Sabian

Sabian had exhibited a new concept in cymbal design via the AAX X-Plosion line of cymbals, the AAX X-Plosion Crash being among the most popular cymbals. The Sabian AAX X-Plosion Splash follows up on the success of it's bigger relative.  

Following the old adage about cymbals sounded better when they're buried, Sabian has decided to apply the same logic to Hi-Hats. The Sabian Vault Artisan Hi-Hats are the latest product of their interminable internment infatuation.  

If you were to hear the phrase "raw bell dry ride" out of context, you might find yourself involuntarily reaching for the nearest bottle of Gold Bond. But if you were to hear that the new Sabian AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride was a hybrid-finish ride cymbal. . . you know what, don't let that keep you from the Gold Bond. That stuff always feels great.  

Greg Zeller is the guy you want to call when you're looking for enlightened conversation on cymbal construction. Here, he enlightens us about the "Modern Dark" sound, and how to achieve it using the Sabian technology that resulted in their HHX cymbal. Do not, repeat, DO NOT challenge Zeller to a trivia contest on cymbal construction, as he will beat you soundly, as it were.  

Greg Zeller may know a lot, but he still doesn't know the Secret Recipe for making Sabian Cast Cymbals. If he did, he would probably have to ride around in a black car with tinted windows and a police escort.

Meanwhile, he does know what happens to the magic lumps of mysterious metal once they're allowed into the presence of mere mortals, and that process he is happy to share with us.

 

Greg Zeller from Sabian is back, this time with the Sabian HH, or hand hammered cymbal. Greg explains why and how the hand hammering and low profile make this cymbal desirable to jazz cats worldwide. Also discussed: the undeniable allure of black turtlenecks.  

The Sabian Xs20 is made of the same bronze that goes into the B8, but the special Sabian casting process makes it affordable for your average gigging musician. If you don't believe me, listen to Greg from Sabian - he'll set you straight.  

Sabian B8 cymbals are not like those other entry-levels, you know the ones that essentially put the grill marks on there so you think it's lathed or something. No, these are the real deal, and Greg Zeller even claims they would win those frequent, smack-down A/B cymbal tests that break out in the hard streets of the city.  

Just when you think Sabian rep Greg Zeller couldn't get more profound in the overview of the Sabian AA and AAX cymbals, he whips out a cymbal blank and it's like, whoa! A giant penny someone put on a railroad track! Overcome your childish fascination with large flat discs of metal, and learn with us how they are crafted into fine musical tools.  

With one eye solidly on the national good, Sabian continues to supply the country with both hand hammered cymbals -- like the Artisan -- and jobs for all the experienced but under-appreciated hand hammerers across America. Know any?  

Robin DiMaggio has played with a veritable who's who of rock, pop and world musicians, from David Bowie and Johnny Cash to Ravi Shankar. He also has a new instructional DVD. He takes a minute with Gearwire to talk about Sabian and, in particular, some of their current cymbal prototypes.  

Q: What did one "One of 100" cymbals say to one of 99 others after being buried underground?

A: I think I've soil-aged myself!

 

Cowboy Mouth's Fred LeBlanc is one of that rare breed, the drummer / frontman. He has pared his rig down to the point that he uses one cymbal, the Sabian AAX, so he can concentrate more on working the crowd than on impressing the one or two dweeby drummers in the house.  

Justin Malinee, drummer for Carbondale, Illinois' Annihilate The Hero talks about his drums and the band's gear in general.  

Drummer David Garibaldi talks a bit about the drums and cymbals he has used over the years.  

In this first video with New York's Nightmare of You, Brandon, Joe, Michael and Ryan talk about all the gear that they use -- pretty much every piece they're bringing with them on the BANGTOUR!  

Sabian's Vault series is specifically catered towards designing new and unique sounds. The new Fierce Hats 13" designed for Jojo Mayer are the latest edition to this series.  

Sabian displayed the APX Guillotine at Winter NAMM 2008, and due to its popularity, the structure [a 12 foot tall guillotine with an APX cymbal instead of a blade] will be going on an international tour, so everyone can see.  

Sabian APX Cymbals pack that extra sharpness that out-shreds the best shred - in other words, you can still hear them nice and clear through the loudest, most complicated metal.  

The new Sabian OverRide cymbal is a limited edition cymbal made for hard rock drummer Jimmy DeGrasso who has sat on the throne for acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Megadeth. At 23", this cymbal is pretty gigantic, which is probably why there's only a limited edition run of 200 of these things. That's a lot of bronze.  

What do Sabian's APX cymbals have in common with a jackhammer? They both cut through hard rock! Someone play me a stick -- with Sabian's new APX series if possible.  

Aside from its sun-like sleek looks, the new Sabian Chopper cymbal is definitely an interesting instrument to add to your percussion section. Used and praised by the likes of Mike Portnoy, Will Calhoun, and Rodney Howard,...