SHASHWAT KARKARE
SABIAN FRX
REVIEW
S
abian has been one of the top brands of cymbal
companies on a global scale. Since its inception
in 1981, it has been pushing the envelope in the
world of cymbal manufacturing. From variety in cymbal
series to a variety in endorsees, Sabian has done it all.
Earlier this year, Sabian launched a whole new series of
cymbals titled FRX, the Frequency Reducing series. These
cymbals where made using the B20 alloy, the “high-end”
variety of cymbals; but with a twist. This new line was
to be deemed as a completely new variety of cymbals as
it was not a noise reduction cymbal but rather a cymbal
that was manufactured in such a way that they merely
reduced the number of frequencies produced. Hence,
the sound produced is not softer, but just not as shrill.
This was done by a new method of finishing the
cymbal wherein holes where drilled in strategic spots
of the crashes and rides of this series. This removed
the extra bulk and mass, which in turn eliminated
the upper mid and high frequency (the white noise)
which is often perceived as volume. The white
noise worked well in large auditoriums and
stadiums, but it stands out in a tiny venue.
to the sound. It feels like Sabian went too far into rem oving
mass and ‘lowering volume’ to the point where they have
sacrificed overall quality. The resultant cymbal is one
with a thin sound, little to no resonance and overall, very
one-dimensional. Granted, it is a practical option but these
defects make it difficult to see a variety of drummers using
such a cymbal. It restricts the kinds of genres one can use
such a cymbal for. The thin tonal quality would not suit
various genres or kinds of drummers. Just various venues.
In a quick comparison to the Zildjian L80 cymbal, the
actual low volume cymbal, we see a definite drop in
overall levels, but not a change in tone. There is no
compromise there as the whole idea was to create
a low volume cymbal and that goal was achieved,
with nothing else changed. Thus the idea of dropping
frequency in a bid to drop volume seems misguided.
Final verdict: Buy it only if tone is not the guiding factor.
Sabian hence marketed this series for
drummers performing in smaller
auditoriums, banquet halls, tiny
clubs and the like. A cymbal where
intensity and general volume of
playing the cymbal is not sacrificed
but the output level is kept at a
minimum, making it an ideal
cymbal choice for bands in
garages or tiny venues.
From the looks of it, Sabian
seems to have struck a great
balance in creating lower
pitched cymbals that work
well in small venues. But
a closer look shows some
flaws in this series.
While Sabian has made a
difference in nuance and
perception of cymbals with the
FRX, it seemed to have swapped
convenience for tone. The FRX
series is a convenient set of cymbals
that could prove to be very practical.
But the tonal quality has reduced
considerably. The cymbals sound too
thin and brittle, with no expanse or body
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
31