Are you on a quest for a unique, vintage jazz sound? There’s nothing better than getting that traditional jazz tone out of your drumming set.
However, there are plenty of factors that will decide whether your setup is qualified for these kinds of tones. Even though every piece of the setup plays a certain role in the game, the most important piece of equipment needed for achieving the genuine jazz sound is suitable jazz ride cymbals. Without high-quality cymbals, your drumming setup won’t be able to match the quality of genuine jazz sounds.
So, the question is, how do you find the right cymbals?
The answer is simple!
We’ve done the research for you to be able to provide you the list of five best jazz cymbals that money can buy. Our top five choices offer high-end quality and they are made of the finest materials on the market.
You will find a variety of cymbals from brighter to tones darker tones with long sustain. Go through our list of five best jazz cymbals and make your choice!
Once you’re done browsing for the best product on our list, leave us a comment below and let us know what you think!
Table of Contents
#1 Meinl Cymbals Hi-Hat Cymbal Pair
The first item on our list is a pair of Meinl cymbals available at a very affordable price. Don’t let the lower price fool you because these cymbals actually offer great value and quality.
Measuring a total of 13 inches. Meinl cymbals are made in Germany using the highest quality material with traditional finish brass. The product comes with a two-year warranty in case you come across any issues of manufacturing flaws.
On a more important note, these cymbals offer optimal sound and a great drumming feel. The pair includes one heavier bottom cymbal and one lighter top cymbal for the best combination of sounds.
Overall, the cymbals are very responsive and provide a great volume level and intensity. The bright accents are perfectly suitable for jazz when you’re playing with the foot.
However, it is important to mention that these cymbals are not suitable for professional use, even though they provide a crisp sound and great quality for this price range.
- 2-year warranty
- Pair of 13 inch cymbals
- Made in Germany
- Optimal sound and feel
- Crisp tones
- Suitable for jazz
- Very responsive
- Not for professional use
#2 Sabian SBR2012 SBR Series Pure Brass Cymbal
Next up is the Sabian Series Pure Brass cymbal that measures 20 inches in size. This cymbal is perfect for jazz sounds. It offers impeccable versatility and value for this price range.
On top of that, the cymbal offers a crisp and solid sound thanks to the fast and clean stick response. Thus, it makes drumming far more enjoyable and allows the player to get the most out of their set.
The Sabian Pure Brass offers a unique sound quality, which is why they created an entire series of cymbals made of this high-quality material.
This is by far the most valuable cymbal for this price because it meets professional quality and it is suitable for advanced players who are looking to start playing professionally.
On top of that, this is a very popular model that can be seen on many drum sets. It comes with a one year warranty as well.
- 20 inch cymbal
- Crisp and solid sound
- Unmatched versatility
- High quality brass
- Popular model
- Clean and fast stick response
- Bright sound
- One year warranty
- Class of its own
- No cons
#3 Sabian SBR Performance Pack
Next up, we want to present a performance pack by Sabian that includes three different pieces of equipment. The set packs a 20-inch ride cymbal, a 16-inch crash, along with a 14-inch hat.
The cymbal is made of high-quality brass and backed with a one year warranty. It features a hammered and lathed surface for higher quality sound.
Speaking of which, the cymbal provides tightly focused sounds which are the kind of quality you won’t get from the more affordable options.
Nevertheless, this is a very loud, punchy model that provides powerful sound and thick tones. Therefore, you will get an open and strong attack and highly increased volume.
It is definitely a step up from the previous model we reviewed. If you are open to investing a bit more into higher quality and an entire performance pack, this is definitely the kind of pack we would recommend, as it includes a great quality cymbal for jazz style.
- Performance pack includes a cymbal, a ride, and a hat
- High quality brass
- Hammered and lathed surface
- One year warranty
- Tightly focused sounds
- Loud volume
- Powerful and punchy sound
- Not a professional level set
#4 Meinl Cymbals Jazz Extra Thin Crash Cymbal
Moving on, we’ve come to the more expensive items on the list. The Meinl Extra Thin cymbal is far more expensive than the previous cymbals we reviewed but keep in mind that a higher price brings better and bigger value.
This cymbal certainly meets the highest standards of quality and it is definitely worth the price.
It provides a fast and full-bodied response with a washy and dark attack. The cymbal is very light and provides warm and natural sounds with a touch of vintage style.
Each cymbal is carefully hand hammered and offers a unique sound. The product is covered with a two-year warranty in case of any problems or manufacturing flaws.
It is important to mention that the cymbal provides old school sounds because of its thinner structure. That’s why it is so explosive and offers higher volume and good quality sounds.
Its stick response is immediate and impeccable. In other words, this Meinl cymbal certainly meets the highest quality standards, which is why it is used by professional drummers in the music industry.
- Thin cymbal for natural and warm sounds
- Explosive and full-bodied response
- Each cymbal is hand-hammered
- The thinner design produces old school sounds and a vintage feel
- Professional level cymbal
- Worth the money
- Two-year warranty
- No cons
#5 Meinl Cymbals B22S4R Byzance Jazz Cymbal
Finally, we’ve come to the fifth and last product on our list, which is the Meinl Byzance jazz cymbal. This is a stunning 22 inch Meinl cymbal that is hand-hammered with lathed surfaces.
Interestingly, this is the Ralph Peterson signature cymbal created by cymbal artisans in Turkey, which adds even more value to its name. The cymbal itself offers warm and natural sounds that are perfect for jazz playing.
What’s so amazing about this cymbal is the fact that it offers old-school sounds yet it can be combined with modern sets to provide more modern quality sounds.
It features a dry character combined with a complex wash, which makes it one of the most unique cymbals on the market.
Overall, if you are looking for the highest quality cymbals on the market, these Ralph Peterson cymbals are the best option to keep in mind. After all, they are used by professionals on a daily basis.
- 22-inch cymbals
- Ralph Peterson signature cymbal
- Hand hammered and lathed surfaces
- Made by artisans in Turkey
- Modern and versatile
- Old-school vintage style capabilities
- Crisp sound definition
- No cons
In Conclusion To
We have come to the end of our list of five best jazz cymbals on the market. We assume that you’ve come here to find a high-quality cymbal that will take your drumming sound to the next level.
That is why we sourced the market for the finest quality products that will definitely meet your expectations. All of the cymbals listed above feature unmatched quality in their price ranges so you don’t have to worry about spending hours on doing research.
Simply choose your budget and opt for the highest quality product you can afford!
Don’t forget that jazz cymbals should provide a nice warm and natural sound in order to achieve that vintage jazz feel. However, if you choose to invest more into high quality, consider the benefits that you will get with the Meinl Ralph Peterson signature cymbal.
Even though it features old-school tones, the cymbal is highly responsive and it can meet the quality of modern setups, which is why it is so versatile. It is up to you to choose which cymbals meet your needs the best.
Keep in mind that some items on the list are more geared toward beginners and aren’t suitable for professional use. The last two items on the list are definitely more suitable for professional players.
Make sure to leave a comment below and let us know which cymbal you chose!
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