About a year ago, I ordered two SABIAN HHX Complex Rides. The 22" Thin, and the 23" Medium. The Medium Ride is okay, the bell is pretty good, but the bow is not as dry as I was hoping, a touch too "gongy" for me, and not really crashable either, unless you're playing in a setting where you can just let-er-rip, no holds barred. Overall, too expensive, and wish I would've gone with something else. The 22" Thin Ride on the other hand.. That was the unexpected surprise of the two. I really didn't have high expectations for it, as I mainly got it to serve as a crash (which it's GREAT at, btw) since I don't typically gravitate towards thin/washy rides. While practicing for an audition for the classic rock cover band I'm now currently in, I knew I was going to need to figure out a way to minimize the amount of gear I would be taking to practice, and gigs. The 22" Thin Ride answered the call. It serves as my ride, AND my right crash, which keeps me from having to bring a second crash, and by extension, more gear. It really is a dream of a cymbal, but that's not to say it doesn't have drawbacks, the main one being how washy it is. The downside to having a ride that crashes smoothely, and actually sounds like a crash, is that it's pretty thin in weight, and the wash can get away from you when you're playing on the bow if you're a heavier-handed player. It was definitely an adjustment for me, but one that's paid off drastically. Would I recommend this cymbal? Hell yes, I think everyone should have one, even if you don't use it as a conventional ride, it'd serve you just as well if you're in need of a big, badass, throaty crash As far as the cymbals in this video, I think I'm partial to the HH Raw Bell Dry Ride. Seeing as how SABIAN only made a limited number of the Todd Sucherman Sessions Ride, this seems to be the next best thing. Unless someone has a better suggestion, of course. I'm all ears!

[@FreeRPGer]

Awesome choices. My favorite is close to these. My fave is a *21" Sabian AA Metal-X.* Love the different dynamic sounds I get from one ride.

[@graytss]

I have a 21” AAX medium ride. Crashes really nicely

[@louistotalcontrol]

Dude Guy Bro Man Awesome - I’m really intrigued by the newly revamped AAX range!

[@Mc-zt7hm]

Finally picked up a Hand Hammered raw bell dry ride, and I love it. This video definitely helped me decide on it.

[@louistotalcontrol]

Perfect - enjoy!!

[@Buddythunder1]

Just nabbed a decent deal on a second-hand 21 HH RBDR, it's such a great general purpose ride with real stick definition, but some warmth too. Between that, the Legacy 22 Heavy and 20 HHX Complex Medium, I have the bases covered. Great demo, kept me panting for the raw bell to round out my collection!

[@louistotalcontrol]

Some fine choices🎉

[@SaarphireTTV]

I also play the 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride. My favourite ride cymbal so far!

[@louistotalcontrol]

Speck Sparrow Amazing - I’ve had mine for the longest time & still love it!

[@JakeStaffin]

I have 3 ride cymbals- 1. AAX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride which I bought in high school and keep at home. It is the perfect rock ride in my opinion, with a very bright but not too dry tone and a projecting bell sound. 2. AA 21" Bash Ride which I bought when I was going into college. It is an extremely versatile cymbal which crashes really nicely and works very well for jazz, funk, light rock and general lighter playing situations. 3. HHX 22" Legacy Heavy ride which I bought at PASIC 2017 as a sophomore in college. I was always hoping to buy one but wanted to hear it in person before I made the call, and I am very happy that I did. It works well for just about every playing situation from light jazz to heavier metal and I sometimes use it as a main jazz ride cymbal with the bash ride on the left side as a crash ride, but this one mostly is better suited for louder playing situations. Now that Sweetwater made a video about using drumtacs for cymbals with the Legacy cymbals as the demo models, I may pick up a pack of drumtacs and throw one under the bell of the ride just for a little more control.

[@louistotalcontrol]

Thanks for the comment, Jake! Sounds like you have a ridiculously good collection but put real thought behind the purchases. I've yet to try the AAX RBDR but, seeing as I own the HH & HHX ones, I'm sure it rocks! NEARLY bought a Bash Ride about 5 years ago but I think I went with another RBDR at the time - still, lovely cymbal! The Legacy Heavy Ride seems to be a firm favourite among the commenters on here, FB & Instagram and I'm sure there's a damn good reason why!

[@ericmsandoval]

One day I went into a Guitar Center and found a 24” AA Bash Ride BRAND NEW with a reduced price of $199. So ridiculous. Walked out of there a happy man.

[@guiltyspark343able]

All sound lovely amazing!!!

[@nealixd.3011]

I have had a Sabian AA 21" Rock Ride for a lot of years now, got it down in Memphis used with a finished bell. Have had up to 11 rides in recent years, but that one stays. Just a great classic sound. Sometimes I drop a ball chain on it for some extra sizzle. Right now, I'm holding steady at 9 rides, which are 3 Sabian, 3 Paiste and 3 Zildjian.

[@nealixd.3011]

It seems the Sabians do best for clean and musical sounding MOR pop-rock genres, the Zildjians are a little warmer for jazz and 60s rock, and the Paiste are bright, loud and cutting for Heavier Rock and Metal.

[@louistotalcontrol]

Wow, I thought I had lots of rides ;) love your choices... sounds like you have all bases covered!

[@nealixd.3011]

@@louistotalcontrol Thanks, I do love ride cymbals, no doubt. My local Music Go Round gets in some good stuff used for reasonable prices, which helps.

[@Mc-zt7hm]

Great video. I’ve been playing the 22 inch hhx Omni for a couple years now, but have been loving the sound of the hh raw bell dry ride, and I think that’s going to be my next acquisition. That being said, all four that you played sounded awesome.

[@lloydgriffiths1847]

Hey man, my favourite from your set is definitely the Artisan Medium! Seems to blend with the drums and music much better than the rest. My favourite is the 22 Legacy Heavy ride, it’s actually a medium weight like the artisan but just a different take on a similar idea. Would love to see you playing one!

[@louistotalcontrol]

Amazing - thanks for the comment, Lloyd! Charlie's comment above also recommends the Legacy series - I'm actually REALLY digging the HHX Complex ride so, if money was infinite... ;)

[@richardpugh8702]

21" AAX RBDR for me, lovely cutting tone and really complements my AA-Xplosion hats, crashes (16 Fast and 18) and splashes 8 & 11. 18" Omni or O-zone next 😉

[@bpaboyce]

Check out Sabian’s orchestral line...I play a 20” HHX French cymbal as a ride, and it’s my fave...raw bell, great definition and a nice wash on the edge. It’s normally sold as a pair but you can find individual cymbals if you keep your eyes open. I also have a 21” AA Bash ride (awesome cymbal) and a 22” AA Apollo...different, but a nice departure...

[@louistotalcontrol]

I've yet to try anything in the orchestral line but your comment intrigues me! I can, however, vouch for the AA Bash ride - I remember Ray Luzier doing the official product videos.

[@Snedd99]

A slightly odd favourite of mine is the 20" XSR Rock Ride. I have the 20" AA Rock Ride that you showed in this video, but the ping of XSR Rock Ride just feels a bit sweeter to me (oh, and the bell too).

[@luizorta]

amazing video! outstanding vibe! Thank you man for this share :)

[@louistotalcontrol]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeansebastienfranco6907]

Thanks for this great video!! May I ask what crashes you are using in this video? HHX 18 stage or studio crash perhaps? Thanks! Very inspiring!

[@louistotalcontrol]

Pleased you enjoyed the video - I have an 18" HHX X-Treme crash (with iso holes) on my left and a 19" HHX X-Treme crash on my right!

[@louistotalcontrol]

@@garrettsmith9612 Thank you kindly for watching - there are loads of nice SABIAN rides so good luck finding some you like☺️

[@thiscocks]

I have a 20" Zultan dark matter ride. Sounds similar to your HHX 21. Nice to crash also

[@louistotalcontrol]

Amazing, they make nice cymbals!

[@thiscocks]

@@louistotalcontrol Yeh sound really good and decent prices!

[@CharlieLord]

I've got all three of the HHX Legacy Rides, so those I guess

[@louistotalcontrol]

Lovely - bet they are killer!

[@Juba20110605]

Thank you Louis for the video. The AA 21 Rock ride you played, is it a brilliant finish or natural? I like this Ride, but I don’t know if is there any difference in sound between Brilliant or Natural.

[@louistotalcontrol]

Mine’s a brilliant finish - bit brighter / sharper on the ping.

[@behradiddle]

What crash are you playing in the video? Sounds nice

[@louistotalcontrol]

ChilnGun Hiya - glad you like the crashes! To my right is a 19” HHX X-Treme crash & to my left is a 18” Custom HHX X-Treme crash with Iso holes around the bell👌🏻

[@pequeno1114]

Can sabian make custom cymbals?

[@jefflyon2020]

@@pequeno1114 they will let you visit the factory and ghoose an blank to custom make, but it is costly i been told.

[@mateusxxx]

Sabian HH King and HHX Legacy Heavy Ride

[@louistotalcontrol]

The HHX Legacy Heavy Ride seems to be getting a lot of love but I'm yet to try one out... same goes for the HH King Ride!

[@litteratus5845]

Rb dry rides is most ecletic ride that exists. I have aa rbdr. Today I search one more darker for jazz

[@louistotalcontrol]

The whole RBDR range is rather nice! You could try the HHX Complex ride, any Artisan ride or HHX Manhattan Jazz ride!

[@alexkerekes4387]

What's the one difference between the hh and hhx raw bell dry ride? Also, compare that to Todd Sucherman ride...thoughts on that?

[@louistotalcontrol]

HHX is likely a tad brighter and more musical - the HH one is broader in tone and slightly darker. Not sure re. the TS ride.

[@alexkerekes4387]

@@louistotalcontrol thanks! Maybe check that one out and the hhx complex medium rides 21/22 Merry Christmas

[@alexkerekes4387]

I wanna know what heads you have on the Tom's, those things growl

[@louistotalcontrol]

Evans Clear EC2 heads on a Tama Bubinga kit!

[@alexkerekes4387]

Noice

[@alexkerekes4387]

Currently have 2 Tama kits, one is pancake kit. If you have any tips for using certain heads on that one, I welcome it

[@addthisto]

nice vid hh vs hhx, which one is more crashable?

[@louistotalcontrol]

Thank you - a thin HHX will be more crashable, like the Groove series.

[@maxwellgordon9868]

SABIAN FTW!

[@louistotalcontrol]

freddyshitberry champion amen!

[@thiscocks]

What snare is that, sounds sweet!

[@louistotalcontrol]

40th Anniversary Tama Bell Brass 🔔

[@Joshuahozias3851]

very nice! #zildjian ZBT 20"

[@ericmsandoval]

Hahaha

[@godwor848]

can you tell me what the crash is on the video ? :)

[@louistotalcontrol]

18" HHX X-Treme Crash (with Iso holes) and 19" HHX X-Treme Crash

[@manufiore7159]

Is it Medium Light Artisan 22 or medium ?

[@louistotalcontrol]

I believe it's a Medium version!

[@eldotjay]

I can now see why the artisan costs as much as it does

[@louistotalcontrol]

Amen!

[@gideonberger4374]

Hi, what are the crashes you use on this video...?

[@louistotalcontrol]

I'm using a custom 18" HHX X-Treme Crash (with Iso holes) that I made at the vault & a 19" HHX X-Treme Crash.

[@gideonberger4374]

They sound super thrashy, I love it! Thanks for answering

[@louistotalcontrol]

@@gideonberger4374 They are really quick and open up without any hassle - highly recommend☺️👌🏻

[@a5dr3]

These are all awful mate. Just thick pieces of metal you could get at any pawn shop.

[@louistotalcontrol]

Fair play - what's your favourite ride cymbal out there?

[@deejaaywalker2314]

Cymbals are like toppings on a burger. There is no wrong. There's what you like and what others like. Sometimes the sheer range is what makes it exciting to begin with, plus taste can change over time if you're open to exploring.

[@deejaaywalker2314]

@@louistotalcontrol Such a classy response. I liked your approach, explanation and playing on this video very much. I picked up a vintage 80s hollow letters Sabian Rock Ride tonight. It sits in very nicely with a mix of AAX Concept crashes, Zildjian Quick Beat hats, Sabian Hand Hammered splash, Wuhan China and Sabian Studio crash with a Ching Ring for added effect. I think I finally found a ride cymbal that was pleasing to my ears right away. The first three I saw/heard on this video were my favourites and are also worth considering to me. I'll be checking out more of your videos soon. Thanks for posting, and cheers from Canada!

[@thiscocks]

@@louistotalcontrol His fave is the lame post troll ride

[@jeromedavis8575]

So what topping would the ride cymbal be as an analogy?@@deejaaywalker2314

[@user-od2sy9jc2s]

Oktava 012?..😊

[@louistotalcontrol]

The microphone? Yes!

[@mirusso]

This may have been asked already, but what are the crashes you are using here?

[@louistotalcontrol]

I believe it’s my custom 18” HHX X-Treme crash with iso holes plus a regular 19” X-Treme crash.

[@mirusso]

@@louistotalcontrol Awesome. I have an 18" Xtreme as well. Such a rad cymbal for a fast, rich cut through the mix. Love your channel! ✌🏼