Paper Thin Cymbals

Cymbals come in many shapes and sizes, and while it's easy to explain the difference between two types (a splash and a china, for example), it's a little less obvious what separates a thin splash from a thick one. They may be the same type of cymbal, but the sound can be surprisingly different. Here, you'll find a selection of paper thin cymbals. If you're new to drumming, you might be wondering what sets these instruments apart from medium, heavy or even ordinary thin cymbals.

They're not actually paper-thin, of course, but they are definitely the thinnest cymbals you'll find. For a cymbal, thickness is related directly to power. A heavier cymbal is louder and can "cut" more strongly into the mix. But they have their drawbacks: they can easily overpower other instruments, and their weight makes them slower to respond to the stick. Paper thin cymbals are the opposite. That is, they're much softer and quieter, but they're also incredibly precise. From a paper thin cymbal, you can expect instant stick response and brilliant sound without the need to hit the cymbal very hard to coax it out.

One particularly great use of paper thin cymbals is as the crash in a jazz set. For jazz, you don't need an explosive sound. Instead, the quick and splashy effect of a paper thin crash cymbal fits the bill. Paper thin cymbals are also perfectly suited for amplified drumming and studio use, since precision and clarity are more important than volume in these situations.

The paper thin cymbal weight is a natural one for splash and crash cymbals, and they're by far the most common type in this section. But if you'd like a thin and nimble hi-hat, china or ride cymbal, you can find a few of those here as well. The bottom line, just like with any other instrument, is that it all comes down to your preferences. If you want something that's precise, fast and nimble like no other, a paper thin cymbal has you covered.