Big Drum Thump

Sabian designed its APX line to slice through high-volume guitar antics, so it’s no surprise the Solid hi-hats are welcoming a larger and decidedly louder member to the family.

[Press Release]

The latest addition to the Sabian APX series of cymbals is the 15″ Solid Hat. Designed to deliver sheer and bright sounds to cut through the raging guitars and high-powered amps of today’s loudest rock bands, the heavier APX Solid models not only make it easier to be heard but also deliver penetrating volume and cut, taking less energy to play and giving players the freedom to focus on their performance instead of playing extra hard in an effort to be heard.

“For sheer cut and power, APX Solid models are ideal because they deliver an extremely bright, tightly focused, and high-powered glassy sound that cuts through the loudest and heaviest bands,” said Sabian product specialist David Williams. “These 15″ Solid Hats deliver fast, crisp, and clear, so even the most complex strokes are heard through the music.”

APX cymbals are crafted from uni-rolled bronze, which according to Williams “is the ideal metal for tonally, tight, bright and focused sounds.” Solid Hats are also available in 13″ and 14″ sizes. APX cymbals are quality protected by Sabian’s two-year warranty.

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.

[Press Release]

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, the United States welcomed its new president, Barack Obama, with a highly anticipated inaugural ceremony. One of the many performances to ring in this historic event was by New Jersey’s The Bonnie Brae Knights Drum Corps.

Bonnie Brae is a residential school for troubled boys in Bernards Township in Somerset County. At the time of their application, the corps had no instructor, no uniforms, and played on broken drums with limited drumsticks. That was besides the estimated $6,000 the group didn’t have to get to Washington, D.C.

Compelled by the story, Sabian, world’s leading designer and maker of musical cymbals, sent four pairs of their popular crash cymbals to the group, to help them achieve their goal of playing for President Obama.