Sabian 12-inch Chopper cymbal

General

After his older brother took over as the head of the Zildjian company in 1981, Robert Zildjian founded a new company named after his three children, Sally, Bill and Andy (SaBiAn). Since then, Sabian has become one of the world's leading cymbal brands and enjoys a great reputation as one of the 'big four' of cymbal manufacturing, along with Zildjian, Paiste and Meinl.

Sabian Artisan 12-inch Chopper cymbal

Once again, Sabian displays its unquenchable thirst for unique new ideas. This 12-inch Chopper is an unusual-looking cymbal that is sure to turn a few heads when you show it off on stage. It is made of B8 bronze and consists of three layers. The bottom layer is a solid B8 bronze disc which has been lathed to ensure maximum friction. The middle layer is unlathed and cut into a seven-bladed fan shape, and the top layer has the same shape, but has a brilliant finish and is offset so that the blades do not overlap. All these layers are held together by three rivets that allow for just enough movement between them to create friction.

This unique design gives this effect cymbal a unique and dynamic sound that can vary from a small, almost hi-hat like accent when you strike it gently, to a more open, trashy sound when you strike it harder. Furthermore, it has a rapid decay, making it suited for even a rapid succession of accents. Just like any regular cymbal, the Chopper can be mounted on a cymbal stand, so why not give it a place around your drum kit?