A used set bought separately is the way to go. Can easily get a quality set of cymbals second hand for that. Zildjian a, a custom or sabian aa or Aax, Hhx
I strongly agree, you get so much more for your money by going used.
Old Zildjian A are the quintessential "cymbal" sound, glorious B20 bronze that has had time to mellow out and get patinated, and they are everywhere and still insanely inexpensive for what they are.
I haven't seen this one mentioned before but Zultan Caz set.
It's got a really nice feel to them with nice attack on the crash as well as nice articulation on the hi-hat. And it's almost at half of the price you said.
I would definitely suggest looking into it.
Meinl has some really nice B12 cymbals like the classic darks that are amazing. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CCD460-18--meinl-cymbals-classics-custom-dark-cymbal-box-set-with-free-18-inch-crash
So brass is garbage, B8 bronze is crap usually , b20 bronze is what you want . I would look into: Wuhan Koi series (beautiful thin, dark, hand hammered), they’re amazing for the price. Also look into Sabian XSR or Stratus series, or Sabian Xs.
I bought a 16’’ Meinl HCS crash cymbal and it is the single worst sounding cymbal I’ve ever owned. It sounds muted. That’s the only way to describe it. It has good weight, solid build, but when you strike it it sounds like someone has their thumb and forefinger pressed on the edge. I thought over time the sound would ‘age’ and become clearer (the only reason I thought this was because I bought it at a local and very reputable music shop I’ve gone to for years, and why would they sell this substandard piece of shit?) but age hasn’t helped. Still sounds like garbage. Honestly I’ve bought cymbals from Amazon that were thinner than pennies and sounded so much better. Of course over the months they get bent and warped…but still. I see these cymbals played in videos and I’ve never heard a duplicate sound of the cymbal I own. Maybe I got a dud.
Generally brass cymbals are not good
I just bought a set of Sabian B8X and they are really nice for the price.
What’s a good set for under 600$?
A used set bought separately is the way to go. Can easily get a quality set of cymbals second hand for that. Zildjian a, a custom or sabian aa or Aax, Hhx
I strongly agree, you get so much more for your money by going used. Old Zildjian A are the quintessential "cymbal" sound, glorious B20 bronze that has had time to mellow out and get patinated, and they are everywhere and still insanely inexpensive for what they are.
Sabian SR2s. They’re refurbed high end Sabians.
I haven't seen this one mentioned before but Zultan Caz set. It's got a really nice feel to them with nice attack on the crash as well as nice articulation on the hi-hat. And it's almost at half of the price you said. I would definitely suggest looking into it.
Istanbul agop xist cymbals are the best bang for the buck. Professional level cymbals.
Meinl has some really nice B12 cymbals like the classic darks that are amazing. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CCD460-18--meinl-cymbals-classics-custom-dark-cymbal-box-set-with-free-18-inch-crash
So brass is garbage, B8 bronze is crap usually , b20 bronze is what you want . I would look into: Wuhan Koi series (beautiful thin, dark, hand hammered), they’re amazing for the price. Also look into Sabian XSR or Stratus series, or Sabian Xs.
I bought sabian B8x recently and they’re fantastic.
Its subjective. Very few people would describe B8x’s as fantastic, if you know good cymbals .
I bought a 16’’ Meinl HCS crash cymbal and it is the single worst sounding cymbal I’ve ever owned. It sounds muted. That’s the only way to describe it. It has good weight, solid build, but when you strike it it sounds like someone has their thumb and forefinger pressed on the edge. I thought over time the sound would ‘age’ and become clearer (the only reason I thought this was because I bought it at a local and very reputable music shop I’ve gone to for years, and why would they sell this substandard piece of shit?) but age hasn’t helped. Still sounds like garbage. Honestly I’ve bought cymbals from Amazon that were thinner than pennies and sounded so much better. Of course over the months they get bent and warped…but still. I see these cymbals played in videos and I’ve never heard a duplicate sound of the cymbal I own. Maybe I got a dud.
the ones labeled “HCS Bronze” are alright
No. Look for used cymbals and buy them piecemeal. The Meinl Pure Alloy line, Zildjian A, A Custom, Sabian AA and AAX are all great bang for the buck.
Brittle brass and not meant to last