China cymbals can generally be found in various interpretations of rock music, especially thrash metal and heavy metal. They are also often used for Latin and jazz fusion, particularly for elaborate and extended drum solos.
As with many things, finding a good china cymbal, let alone one that works for you, can be quite a challenge. So, we've reviewed some of the best china cymbals on the market right now, to make your life a little easier.
Read on for the full reviews.
What is a China Cymbal?
China cymbals (when used in western music) are a distinct crash cymbal that is made to make a crisp, bright, and explosive tone. It is because of this that they are often called 'trash cymbals'. Additionally, it's name 'China cymbal' is derived from their shape, that resembles a Chinese Bo.
Like we mentioned earlier, you'll often find a china cymbal in various kinds of rock music settings, particularly with thrash and heavy metal.
You may also see a china cymbal in a drum set that is used for playing Latin and jazz fusion, thanks to their versatility in drum solos.
What is a China Cymbal Used For?
While we have mentioned that the china cymbal sound is best suited for rock, jazz, and Latin settings, the trashy sound that they produce is suitable for pretty much any musical genre you can think of, including metal music.
Chinas are some of the most versatile cymbals on the market, and in the hands of a skilled drummer, their bright sound can be used in any setting.
One popular usage for china cymbals is for accenting to punctuate the sounds of other instruments or the vocalists. Very quick, smaller Chinas are great for quick accents, while larger, darker china cymbals produce a trashy sound. The latter is well-suited for the metal music genre.
Why Are China Cymbals Upside Down?
The name 'China cymbal' refers to the particular shape of these cymbals, which is similar to the Chinese Bo.
China cymbals are generally mounted upside down on a regular cymbal stand, which allows them to be struck more easily so that they can produce a better sound. It is this distinct method of mounting that gives them their distinct china sound.
Different Types of China Cymbals
A china cymbal is most useful as an effect cymbal, especially during a drum solo, an extended transition, or at the end of a song. On its own, the sound that a china cymbal produces might not be particularly pleasing, but when integrated into a larger drum set and overall band, its bright sound can play an important role.
This is generally thanks to the cymbal's bright, sharp treble sound, which can pierce through the sound of other instruments in an ensemble.
As is true for all pieces of a drum kit, choosing a china cymbal will come down to a matter of personal preference. What might be a piercing and unpleasant sound to one player might be explosive to another.
Whenever you can, you should audition your cymbals in person before you commit to purchasing them.
What is the Best China Cymbal?
Now it's time to take a look at what we consider to the best-sounding china cymbals out there. Hopefully, our reviews will inspire you to pick up your first china cymbal and add it to your collection.
1. Sabian AA Holy China Cymbal (19")
Starting off this list, we have one of the top cheap china cymbals for metal out there. It was created by Sabian in collaboration with Chad Smith. This cymbal is innovative and features an explosive, and very loud sound.
The cymbal is made using B20 bronze. It comes with 51 holes which help it produce an energetic and sharp sound. Not only is this an aggressive cymbal, but the sound it produces is both clean and brilliant as well.
It is highly responsive with some great impactful power. It boasts a high-quality, brilliant finish which has some shimmery, balanced overtones. Plus, it also has moderate sustain, making it one of the more versatile cymbals on this list.
This is one of the best budget china cymbals out there and is suitable for many different musical genres. You can use it for anything from reggae to rock, and it can deliver cutting, crisp sounds to improve your potential.
Pros
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Next on the list is this authentic china cymbal from Wuhan, which happens to be one of the best Wuhan china cymbals out there.
Don't let the affordable price fool you - this china cymbal provides trashy and explosive sounds that compete with far more pricey options. In fact, this is also one of the best cheap china cymbal options on the market.
The Wuhan Lion is very explosive and dark-sounding. The actual model is relatively light and features the traditional 'gong' style conical bell that adds to its short sustain and trashiness.
At this low price point, you can't go wrong with this model. It is a very high-quality china cymbal that can provide you with extremely loud effects and accents that make it one of the best china cymbals for metal.
Because of the brand's reputation for Oriental cymbal manufacturing, this cymbal produces a traditional trashy sound that may not be suitable for modern music genres. It has a very sharp pang that does not make it very versatile.
It is made from B20 bronze, which many consider the best metal for producing cymbals.
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This Zildjian cymbal is one of the most popular out there and is the best china cymbal for cutting through the noise of the rest of the ensemble. It is made from a B20 bronze alloy and delivers some incredible sounds.
While it is very sharp and can cut through the noise, it has an excellent balance of bright and clear sounds with some good trashy overtones. It creates a smooth sound but can still get quite loud.
This cymbal comes with the innovative 'volcano bell' that Zildjian is known for, and the extensive hammering that went into its production gives it huge projection and sound. It is perfect for metal and rock, though it is likely too loud and impactful for other genres.
However, its short sustain makes it a fantastic effect cymbal for blues and funk styles. The great thing about the A Ultra is its durability. It is great for drummers looking to create a loud sound that cuts through music and can withstand some serious abuse.
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Next, we have the Oriental Trash China cymbal from Zildjian, and it's a fantastic option for metal musicians. This iconic cymbal has been the cymbal of choice for many metal drummers like Stephen Kluesener and Matt Greiner.
It produces an impressively powerful impact with an explosive, fast response. Its sustain is quite short, which makes it the ideal effects cymbal to use for creating fills and accents, and to ride on during the more energetic sections of songs.
The sound that this cymbal produces is certainly more on the trashy side. It produces an authentic, distinctive oriental tone which is both sizzling and dark and is really able to cut through the sonic texture of any ensemble.
This cymbal has a distinct oriental tone which makes it ideal for driving music styles that heavily rely on a steady beat. It also is one of the best cymbals in terms of value and price, and is absolutely one of the best cymbals available.
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Are Wuhan Cymbals Good?
Wuhan is certainly most famous for their Chinas. They have been all over many recordings from the 70s and 80s, and they have their own signature sound that makes them stand out from the competition.
You can generally expect a short decay, quick attack, and brightness from a Wuhan cymbal, and they are notorious for being able to cut through the mix of any ensemble. They are fantastic for accented, quick hits during the fill section of a song.
In short, Wuhan cymbals are quite good, and the brand has many options for beginners, intermediates, and professional drummers alike.
Why Are Wuhan Cymbals so Cheap?
Wuhans are cheap because they are cheap to produce, and the material that is used to make them is not expensive for the brands to get their hands up. It's as simple as that.
Conclusion
We believe that the Sabian AA Holy is the best china cymbal on the market right now, thanks to its musicality, clean brilliance, perfectly trashy sound, and versatility. It is a fantastic option for drummers of any kind, especially those that play rock and metal genres.
