A1756-1 vs FRX2112 — Compare
SABIAN 17" Artisan Traditional Sym Medium Light Single vs Sabian 21” Ride FRX
The 17" Artisan Traditional is a crash/ride hybrid designed for jazz and classical ensemble playing, while the 21" FRX Ride is a dedicated ride cymbal engineered for studio, worship, and live performance in acoustically sensitive settings. Choose the Artisan if you want versatile crash-ride textures in small ensembles; choose the FRX if you need a professional ride that cuts through without harshness in mixed acoustic environments.
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SABIAN 17" Artisan Traditional Sym Medium Light Single
Specs side by side
| SABIAN 17" Artisan Traditional Sym Medium Light Single | Sabian 21” Ride FRX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $594.99 | $629.99 |
| Brand | Sabian | Sabian |
| Cymbal Type | Suspended | Ride |
| Cymbal Size | 17" | 21" |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose SABIAN 17" Artisan Traditional Sym Medium Light Single
- ✓ 17" size offers crash/ride versatility—performs as secondary crash or ride depending on touch
- ✓ Refined, warm dark tone with complex overtones suits classical and jazz chamber settings
- ✓ Medium Light weight enables quick articulation with responsive dynamics across soft and hard playing
Why choose Sabian 21” Ride FRX
- ✓ 21" dedicated ride size provides projection and presence suitable for larger venues and live contexts
- ✓ FRX frequency-reduction technology removes harshness, allowing full dynamic range without biting the mix
- ✓ Buttery-soft articulation excels in acoustically sensitive environments like studios, churches, and theaters
Frequently asked questions
What is the main tonal difference between these two cymbals?
Both deliver dark, warm tones, but the Artisan Traditional emphasizes refined overtone complexity with organic decay, while the FRX Ride uses frequency reduction to remove specific harsh overtones. The FRX is engineered for controlled, buttery articulation in mixed acoustic environments; the Artisan is voiced for sophisticated ensemble textures.
Which is better for recording?
The 21" FRX Ride is explicitly designed for studio sessions with frequency management that prevents harshness when miked. The 17" Artisan Traditional can work in studio but is optimized for live ensemble performance.
Can the Artisan Traditional work as a dedicated ride cymbal?
Yes—the 17" can serve as a ride with depth and projection, though at 17" it is smaller and lighter than a dedicated ride. It works best as a secondary ride or crash/ride hybrid in jazz and classical contexts rather than as a primary ride.
Why does the FRX have holes in it?
The perforations and bands of holes in the FRX are part of the frequency-reduction design; they reshape the cymbal's harmonic content to remove specific harsh frequencies, allowing drummers to play with full dynamics without the cymbal biting or overwhelming the mix in acoustically sensitive settings.