Sabian AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Raw Bell Dry Ride
Size: 21 Inch
Series: AA
Weight: 2991g, 3143g, 3230g, 3264g, 3288g, 3326g
Median Weight: 3247g (n=6)
Years of production: 2006¹ - Present
Sound file: AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Rides
AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
AA 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The 21" AA Raw-Bell ride is an AA variant of the popular HH raw-Bell Dry ride. The AA version has been devised to address the demand from rock players for the same model, but with a brighter, more cutting edge. With the exception of its raw bell, the ride is heavily lathed, making for a lively response.

The cymbal has the sort of brightness you would associate with the AA range, but is also on the dry side. Sticking is clear and well defined, while the bell is solid and commanding. It's a powerful cymbal that generates enough volume to deal with all but the most extreme of musical situations."

Review written by The MusicRadar Team ("Sabian Vault Artisan Ride 20" review", musicradar.com, December 11, 2007)

Review: "The unlathed bells of the four models contributed greatly to the cymbals' focused sound. But they weren't as thick and cutting as I would have expected, given their raw appearance. The bells on the HH and HHX models had a surprisingly mellow sound that might be more at home on a Motown record than on a blistering fusion or funk tune. Steve Ferrone's ride sound with Tom Petty is a good example of these models in action. If you're looking for a ride with a bell that will cut through anything and melt faces at twenty-five yards, I would suggest checking out the AA and AAX models over their hand-hammered brethren.

Playing the four Raw Bell Dry rides side by side, I could really appreciate the subtle distinctions of each, which were mostly found in their pitch and their bells. The HH and HHX models had lower fundamental pitches than the AA or AAX model.

The HHX was the darkest and funkiest of all the Raw Bell Dry rides, and the AA was most similar to the other cymbals in its line. I found the HH to be the most versatile, which explains why it has been so popular among drummers of many types. The AA and AAX models would be appropriate in a loud rock or pop situation, where everything is amplified and you want your ride to come through with clarity and not as a wall of sound. They'd function better, for example, in Neal Peart's setup with Rush than in Brad Wilk's kit with Rage Against The Machine, as Wilk often bashes his ride for a washy wave.

Each of Sabian's Raw Bell Dry rides served its intended purpose well. Don't expect them to open up and scream, but do expect them to project your bow and bell sticking patterns to the last seat in the house, with a slightly different color from each series. If you favor the AA line of crashes and hi-hats, you'll probably like the AA Raw Bell Dry ride best. If you're an HHX drummer, you'll most likely prefer that one, and so on. This speaks volumes about Sabian's ability to create cohesive families of cymbals while still allowing each model to have its own voice."

Review written by Ben Meyer ("Sabian Raw Bell Dry Rides", Modern Drummer, September 2009, p. 37)

Artist/song where it can be heard:

---

Source:
¹ "New And Notable", Modern Drummer, September 2006