Sabian 22″ APX Ride Cymbal

One of Sabian’s more economical lines of cymbals (mid-priced) is called APX. They are made from sheet metal rather than cast, but they still use a bronze alloy (not brass).

This particular one is the 22″ APX ride cymbal, and I have to say that the ping from this cymbal cuts through like a razor. It has a very sharp and lightning fast attack, with very little wash. So, all the energy goes into the ping. You can ride the heck out of it without developing a wash that buries the ping. So, don’t overlook this moderately inexpensive series. It might have what you need. It can be crashed, but the sound is a little stiff for that. I would not use it as a crash cymbal.

This close-up photo shows the deep lathing on the playing surface as well as on the bell.

Spectral analysis shows a level response out to 10 kHz, then dropping off by 40 dB at 12 kHz, with a gradual decline out to 60 kHz. After 2 seconds (yellow graph line) the energy up to 10 kHz is mostly still there, but above 10 kHz, the energy has completely dissipated.

The Level vs. Time graph illustrates the very fast attack.

Click HERE to listen to an audio sample, which will include crash (when appropriate), ride, and bell sounds (these are 24 bit, 176.4 kHz wav files, so be sure your sound card is capable of handling these high resolution sound files).

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