Bright Cymbals
Why would you want a bright cymbal? These are great for cutting through a heavy mix or adding accents to your playing. Pop and rock players generally favour bright cymbals for their short decay and chimey punchiness.
To achieve the bright sound, the cymbals are generally on the smaller and thinner side of the design spectrum. This means they are responsive, direct and fade quickly after a hit. It does, however, vary from cymbal to cymbal. For example, a dry ride tends to be dark and fade fast. But this is just one exception to the rule of thumb.
One of the more noticeable factors when recognising a bright cymbal is its finish. Polished cymbals have a glistening shimmer to them and can add very subtle overtones which help cut through the rest of the kit. They might also have a slightly longer wash.
Well suited to rock music, The Sabian AAX and Paiste 2002 ranges offer metallic, bright tones. Both of these legendary line-ups have been used over the years on countless records. They sound brilliant, clear and powerful with high energy projection.