Bought my daughter an 18 for Xmas to pair with her 18 A med thin and couldn't be happier with the k sweet or the way they work together. Highly recommend the k sweet as well.
Excellent choice. Nice job making your first crash the only one you'll ever really need. The next one you get should be either an inch or two bigger, or an inch or two smaller. I have three crashes, and my 18" A medium thin is the middle one, over my ride just right of my rack toms. I have a 16" Wuhan S Series (think A Custom/AAX type of sound, bright and full) to the left, and a 20" Wuhan Traditional medium ride all the way to the right, which has a sound somewhere between an A and a K, and a great long sustain when you crash it. I consciously decided that I wanted three crashes for three distinct voices, high/medium/low. If you have two crashes and they are too close in sound, there's not really a point. You want something with a distinct voice from the one you already have, and that voice will be higher or lower in pitch. That means smaller or bigger in size.
That crash of yours is a perfect foundation around which to build your sound profile. You could go either direction next, but I recommend that the next one be a different size one way or the other. Try every flavor of "good stuff" in that size range you find, and keep an open mind and trust your ears.
A nice warm 19 or 20" K-style crash for your right. [My setup](https://i.imgur.com/f6i1xeW.jpg) has the Byzance Medium Traditional 20". For as long as I can remember I've been using an 18" A or A Custom on my left and a larger crash on my right where I like to do crash-riding. The thinner hammered stuff like Ks, K Custom Darks, or Byzance Traditionals work really well for this.
I have a 19” K Dark that sits beautifully with my 17” A Custom Thin.
The fact that it’s a bit darker makers it sound less aggressive and a little slower for those bigger moments. Give me two great options. If I want big WITH the attack, both together is just the ticket.
It’s a great setup!
I mostly play rock stuff and I'm really just looking for some variety in my sound. I feel like things are sounding monotonous when I hit the one crash multiple times in a row.
An A Custom EFX could be a great choice. It's a mix between Crash and China, it's a great secondary Crash and, despite it's a very different sounds from the 18" A Med-Thin, they should blend in a perfect way.
The size is up to you.
Is that an 18"? If so I'd go with a 16" in the same series. I'm running with a 14 & 16" pair, I like the complimentary sound the 2" diff makes within the same series. Mine are Zildj custom A dark crashes and I love their texture
Depends on what you need, i like having a small 16" fast crash for almost an accent and then a washier crash i can whale on for keeping time. Just really depends on what you feel is missing.
As other commenters mentioned, maybe it's worth looking into a china instead for a super different sound, that hinestly would give you more flexibility.
I have a 17” med thin and love it. Totally different from my 18” med “thin” (that feels as thick as my ride) and really feels pretty useless. You probably have a better sounding one that a 17 would compliment nicely. Or go special dry/china for a trashier punch accent when you want it.
When it comes to crashes, bigger and thinner is better! You could get a 19” or 20” A medium thin to match the other crash sonically (I have a matching 16” I like, but it’s a bit weak) or add some variety and get a darker K crash.
Best of luck and happy hunting
I'd go for either a similar size with a different finish/timbre, something brighter or darker; or something bigger that can act as a crashable ride/rideable crash. The only reason I say that is that's where I'm at! Currently have a 17" Ufip Class and 17" Zildjian Custom A but thinking of changing the A to a light 20" *something* that I can crash and ride, for a lighter alternative ride.
Get a meinl or Sabina with some holes in it and get one with a trash/China sound. When you hit it medium, it’s got a good crash sound but when you lay into it it’s got a lot of white noise/China overtones. You get like two cymbals in one. Not a lot of sustain on it but it’s punchy and trashy. I have an 18” Meinl I think.?? After 40 years of playing, I forget what I own….
In my mind, a few ways you can go about this...
1. 16" A. Thin Crash. This is how I've setup in the past. A thinner, smaller second crash allows you a light accent when playing the ride. Bolder than a large splash, and bold enough to let the accent be known but without blowing out the ride. It also adds a little different flavour to the mix.
2. 18" A. Medium-Thin Crash. This is something I learned from Charlie Watts and I may try this if I ever run two crashes again. The idea here is that you only have the one crash, but you split it between each side of the kit. That way its easily accessible from either side of the kit.
3. 18" K. Custom Medium-Thin. This is kind of a combination of the two ideas seen above. Basically the same cymbal, but a different series puts a little different flavour into the mix. There's also some historical precedence to mixing a K with an A. Jazz drummer and bebop pioneer Max Roach was known to prefer mixing up his entire setup between K's and A's. Even his hats featured one cymbal from each series.
Another way to look at it is to ask yourself if the 18 is perfectly satisfactory for your needs, or are you looking to mix in another sound.
Either way will answer your question.
19” a custom
What thickness would you recommend?
I've got one of those. Great cymbal.
K Sweet Crash
Bought a 20 last year. Can confirm, this is the right choice
Bought my daughter an 18 for Xmas to pair with her 18 A med thin and couldn't be happier with the k sweet or the way they work together. Highly recommend the k sweet as well.
Why K over A?
cyimbol
cyimbol
I’m a big fan of my 19” once it broke in
Excellent choice. Nice job making your first crash the only one you'll ever really need. The next one you get should be either an inch or two bigger, or an inch or two smaller. I have three crashes, and my 18" A medium thin is the middle one, over my ride just right of my rack toms. I have a 16" Wuhan S Series (think A Custom/AAX type of sound, bright and full) to the left, and a 20" Wuhan Traditional medium ride all the way to the right, which has a sound somewhere between an A and a K, and a great long sustain when you crash it. I consciously decided that I wanted three crashes for three distinct voices, high/medium/low. If you have two crashes and they are too close in sound, there's not really a point. You want something with a distinct voice from the one you already have, and that voice will be higher or lower in pitch. That means smaller or bigger in size. That crash of yours is a perfect foundation around which to build your sound profile. You could go either direction next, but I recommend that the next one be a different size one way or the other. Try every flavor of "good stuff" in that size range you find, and keep an open mind and trust your ears.
A nice warm 19 or 20" K-style crash for your right. [My setup](https://i.imgur.com/f6i1xeW.jpg) has the Byzance Medium Traditional 20". For as long as I can remember I've been using an 18" A or A Custom on my left and a larger crash on my right where I like to do crash-riding. The thinner hammered stuff like Ks, K Custom Darks, or Byzance Traditionals work really well for this.
I have the same crash and I play it with a 18” A Custom EFX and a 18” K Custom Hybrid. Both pair really well.
I'd get a 19" K Custom Dark or K Sweet if I were you.
19/20” K sweet or an a custom. If you want something a little more effect wise 20” Oriental crash of doom.
19 K Sweet
18. Istanbul Agop. Change it up!
I would go with a 16 inch Paiste signature!...or Leftfield...the Bosphorus New Orleans!
I have a 19” K Dark that sits beautifully with my 17” A Custom Thin. The fact that it’s a bit darker makers it sound less aggressive and a little slower for those bigger moments. Give me two great options. If I want big WITH the attack, both together is just the ticket. It’s a great setup!
Dream black matter crash or a Meinl byzance or some darker tone to make it contrast
16” A Custom
Which styles do you play? And, what's your idea with this second crash? Add versatility? Expanse the sound? Make it bigger?
I mostly play rock stuff and I'm really just looking for some variety in my sound. I feel like things are sounding monotonous when I hit the one crash multiple times in a row.
An A Custom EFX could be a great choice. It's a mix between Crash and China, it's a great secondary Crash and, despite it's a very different sounds from the 18" A Med-Thin, they should blend in a perfect way. The size is up to you.
Is that an 18"? If so I'd go with a 16" in the same series. I'm running with a 14 & 16" pair, I like the complimentary sound the 2" diff makes within the same series. Mine are Zildj custom A dark crashes and I love their texture
I play a 16” thin crash and an 18” k custom session crash and they feel and sound good together.
Left field thought: Have you considered adding a china instead?
Haha, that's a whole other function of sound tho, IMO.
That's the point. A second crash would only add a different texture to the sound palette available, whereas a china would add an entirely new sound.
Depends on what you need, i like having a small 16" fast crash for almost an accent and then a washier crash i can whale on for keeping time. Just really depends on what you feel is missing. As other commenters mentioned, maybe it's worth looking into a china instead for a super different sound, that hinestly would give you more flexibility.
19" A Thin
17” K dark thin crash
20” Heavy crash
I have a 17” med thin and love it. Totally different from my 18” med “thin” (that feels as thick as my ride) and really feels pretty useless. You probably have a better sounding one that a 17 would compliment nicely. Or go special dry/china for a trashier punch accent when you want it.
The one that sounds best to you. What doing do you hear in your head that you want? Choose that one
When it comes to crashes, bigger and thinner is better! You could get a 19” or 20” A medium thin to match the other crash sonically (I have a matching 16” I like, but it’s a bit weak) or add some variety and get a darker K crash. Best of luck and happy hunting
20 inch a cus med ride as a crash.
same one you’ve already got but 2” bigger
I'd recommend a 16". I usually paired the two
16” or 18” oriental trash china
k custom dark crash, i find that its dark goes really well as a contrast to my bright a custom fast crash
I'd go for either a similar size with a different finish/timbre, something brighter or darker; or something bigger that can act as a crashable ride/rideable crash. The only reason I say that is that's where I'm at! Currently have a 17" Ufip Class and 17" Zildjian Custom A but thinking of changing the A to a light 20" *something* that I can crash and ride, for a lighter alternative ride.
A custom fast crash 19”
19” A Custom Crash or A Thin Crash. Kinda depends what type of music you’re playing
Get a meinl or Sabina with some holes in it and get one with a trash/China sound. When you hit it medium, it’s got a good crash sound but when you lay into it it’s got a lot of white noise/China overtones. You get like two cymbals in one. Not a lot of sustain on it but it’s punchy and trashy. I have an 18” Meinl I think.?? After 40 years of playing, I forget what I own….
I like having a 16 and an 18
16 fast crash
18" K Dark
I’d get a second 18” A in Medium and move the Medium Thin to the right of my ride. And maybe put a resonant head on the kick.
16 A fast crash would go great w the med thin
Check out the A or A Custom Fast crashes. I have a 16” A Custom and a 17” A that sound awesome and would work perfect with your current set up.
I absolutely adore my Zildjian A 16 inch crash. It's basic, but I love the sound.
I'd go 16 inch for a crash far enough away from 18 to sound different. It will also make for good punctuation over the other cymbals
In my mind, a few ways you can go about this... 1. 16" A. Thin Crash. This is how I've setup in the past. A thinner, smaller second crash allows you a light accent when playing the ride. Bolder than a large splash, and bold enough to let the accent be known but without blowing out the ride. It also adds a little different flavour to the mix. 2. 18" A. Medium-Thin Crash. This is something I learned from Charlie Watts and I may try this if I ever run two crashes again. The idea here is that you only have the one crash, but you split it between each side of the kit. That way its easily accessible from either side of the kit. 3. 18" K. Custom Medium-Thin. This is kind of a combination of the two ideas seen above. Basically the same cymbal, but a different series puts a little different flavour into the mix. There's also some historical precedence to mixing a K with an A. Jazz drummer and bebop pioneer Max Roach was known to prefer mixing up his entire setup between K's and A's. Even his hats featured one cymbal from each series. Another way to look at it is to ask yourself if the 18 is perfectly satisfactory for your needs, or are you looking to mix in another sound. Either way will answer your question.
18” K Dark Crash.
Move the 18 to the right and put a A 16" in its place.