Sabian Cymbals
Sabian cymbals is a force when it comes to drumming. Since being founded by Robert Zildjian in 1981 after a disagreement at Zildjian, Sabian has become one of the leading cymbal manufacturers.
Sabian has been arguing its case since 1981, when Robert Zildjian walked out of the family firm and started a rival one up the road in New Brunswick. Four decades on it is one of the two names most drummers actually choose between, and the ranges have grown distinct enough that picking the right series matters more than picking the brand.
AAX is the bright, cutting, modern one. HHX is the darker, drier, hand-hammered one. FRX is the range built specifically for small rooms and loud stages, and the AA Holy China is one of the great unhinged cymbals. Our guides below break down what each series actually sounds like and who plays it.
Sabian in the Rig Vault
🥁 23 items documented👤 played by 5 drummers
Real setups documented piece by piece in the Rig Vault — every item links to who plays it, reader reviews and where to buy.
Drummers who play Sabian
Most played Sabian gear
Every Sabian item in the vault
AA× 7read the AA guide →
AAX× 6read the AAX guide →
Paragon× 4read the Paragon guide →
HH× 3read the HH guide →
More Sabian× 2
Sabian and related marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Drum Faster is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Sabian.
Explore Sabian Cymbals
Sabian AA
The line Sabian was built on — machine-hammered B20 bronze, bright, focused and made to be heard.
Sabian AAX
Sabian's modern bright line — clean, precise B20 cymbals with raw bells, built for everything from pop to metal.
Sabian HH
Hand-hammered B20 — the dark, dry, complex end of the Sabian range.
Sabian HHX
The HH sound with the volume turned up — hand-hammered, higher profile, raw bell, built to be heard live.
Sabian Paragon
Co-designed with Neil Peart — the bright-yet-dark hybrid series built for The Professor's R30 setup.
Latest Sabian news
News
Sabian AA MantaRay Chinese | Ray Luzier's 21in
Sabian has quietly added a 21in AA MantaRay Chinese, built with Korn's Ray Luzier. No press release, no price yet — here is what we know.
All Our Buying Guides
Cymbal buying guide | Your first proper set
Packs vs individual cymbals, brass vs B8 vs B20, the sizes that matter and the cymbal sets we'd actually buy at every budget.
Latest in Sabian Cymbals
Sabian HHX
Sabian HHX Cymbals | The ultimate drummer's guide (2021)
Sabian has always created beautiful and complex cymbals. The Sabian HHX cymbal line is the pinnacle of this. These cymbals are dark in sound, beautiful in
Sabian AAX
Sabian AAX Cymbals | The ultimate drummer's guide
Sabian AAX cymbals have become a staple of many professional drummers setups. They look incredible, have a great tone and there is a big selection to
Sabian AA
Sabian AA Holy China | A deep dive into this incredible china cymbal
The Sabian AA Holy China has become a favourite amongst drummers. Holy China is a beast of a cymbal that has a distinct sound and unique look. Since its
Sabian Cymbals
Sabian FRX Cymbals | The new must-have cymbals for small gigs?
It is great to see companies pushing the boundaries of what a cymbal has traditionally been. Today we are looking at the FRX offering from Sabian. We
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