Cracking Cymbals

[TheBigMachine]

So I've noticed a disturbing trend latey; in the period of around about 6 months, I've cracked three cymbals. Admittedly, they aren't quality cymbals (Paiste 303, completely ****ed; Pasite 404 with a clearly visible crack in it's rim about 3mm long; some no name 18 inch piece of scrap metal that any one would crack) but Im just wondering if this is me or my tools.

Ive done these cymbals in at school (im a boarder) so Im using my second kit. My main kit has a set of 10 or 15 year old K Customs on it that have had three owners and apart from being pretty dirty dont have a crack in sight.

What say you?

[ace76543]

how old were they?

[Carn]

ive had two 502 crashes and they were fine. Cracking cymbals -usually- is the players fault.

[dairyairman]

at least part of the problem may have to do with the cymbals. cheaper cymbals, made out of sheet bronze, crack easier than high quality cast bronze cymbals. i don't know how your paiste cymbals are made, but i do know that the higher end paistes are very good and shouldn't crack so easily.

the other thing that might be cracking them is your playing style. if you're hitting them really hard at a perpendicular angle, that could do it too.

[Sponer]

I've got several Sabian B8s that I've been playing regularly for about 4 years now.

No cracks whatsoever.

[Motleyguy]

Look at your technique, make sure you're hitting the cymbals properly, with a glancing motion. Make sure you aren't choking them on the stands (they aren't screwed on too tight).

[Aaron]

Do you set the two kits up differently?

[TheBigMachine]

how old were they?

The 303 was 4, it was a cymbal I bought early in the piece.

ive had two 502 crashes and they were fine. Cracking cymbals -usually- is the players fault.

I know, but in 5-6 years of playing (I forget exactly) Ive only just started to break them.


the other thing that might be cracking them is your playing style. if you're hitting them really hard at a perpendicular angle, that could do it too.

Yeah Im trying to get a video camera so I can have a look it. I know used to hit far to hard and I've scaled back on it a lot, but obviously not quite enough...

I've got several Sabian B8s that I've been playing regularly for about 4 years now.


Ok? The 303 I've had for four years and only recently cracked. The other two are relatively new however.

Look at your technique, make sure you're hitting the cymbals properly, with a glancing motion. Make sure you aren't choking them on the stands (they aren't screwed on too tight).


Definitely not choking them in the stands, but like I mentioned Im trying to get a video camera to see how I'm hitting. It's to hard to tell behind the kit.

Do you set the two kits up differently?

Yes. One is eight piece and the other five piece for a start. The one at school had a total of three cymbals (two of which are now cracked) and my one at home has five, with only one cracked.