It sounds like one of those "in yer face" China cymbals that band mates of mine would complain about. At one point, I had something like twelve Chinas, but recently sold over half of them to one drummer. I bring a China from time to time, and still have six or so, including a couple of ancient ones that look like they are survivors of the early days of jazz. I don't gig them because they're so old. My favorite is an old 20" Zildian Swish with the rivets removed. That thing will peel paint if struck hard enough.

I have and use a china cymbal.

Its a cheapo Zildjian zbt, but it really does the job IMHO. It's bright, loud and cutting and I rarely hit it full-on, instead I glance across the front edge so it doesn't blow everything else away with it's loudness. I want the sound, but not necessarily the loudness it can bring.

I think it even sounds good in some jazz music, and Mel Lewis was a well known jazz player who used a sizzle china with rivets to get his unique sound. Although he might be the only one I can think of.

I have a Paiste 2002 20" China Type...hardly ever touched it....basically useless to me....It's SO loud and metallic sounding...not even very trashy unless you're shanking it.....but it did get used on a recording....I sat it inverted on the floor so that the bell was the stand....soft mallets....close-mic'ed...sounded like a huge gong....aaaahhh the studio -where anything is possible.

If I were to buy another china...it would be a Wuhan....maybe 22"-24"...They actually sound soft and trashy.

There are a lot of options to china cymbals these days I think.

Quite a few cymbal makers have some seriously dark and dry cymbals that do a nice job of giving a trashy china-like sound without the volume and the brassy metallic sound that often come with china's.

I have a Tosco/Sabian china I bought cheap a short while ago and it's just too pretty sounding to be an effective cymbal for me. It's refined. That's a better word. I want a china that will explode with trashiness and dirt. This Tosco would do better as a jazz ride cymbal, to be honest. I have it for sale, but no takers so far.

Well, guys, I tried the China out last night. It's a beautiful cymbal BUT it is far too loud and tinny sounding for what we play. Even the bass player was giving me the evil eye every time I even touched the thing! Unless I learn to lightly tap this cymbal on a few select songs, I don't think it is right for me. I tried but I think I was wrong. Just being honest. Oh well, chalk it up to experience. Maybe I can learn...

Brian

I think I mentioned in my post above that I never hit my china straight on. They are loud! I kind of side swipe it across the front to good effect, not to loud but you get the china sound.

I'd play around with it before you give up. But if you just don't like it, then try the dark and dry cymbals that are out there. Agop has the Xist series of dark/dry. They give the trash without the volume.

Typical. The only people who like China cymbals are other drummers. You shouldn't let band members dictate what you can and can't use. You don't tell him what bass or amp to play, so you?

Bob:

No one "dictates" what I can or cannot use in my own band. I do take other band-mates opinions seriously though. If I think the sound or contribution to a song is wrong, I'll tell another member. Maybe we'll discuss it. Most times, we'll come up with something that everyone likes. Since I write most of the lyrics and much of the music to our songs, I take pride in the contributions and opinions of the others. No one dictates anything!

Brian