Medium Thin Ride Cymbals

People have been making bronze for thousands of years, and cymbals for a pretty good chunk of that. So it's no surprise they've come as far as they have. Today, we have cymbals for just about every kind of effect and accent you could ask for - and one of the most fundamental styles is the ride cymbal. As the name implies, these cymbals are made to be "ridden" with the sticks so you can produce sustained tones. And like other kinds of cymbals, they come in a variety of weights and thicknesses. The medium-thin ride cymbals in this section are perfect when you want a light, controllable cymbal without going all the way to the paper-thin extreme.

Of course, it's no secret that heavier cymbals deliver more sustain and volume, which begs the question of why use a lighter one in the first place? The answer is there are lots of situations where louder and more sustaining cymbals actually work against you: recording, for instance, as well as sound systems with sensitive mics, or ensembles with soft-spoken vocalists. You'll also get faster attack and a tighter response from lighter cymbals like these, and they still have the cutting power you need to make yourself heard.

With that said, not all medium-thin ride cymbals are created equal - so choosing the best ones for your setup is a very personal decision. You can get a sense for some extremes by comparing the Meinl Byzance Vintage Pure Light Ride Cymbal to the Zildjian A Series Sweet Ride Brilliant Finish. One looks almost like it was salvaged from a trash heap (and delivers a sound that is fittingly trashy), while the other is polished to a nearly mirrored shine. But they're both ride cymbals, and that gives you a sense for the variety you have to choose from. So don't hold back! Whether you like your cymbals gritty or shiny, there's definitely a medium-thin ride for you.