Sabian Cymbals is a world-renowned Canadian cymbal manufacturer, recognized as one of the « big four » global cymbal companies. Founded in 1981 by Robert Zildjian in Meductic, New Brunswick, the company has built its reputation on a combination of traditional cymbal craftsmanship and aggressive, player-driven innovation.

 

Company History and Ethos

Sabian’s origin is tied directly to the centuries-old history of the Zildjian family. Robert Zildjian, following a family dispute, took control of the Zildjian factory in Canada and established the new brand. The company name, Sabian, is derived from the first two letters of his three children’s names: Sally, Billy, and Andy.

Sabian’s core philosophy, famously summarized by its slogan, « Because Sound Matters, » is centered on collaboration with drummers to create a diverse sonic palette. This commitment has led to numerous industry-first innovations, such as punching holes in cymbals to create the unique O-Zone effects and developing FRX (Frequency Reduced) cymbals for controlled volume in challenging environments.

Sabian cymbals are crafted using B20 Bronze (an alloy of 80% copper and 20% tin) in their Canadian factory, maintaining a blend of hand-hammering and precision machine techniques.

 

The Four Core Sound Series

Sabian’s expansive catalog is built around four professional-grade series that define their sound spectrum, ranging from dark and complex to bright and powerful:

Series Sound Characteristic Hammering/Production Ideal For
HH (Hand Hammered) Vintage Dark. Traditionally hand-hammered for complex, deep, and rich authentic tone. Heavy Hand-Hammering Jazz, Blues, Roots, Classic Rock
AA (Automatic Anvil) Vintage Bright. Tight, controlled brightness with a lively, explosive volume and cut. Machine-Hammering Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Punk, Hip-Hop
HHX Modern Dark. Dark, complex, and moody cymbals that still offer enough cut for modern musical styles. Deep-Pitch Hand-Hammering Modern Pop, R&B, Fusion, Studio Work
AAX Modern Bright. Boosted brightness, cut, and a super-wide dynamic range, offering a high degree of versatility. Automated and Hand Finishing Rock, Pop, Metal, Mainstream Music

In addition to the core lines, Sabian offers premium lines like Artisan (ultimate dark, complex, and traditional sound) and specialized lines like Paragon (designed with Rush drummer Neil Peart) and the accessible, B20-alloy XSR series.