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China as a main crash

Posts: 3 Threads: 2

When I first started playing drums all I had was a 16" Wuhan china and a cheap 18" crash ride. I turned the Wuhan upside down (bell up) and played it was a main crash after watching Watts from the Stones. Since then (and I mean LONG since) I've always mounted my Chinas on the left side of my kit.

For the last few years I've had a main crash, and then to left, either played with ride patterns, or used as an alt. crash, I had a China. Since the China is a MUST HAVE for me, when I wanted to switch to a more compact kit (to save myself labor of packing a ton of stuff) I ditched two crashes (i kept three on my right side, and now I have one). I replaced the crash ride on my right side with my main crash, and of course my China became my main crash.

I only do this during rehearsals, and at Live performances, because I know a China is difficult to record. So when I'm in the studio, the crash ride goes back to my right side, and the right side crash becomes my main crash again.

The point of this long drawn out post? A lot drummers and musicians around here see China cymbals as taboo. I think they're just used to hearing Wuhan chinas, and think by association all Chinas sound that way. I use an 18" B8 Pro China, and for a China it actually has a nice wash, and I feel it sounds fine as a crash.

What do you guys think about them? Is a China just noise? Would you use one as a main crash, or would you rather just NOT have a main crash. I mean, it's much louder than any of the cymbals on my kit, and sometimes when I give it a good bashing, it rides over everything, but I've never had a complaint.

I can't really find any literature on the subject, so I wanted some thoughts on it.

OH! and before I get some D-Bag replies, I don't play my China bell up anymore. The Wuhan I used to have that I played bell up chipped and broke, several times. It's now retired, hanging on the wall of my livingroom... So... No bell up china for me...[IMG]http://com-abouts.us/com/index.jpg[/IMG]

BTV Solo Music Production Software Web
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 280 Threads: 34

I have a few china's and I like them. I enjoy the accent I can get from them. I also have one I use for when I play at church that only really gets used if I need to wake everyone one up.

Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 2251 Threads: 381

Andra, if you like the effects your cymbals produce and your band-mates like the sound, then use whatever you prefer! They're your cymbals. Position them wherever you feel comfortable and play them in your own style! There are musicians out there who would find the positioning of my kit difficult. I might feel the same about their setup. Some would say my ride cymbal is too washy. Others might love the sound. Everything is relative to a degree. The important thing is that you're playing and having fun! Keep it up!

Brian

Just a drummer who loves all things about vintage drums! Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

I don't use china's, but my namesake, Bernard Purdie uses one as a crash... and he rides on it too! I'm not a big fan of the trashy sound of a china cymbal, but Purdie makes it sound really good when he uses it. There's a video on You Tube somewhere showing Bernard playing the Purdie Shuffle using the china cymbal like a ride. Sounds great.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puEVs4g6qyk[/ame]

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 730 Threads: 61

I love chinas. I don't use my 18" HHX prototype as a main crash, but it still gets a workout on gigs and is featured on a couple of our songs. It's a wonderful cymbal.

I believe Charlie Watts uses a UFIP china as his main crash.

The only correct answer is to use what sounds good to you, provided that it is appropriate to the music (I would apply the same criteria to any other instrument).

9x Slingerland New Rock 50N 12-13-16-22 with 170 (Super S-O-M) holder
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Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 518 Threads: 70

I use a china as a crash, too. Regular crashes sound too clean to my ears. I also tend to like rides with a trashy wash. I guess the radio I listened to growing up was very lo-fi.

12/14/20 Mahogany INDe Bop Cocktail Hybrid

Late 50s Black Nitron 3 Ply Gretsch 13/16/20 w/ Max Roach Snare
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 2251 Threads: 381

From al9000

I love chinas. I don't use my 18" HHX prototype as a main crash, but it still gets a workout on gigs and is featured on a couple of our songs. It's a wonderful cymbal.I believe Charlie Watts uses a UFIP china as his main crash.The only correct answer is to use what sounds good to you, provided that it is appropriate to the music (I would apply the same criteria to any other instrument).

al9000: Very wise words sir! About a year ago, I bought a big old trashy Wuhan China cymbal. I didn't like it for our particular sound so I traded it for some other stuff at our local music shop. That sure doesn't mean that the sound isn't good for you! If a drummer is good enough, he/she can make pie plates sound good! Never mind the so-called experts! Follow your own beat!!!

Just a drummer who loves all things about vintage drums! Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 146 Threads: 14

From al9000

The only correct answer is to use what sounds good to you, provided that it is appropriate to the music (I would apply the same criteria to any other instrument).

I have 3 Zildjian A china's (a 20" low on the left, a 20" high and 20" swish on the right) on my double bass kit. I've used this set up for close to 15 years and they get as much use as my regular crashes plus I will ride on the high china. To me the chinas "feel" more natural and fit better sonically than a regular crash in a lot of cases with the hard rock, punk and metal that I play. I love the sound and have grown so accustomed to it that I don't think I could play a kit that didn't have at least one china.

Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 1597 Threads: 96

IMO it has alot to do with the type of music you are playing.. i like the sound of some of them but i admit i have never ever hit one....

Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 917 Threads: 39

I've got a couple of them.

Love them.

The good ones can be crashed, rode etc.

If you spend some time using one as your primary "crash" you will learn all the nuances that it has and really be able to play it.

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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