‘People Don’t Seem to be Shopping or Buying:’ The Cymbal Market Struggles (for Many)

“Drums and cymbals are dead, and have been for a while,” declares Jason Struble of Muncie, Indiana’s Sight & Sound Music Center. “I often ask myself why I still carry them… then I answer myself because I sell accessories, hardware, sticks, and heads which all have grown softer over the years.”

A gloomy take on this market segment, but with nearly 60 percent (56.1%) of participants in this month’s dealer survey reporting a downwards trend for sales, Struble’s assessment – while drastic – is far enough away from hyperbole for comfort. What are the reasons? Increasing prices for both retailers and players were most often cited as culprits, but in particular the relative lack of a viable middle tier option seems to be keeping customers away.

As Shane Kinney of Drum Center of Portsmouth (New Hampshire) says, “Boutique and cheap do well. The middle is a wasteland. The market needs a pro-level, name-brand line with models that street for $200 or less.”

Of course, as with virtually anything, no truth is absolute across the board. Certain dealers in some parts of the country are doing just fine. “There has been an increase in sales in this area this year,” enthuses Ronnie Green of Green Music (Murphy, North Carolina).“Thanks to all of our customers and suppliers for making this a great year for cymbals!”

“We try not to stock many cymbal ‘packs,’ as cymbal sounds and the drummers who seek them are unique, and the sound they’re trying to cultivate may not fit in to a standard cymbal ‘pack.’”

C.E. Surine

The Drum Shop, Tulsa, Oklahoma

“Drums in general have slowed way down for us the last couple of years. A lot of it had to do with a certain well-known brand of drum dropping MAP on all of their products… no thanks. It sort of threw us in a temporary funk. What does the future hold? Only time will tell. Cymbal-wise we do still sell more of the cymbal packs than individual cymbals – usually in the medium price range.”

Tim Bascom

Morgan Music Services, Inc.,

Lebanon, Missouri

Have you noticed any significant shifts or tendencies when it comes to cymbals – either on the supplier or consumer sides?

“Drummers are the ‘nomadic customers’ of the Music Industry. That means they gallop through the store and buy whatever you put in front of them, as long as it is shiny, unboxed, and easy to handle. They don’t look up or down, they typically walk the store in a quick circle, and you must have it right smack dab in front of them to get a purchase. So boxed packs don’t work. If the item is over $250 then it needs to be Zildjian, if it is cheaper and/or a used cymbal, it will sell if you display it.”

Anthony Mantova

Mantova’s Two Street Music

Eureka, California

“Great reduction in shoppers and buyers!”

Derek Sharp

Supersonic Music

Topeka, Kansas

“Only [the] very cheapest ones are selling now.”

Joanne Julier

Cerdd Ystwyth Music

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

United Kingdom

“The variety of cymbals has been exponential and I would think some dealers are having trouble stocking so wide a variety. It’s expensive!”

John Nasshan

Vesely Music

Parowan, Utah

“People don’t seem to be shopping or buying.”

Mitchel D Banks

Don Banks Music

Tampa, Florida

“Cymbals have always been a good seller. Different drummers in this area have their own preference and we try to always meet their need. Our suppliers have always been there for us. In previous years we saw an increase in drum kit sales and now most of the drummers are upgrading some of their cymbals and hi-hats and such. There has been an increase in sales in this area this year. Thanks to all of our customers and suppliers for making this a great year for cymbals!”

Ronnie Green

Green Music

Murphy, North Carolina

“Meinl has captured that dry/complex market quite well and SABIAN has been picking up the pieces of the rebrand along with their computer system swap preventing them from meeting certain demand. Zildjian’s K Sweet Cymbals came out really nice and have done well.”

Roger Nottestad

The Drum Shop

Tulsa, Oklahoma