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Step 3Getting Creative
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![LP403[1].jpg](/files/deriv/F67/6PMZ/FK75GUY4/F676PMZFK75GUY4.MEDIUM.jpg)
![ribboncymbals[1].jpg](/files/deriv/FYY/DWTC/FK75GUY3/FYYDWTCFK75GUY3.MEDIUM.jpg)
Knowing that your cymbal will never be the same is one thing. Trying to make the best out of a crappy situation is another. The whole process of cymbal making was a result of people experimenting with different design concepts, and you can do this too. Here are some interesting ways to turn your cracked cymbal into something else...
Riveting:
This is a good option if you first try to repair your cymbal by drilling holes. If you did this and you didnt like the sound that your cymbal had, you can try to insert rivets into the hole to create a sizzle effect. Some cymbal companies sell their own rivets that you can use, otherwise, find a riveter. If you dont have the means of using a riviter on your cymbal, you can put together a make-shift rivet by putting a small nut and bolt through the hole. It may look ghetto, but it will sound similar to the many riveted cymbals that the name brand cymbal manufacturers make. If you get ambitious, you can drill more holes to install lots of rivets.
Cut a New Cymbal
If you go to a drum store, you might notice many of the $100 bells that seem to be nothing more than the bell of a cymbal without the bow on it. That is, essentially, what you can make. Using a pair of metal cutters, you can trim down the cymbal until only the bell remains. These actually dont sound half bad, and can make a good combination when stacked with a splash or china cymbal. If you have access to a lathe, you can use it to smoothe out the rough edge of your new bell.
You can also experiment with other designs, cutting your cymbal into various shapes and sizes as you try to find a cool sound. Try making a ribbon cymbal like the ones below by cutting spirally along the bow. Just be careful, the edges of your cut cymbal can be sharp and brittle.
If you try to fix or get creative with your cymbal and you end up just hating the way it comes out, a final option is to use a pair of metal cutters and make a bunch of brass guitar picks. Just use a guitar pick as a sort of stencil and make a bunch to give to your guitarist friends, or even sell them on ebay. Thanks to Quarry for detailing this in his instructable.
Riveting:
This is a good option if you first try to repair your cymbal by drilling holes. If you did this and you didnt like the sound that your cymbal had, you can try to insert rivets into the hole to create a sizzle effect. Some cymbal companies sell their own rivets that you can use, otherwise, find a riveter. If you dont have the means of using a riviter on your cymbal, you can put together a make-shift rivet by putting a small nut and bolt through the hole. It may look ghetto, but it will sound similar to the many riveted cymbals that the name brand cymbal manufacturers make. If you get ambitious, you can drill more holes to install lots of rivets.
Cut a New Cymbal
If you go to a drum store, you might notice many of the $100 bells that seem to be nothing more than the bell of a cymbal without the bow on it. That is, essentially, what you can make. Using a pair of metal cutters, you can trim down the cymbal until only the bell remains. These actually dont sound half bad, and can make a good combination when stacked with a splash or china cymbal. If you have access to a lathe, you can use it to smoothe out the rough edge of your new bell.
You can also experiment with other designs, cutting your cymbal into various shapes and sizes as you try to find a cool sound. Try making a ribbon cymbal like the ones below by cutting spirally along the bow. Just be careful, the edges of your cut cymbal can be sharp and brittle.
If you try to fix or get creative with your cymbal and you end up just hating the way it comes out, a final option is to use a pair of metal cutters and make a bunch of brass guitar picks. Just use a guitar pick as a sort of stencil and make a bunch to give to your guitarist friends, or even sell them on ebay. Thanks to Quarry for detailing this in his instructable.
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Nov 8, 2010. 3:44 PMbaconrocks
says:
How exactly do the ribbon cymbals sound? They look pretty awesome :)
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