Product: Sabian XS 18"
Price Paid: Euros 100
Submitted
04/05/2008
at
09:29am
by
Julgubben
Type and Construcion
:
An 18" medium thin crash cymbal at a very good quality-price ratio. It is one of those fancier alloys, I think that means 20% bronze... It's not B8 where they just try to imitate proper cymbals. I think it's natural finish, probably machine made, but check the Sabian site, I'm not sure.
Sound Quality
:
No Opinion
It is pretty damn good! I bought it because I had been craving to get an 18" to add to my basic set so I would have some more flexibility in my sound options. It responds nicely to hitting on the 'rim' with the side of the stick and a direct hit with the tip. I use nylon tip sticks, so it gets a bit more penetration I would say. The decay is, however, slower, and I think that's where this cymbal is a bit limited. One can mix it with a set of A Zildjian cymbals, but one hears difference in the decay.
The bell is also nice... gives a nice sparkling, sizzling sound so to say. However, it is small and I find it inefective to hit with the side of the stick... gotta use the tip there.
Reliability/Durability
:
No Opinion
Had it about half a year, don't know. So far so good.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
One year warranty from the store, no dealings with Sabian
Overall Rating
:
8
Played 3,5 years, my other cymbals are 14"HH, 10"S, 16"C, 20"R. This cymbal is the only 'good one' amongst my cymbals, but it works fine with the cheap ones.
Using a 14" snare and 22"x22" bass drum, a Pearl EXR kit, and it works great with the bass drum but not as well with the snare... but I guess it also depends on what the fill or whatever you're doing demands in terms of sound.
If it was stolen, I wouldn't buy another one because i can't get it as cheap as I did before (ca. 100??? when discounted). I wouldn't buy anything more actually, as I only have 3 months til I have to separate with my kit.
The best part is the price, which was amazing. The only drawback I care about is the slow decay.
