Buying the WEIRDEST Cymbals

IG: / davidraouf
Support on Patreon: / rdavidr
Music used (background & playalongs)
www.epidemicso...
Gear Used (affiliate links):
Wuhan Koi Conical China (Dark):
imp.i114863.ne...
Baldman Percussion Junk Hat:
reverb.grsm.io...
14" Sabian AAX Zen Effects:
imp.i114863.ne...
Sabian HHX Anthology Hihat top:
imp.i114863.ne...
Spiral Crash (this one is a 10" Zildjian. I used a 15" Domain in the video):
imp.i114863.ne...
Sabian Rocktagon:
reverb.grsm.io...
24" Zildjian Gong:
reverb.grsm.io...
Sticks/Implements/Hardware:
Vic Firth Freestyle 5b Drum Sticks:
imp.i114863.ne...
Vic Firth Dreadlocks:
imp.i114863.ne...
Vic Firth T1 Timpani Mallets:
imp.i114863.ne...
Vic Firth Rubber Tips:
imp.i114863.ne...
Vic Firth VKB5 Beater:
imp.i114863.ne...
Roc n’ Soc Drum Throne:
imp.i114863.ne...
Tama Road Pro/ Iron Cobra Hardware:
imp.i114863.ne...
Mics:
Pair of Slate ML-1 (as overheads):
imp.i114863.ne...
Austrian Audio CC8 (as rooms):
imp.i114863.ne...
Earthworks DK7 Drum Mic Kit:
imp.i114863.ne...
Lewitt DTP 640 REX Bass Drum Mic
imp.i114863.ne...
Shure SM57 (snare bottom):
imp.i114863.ne...
Austrian Audio Hi-X60 Headphones:
imp.i114863.ne...
These are some of the WEIRDEST cymbals I've ever seen... The further you go down the drum rabbit hole you end up finding stuff like this! Last time we looked at the Zildjian Raw Crash, Gong Sheet, 22" Flat Bosphorus cymbal blank, another unknown cymbal blank, and a set of 16" hihats I had modded. Well those hihats werent weird enough for you all so this time I got a set of Baldman Percussion Junk Hats and a 14" Sabian AAX Zen Effects cymbal to use as a hihat top. Plus I got a Sabian Rocktagon, Wuhan Koi Conical China, a 24" Zildjian Gong type thing, and a Spiral Crash! All of which are just a bit weird...
Buying MORE of the WEIRDEST Cymbals I Could Find

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@bwgrindle]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@BST-lm4po]

Wuhan's best line of cymbals, the 'Western Style' cymbals, are made from a B20 alloy and are a good cymbal! It's better than any of the big name cymbal manufactures budget cymbals. I have a set. The crash and the high-hats are great! The ride is acceptable.

[@chrishtmusic]

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

[@johnschisler5381]

Those spirals, I've seen them placed over another cymbal like a crash, so they don't dangle like that, and when you hit the crash the spiral pops up.

[@drumswithatom]

The spiral one is crazy hahahaha Btw what do u think of my CrapStack bro??

[@Drumsholic]

At this no bell zildjian cymbal china like if you close the hole you can use it for cooking pies in the oven or fried potatoes...lol sounds good at last...

[@clayfoster8234]

8:12 peak ridiculousness lol

[@MikeLumer]

I just got myself a full setup of Koi's... probably gonna be replacing my live Sabian set! Leave the HHx's and Paragons at the home studio! Cheers from Falls Church!!

[@anthonylatrace3445]

That trash hat adds killer “clap” on the 2/4!

[@PYROWORKSTV]

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

[@thabaldwookiee1692]

I liked the sound of the China but I guess I'm weird I loved the Rocktagon the best. Out the two high hats if the Sabian had those little metal disc's inside it I could maybe see using it as a bottom hat for a weird sound.

[@destubae3271]

The first one almost sounds like multiple cymbal recordings spammed at once with the flange effect it has

[@TheBernardMarx]

That zen effects cymbal on the backbeat was lit

[@hansolo12p27]

0:55 new knocked loose sample??

[@miguelfranca3620]

That China gong sounds a bit like Simon Phillips swish knockers. He says his are different from all others but this may be it.

[@kunaikai]

The junk hihat is low key pretty great for back beats

[@iTeachMyToast]

Saw that spiral on a recent Snarky Puppy song, was wondering what it was

[@DeathMetalDuelist666]

All the locals in my area seeing that China portion trying to figure out which part they want to rip off

[@McCavity2]

This traschcan-rattler actually sounded quite nice 😂

[@SphinxKing101]

The spiral cymbal I think was meant to be used as part of a cymbal stack, I could be wrong though. Also, I wonder how it would sound as part of an an auxiliary high hat setup🤔.

[@ultimatedriversofmachinery]

That back beat was only thicker on the effects hat because your timing on the weight of the wood metal hat was to much to figure out in the time you had to play with it

[@davidsmolenski9796]

There’s also the Zildjian gong sheet

[@Em-ws2tr]

You can find KZbin clips of Louis Cole use a rocktagon as a ride.

[@sethfelter871]

I feel bad you paid that much for a sabian.. ha. In my drum Corp days, I stayed with the grandson of the Canadian Sabian cymbal distributor. Wonderful people.. I showed up with a Zildjian t-shirt on

[@dakotaharris9513]

i would throw the spiral on a regular cymbal, get a stack vibe, but cooler

[@mauriciom.2018]

Great, now I need that China 🙃

[@theflint7692]

Rocktagon is a great ride, instead of "ping" it goes "tank"

[@poindextertunes]

words just come outta this guys beard

[@lorenzohunt6208]

You can’t play a spiral without fighting off a snake

[@coolguyhino92]

1st one looked like a metal sombrero

[@Punnbelievable]

Hey David, how do you get that bass drum sound? I really like it

[@johnlagoss5932]

I wondered where JC got that spiral cymbal

[@bpdrumstudio]

Love your content Dave I wonder what the Sabian top part of the crazy symbol would sound like without the ratings on it and use it as a possible China what do you think?

[@jeffreyparish8393]

THE TUNA SNARE

[@stonesec]

spiral crashes seem like they're purely for using as a cymbal stack lol

[@joethompson79]

I'm not a drummer, but if I were, I don't think I'd be content unless my set had a few weird cymbals with it.

[@ChaosPootato]

1:25 I can see the stank face under the massive beard

[@_tayp8850]

Welcome to the world of marching band

[@badlighting]

I really liked the trash bins

[@nicholasselby4645]

I’m like 90% sure that the Spiro symbol is meant to be used as a stack 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

[@yep-that-happened]

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

[@scottoclark3637]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!!!!!!!!!

[@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.

[@Uncle_Drywall]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@NoStupidItsManbearpig]

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

[@jackchase79]

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

[@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

[@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

[@edmundbarrington6737]

you should turn a bass drum into a snare drum...

[@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.

[@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

[@lhadrummer5756]

You need to buy the pearl president drums

[@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 :)

[@grayhefe5989]

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

[@caryd67]

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

[@Espo97734]

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

[@Torn_Shoe]

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

[@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! :)

[@crymeslv.1893]

The china looks like a sombrero, I like it

[@footlongrat2755]

5:20 goofy ahhh cymbal 🤓🥸

[@whisper9539]

The spiral sounds like a china

[@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'

[@ultimatedriversofmachinery]

You play like a generic backing track

[@taylormorris4482]

Anybody know what song he's playing along to at around 2:30?

[@Amongustrollfacething]

Peace of mind by boston

[@absurdides]

Bottom of the junk hat as a stand alone cymbal. Just saying. ;) Enjoyed the vid, keep up the great content!

[@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!

[@ka0nashi960]

The spiral crashes have changed my playing for the better. The thing is Sabian were making this way before Zildjian, and the Sabian ones are way better. They’re heavier and sound more lush than the Zildjian, which is more trashy and abrasive.

[@ultimatedriversofmachinery]

Quit victimizing yourself for buying cymbals to make a video you chose to make

[@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

[@lochlanrivers1021]

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

[@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 👍

[@loginnamejon]

I don’t make KZbin videos but I imagine that the editing can be harder than the actual content. David does an awesome job with editing the audio and video together. You can have good content but poor editing and lose viewers.

[@TruthNTime]

That Zildjian Gong is Junk. I see no practical use for that limited, quiet sounding cymbal/gong/flying saucer.

[@fastfrank-ca1936]

Hello Dare, 👋 rdavidr, I think you always do a great job and are very diligent & passionate about your Videos. Your not a bad drummer either. I have Drum Shop envy, it is Da Bomb 💣! To many Haters out there. They should try to do what you do effortlessly, they would Shut Up and leave you alone forsure...Keep up the Good 👍 Work and keep those video's coming. I'm the bashing does Not bother You considering who it's coming from. When somebody F- bombs me or Ashl bombs me I take it as a complement considering who it's comming from ! Best of Health to You & " The Crew "...Best Regards...FastFrank-CA 😎

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Ah, yes. The "gimmick" cymbal. I remember the Rocktagons from the 80's. They were a staple of the "show kit". Those huge double-bass drum sets where the drummer played all night in 4/4 and on the same three drums (usually associated with hair metal acts). The Rocktagons, usually in matched 16" form, were front and center on boom stands. The rest of them...meh. The only useful one was the china. At least that had a usable sound.

[@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.

[@iamanevilgenius792]

I have a friend who has a special 32inch china cymbal, custom built for his drum set. My friend’s uncle works at a cymbal factory and he got this unique cymbal for his birthday.

[@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

[@beast_of_burden7762]

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