Sabian HHX 21" Groove Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Groove Ride
Size: 21 Inch
Series: HHX
Weight: 2331g, 2350g, 2382g, 2400g, 2409g, 2418g, 2467g, 2474g, 2488g, 2500g, 2616g, 2741g (2 rivets)
Median Weight: 2443g (n=12)
Years of production: 2002¹ - Present
Sound file: HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
HHX 21" Groove Ride
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The 21" HHX Groove Ride has a lot of what has always appealed to the aficionados of old Turkish-made rides. Its thin design offers plenty of “wash” and trashy ride qualities that jazz players drool over. On the other hand, the bell—which usually is non-existent on a ride such as this—is thick, solid, and direct.

This cymbal’s airy demeanor would certainly make it appropriate as a jazz-style ride. But many new styles of pop, including neo-soul and hip-hop, are using this type of sound as well, making the Groove Ride a valid candidate for today’s soul sound. (And you get the bonus of its solid bell sound for those off-beat accents). Stick attack is not as direct as that produced by the HH Anniversary 20" medium ride, so if you’re looking for a solid “ping” you’ll have to look elsewhere."

Review written by Mike Haid ("New Sabian Models - Something Old, Something New, And Something...Fierce", Modern Drummer, August 2002, p.49)

Review: "The cymbal is called the Groove Ride because it sounds so good when you play grooves on it. Every part of the cymbal has a beautiful shimmering tone that is a good mixture of warmth and dark washiness.

The surface has a brilliant finish, making it look incredibly shiny at your drum kit. The only part that doesn’t have that aesthetic is the bell which is unlathed. The unlathed bell has an earthy appearance that has become quite well-known with many HHX cymbals.

Tone-wise, the bell has an earthy sound that matches its appearance quite well.

Since the Groove Ride has excellent crashability, it can technically act as another crash cymbal. This will allow you to save a bit of cash by not buying a second crash. You could even use this as the only cymbal along with hi-hats if you want to go for a minimalist setup."

Review written by Brett Clur ("Sabian 21-inch HHX Groove Review for 2021 - Ultimate Buying Guide", thedrumninja.com, December 30, 2024) (retrieved February 8, 2025)

Review: "The Groove Ride is a medium-thin model with an overall dark and complex sound, yet it is capable of great focus and projection, especially when played on its large bell. The underlying wash of tones never sounds muddy or threatens to capsize. By varying my sticking touch and force I was able to create a wide spectrum of different colors and effects, all with total control over the cymbal’s dynamics. The HHX 21" Groove Ride is the result of a joint effort between Sabian and renowned R&B drummer Zoro. The goal was to create a cymbal with good definition and clarity for driving, groove-oriented playing, while retaining a wide, controlled bed of tone.

Perhaps Zoro put it best, “I'm into the feel of the music, so the feel of my cymbals is very important. I want definition without stick shock. I like them soft. . . I want to be able to sink my stick into the cymbal and make it speak to me, not scream.”

Review written by Musician's Friend ("Hands-On Review: Sabian HHX Cymbals", musiciansfriend.com, December 13, 2013)

Artist/song where it can be heard: Daniel Adair

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Source:
¹ Sabian 2002 Catalog