Big Drum Thump

We’re sure Alu Bells have plenty of uses, but the only drummers we ever really see play them in real life are bloody big brusiers with monstrous, club-like sticks. You know, those dudes who aren’t ever satisfied with the bell sound or volume on a regular old ride cymbal. It’s fitting, then, that Sabian has added a couple of inches to the new member of its Alu line. Bigger in this case is definitely better.

[Press Release]

The popularity of its 7″ and 9″ Alu Bells has prompted Sabian to introduce the larger 11″ size. Formed from lightweight aluminum, the Alu Bell offers drummers and percussionists a highly versatile percussion piece with a soft, bright, highly musical response and lingering sustain.

“Along with the Chopper, the Alu Bell is small enough to fit anywhere in a drum or percussion setup, and because it has such a well balance of stick stroke and tone, it can be used to play rhythms or simply to add ambient accents,” commented Sabian cymbal specialist Kevin Lasky. “Its small size and light weight make it ideal for use with a cymbal stacker arm, which eliminates the need to purchase another cymbal stand.”

Crafted from lightweight aluminum, the Alu Bell is quality protected by Sabian’s two-year warranty.

Ah, this was the one new Sabian cymbal I didn’t see at all during NAMM 2009. Was it hiding behind its big brothers? Did the booth bitches forget to bring it out? Was I just blinded by all the other shiny bangables to find it? I’ll likely never know the answer, but I shall henceforth consider this splash the little hottie that got away.

[Press Release]

The popularity of Sabian’s AAX X-Plosion crash has prompted the company to introduce the 11″ X-Plosion splash. This scaled-down version of the crash delivers extremely fast and punchy accents with all the crisp, shimmering clarity associated with AAX cymbals. Extra-thin and available in a Brilliant finish, this model—with its innovative AAX “Dynamic Focus” design ensuring it responds accurately at all volumes—offers drummers and percussionists of all styles a splash that can be played by hand or stick.

“The AAX X-Plosion splash is like a small version of the X-Plosion crash; it’s got that quick, modern bright response and full attack that shoots out of the metal,” said Sabian cymbal specialist Kevin Lasky. “This is a splash that combines cut and punch for a full, faster and glassier splash.”

The AAX X-Plosion splash is crafted from Sabian B20 bronze, and it is quality protected by Sabian’s two-year warranty.

You don’t have to be Terry Bozzio to really dig Sabian’s new diminutive hi-hats. I got some surreptitious stick time with a pair at this year’s NAMM show, and they are unbelievably cute and charming and fun, especially if you enjoy playing live electronica. Our in-the-wild photos are below.

[Press Release]

The latest addition to the Sabian Vault Collection of cymbals and sounds is the Radia Nano Hats. Available in 7″ and 9″ pairings, Nano Hats consist of a medium-weight top and flat, heavy bottom. They are heavily hand hammered, combine alternating raw and etched surfaces on both sides of the two cymbals, and feature a raw bell, all of which adds up to a fast, punchy, definite sound. Their extremely tight and articulate response when played as a main hat ensures crisp clarity for even the fastest strokes and busiest patterns, while their small size and dry, crisp response makes them ideal for x-hat applications.

“As the Nano Hats and the rest of my Radia cymbals confirm, Mark Love and the Sabian Vault Team have this incredible ability to design sound into metal,” noted Bozzio.

“Vault Nano Hats are a great example of Terry Bozzio’s ongoing search for new and different sounds,” noted Sabian master product specialist Mark Love. “They are also another indication of Sabian’s desire to design and develop new cymbals and sounds so players have more meaningful options to choose from.”

Handcrafted from Sabian B20 bronze, Nano Hats—as with all Vault Collection pieces—are quality protected by the Sabian two-year warranty.

[Press Release]

Responding to requests from R&B, funk, jazz, pop, and fusion drummers for a faster variation of its popular X-Plosion crash, Sabian has introduced the AAX X-Plosion Fast crash. Thinner, more responsive, and with a glassier, higher pitch ensuring extremely quick response and decay, this extra-thin model—available in 14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, and 19″ sizes—delivers a super-fast response. The bright, shimmering sound is so pure, clean, and concentrated that it blows through everything going on around it.

“The AAX X-Plosion Fast crash is great for players wanting a big, explosive response with a faster, brighter sound,” said Sabian master product specialist Mark Love. “Its AAX ‘Dynamic Focus’ design means it responds accurately at all volume levels, so it’s fast, glassy, and extremely versatile with a bright, explosive attack, penetrating definition, and total presence.”

Tony Royster Jr. (Jay-Z), Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts), Cora Coleman-Dunham (Prince), and Todd
Sucherman (Styx, Brian Wilson) are among early adopters of the AAX X-Plosion Fast crash cymbals.

The AAX X-Plosion Fast crash is crafted from Sabian B20 bronze and is quality protected by Sabian’s two-year warranty.

Paiste didn’t have any new gear to show off at NAMM 2009, but that didn’t stop the Swiss cymbal-meisters from bringing every bloody model in their catalog. Their booth was a thing of absolute brass beauty—from the soundbooth itself to the floor displays for the Twenty and Black Alpha series. Some teaser pics are below. Be sure to check out BDT’s full Paiste gallery here.

[Press Release]

The popularity of Sabian’s HH Raw Bell Dry Ride and recently released, brighter sounding AA version has prompted the company to introduce the innovative AAX Raw Bell concept into its AAX series. Design-wise, the 21″ AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride is medium-heavy weight and fully lathed with the exception of its large and solid raw bell. The cymbal surface is fully hammered from edge to center. The Raw Bell Dry Ride design is popular because it offers players a highly effective versatility at virtually any volume and in any style of music. Being an AAX series model, this cymbal includes Sabian’s innovative AAX “Dynamic Focus” design, which ensures optimum response at all volume levels, from low to loud, and a consistent purity of sound.

“The Raw Bell Dry Ride design is possibly the single most versatile and effective ride cymbal ever designed,” said Sabian master product specialist Mark Love. “Not only does this AAX model deliver consistently bright and pure sounds, it is ideal for any player wanting the absolute best in terms of consistently pure and bright stick definition across the bow and bell areas, as well as a level of dynamic sensitivity that ensures crisp clarity and accuracy at all volumes.”

Created from pure Sabian B20 bronze, the 21″ AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride is available in a natural finish or glossy brilliant finish and is quality-protected by Sabian’s two-year warranty.