Sabian HH 20" Rock Ride
Group: Rides
Type: Rock Ride
Size: 20 Inch
Series: HH
Weight: ?g
Years of production: 1988* - ?
Sound file: unknown
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: (This review is for both the 20" and 22" HH Rock Rides) "Testing the cymbals both "in the lab" and on the gig revealed that the rides give a stick sound that is quite loud and penetrating initially, but that dies out very quickly. There is little to no spread, and very few overtones. I would compare the sound to a "ping ride" or "flat ride" in terms of its quickness. However the sound is much louder and one-dimensional as opposed to the delicacy that those other cymbals have. This is, after all, a rock cymbal, so what is required is a strong, clear sound, able to stand out amid lots of other sounds around it. The HH Rock Rides are certainly capable of doing that.
I must point out that I tend to see a limit in potential volume from the rides. That is to say in an unmiked situation, they will serve well up to a moderate rock club band volume. Past that, an even louder ride cymbal, such as a 21" or 22" Rock cymbal might be a better choice. But when you consider that the drummer might be miked up in situations that are louder, the HH Rock might be ideal. the lack of overtones and spread - the "dryness" - will definitely appeal to sound engineers, who can live with a loud initial attack, but hate lingering overtones and spread. This means that these cymbals will serve excellently in studio situations where loud, powerful cymbals are required, but musicality and control are equally essential."
It's always hard to describe in print the acoustic characteristics of a cymbal. I've already spoken about the dryness. To me, that means that there isn't a lot of sibilance, or "hiss," to a cymbal. I usually call that the "shimmer" in a cymbal's sound. The HH Rock cymbals don't have a great deal of that, and the rides are especially devoid of it. If you want that kind of "shimmer," these aren't the cymbals for you. However, if you prefer a cleaner, more distinct, pinpoint stick sound on a cymbal, these cymbals offer that sound to the utmost. In terms of pitch, Sabian is correct when they say that these cymbals are higher in pitch than corresponding standard HH cymbals. That's because a heavier cymbal creates a higher pitch, and these cymbals are heavier than their standard HH counterparts. They also have a higher profile and larger bell, which combine to give them their added volume and power.
It's important to note that the finish of the cymbals proved to make quite a diffference. Generally speaking, all of the characteristics of "dryness," "quick decay," "controlled sound," etc., were enhanced by the application of Sabian's Brilliant finish. Buffing down some of the tonal grooves reduces that "shimmer" I spoke of earlier on any cymbal. When that process is applied to HH Rock cymbals — which start out dry—you get a positively arid sound. For my personal taste, I preferred the cymbals with Sabian's standard finish, since they retained just a bit more "shimmer." But a drummer performing on a club or concert stage might appreciate both the added dryness and the exceptional visual appeal afforded by the Brilliant finish. Both finishes are offered at the same price, so the choice can —thankfully— be a musical, and not an economic one."
Review written by Rick Van Horn (Modern Drummer, pp. 108-109, 111 "Product Closeup", July 1988)
Artist/song where it can be heard:
Source:
(*) "New And Notable", Modern Drummer, May 1988, p.118
