With over 90 percent (93.8%) of participants in this month’s retailer survey reporting that sales of cymbals are either up or level compared to early 2022, it would appear that the return to live performances has been a true shot in the arm for this portion of the MI landscape, post-pandemic. Additionally, only 21.2% of those we polled indicated that supply chain challenges are a major factory in orders and delivery-times – more good news! That said, many relate that increased prices have led to robust sales of – and consequently a greater scarcity of – used cymbals.
While the usual suspects are cited as the top-selling brands by many, there were a few names that haven’t appeared in similar surveys over the past few years (UFIP, and Schlagwerk, among others). It would also appear that, from a sonic standpoint, players are going for heavy and “dark” these days As Matt Donaldson of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Drum World/Tulsa puts it, “Larger and darker are still the trend.”
Read on to learn more of MI retailers had to say about cymbals this month.
Sales of cymbals, when compared to this time last year, are…
Up: 58.5%
Level: 35.3%
Down: 6.2%
Have delivery times of cymbal orders been significantly impacted by supply chain issues lately?
Yes: 21.2%
Somewhat: 42.4%
Not at all: 36.4%
What types of cymbals do you sell the most of (feel free to select more than one)?
Crash: 78.5%
Ride: 51%
Cymbal Packs: 48.2%
Hi-Hat: 43.1%
China: 9.8%
Splash: 3.1%
FX Cymbals: 3.1%
Which brands are generating the most profit for your operation?
Zildjian: 86.9%
SABIAN: 81.3%
MEINL: 63.4%
Paiste: 59.2%
Dream: 45%
Istanbul: 42.5%
Bosphorus: 21.3%
Wuhan: 11.3%
Stagg: 11.2%
UFIP: 7.3%
“Other”: 4.5%
Schlagwerk: 4.5%
Agazarian: 3.2%
KAT Percussion: 3.2%
What trends have you been noticing with respect to cymbal sales?
“Definitely not selling as many cast cymbals due to the high price tags. Musicians can only afford so much and a parent does not want to spend $250 for their kid’s crash cymbal.”
Peter Knudson
Drums West/Boomer Music Company
For Collins, Colorado
“Hand-hammered, thin, dark and large diameter cymbals (18″+) continue to be the trend for those who can afford them. Most cymbal buyers have to stick to budget-friendly options, especially given recent price increases.”
Seth Dralle
The Music Shoppe
Normal, Illinois
“We seem to remain exempt from many trends, cymbals included. While I know ‘stackers’ sell very well in Atlanta, they don’t do much for us. We have a more traditional clientele. The S series [Zildjian] and XRS [SABIAN] do well for us.”
Musician’s Warehouse
Athens, Georgia
“Larger crashes and larger rides are selling more.”
Scott Gilreath
Musical Depot, LLC
Florence, South Carolina
“Drummers shop differently than everyone else. They usually walk the store in a big circle and then go out the door if they don’t see what they want. To meet the challenge, we have a large Zildjian display in their flight path! Right below it we have a big blue plastic bin full of used cymbals. Drummers love to dig for deals.”
Anthony Mantova
Mantova’s Two Street Music
Eureka, California
“We are selling more Box Sets by Turkish , Zildjian and Meinl.”
Terry Nirva
Dave’s Drum Depot
La Crosse, Wisconsin
“With issues related to supply and raw materials, it pushes retail prices higher. This factor creates an increased demand for used cymbals and finding quality used cymbals is becoming much harder.”
Steve Patterson
Full Score Music
Toledo, Ohio
“Bigger diameter, thinner, lower-pitched cymbals seem to be the direction of the trend with smaller, thicker cymbals filling the used bins.”
Derek S. Sharp
Supersonic Music
Topeka, Kansas
“With the price of new cymbals being out of the range of our mostly student buyers, we try to obtain as many used cymbals as possible from trade-ins or private purchases.”
Ed Intagliata
Cassels Music
San Fernando, California
“Customers are looking for lower cost solutions and are much more open minded towards new brands than in the past. The box sets seem to be the most popular solution for newer drummers, while the low volume cymbals have created a whole new revenue generating category for the manufacturers. I think we’ll see continued development in the pursuit of offering quieter cymbals.”
Shane Kinney
Drum Center of Portsmouth
North Hampton, New Hampshire
“UFIP Cymbals have been gaining views and sales.”
Dana Bentley
Bentley’s Drum Shop, Inc.
Fresno, California
“When shopping for a ride, hi hat, or crash cymbal, folks are usually steering for a more traditional sound rather than an experimental one. Most people also seem to favor darker, thinner cymbals and often larger diameters as well (15″/16″ hi hats, 20″ crashes and 24″ rides).”
Evan Miller
Rupp’s Drums
Denver, Colorado
“As much as drummers love to try new effect cymbals and new series of cymbals using new materials, most wind up going back to their tried and true. Zildjian and SABIAN are running neck and neck with electronic cymbals making an inroads.”
David St. John
Music & Arts
Glendora, California
