At some point, even the best cymbals on any drum kid will become damaged. Yup, it’s likely that if you play as hard as you do for many years that your cymbals will give way. And the most common way cymbal issue is cracking.

However, this doesn’t mean the end for your kit; here’s everything you need to know about cymbals when they crack and what to do.

Can I Fix My Cracked Cymbals?
If your cymbals cracks, this is a sure sign replacement is on the horizon, especially if they are big ones or in poor placement.
Cracks play a role in structural integrity and can spread. If you continue playing cracked cymbals, the crack will increase.
You can also hear cracks, which sounds sparkling as it vibrates with each thud. Some drummers even like this sound!
You can fix some cracks or ignore the issues if the cymbals are simply for practice. However, if you’re serious about your sound, it’s best to give in and get them replaced. You can save costs and go with like-new used cymbals at DCP when it’s time to replace.

What Causes a Cracked Cymbal?
Some causes of this common kit issue are:

·         Poor Technique: If you hit straight down through a splash, crash, or china cymbal, you risk cracks. Proper technique will include a side-to-side stroke, which will produce a more musical sound and avoid creating cracks.

·         Metal Contact: If the kit piece is on a metal stand, there will be cracks around the center mounting hole. A better option is to use plastic sleeves and keep two pieces of felt between the cymbals.

·         Tight Mounting: These pieces should swing freely side to side on the stand. If they are mounted too tightly, cracks will occur near the mounting hole.

·         Hitting Hard: While every piece of a drum kit is subject constant hitting, there is a limit on how much it can handle. If you strike too hard and too often, cracks are much more likely. Take it easy!

Checking for Cracks
Whether you are checking your current set or evaluating a used replacement, you should know how to identify cracks. It involves a few steps, including:

Edge Examination
The first step is to exam the edges for both crack and rough dents/areas. If the edges are rough or dented, it suggests misuse.

Dents come about if the object makes hard impact with the floor if a bag is thrown down. If the edge is smooth, it can still have edge cracks.

Large cracks will be noticeable but small cracks will be found by running your fingernail around the edge. Your nail will find tiny cracks. You can ignore small edge cracks, but they will grow over time.

Bow and Bell
After edge examination, look at the body of the cymbal, which is the bow, and the bell. Damage to the bow will be caused by hard hitting in the same area. Issues in this are the result of tight mounting.

A quick visual examination will determine damage here. Damage to the bell and bow will drastically reduce the value and playability. Damage from the bow will spread slowly but presents more problematic issues.

Center Mounting Hole
Large cracks can appear around the center mounting hole from metal-on-metal contact. If the hole is not round, it is a sign of a cymbal past its prime. This is called keyholing.

Just like other issues, this reduced the value of the piece. Very small cracks are not likely to spread but are difficult to fix.