Sabian Cymbals at LV Guitars
Sabian has spent decades earning its place on stages and in studios worldwide, and LV Guitars is proud to carry one of the deepest selections of their work you'll find anywhere — over 650 cymbals spanning entry-level to professional hand-crafted series. From punishing crashes built for arena rock to whisper-thin hats that breathe in a jazz trio, there's a Sabian for every drummer who demands more from their kit.
Whether you're chasing the thunderous crack of an AA Rock Crash at volume, the complex wash of an HHX Evolution O-Zone, or a buttery ride that sits perfectly in a funk groove, this is a brand built around real-world playing. Browse the full range here and find the cymbal that completes your setup.
The Sabian Story
Sabian was born in Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada, when the Zildjian family's North American operation was divided and the Canadian facility was handed to Robert Zildjian, who renamed it Sabian — a name drawn from the first letters of his three children's names. From day one, the company committed to crafting cymbals in the same centuries-old B20 bronze tradition while developing its own distinct sonic identity. That Canadian factory became a hub of genuine craft, where hand-hammering, lathing, and bell-shaping are still central to how the best Sabian cymbals are made.
Over the years, Sabian built a reputation for bold innovation alongside respected tradition, introducing series that addressed the real demands of touring drummers, session players, and genre specialists alike. The AA, AAX, HH, and HHX lines each carved out loyal followings, and the brand's willingness to collaborate closely with world-class drummers has kept its designs grounded in what actually works on a stage or behind the glass. Today, Sabian sits firmly among the most respected cymbal makers in the world.
What Sabian Is Known For
- B20 bronze alloy construction across professional series — the same material trusted by the industry's top players for warmth, complexity, and durability
- A deep and clearly organized lineup — from the versatile AA series through the hand-hammered HH and the sophisticated HHX — giving players a well-defined path from practice to pro
- Hand-hammering and specialized lathing techniques that shape each cymbal's response, sustain, and tonal character
- Brilliant-finish options that add visual projection on stage alongside a brighter, more cutting attack
- Thin and medium weights engineered for specific playing styles, from delicate jazz brushwork to high-volume rock and metal
- Trusted by a roster of elite drummers across every genre, including Neil Peart, Chad Smith, Dave Weckl, Jack DeJohnette, Jojo Mayer, Terry Bozzio, and Will Calhoun
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the AA, AAX, HH, and HHX series?
The AA series is Sabian's workhorse line — bright, cutting, and versatile across rock, pop, and live performance. AAX takes that brightness further with a more modern, aggressive character suited to hard rock, metal, and high-energy playing. The HH series is hand-hammered and darker in tone, favored by players who want complexity and tradition, especially in jazz and fusion contexts. HHX is Sabian's top-tier innovation line, blending advanced hammering techniques with contemporary voicings — the HHX Evolution series in particular is prized for its complex, dry response that cuts through dense mixes without harshness.
Which Sabian cymbals work best for live rock and metal playing?
The AA and AAX series are built with live volume in mind. The AA Rock Crash and AAX Heavy Ride both deliver the cutting attack and projection that loud stages demand. For drummers pushing into metal territory, heavier weights and the more aggressive AAX voicings tend to hold up better under forceful playing without choking or over-washing. The AA M Crash is also a popular live choice for its fast response and controlled sustain.
Are Sabian cymbals suitable for jazz and lower-volume playing?
Absolutely. The HH and HHX lines include cymbals specifically voiced for jazz, fusion, and dynamic playing. Artists like Jack DeJohnette, Jeff Hamilton, Dave Weckl, and Jojo Mayer have all been closely associated with Sabian's more nuanced series. Thinner weights in the HHX range respond to light touch and brushwork, and the hand-hammering introduces the kind of tonal complexity that jazz players look for in a ride or a pair of hats.
What does B20 bronze mean, and why does it matter?
B20 bronze is an alloy composed of approximately 80% copper and 20% tin, and it has been the standard material for professional cymbals for centuries. The specific ratio gives the metal a warmth, richness, and complexity of overtones that simpler alloys can't match. B20 cymbals respond differently at varying dynamics and develop character over time as they are played — qualities that matter especially to drummers performing live or recording in a studio.
What is the difference between a brilliant finish and a standard finish?
A brilliant finish is achieved by machine-polishing the cymbal to a mirror-like shine after the lathing process. Tonally, brilliant cymbals tend to be slightly brighter and more immediately cutting compared to their natural-finish counterparts. On a live stage, the reflective surface also adds visual presence. Standard or natural finishes retain a more raw, complex texture and often produce a slightly darker, drier sound that many studio and jazz players prefer.