Zil-Bel

[Zildjian]

I have been looking at them for a while. I have seen a few people around here with them and I was wondering what do you guys think of them. Do they have some projection that can be herd when I am playing? Also what size would you recommend?

[Pleaseme]

6" all the way, the 9.5" or whatever it is is massiiiiiiiive. I think projection is pretty solid- they ring all over so there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Edit: Or of course, invest in a circular saw blade...

[HeLLmO]

zil bels are okay, but rather ringy, i would rather have a 6'' alchemy raw bell, LP ice bell, or just a sawblade

[al98]

Go with the 6" sounds much better, and its much lighter, the 9.5" i think seems the same wait as my ride! I'm thinking about getting it as well, but need 2 upgrade way more on the cymbals i have the now.

[Zildjian]

meh, no sawblades they have no projection, which i need. Main reason why I am considering one is I have my first gig in a week and my Avedis Medium ride bell cant get that volume I need. So you think the Zil-Bel will have what I need?

[Pleaseme]

Yeah easily, go with a 6" if you're gonna substitute your ride bell for it.
This makes me really want a Zil-Bell. Damn you.

[EchoMuse]

I have a 6", I love it, but it rings a fricken lot. Flip it don't forget when you get it, I have to put tape (no it doesnt leave residue) on the edges, but I have some regular mics that amplify my bass drum, certain cyamals, and otehr stuff...but yeah its loud enough without the tape in a live situation. =)

[MarkoTaxman]

meh, no sawblades they have no projection, which i need. Main reason why I am considering one is I have my first gig in a week and my Avedis Medium ride bell cant get that volume I need. So you think the Zil-Bel will have what I need?

Honestly, I would avoid incorporating a new instrument into your setup within a week of your first performance. I realize that this advice is less "fun," but a really tight drum performance cuts through significantly more than an average drum performance with a pronounced bell sound.

If your Avedis Medium ride bell isn't cutting through the mix, then your band is playing way too loudly. :thumb:

[Zildjian]

Honestly, I would avoid incorporating a new instrument into your setup within a week of your first performance. I realize that this advice is less "fun," but a really tight drum performance cuts through significantly more than an average drum performance with a pronounced bell sound.

If your Avedis Medium ride bell isn't cutting through the mix, then your band is playing way too loudly. :thumb:

Well my band is an instrumental band with like extensive solo's (which is so fun to play). Main reason why I need a loud bell is you cant hear it when my guitar player play's some high pitch stuff you can not hear my ride bell at all. And i wont be miced because its going to be at my school but my band mates own some loud amps

[Murd_666]

6" all the way, the 9.5" or whatever it is is massiiiiiiiive. I think projection is pretty solid- they ring all over so there shouldn't be too much of a problem.9.5 is not massive. I'd actually consider a 12". But how do you know your bell doesn't cut have heard it from a further distance, lets say 5-10 feet away from your drums?

[MarkoTaxman]

Well my band is an instrumental band with like extensive solo's (which is so fun to play). Main reason why I need a loud bell is you cant hear it when my guitar player play's some high pitch stuff you can not hear my ride bell at all. And i wont be miced because its going to be at my school but my band mates own some loud amps

Bring the amps down. Your listeners will appreciate it. The concept of "wall of sound" is totally overrated.

[Zildjian]

makes sense..But the stage is pretty small so the amps are going to be mostly in front of my kit me in so I need every little thing on my kit to cut through the amps

[VTDS_xx]

9.5 is not massive. I'd actually consider a 12". But how do you know your bell doesn't cut have heard it from a further distance, lets say 5-10 feet away from your drums?
They don't make 12" Zil Bels.
And get the 6" if you're going to get one, more focused sound and plenty loud enough.

[MarkoTaxman]

makes sense..But the stage is pretty small so the amps are going to be mostly in front of my kit me in so I need every little thing on my kit to cut through the amps

First, don't worry about cutting through the amps. What you will hear behind those amps and what the listeners will hear are not comparable. Think about the frequencies that the instruments are covering. Your bell will only share "frequency space" with the highest notes of the guitars. In other words, the bell sound will be distinct from the guitars. Regarding band volume, nail this down during rehearsals, and don't change it for the performance.

As hard as it is for drummers to accept, the ride should just barely cut through.

[Zildjian]

^^ Thanks man that makes sense, I don't think I am going get the Zil-Bell for the performance now but maybe i'l get one after its over...But My wuhan splash and IC Hi hat stand and Cobra clutch better come in before the performance, because my hi hat stand now is broken so i need that sh*t now

[Murd_666]

They don't make 12" Zil Bels.
And get the 6" if you're going to get one, more focused sound and plenty loud enough.Oh crap, I was thinking of a Sabian Ice Bell

[TormentorScott]

^^ Thanks man that makes sense, I don't think I am going get the Zil-Bell for the performance now but maybe i'l get one after its over...But My wuhan splash and IC Hi hat stand and Cobra clutch better come in before the performance, because my hi hat stand now is broken so i need that sh*t now

Other bands playing? I think you could probably borrow a hihat stand + hihat from someone. Dunno how tight your local scene is though.

[Quinto]

i thnk zil-bell is overated unless your plaing like some song thats based off some crazy icebell thing. the drums arent supposed to be the loudest, theyre supposed to enhance and contribute, but not be the song, unless your john bonham in....... "moby dick" ta ta ta-ta ta ta ta ta-ta ta ta

[VTDS_xx]

Other bands playing? I think you could probably borrow a hihat stand + hihat from someone. Dunno how tight your local scene is though.
That's what I like about my local scene. I was finished setting up and started sound checking my stuff at a show and come to find out whoever unloaded my stuff from the van, broke my snare wires. Lucky one of the drummers from the other bands loaned me his snare.

[TormentorScott]

Yeah, only thing I don't really lend out to my fellow local drummers are my crashes as they are rather thin.

Funny though, the EXACT same thing happend to me as did you VTDS.

[VTDS_xx]

Yeah, you'll always happen to lend your crash to a drummer with terrible technique and next thing you know you've got one less crash.

[TTTSNB]

I'd reccomend the 9.5", the 6" is rather overly high pitched, almost like a dinner bell.

[Double Bass Jim]

LP ice bells are a bit cheaper and sound just as good

[crolfe1]

I have both the 6" and 9.5" and I must say they project extremely well. Then again, its all about how you hit the bell that gives it maximum projection and/or ring.