I bought a whole new set of cymbals a few weeks ago, I just didn't post it because it seems odd to spout about it.
Cymbals are very hard to feel good about buying without a lot of thought.
I think they might cause the most post purchase depression of anything musical.
I really fear buying new cymbals.
I wanted a new ride because my old ride was too rock for what I play lately. Then I did a few recordings and felt that my Paiste Signatures were just too sparkly and a bit harsh with the way we were mic'd, — only overheads, snare, bass and a front mic.
With that thought in mind, I chose cymbals that would work with my drums and be less harsh and a little less loud, so the drums will have more presence in the mix.
I drove from Boston, up to the Drum Center in Portsmouth, NH and picked from a big stack of cymbals that were mostly hand picked at Meinl, by the owner, Shane.
The Meinl rep, Adam was there and he really helped me out a lot.
I picked a nice set of mostly Vintage Sand cymbals. A 20" sand ride, a set of sand hats, an 18" sand thin crash and a 20" extra dry thin crash.
I think I should be able to work my Paiste 20" Sound Formula silk crash/ride into this mix too. That's one of the cymbals I bought, but hated later. I think it will work with this setup.
I'm really happy about this set. It's been a long time since I bought new cymbals. Maybe close to 20 years.
The drums they work with are SonorLites. They record really well and bark and growl like hell.