A complete overview of all the new from Sabian launched at NAMM 2017, including Mark Guiliana demoing the additions in the Artisan Elite series. Also with this rundown is a video of the press meeting that is always the shows kick off for Sabian. Master Product Specialist Mark Love demos all the cymbals. Of all the new effect cymbals, additions to the HHX Evolution line - developed with Dave Weckl, to the new and beautiful Artisan Elite series and much more are pictures included as well. For the new AA Mini Holy China's we have published a seperate article. Click the link below to watch these, with some great footage with Chad Smith from 2011 when Sabian launched the Holy China.
Artisan Elite Artisan Elite are available in 20" and 22" models, and 14" and 16" Hats, in natural finish only. These new Elite cymbals make the Artisan sound deeper, darker and dirtier. Sabian calls them the 'black sheep' of the Artisan family.
Extensive multi-peen and high-density hammering is one of the factors that create the Elite sound. The tone is lower-pitched and drier than other Artisan cymbals. The unique lathing, lower profile bell also result in woody bell tone that is more integrated into the overall cymbal sound than other Artisan models.
With un-lathed traces of surface revealing tin oxide and other imperfections, they look like they have dirt and blemishes on their cymbals - a look that matches the dirt in the tone.
AAX Aero Splash A reference point for the Aero's tonal quality: the AAX Aero sits in the center of the white noise spectrum, with the AAX O-Zone Splash on the pure white noise end and the AAX Air Splash on the tonal end.
Aero Splashes decay more naturally than SABIAN O-Zone splashes, but their multiple small hole pattern design gives a higher density of white noise concentration than the AAX Air Splash.
Available in 8", 10" and 12" in natural or brilliant finish.
B8X Ballistic Crash Utilizing an innovative new hammer peen and hammering technique, the B8X Ballistic Crash is a thin model that delivers funky, aggressive attack, fully capable of creating high-pitched mayhem while remaining musical. A new extra-large hammer peen was applied from the bottom of the cymbal up, resulting in a cymbal that is more flexible, more responsive and easy to open up.
Dwight, Sabian's cymbal smith hand hammering cymbals at the NAMM Show
XSR Fast Stax Made of B20 Bronze, the XSR Fast Stax is an aggressive effects cymbal. The 16" Fast Stax delivers unprecedented sound and performance at a price designed to fit your cymbal budget.
The stack has a thin 13" X-Celerator top over a high-profile, wide-lipped 16" Chinese bottom. The X-Celerator Air Wave edge works by eliminating airlock for increased volume. The extra-wide lip of the 16" Chinese is shaped to fit the 13" top. Without airlock, the XSR Fast Stax retains sizzle and volume, never getting too tight. For more control, Mark Love demos how you can simply clamp down the cymbal felt.
Artisan Light Hats Also demoed in the video are the new Artisan Light Hats. Check their crisp and soft stick sounds. They have a thin-crash weight top with a medium-light weight bottom, having a lower-pitched tone than Sabian's regular Artisan Hats. Available in 14" and 15" models in natural or brilliant finish.
HHX Evolution Crash & Ride Sabian adds two sizes to the Evolution line with the 19" Crash and 21" Ride. Sizes created because of the ongoing demand from drummers for larger cymbals. Dave Weckl needed an update in the series he helped to develop in 2002. More specific in the form of an extra-thin crash with a sort of buttery feel for his reunion with Chick Corea and his Electric Band.
The new 19" Crash is a warm, explosive model, delivering fast, shimmering response for increased projection and cut. It maintains the bite and penetration of high-end attack with the warmth of a darker undertone.
The 21" Ride combines crisp attack and warm undertones for a shimmering Ride cymbal with excellent Crash capability. There is notable separation between the bright high end and the warm low end, for a high-fidelity sound that is both warm and cool.
Quick 22 Cymbal Bag from Sabian Performance Accessories (SPA) A quality affordable back-pack cymbal bag. The Quick 22 cymbal bag straps are well-padded and designed to distribute weight for long term comfort. A separate hi-hat pocket protects and keeps hats easily accessible, and the black on black design is sleek and modern.
