Finding the right cymbals for rock drumming can lead to a whole slew of options. With so many rock styles and subgenres, how do you find the best cymbals for your situation? Well, a cymbal pack may be the answer. Some packs work well across a broad range of rock styles, will save you money just for buying in bulk, and are especially good values at their prices. Those are the cymbal packs we included in the list below.
While all the options on this list are geared towards rock, they represent a variety of sounds and prices. Some are extremely bright, while others are a bit more versatile. Some are professional-grade, while others are in the semi-pro range. All, however, are very good for the money. Hopefully, the information below can help you find the right rock cymbals for your situation.
On with the list! These are the best cymbal pack values for rock.
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Paiste PST8
Reflector Rock Pack
Paiste PST8 Rock (20/18/16/14)
The Paiste PST8 Reflector Rock Pack is the least expensive option on this list. These cymbals are made of a type of B8 alloy, called CuSn8. While some players might shy away from a B8, it’s an alloy Paiste specializes in. They even construct some professional lines using CuSn8. While the broader PST8 series has very few size and thickness options, this particular Reflector pack can cover all of a rock drummer’s needs.
This pack uses standard diameters and includes two crash cymbals. The overall thickness adds attack, clarity, and volume, while the hammering helps the cymbals stay under control. Together, these specs equate to a solid value in a more affordable price range.
Ride
The PST8 Reflector Rock ride cymbal has a 20″ diameter and a heavy weight. This ride is all about bright stick definition and volume. It’s certainly not the most musical ride cymbal out there, but it will be heard. The bell projects well, cutting though loud mixes without much effort. This ride’s edge doesn’t open up easily when crashed. If you tend to crash your rides a lot, you may find this cymbal difficult.
Crashes
This Paiste pack includes the standard-sized 16″ and 18″ crashes. Large hammering benefits these cymbals quite a bit. If that wasn’t part of the design, the thickness of these crashes would ring on and on. These crashes are certainly loud and resonant, but in a rock situation, the tone isn’t overbearing.
Hi-Hats
Like the rest of this pack, the PST8 Rock hi-hats are bright. They have an articulate stick and foot sound that make notes clearly defined. These hi-hats also have more tone than you might expect, with a decent amount of mid and low frequencies coming through.
In Short
The Paiste PST8 Reflector Rock cymbal pack is a good option for rock drummers who want a clean and bright sound. Each of the cymbals can cut though most loud mixes without much trouble. The PST8 is a semi-pro model, with a more straightforward tone than the other cymbals on this list. While it fits best in a rehearsal space, these cymbals can fit well on louder stages.
Meinl Classic Custom
Dark Cymbal Pack
Meinl Classic Custom Dark (20/18/16/14)
The Meinl Classic Custom Dark pack incorporates an interesting series of specs. These cymbals are the only ones on this list made of a B12 alloy, a middle ground of tin content. Deep hammering, similar to the Paiste PST8 described above, helps control overtones and resonance. The dark finish is the most obvious feature, creating a look that many drummers like.
Classic Custom Dark cymbals shouldn’t be thought of as dark in broader tonal sense. While the hammering and finish darken the cymbal somewhat, the tone of a Classic Custom is substantially brighter than something like a Zildjian K or Meinl Byzance. For rock drummers, that’s often a good thing. These cymbals will cut through most stage volumes with clarity and articulation. Throw in the medium weights, and you have a pack that can perform well in a variety of rock settings.
Ride
The included ride cymbal has a 20″ diameter and medium thickness. It’s thinner than the Paiste PST8 Rock, but has a fairly high-pitched attack that helps with articulation. The bell is thick and cutting, able to be heard without the need to hit especially hard. This ride’s edge crashes better than the PST8, as well, although both models are stiffer than cymbals with higher-grade alloys.
Crashes
The included 16″ and 18″ crashes exhibit this pack’s overall tonal character. They’re not the thickest cymbals, but the bright attack and glassy tone help them be heard. The pitches are also a bit higher than most crashes of the same size, adding to their ability to cut through in higher volume situations.
Hi-Hats
Like all of the hi-hats on this list, the included Dark Custom Darks are 14″ in diameter. They’re bright, but not as robust as the other listed options. If you need a lot of volume from your hi-hats, there may be better choices for you. Alternatively, you can flip the hi-hats over, putting the bottom hi-hat cymbal on top. That will give you more stick volume. Foot techniques on these hi-hats are bright and crisp, but with a bit less power than some of the other hi-hats on this list.
In Short
The Meinl Classic Custom Dark pack would be a good choice for rock drummers looking for a bright tone and enhanced high frequencies. These cymbals have a pure and glassy tone. The hammering helps control both overtones and resonance, while the dark finish gives these cymbals an interesting look. This pack isn’t the loudest or most musical option on this list. However, the combination of brightness, standard sizes, and price make this an appealing choice for many rock drummers.
Zildjian A Rock
Cymbal Pack
The Zildjian A Rock pack is a classic model with a traditional sound. Using Zildjian’s legendary cymbal formula, this is the first pack on the list consisting of B20 alloy. You’ll get a richer tone, with a more complex resonance than the previously-mentioned cymbal packs. That doesn’t mean these cymbals don’t cut. Among the included cymbals are a thick ride and specially-designed hi-hats that increase volume.
This cymbal set is also only one of two listed with non-standard sizes. The ride and hi-hats have common diameters, but the crashes are an inch larger than the norm. Many rock drummers prefer the fuller sound that those larger sizes provide. All of that, along with the professional construction and Zildjian name, makes this cymbal pack a solid overall value.
Ride
The A Rock pack includes a 20″ Ping ride. Zildjian Ping rides are well-known to many drummers, but the current version shouldn’t be confused with Ping rides from decades ago. Zildjian ride cymbals are a bit thinner than they were in the 80’s and 90’s. The current Ping is more medium-heavy, still providing a good amount of attack, but with more shimmer and body than past versions. The bell cuts well, with a nice tone to fill out the sound. Towards the edge, this ride crashes better than many expect, especially at higher volumes.
Crashes
This pack is one of two on this list with increased crash diameters. It includes 17″ and 19″ Medium-Thin crashes, so you’ll have a full-bodied sound with these cymbals. These crashes are slightly thinner than either of the packs previously mentioned. Medium-thin weights don’t have quite as much projection as most mediums, but the larger diameters make up for some loss in volume.
Hi-Hats
Another unique aspect to this Ziljdian A pack is the hi-hats. You’ll get a pair of 14″ Mastersounds, which are designed to increase projection. If you’re not familiar with them, Mastersounds have a rippled bottom cymbal, resulting in a chunkier, louder sound. They’re not ideal for drummers who want a super-tight hi-hat sound, but if you want extra volume, they can be a big advantage.
In Short
The Zildjian A Rock pack is a unique configuration from a legendary company. It has Zildjian’s classic overall tone, but with extra power. The pairing of the Ping ride and Mastersound hats accentuate projection, while the enlarged Medium-Thin crashes have a more full-bodied tone. Overall, this is a pack that could work well for almost any rock drummer looking for higher volume and a traditional tone.
Zildjian
A Custom Pack
Zildjian A Custom Pack (20/18/16/14)
The Zildjian A Custom pack has been a popular and versatile option among drummers for many years. These cymbals are made of a B20 alloy, like the A Rock set above. Unlike the A pack, the A Customs have standard diameters, slightly thinner weights, and a brilliant finish. The resulting tone is bright, smooth, and shimmery. Many rock drummers are drawn to the A Custom’s combination of bright stick attack and warmer underlying tone.
In terms of volume, this pack may be the best pick on the list for drummers who play a wide variety of rock styles. Drummers who play at medium volumes one day and higher volumes the next could get good results from this pack. Whether the brilliant tone is a positive or negative depends on personal taste, of course. For drummers who like a bright attack and glassy decay, this A Custom pack could be worth considering.
Ride
The A Custom pack includes a 20″ Medium ride. It’s a bright cymbal all around. The bow has a lot of stick definition, with a glassy resonance. The bell is strong and cutting. Crashing on the edge of an A Custom Medium ride is similar to the other rides on this list. It doesn’t open up easily, although at higher volumes, the crash sound sits in a mix more comfortably.
Crashes
This pack includes standard 16″ and 18″ crashes. These cymbals are very popular, even among drummers who add them separately to their existing setup. With medium-thin weights, they’re not especially thick or loud. However, the brightness of the tone helps them be heard. These crashes have a nice shimmery resonance after the initial attack.
Hi-Hats
The included 14″ standard hi-hats aren’t as aggressive as the other hi-hats on this list. These hats don’t have a rippled edge and they aren’t especially thick. That makes them more versatile, but they do best with a microphone on louder stages. Like most hi-hats, these cymbals can be flipped over for more volume. Overall, the tone of these hi-hats is semi-bright.
In Short
The Zildjian A Custom pack is one of the most popular and versatile packs available. Many types of rock drummers get good results with these cymbals. Players often like the bright stick attack and shimmery resonance that A Customs provide. The crashes are best-sellers, not only among rock drummers, but for players of other genres, as well. Along with the standard diameters, this cymbal pack is a well-rounded option for many players.
Paiste 2002
Cymbal Pack
Paiste 2002 Pack (22/20/18/14)
Paiste’s 2002 line is famous in the world of rock music, used by legends like John Bonham and Alex Van Halen. This 2002 pack brings that history into the modern age. It has larger diameters than any of the others packs on this list, creating a big, powerful sound that’s great for hard hitters. These cymbals have plenty of definition on the initial impact, then resonate with a full-bodied tone.
This pack uses Paiste’s CuSn8 bronze alloy, a rare example of a high-end B8. In fact, it’s the most expensive pack on this list, despite the lower tin content. Some of the cost is due to the larger sizes, some is due to the hand hammering and other manufacturing processes. What really matters is the resulting sound, and the 2002s make it clear Paiste knows how to make rock cymbals. Even at their more expensive price, this pack is a solid value.
Ride
The included 2002 standard ride cymbal is the only one on this list with a 22” diameter. That extra size lowers the pitch and adds body to this cymbal’s resonance. Stick articulation is bright, but it lays on top of a lower, straightforward bed of sound. This ride cymbal’s bell is similar, combining a strong attack with some tonal substance. Although this ride is on the thicker side, the extra diameter helps the edge open up when crashing.
Crashes
This pack includes the largest crash cymbals on this list, at 18″ and 20″. Combined with the medium weight, they have a lot of power and projection. The alloy and thickness bring out the stick attack, while the diameters help give them more tone. Overall, these crashes have a mix of power and pure, glassy resonance.
Hi-Hats
Paiste includes 14″ Sound-Edge hi-hats with this cymbal pack. These hats are similar to the Zildjian Mastersound design, with a rippled bottom edge. This increases projection, with both foot and sticks. The tone is also made brighter by Paiste’s 2002 alloy. Overall, these hi-hats are made for volume. They’re not very versatile for softer playing situations, but they’ll cut through loud mixes with ease.
In Short
The Paiste 2002 cymbal pack brings a classic rock sound into the modern era. It utilizes large diameters and Paiste’s CuSn8 alloy to give drummers extra power and volume. These cymbals have a bright stick attack and pure tone. While this pack costs more than the others on this list, it’s a great option for drummers who want a huge sound.
Wrap-Up
Those are our picks for Best Values: Cymbal Packs For Rock. Like anything, these packs all have their own pros and cons. Some are better for high volumes, while others are more versatile. Of course, there’s also a big price range between each model. No matter which you decide is best for you, we’re confident it’ll be a solid value.
By Peter Treuden – About the Author
Need a great pair of rock hi-hats? Check out our Best Hi-Hat Cymbals For Rock, By Sound!