REVIEW: Sabian Paragon Cymbals

LoneStarDrummer · 08-18-2007, 04:44 PM

First off, the paragons are, simply put, just nice to look at. They have a bright traditional finish, hand hammered bells, and topped off with gold logos that blend well with the color of the cymbal. I’ve had mine for nearly three years now and they still have a nice shine, especially under the lights. I especially like the way my chinas reflect the light (see pic for example). But forget about looks, onto the sound...

Hi Hats
As far as the hats go, I never really cared for them too much. I owned them for about a year and a half. they had a really nice sound when they were slightly loose but lacked a nice open accent sound. They are pretty heavy hats; medium weight to be more specific. They have a lot of stick definition, but it’s just not as crisp as I would of liked. They are rather versatile though. They have some meat behind their sound and lean toward the bright sound range.

Crashes
Not as bright as the 2002 medium crashes, but close. I think it’s the hammered bell that makes them slightly darker. They are fast and rather explosive sounding. They have a very rich sound. They are medium weight, so a little whacking may be in order for them to truly open up. However, don’t think that these babies can’t handle a little finesse as well. Play them softly and you get some nice subtle sounds. I only use the 18" crash, as an excellent offset to my HHX stage crashes. A mix between bright and dark.

Chinas
The 19" is my favorite paragon cymbal. It is by far the best china I've ever come across, trashy yet still refined in it’s sound. heard. Perhaps trashy isn’t even the best word to describe them. Peart did model after his beloved wuhans, but I assure you, there is no debating that the paragon has a nicer sound. Those who claim it to be an overpriced wuhan, speak only lies and slander. The 20" china has a completely different sound. It is much more traditional in its sound. If you hit it right along underside bow (the rolled over edge that all chinas have) you can a nice bright sound. Hit a little harder and closer outside and you get a nice gong element to the sound.

Splashes
Paper thin is the correct classification if I’m not mistaken. You can very easily bend them inward when wiping them down. They can still take a trashing, so don’t feel like you have to play them softly. These bad boys are bright and crisp. They have a very glassy sound to them, which I like. The only other splash I have to compare to is the 10" Avedis splash. The avedis sounds like you’d expect a 10" crash to sound like. The paragons, both the 8" and 10", sound like a what a cymbal named a splash should sound like - bright, crisp, fast and glassy.

Ride
Best described as a dark ping ride, boasting a powerful bell. This baby can deliver some nice sounds. Just playing along the bell, you get three distinct sounds. Play the bell with the shaft of the stick and stand back as it delivers a powerful bunch that has some bright characteristics. Play the bell with the tip and you get a more defined sound. Play the bell, just where it meets the bow of the cymbal with the taper of they stick and you get the best bell sound yet. I love playing rhythms on this area, switching between bow and bell for accents. The dark ping sound of course comes from the bow of the cymbal. Play 3/4 inside for a defined sound, and play the outer edge and it will open up with some subtle, yet very beautiful overtones.

Even though that beast weighs in at nearly 8 lbs, it still has finesse. If one desired to, he could easily crash it, just make sure your stand can handle it.

Hope you’ll enjoy the review.

ian1988 · 08-18-2007, 09:13 PM

the characteristics you gave of the splashes make them sound like Mike Portnoys Max Splashes..

crazyguy832 · 08-19-2007, 09:56 AM

I don't like most of the Paragon line myself, and actually don't like the hats for the exact same reason.

However, your review has me intrigued at the chinas... considering I'm looking for a relatively large china for the near future... thankee-sai I say to you.

fishbulb · 08-19-2007, 12:32 PM

I was actually looking at the splashes earlier today for the same reasons you pointed out here.

I'll have a look at the chinas later too.

Matter · 08-19-2007, 01:17 PM

If anyone is intersted I use the complete Sabian Paragon cymbal set in this vid, minus the 10" splash. BTW I didn't even use over-heads.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RQR85_s5-dE

LoneStarDrummer · 08-19-2007, 01:59 PM

i'll get my 12x7 black panther review up latter on tonight. i've been real busy trying to settle into my room. college starts monday and i haven't completely moved in yet. just got my bed made and my computer set up so far.

Ollie The Drumming Legend · 08-19-2007, 04:57 PM

Great review, one of the best on here in my opinion, although sadly my rep function isn't working.

How versatile would you say the chinas and splashes are, your description sounds very much what I'm looking for?

cheers.

Is this your first year at college that you're starting? If so, good luck!

LoneStarDrummer · 08-19-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Great review, one of the best on here in my opinion, although sadly my rep function isn't working.

thanks, and no prob man. i'll just pretend like i was repped by you.

Quote:

How versatile would you say the chinas and splashes are, your description sounds very much what I'm looking for?

Chinas
i would say the 19" china is really versatile imo. anytime you need a nice china sound, it'll come in nicely. i use it for all genres of rock (from classic to prog.) and even hip hop. i really love this one a lot.

the 20" really depends on your liking of it. at first i felt i was limited because it was the first traditional sounding china i owned. all the other ones i'd played prior were kind of trashy sounding. i didn't take too long for me to really love the sound. now i find it's actually quite versatile. i use it for all things and have begun to incorporate it into my jazz playing.

Splashes
i find them to be versatile to an extent. i like my splashes to be glassy so i enjoy their sound even when playing jazz and heavier rock. the 8" is more ideal for progressive rock and hip hop imo do the fact that it's glassy and crisp.

in sort, the 10" can be versatile if you like them to be bright. the 8" is a bit more limited in uses, but then again i feel that way about all 8" splashes not just the paragon

Quote:

Is this your first year at college that you're starting? If so, good luck!

actually it's my third, which i still have a hard time believing myself. that also means i'll need even more good luck, so thanks all the same.

Little Android Man · 08-19-2007, 07:01 PM

Grr i wanted to do a paragon review but i saw Bobby Johnny had one already so I didn't >_>

Good review.

LoneStarDrummer · 08-19-2007, 07:19 PM

bobby johnny's review sucked. you could always add to this if you disagree with anything. won't bother me any.

Little Android Man · 08-19-2007, 07:23 PM

Well i don't need to because yours is pretty much perfect >_>

***Damo*** · 08-20-2007, 09:09 AM

Excellent review!

I do question the Rides crashability, however. Its one of the thickest Rides Sabian has ever made and offers great power and playability but its strong point is NOT its diversity.

LoneStarDrummer · 08-20-2007, 10:12 AM

thanks man.

yeah, i wouldn't go so far as saying it's a crash sound, it's more like a swell of sound. do to it's size, it feels easier to crash than my 18" power crash. the power crash feels a little harsh while the paragon ride absorbs the impact well. the crash sound isn't fast and doesn't provide a rapid decay, but it is just one more sound quality it can produce.

and i agree it is a little limited. probably the most limited of the paragons. i've been looking for a ride to offset my paragon. something with a good deal of wash and a little less ping.

DrumIntoTheNight · 08-20-2007, 10:49 AM

I love my Paragon Ride. It's immense. But I don't agree it's crashable

Great review.

LoneStarDrummer · 08-20-2007, 11:12 AM

fair enough. i kind of revoked my statement to an extent in my previous post, describing it more as a swell of sound then a crash.

what i meant was that you can strike it as a crash and it responds realitively well to it considering it's a freaking beast of a cymbal. it even feels better than my power crash.

i don't crash my ride ever, i have it mounted low and flat, so i couldn't really do it if i wanted.

DrumIntoTheNight · 08-20-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [your name here]

what i meant was that you can strike it as a crash and it responds realitively well to it considering it's a freaking beast of a cymbal. it even feels better than my power crash.

I know what you mean actually.

White · 08-20-2007, 04:26 PM

excellent review, I was looking into Paragon Rides/Chinas, You've helped a lot.

08-18-2007, 04:44 PM	#1
LoneStarDrummer MX Physicist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Mudfckr, Texas! Posts: 3,981	REVIEW: Sabian Paragon Cymbals First off, the paragons are, simply put, just nice to look at. They have a bright traditional finish, hand hammered bells, and topped off with gold logos that blend well with the color of the cymbal. I’ve had mine for nearly three years now and they still have a nice shine, especially under the lights. I especially like the way my chinas reflect the light (see pic for example). But forget about looks, onto the sound... Hi Hats As far as the hats go, I never really cared for them too much. I owned them for about a year and a half. they had a really nice sound when they were slightly loose but lacked a nice open accent sound. They are pretty heavy hats; medium weight to be more specific. They have a lot of stick definition, but it’s just not as crisp as I would of liked. They are rather versatile though. They have some meat behind their sound and lean toward the bright sound range. Crashes Not as bright as the 2002 medium crashes, but close. I think it’s the hammered bell that makes them slightly darker. They are fast and rather explosive sounding. They have a very rich sound. They are medium weight, so a little whacking may be in order for them to truly open up. However, don’t think that these babies can’t handle a little finesse as well. Play them softly and you get some nice subtle sounds. I only use the 18" crash, as an excellent offset to my HHX stage crashes. A mix between bright and dark. Chinas The 19" is my favorite paragon cymbal. It is by far the best china I've ever come across, trashy yet still refined in it’s sound. heard. Perhaps trashy isn’t even the best word to describe them. Peart did model after his beloved wuhans, but I assure you, there is no debating that the paragon has a nicer sound. Those who claim it to be an overpriced wuhan, speak only lies and slander. The 20" china has a completely different sound. It is much more traditional in its sound. If you hit it right along underside bow (the rolled over edge that all chinas have) you can a nice bright sound. Hit a little harder and closer outside and you get a nice gong element to the sound. Splashes Paper thin is the correct classification if I’m not mistaken. You can very easily bend them inward when wiping them down. They can still take a trashing, so don’t feel like you have to play them softly. These bad boys are bright and crisp. They have a very glassy sound to them, which I like. The only other splash I have to compare to is the 10" Avedis splash. The avedis sounds like you’d expect a 10" crash to sound like. The paragons, both the 8" and 10", sound like a what a cymbal named a splash should sound like - bright, crisp, fast and glassy. Ride Best described as a dark ping ride, boasting a powerful bell. This baby can deliver some nice sounds. Just playing along the bell, you get three distinct sounds. Play the bell with the shaft of the stick and stand back as it delivers a powerful bunch that has some bright characteristics. Play the bell with the tip and you get a more defined sound. Play the bell, just where it meets the bow of the cymbal with the taper of they stick and you get the best bell sound yet. I love playing rhythms on this area, switching between bow and bell for accents. The dark ping sound of course comes from the bow of the cymbal. Play 3/4 inside for a defined sound, and play the outer edge and it will open up with some subtle, yet very beautiful overtones. Even though that beast weighs in at nearly 8 lbs, it still has finesse. If one desired to, he could easily crash it, just make sure your stand can handle it. Hope you’ll enjoy the review.

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08-18-2007, 09:13 PM	#2
ian1988 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,068	the characteristics you gave of the splashes make them sound like Mike Portnoys Max Splashes..

08-19-2007, 09:56 AM	#3
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	I don't like most of the Paragon line myself, and actually don't like the hats for the exact same reason. However, your review has me intrigued at the chinas... considering I'm looking for a relatively large china for the near future... thankee-sai I say to you.

08-19-2007, 12:32 PM	#4
fishbulb Beck - Sea Change Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 9,750	I was actually looking at the splashes earlier today for the same reasons you pointed out here. I'll have a look at the chinas later too.

08-19-2007, 01:17 PM	#5
Matter TacticalMuffinProductions Join Date: May 2004 Location: Earth: The World's most dangerous Planet. Posts: 1,298	If anyone is intersted I use the complete Sabian Paragon cymbal set in this vid, minus the 10" splash. BTW I didn't even use over-heads. http://youtube.com/watch?v=RQR85_s5-dE

08-19-2007, 01:59 PM	#6
LoneStarDrummer MX Physicist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Mudfckr, Texas! Posts: 3,981	i'll get my 12x7 black panther review up latter on tonight. i've been real busy trying to settle into my room. college starts monday and i haven't completely moved in yet. just got my bed made and my computer set up so far.

08-19-2007, 04:57 PM	#7
Ollie The Drumming Legend www.myspace.com/eightmtm Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winchester, England Posts: 1,608	Great review, one of the best on here in my opinion, although sadly my rep function isn't working. How versatile would you say the chinas and splashes are, your description sounds very much what I'm looking for? cheers. Is this your first year at college that you're starting? If so, good luck!

08-19-2007, 07:01 PM	#9
Little Android Man bjorn "WenchFister" Finda Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: a button factory Posts: 9,487	Grr i wanted to do a paragon review but i saw Bobby Johnny had one already so I didn't >_> Good review.

08-19-2007, 07:19 PM	#10
LoneStarDrummer MX Physicist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Mudfckr, Texas! Posts: 3,981	bobby johnny's review sucked. you could always add to this if you disagree with anything. won't bother me any.

08-19-2007, 07:23 PM	#11
Little Android Man bjorn "WenchFister" Finda Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: a button factory Posts: 9,487	Well i don't need to because yours is pretty much perfect >_>

08-20-2007, 09:09 AM	#12
*Damo* D&P Supermod Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 6,897	Excellent review! I do question the Rides crashability, however. Its one of the thickest Rides Sabian has ever made and offers great power and playability but its strong point is NOT its diversity.

08-20-2007, 10:12 AM	#13
LoneStarDrummer MX Physicist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Mudfckr, Texas! Posts: 3,981	thanks man. yeah, i wouldn't go so far as saying it's a crash sound, it's more like a swell of sound. do to it's size, it feels easier to crash than my 18" power crash. the power crash feels a little harsh while the paragon ride absorbs the impact well. the crash sound isn't fast and doesn't provide a rapid decay, but it is just one more sound quality it can produce. and i agree it is a little limited. probably the most limited of the paragons. i've been looking for a ride to offset my paragon. something with a good deal of wash and a little less ping.

08-20-2007, 10:49 AM	#14
DrumIntoTheNight Sound Engineering Nerd Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Aquired: Liquid Mix Posts: 2,110	I love my Paragon Ride. It's immense. But I don't agree it's crashable Great review.

08-20-2007, 11:12 AM	#15
LoneStarDrummer MX Physicist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Mudfckr, Texas! Posts: 3,981	fair enough. i kind of revoked my statement to an extent in my previous post, describing it more as a swell of sound then a crash. what i meant was that you can strike it as a crash and it responds realitively well to it considering it's a freaking beast of a cymbal. it even feels better than my power crash. i don't crash my ride ever, i have it mounted low and flat, so i couldn't really do it if i wanted.

08-20-2007, 04:26 PM	#17
White I'm For Dummies! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wanna ****? Posts: 5,772	excellent review, I was looking into Paragon Rides/Chinas, You've helped a lot.