Sabian HH 22" Jazz Ride
Group: Rides
Type: Jazz Ride
Size: 22 Inch
Series: HH
Weight: 2190g, 2260g
Years of production: 1992* - ?
Sound file: HH 22" Jazz Ride
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "If you ask someone at Sabian (as I did at the PAS convention, where they had a prototype Jazz Ride) if these cymbals are an attempt to duplicate the "old K" sound, they will likely tell you what they told me: "Since no one can agree on exactly what an old K sounds like, there is no point in trying to create a new one. We're just trying to make a good cymbal."
And yet, there were some general characteristics that kept you from mistaking an old K for anything else. A classic one would be fairly dry and reasonably thin, and would contain at least a few "trashy" overtones. Owing to its hand-made nature, the dents from the hammering would be very obvious.
The Sabian Jazz Rides have a pretty good complement of trashy overtones— enough to evoke images of Mel Lewis. Whether Sabian was trying for the old K sound or not, the presence of those overtones are going to mark these cymbals as descendents of that sound. When struck with a wood-tip stick (I used a Firth 8D), the definition emerges as a dry click—as opposed to a more metallic ping. The bells are somewhat on the flat side, with quite a few overtones. And the hammer marks are very obvious; the 20" we received had a particularly nasty-looking hammer dent on its bell. Fans of hand-made cymbals not only accept such imperfections, they value them.
Switching back and forth between the three cymbals, I observed something that didn't make a lot of sense at first: The 20" models sounded louder than the 22". I finally realized that it was a matter of the 22" being a bit drier. The bell of the 22" is the same size as the ones on the 20's, so that might account for it. Also, the fact that the 20's are higher-pitched could give the illusion of more volume. Whatever the reason, although I would usually choose a bigger cymbal for a bigger, louder band, in this particular case I might choose the 22" for an acoustic setting and one of the 20's for an electric situation— both because of the wider range of overtones and the enhanced cutting power of the higher pitch.
The three cymbals were very similar in character, sounding like three different versions of the same cymbal. (While that might not seem to be a big deal, it isn't always the case. Diameter change in a particular model can have quite an effect on the overall character.) In fact, it was difficult for me to pick out a favorite. If you favor dry, trashy, hand-hammered ride cymbals and are seeking one that's just right for you, Sabian's Jazz Rides area major contribution to the cause."
Review written by Adam Budofsky ("Product Close-Up - New Sabian Products", Modern Drummer, Dec. 1992, pp. 43-44)
Artist/song where it can be heard:
Source:
(*) "New And Notable", Modern Drummer, August 1992, p.124
