Sabian HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
Group: Crashes
Type: Manhattan Jazz Crash
Size: 16 Inch
Series: HHX
Weight: 988g, 988g, 996g, 1019g, 1069g, 1081g
Years of production: 2004 - ?
Sound file: HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
HHX 16" Manhattan Jazz Crash
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The 16" and 18" crashes were vastly different from the rides. The thin 16" crash produced a short spritz of sound. (Imagine a quick squeeze of a garden hose nozzle.) I set the cymbal to my right and smacked it at will, resulting in quick explosions and hissing decays. Sabian states that the design of the Manhattan Jazz crashes, including the pinpoint lathing process, achieves "a controlled spread." This was verified by the performance of the 16" crash.
The 18" crash possessed more sonic heft. When I gave it a good whack, layers of rich overtones blended to become what sounded like - fittingly enough - a taxicab horn reverberating through crowded city streets. The 18" reached sonic heights that the 16" simply could not. This might be counted as a plus or a minus, depending on the setting. The cymbal's tonal richness was undeniable.
I also tried using both crashes as crash/rides (as Sabian suggested could be done.) The 18" was more sufficient for quick runs, but the 16" was too flat and unexciting for my taste. Conversely, Sabian also believes that the crashes can double as splashes. I found this to be half true. The 16" offers a viable alternative by approximating the decay of a splash. The 18" is another story. One might describe its sound as "splashy", but it's simply too big and powerful to serve as a splash cymbal. In the heat of battle, I don't want to have to pull back to get a splash cymbal's traditional tiny splatter."
Review written by Will Romano ("Product Close-Up - Sabian HHX Manhattan Jazz Cymbals - Towering Darkness", Modern Drummer, July 2004, p. 31)
Artist/song where it can be heard:
