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View Full Version : My new pinTech cymbals..


ghostman
04-16-2008, 07:21 PM
I will forge in first, I guess. Head first.. lol.
Anyway, I recently got some Clear PC Series cymbals (they were being sold to reduce stock, Brian had advertised the sale on a *different* forum site)..

Anyway, here's some questions, comments and observations.
Ride - dual input bell and bow triggers.
I really like this cymbal. Everything works well, and I like it.

14" Crash w/ Choke.
This one frustrated me for about an hour because it seemed the electronics were sketchy.. I was getting some choke sometimes and not others.. Then, I found I didn't plug the stereo patch cable in all the way.. First rule of debugging - check your cables!! I actually have two of these, and since I was testing them individually, the second one didn't frustrate - because the cable was inserted correctly the first time.

Hi-hats w/ sliding hi-hat controller. It took me a while to dial in the sensitivity on this, but I got it after a few minutes of tweaking. I really like the ability to use a variable hi hat electronically. Although, the foam ring on the bottom hat is annoying. Through fairly regular use, the top hat (Mr. Lincoln, your cymbals are ready) keeps catching on the lower hat's foam ring, causing them to be off-set most of the time. I think the foam ring is there for sound dampening for the two plastic hats - to reduce acoustical noise. I think I would put the foam ring on the top hat.. This is mostly an issue aesthetically, it doesn't seem to impact playability.

I like the clear plastic, too, although I am tempted to airbrush them or something to make them a little more custom.. I have a tendancy to want my edrums to look electronic, not look like acoustical, and the clear plastic fit me just fine.

I am using these with an Alesis trigger IO, and my testing was done using the BFD lite software.

Anyway, these are my first electronic cymbals, so I don't have a lot to compare to, though I have played some Rolands in the stores..

dschrammie
04-16-2008, 07:33 PM
I'm currently using Visulites, and have no problems with triggering. The only issue that I have is that I'm used to a nice big fat bell on my ride with plenty of area to strike (see the drums that Rogue has posted...it's the ride off to the left). The 18" Visulite ride has a relatively small area for a bell and I would personally like a larger bell. Granted, yes we are talking about 2 different sized cymbals, but still...in order for it to feel more 'real' to me, that's the one thing I'd change...a bigger bell on the ride. Maybe it's just me.

The other thing is just a general question and I guess it pertains to all ecymbals, not just Pintech's. I've thought about the fact that I have a cable hanging down from a plastic box...at the end of this cable is a receptacle that gets a jack plugged in from another cable. Though that isn't 'heavy' in the grand scheme of things, it does have some amount of weight hanging there all the time...plus a little additional force added every time it shakes around from a cymbal strike. I just wonder how long before the jacketing gets worn down where it comes out of the box, because there's no strain relief there. Has anyone else thought about this and done something about it? Do you just zip-tie 'em to their stands or something?

dschrammie
04-17-2008, 05:44 PM
Well, the diameter of the bell area may be the same as an 18" acoustical ride...but I don't know about the actual bell shape...I'll have to look again tonight.
I'd refer to the product on Pintech's website...but there are pretty limited product pics on the site! :(
I'm thinking maybe it's that the "bowl" shape is a little shallow. I'll get back you on that though.

Axe_Grinder
04-17-2008, 08:29 PM
The potentiometer (vol knob) on the side of the variable controller will adjust the level of openness.

ghostman
04-17-2008, 11:54 PM
The potentiometer (vol knob) on the side of the variable controller will adjust the level of openness.


Yeah, if I turn it from the off (where it clicks) to the other end of the range, I only get varied response on the last 15-25% of that pot (full on). I've adjusted the placement of the box and I am planning on playing with it more, moving the box up or down. I do want the full open sound when I am working the hi-hat, it's just mid-song, I can't reach down and play with the knob, the drop clutch is the best solution acoustically, and my style wise. Jeez, rogue, can't I spout without you giving me tips? Heh.. ;D

ghostman
04-18-2008, 12:01 AM
Here are the pictures. they are named for the picture. one is of the hats in a normal closed position, and the second one is the offset picture.

As I said, it's pretty minor, but just something I noticed. But, the DIY / tinkerer in me made me look at it critically...

dschrammie
04-23-2008, 12:32 AM
Yeah, after playing a little more tonight I've decided the bell is too shallow on the 18" ride. The bell itself should have a little more height and more of a 'bowl' shape. That's my official vote.

ghostman
04-25-2008, 12:25 AM
LOL, I have it on a drop clutch now. I do want to use the drop, but... ;D
I guess I could try taking the pads out of the drop clutch to limit 'wiggle'.

Thanks, I'll go try it!