Sabian AAX Stage Performance Pack

The Pack includes a pair of 14 stage hats, a 16 x-plosion crash, a 20 Stage Ride, and a free 18 x-plosion crash. I bought the pack in New York for just under $500.

Sabian AAX Modern Bright series of cymbals are designed to open up at extremely low volumes, and are designed to react the same at all volumes, and i can safely say they do just that. The AAX Performance pack represents good value, especially with the free 18 x-plosion crash. With this Pack you are getting a high end set of quality cast bronze cymbals.

Lets start with the hats. The Sabian stage hats consist of a medium top and a heavy bottom. Due to there heavy weigh the cymbals produce a very strong chick sound that really does cut. The sound produced will work its way through even the heaviest of crash cymbal noise, and bass guitar roar and come out the other side solid, unscathed and clear. Playing the hi hats closed produces a strong cutting sound, that yet again will cut through most things, making the hats great for rock. The close hi hats produce a definate and solid sound that cuts very well, without being to harsh like a lot of rock hats can. The bell of the hats also produces a nice high pitched ping sound both open and closed, great for those sharp, intricate accents. When i thought i could have found a more perfect set of rock hi hats, i played these bad boys open and was dissapointed somewhat. The sound produced is not a smooth, accurate wash that i anticipated, but a rather clangy metallic sound. Don't get me wrong, its not a terrible sound, its just not on par with the perfound and pleasing closed sound these hi hats produce. Overall, a good set of strong, cutting hats, with a dissapointing wash sound. The hats are great for tracks where a cutting closed presence is required, with some open accents. Good for rock and funk.

Moving on to the x-plosion crashes. Wow. These are some badasss cymbals. Where do i start? Both cymbals provide shimmering, glassy, and explosive accents. Both cymbals have extremely pleasing and musical sounds that are focused and precise. The two cymbals work harmoniously together, both producing similar sounds but at two different pitches. The 18 inch is one of the best cymbals i have ever played, or heard. It delivers the most powerful,cutting and dynamically responsive sounds i have ever experienced. The cymbal literally explodes (as it says in the name), as it opens up rapidly into a shimmering burst of powerful accent. The cymbal loves to be hit hard when wash riding to produce, what in my opinion, is the perfect rock cymbal sound. The medium thin weight makes the crash extremely universal, as it shimmers with a controlled presence even when hit lightly, or with brushes. The cymbal also posesses one of the most amazing bell sound i have heard on a crash cymbal. The sound is deep, groovey and tonefull. This cymbal is perfect for rock drummers, and any drummer that wants a very universal cymbal capable of excellence in any musical genre you throw at it. The 16 inch counter part react in a similar way to the 18 inch, but at a lower maximum volume, and with a more papery bell sound. The crash is perfect for the drummer who wants a bright controlled atack that speaks brilliantly, and then shimmers out of the way. This cymbal is alos very universal and dynamic, but would not be suited to higher volume situations such as heavy rock, but more suited to pop, light rock, and funk.

Finally, the 20 stage ride. This medium weight cymbal is highly responsive at all volumes, and will not dissapoint. The cymbal is great for dynamic genres, as it cuts well when required with a good balance of wash and ping, and is subtle and quiet when required also. The cymbal also poseses a good bell, that burts with shimmering cut and ping, and has a great deal of body to the sound. The ride also serves pretty well as a crash, opening up quickly, with a smooth and quick decay. The cymbal is great for wash riding on those big choruses, and withold its definition when riding very well directly after crashing or wash riding. A great multi purpose ride that will work well for a drummer who needs many different dynamic responses and sound from one cymbal. If i was playing a gig, and i was only allowed to use one cymbal for all of the set, this would be the one.