Can the Sabian AAX 18" El Sabor Picante be played with drumsticks?

Yes, it is designed to be played with both hands and sticks. The medium-weighted, unlathed inner section ensures it remains durable and sounds controlled under stick use.

What makes this cymbal suitable for hand-striking?

The outer edge is manufactured to be extra-thin. This reduced mass allows the cymbal to vibrate and open up with the lower impact force generated by a human hand.

Does the El Sabor Picante have a long sustain?

No, it is characterised by a rapid decay. This is due to the unlathed inner section, which helps control the wash and ensures the sound does not linger too long.

Can I use this cymbal as a ride?

Yes, the 18-inch diameter and unlathed centre provide dry and focused stick definition. This makes it a highly effective auxiliary ride cymbal.

What is the tonal profile of the AAX El Sabor Picante?

It has a bright and airy character. The AAX series is known for its modern, shimmering sound that cuts through amplified music easily.

What finish does this cymbal come in?

This specific model features a Natural finish. This contributes to its balanced tonal response compared to highly polished Brilliant finishes.

Is the bell lathed or unlathed?

The bell is unlathed, resulting in a raw and focused sound. This design choice helps in producing a clear, piercing bell tone with minimal overtones.

What is the typical price for this model?

The typical retail price is approximately £375. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock availability.

How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?

While both are dry, the Sabian El Sabor Picante is specifically optimised for hand-striking with its extra-thin edge. The Byzance Extra Dry is generally geared toward stick use for jazz and funk.

Is this cymbal part of a specific genre set?

It is often associated with Latin and percussion setups (hence the name 'El Sabor'). However, its versatility makes it suitable for pop, rock, and fusion kit setups.

What size is the El Sabor Picante Hand Crash?

This specific model is 18 inches in diameter. This size provides a good balance between the responsiveness of a smaller crash and the projection of a larger ride.

Does the unlathed centre affect the wash?

Yes, the unlathed centre and medium weight are specifically designed to ensure the wash does not get out of control. It keeps the sound focused and prevents 'runaway' sustain.

Gear article

Sabian AAX 18" El Sabor Picante Hand Crash Cymbal

The Sabian AAX 18" El Sabor Picante Hand Crash is a versatile, dual-purpose cymbal designed for both percussionists and kit drummers. It features a unique construction with an extra-thin outer edge for hand-playability and an unlathed centre for controlled stick definition.

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Overview and Design

The Sabian AAX 18" El Sabor Picante Hand Crash is engineered to bridge the gap between traditional orchestral or kit cymbals and hand percussion instruments. As part of the AAX series, it benefits from Sabian's modern manufacturing techniques, ensuring a consistent and bright response. The primary design objective for this model was to create a cymbal that responds immediately to the human hand while remaining durable enough for standard drumstick use.

The most notable physical characteristic is its variable weight distribution. The outer edge is tapered to an extra-thin profile, reducing the force required to activate the cymbal. Conversely, the inner section and bell are left unlathed and maintain a medium weight, which provides structural integrity and tonal control.

Functional Features

The El Sabor Picante functions as a multi-role instrument:

Hand Crash Capability: The extra-thin outer edge allows for immediate 'opening up' when struck with palms or fingers, making it ideal for conga or cajon setups.
Stick Definition: Because the inner edge is unlathed and medium-weighted, the wash is kept under control when using sticks. This prevents the sound from becoming overwhelming during fast patterns.
Auxiliary Ride Potential: The 18-inch diameter combined with the dry, unlathed centre allows it to serve as a focused auxiliary ride cymbal.
Bell Character: The raw, unlathed bell provides a distinct, piercing sound that cuts through a mix without excessive sustain.

Sonic Character

Sonically, the El Sabor Picante is defined by a bright, airy character. It offers a rapid burst of sound upon impact, followed by a quick decay that prevents the cymbal from 'bleeding' into other frequencies. When played with sticks, it maintains a dry and focused profile. The contrast between the explosive outer edge and the controlled centre gives the player a wide dynamic range, moving from subtle atmospheric textures to sharp, rhythmic accents.

User Suitability and Comparisons

This cymbal is particularly suited for percussionists who need a crash sound that does not require sticks, as well as kit drummers looking for a dry, fast-decaying crash that can double as a small ride.

In the market, it stands alongside other specialised cymbals such as the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash or the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash. However, its specific optimization for hand-striking distinguishes it from many of these alternatives, which are typically designed for sticks only. For drummers requiring even more control or lower volumes, options like the UFIP Class Series 14" Light Hi Hat or Gear4Music's Low Volume packs offer different solutions, but they lack the unique hybrid versatility of the El Sabor Picante.

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Frequently asked questions

Can the Sabian AAX 18" El Sabor Picante be played with drumsticks?: Yes, it is designed to be played with both hands and sticks. The medium-weighted, unlathed inner section ensures it remains durable and sounds controlled under stick use.
What makes this cymbal suitable for hand-striking?: The outer edge is manufactured to be extra-thin. This reduced mass allows the cymbal to vibrate and open up with the lower impact force generated by a human hand.
Does the El Sabor Picante have a long sustain?: No, it is characterised by a rapid decay. This is due to the unlathed inner section, which helps control the wash and ensures the sound does not linger too long.
Can I use this cymbal as a ride?: Yes, the 18-inch diameter and unlathed centre provide dry and focused stick definition. This makes it a highly effective auxiliary ride cymbal.
What is the tonal profile of the AAX El Sabor Picante?: It has a bright and airy character. The AAX series is known for its modern, shimmering sound that cuts through amplified music easily.
What finish does this cymbal come in?: This specific model features a Natural finish. This contributes to its balanced tonal response compared to highly polished Brilliant finishes.
Is the bell lathed or unlathed?: The bell is unlathed, resulting in a raw and focused sound. This design choice helps in producing a clear, piercing bell tone with minimal overtones.
What is the typical price for this model?: The typical retail price is approximately £375. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock availability.
How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?: While both are dry, the Sabian El Sabor Picante is specifically optimised for hand-striking with its extra-thin edge. The Byzance Extra Dry is generally geared toward stick use for jazz and funk.
Is this cymbal part of a specific genre set?: It is often associated with Latin and percussion setups (hence the name 'El Sabor'). However, its versatility makes it suitable for pop, rock, and fusion kit setups.
What size is the El Sabor Picante Hand Crash?: This specific model is 18 inches in diameter. This size provides a good balance between the responsiveness of a smaller crash and the projection of a larger ride.
Does the unlathed centre affect the wash?: Yes, the unlathed centre and medium weight are specifically designed to ensure the wash does not get out of control. It keeps the sound focused and prevents 'runaway' sustain.