Sabian HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Raw Bell Dry Ride
Size: 21 Inch
Series: HHX
Weight: 2972g, 2992g, 3017g, 3042g, 3063g, 3102g, 3130g, 3159g, 3168g, 3182g, 3207g, 3231g, 3275g, 3284g, 3302g, 3344g, 3495g
Median Weight: 3168g (n=17)
Years of production: 2009¹ - Present
Sound file: HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride (Brilliant)
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
Four Different 21" Raw Bell Dry Rides
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
HHX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The 21″ HHX Dry Ride is not always dry but it sure is good. This one, to our ears, sounds more like a traditional hand-hammered cymbal but with bigger ballsaciousness. The rather modest, low profile bell is low-pitched. Stick definition is good but always surrounded by a slight roar and wash. Interestingly, played with a small to medium-weight stick, say up to a 5A with a small oval or acorn head, the attack was very dry and clear with a nice “tah” sound, each stroke like a lone flower in a desert. We liked it. Played with a bigger stick, in this case say a 5B or 2B, acorn head, the cymbal reacted completely different: less dry, more ping, more high end, even more lovely roar and wash. Sticks always make ride cymbals sound different, but this was notable."

Review written John Nyman ("Sabian HHX Cymbals Reviewed!", Drum!, January 2011)

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:

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Source:
¹ Sabian Cymbal and Sound Guide 2009