Sabian 20" Paragon Crash
- Fast, explosive responses abound in this Medium-weight model
- Designed with legendary RUSH drummer Neil Peart
- Designed with RUSH drummer Neil Peart
Out of stock
- SKU
- NP2008N
Description
Sabian 20" Paragon Crash Cymbal
The Sabian 20" Paragon Crash is engineered to sit clearly in a dense mix with a responsive, articulate attack under the stick. Its medium weight balances controlled stick definition with cutting projection, delivering the clarity required in multi-track recording and layered arrangements. Built for sessions where every cymbal voice needs definition and presence without excessive wash, the Paragon series combines decades of Sabian cymbal engineering into a modern studio workhorse.
Tone & Studio Application
The medium-thin profile produces a cutting, silvery tone with medium decay time—ideal for recording sessions requiring crisp, present crashes that maintain separation in a crowded frequency range. The large, volume-boosting bell amplifies projection and adds dimensional punch to crash accents, translating effectively to both close-mic and room-mic capture without losing definition or becoming harsh under gain.
Construction & Sonic Character
Handcrafted B20 bronze delivers the harmonic complexity and durability that define professional-grade recording cymbals. AA-style hammering incorporates sound-defining features from the AA, AAX, and HH series, resulting in a cymbal with tonal depth and focused stick response that captures nuance across dynamic performance.
Key Features
- 20-inch diameter crash cymbal
- B20 bronze construction (pure Sabian B20 bronze, handcrafted)
- Paragon series
- Medium weight classification (2122g–2325g range)
- Medium-thin profile
- Large, volume-boosting bell
- AA-style hammering with AA, AAX, and HH series sound-defining features
- Brilliant finish option available
- Cutting, commanding tone with silvery overtones
- Medium decay time
- In continuous production since 2004
The Paragon 20" Crash serves as a reliable, tonally sophisticated crash cymbal for recording engineers, producers, and session drummers seeking articulate response and cutting projection that translates clearly to tape.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Cymbal Size | 20" |
| Cymbal Type | Crash |
| Country of Manufacture | Canada |
Reviews
At a Glance
The Sabian 20" Paragon Crash is a handcrafted B20 cymbal with cutting, silvery tone and medium decay that sits cleanly in rock and metal mixes without excessive wash or muddiness. Its articulate stick response and large bell give you focused punch and projection in studio recordings, while the medium weight offers control across dynamic mic'd and mixed sessions. The AA-style hammering delivers tonal depth and harmonic complexity that translate well through recording chains and sit distinctly alongside other kit elements.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Live Performance
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Metal
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Paragon Crash suitable for jazz or folk music?
No—the Paragon Crash is voiced specifically for rock, metal, and live performance. Its cutting, silvery tone and medium decay are engineered to cut through high-energy styles; jazz and folk drummers typically seek darker, longer-sustaining crashes that the Paragon is not designed to deliver.
What skill level do I need to play this cymbal well?
The Paragon Crash suits intermediate, advanced, and professional drummers. Its responsive, articulate feel and medium weight require solid stick control and dynamic sensitivity to unlock its full tonal range across playing dynamics.
How does the Paragon Crash compare to similar crashes like the Zildjian A Custom or Paiste PST X?
The Paragon offers handcrafted B20 bronze with AA-style hammering for warm harmonic complexity and focused stick definition, sitting between the A Custom's darker warmth and the PST X's bright projection. Its medium-thin profile and large bell are engineered for commanding presence without excessive wash in live and studio settings.
What does the large bell do, and why is it important?
The large, volume-boosting bell amplifies projection and adds dimensional punch to crash accents, making the cymbal effective in both live venues where it needs to carry over a band and studio recordings where it needs cut and clarity in the mix.
What finish options are available for the Paragon Crash?
The Paragon 20" Crash is available in a Brilliant finish option; the standard finish is also offered. Both deliver the same B20 bronze tone and construction; finish choice is primarily aesthetic.