[REVIEW] Sabian AAX Metal Crash

Talos · 08-19-2007, 09:48 AM

I bought this crash in about October of 2006, im not too sure exactly but it was before November but after the Summer, but that doesnt really matter.
I bought it used off of eBay as a 19" lightly used Sabian AAX Metal Crash.

So the Sabian AAX 19" Metal Crash retails at about £160 and $199. Is it worth the price? To put it bluntly, no, its not. I didnt pay the full RRP for mine but was extremely dissappointed when it decided to crack on me within a few weeks. It wasnt just one crack either, there is about 5 or 6, maybe even more, which arent hairline cracks, theyre big and very noticeable. This is due to the hammering patterns similar to that of a Paiste RUDE and a Zildjian Z Custom, which, when you go into the physics of it, shows that this hammering pattern makes the cymbal weaker. It isnt shown clearly in images and the hammering isnt as deep as a Z Custom or RUDE which could make the range the hardest wearing range of Metal Crashes but thats not the only factor of a cymbal...

So, thats not all, the most important thing is the sound and the AAX Metal Crash just doesnt deliver. I use it alongside a 16" Stagg SH China, 10" Wuhan Trad. Splash, 18" Zildjian Z Custom Rock Crash and 16" Paiste 302 Crash. And it sounds worse then all of the other other Crashes and just because its a Metal Crash, the Zildjian Z Custom by far superior to it in every possible way. Its better to ride on, better as a general crash and just better sounding, but this isnt a review of a Z Custom so ill carry on with the AAX Metal Crash

I only use this cymbal for gigging with my band, this is because of its volume, which is pretty impressive compared to a normal crash but average compared to other similar cymbals. Youll get the best sound out of it when you absolutely smash it, its the onlyway. Otherwise youll get an almost gongy like sound which is just awful in all contexts. This is common among "Metal" crashes though.

Not the longest review ever, but too finish it off, here is my rating:

Quality: ***
Sound: ****
Value: ***
Overall: ***

crazyguy832 · 08-19-2007, 09:52 AM

The metal crash is designed for volume and that's about it.

Although those cracks seem strange... are you sure you just don't have the wingnut on too tightly? I've heard that AAX cymbals generally stay together pretty well.

But nice review. AAX crash hateage = +rep... whenever I can rep you again XD

Talos · 08-19-2007, 09:59 AM

Well it has the same hammering patterns as a Z Custom so its prone to cracking easily, similar to the Z Custom.

crazyguy832 · 08-19-2007, 10:45 AM

Yarg, I would agree with that.

Talos · 08-19-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyguy832

whenever I can rep you again XD

yeah....you negged me last week

crazyguy832 · 08-19-2007, 03:27 PM

Haha, yeah, I remember that.

XD

So I would negate it now... why won't it let me?

o_O

08-19-2007, 09:48 AM	#1
Talos Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6,683	[REVIEW] Sabian AAX Metal Crash I bought this crash in about October of 2006, im not too sure exactly but it was before November but after the Summer, but that doesnt really matter. I bought it used off of eBay as a 19" lightly used Sabian AAX Metal Crash. So the Sabian AAX 19" Metal Crash retails at about £160 and $199. Is it worth the price? To put it bluntly, no, its not. I didnt pay the full RRP for mine but was extremely dissappointed when it decided to crack on me within a few weeks. It wasnt just one crack either, there is about 5 or 6, maybe even more, which arent hairline cracks, theyre big and very noticeable. This is due to the hammering patterns similar to that of a Paiste RUDE and a Zildjian Z Custom, which, when you go into the physics of it, shows that this hammering pattern makes the cymbal weaker. It isnt shown clearly in images and the hammering isnt as deep as a Z Custom or RUDE which could make the range the hardest wearing range of Metal Crashes but thats not the only factor of a cymbal... So, thats not all, the most important thing is the sound and the AAX Metal Crash just doesnt deliver. I use it alongside a 16" Stagg SH China, 10" Wuhan Trad. Splash, 18" Zildjian Z Custom Rock Crash and 16" Paiste 302 Crash. And it sounds worse then all of the other other Crashes and just because its a Metal Crash, the Zildjian Z Custom by far superior to it in every possible way. Its better to ride on, better as a general crash and just better sounding, but this isnt a review of a Z Custom so ill carry on with the AAX Metal Crash I only use this cymbal for gigging with my band, this is because of its volume, which is pretty impressive compared to a normal crash but average compared to other similar cymbals. Youll get the best sound out of it when you absolutely smash it, its the onlyway. Otherwise youll get an almost gongy like sound which is just awful in all contexts. This is common among "Metal" crashes though. Not the longest review ever, but too finish it off, here is my rating: Quality: * Sound: Value: * Overall: ***

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08-19-2007, 09:52 AM	#2
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	The metal crash is designed for volume and that's about it. Although those cracks seem strange... are you sure you just don't have the wingnut on too tightly? I've heard that AAX cymbals generally stay together pretty well. But nice review. AAX crash hateage = +rep... whenever I can rep you again XD

08-19-2007, 09:59 AM	#3
Talos Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6,683	Well it has the same hammering patterns as a Z Custom so its prone to cracking easily, similar to the Z Custom.

08-19-2007, 10:45 AM	#4
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	Yarg, I would agree with that.

08-19-2007, 03:27 PM	#6
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	Haha, yeah, I remember that. XD So I would negate it now... why won't it let me? o_O