Making a sizzle cymbal by adding rivets is a very common way to do it. A lot of jazz drummers use rivets, and some cymbals are designed and shipped from the factory with them. But it’s only one of several ways we’re going to explore in this article.
The sizzle cymbal sound is created when other metallic objects like rivets, beaded chains, and other objects such as a coin or set of keys vibrate on the cymbal. The sizzle varies depending on the type of objects used and the method of application.
We are not limited when it comes to how to make sizzle cymbal sounds. You could even adjust a cymbal stack to add more sizzle or back off on the hi-hat foot pedal to make a range of sizzle sounds. There are no rules.
The question many drummers face is to drill holes or not to drill holes. If you want rivets, you need holes. If you don’t want holes, you’ll need to go with another option like a beaded chain.
In the following examples, I’ll start with drilling holes and then move on to options that don’t require altering cymbals.
How to Drill Holes in a Cymbal
The first time you drill a hole in a cymbal is not easy. Even after you make the tough commitment to alter an expensive instrument, the process can be daunting for some.
My first cymbal drilling experience was practicing on a cracked cymbal I was using for a cymbal stack. I pushed down on the drill and hoped for the best. The drill ran all over the cymbal, resulting in a scratch mark exposing the shiney copper alloy in contrast to the cymbal patina. The second attempt was more successful.
Material for Drilling Into Cymbals
The right tools and materials make a difference. These are the things that I gather before drilling a hole to make a sizzle cymbal.
- Steel or titanium drill bit (9/64)
- Tap Magic cutting fluid
- Handheld power drill or drill press
- Safety glasses (Z87) and work gloves
- Center (or marking) punch
- Hammer
Steps for Drilling Into a Cymbal
The steps for drilling into a cymbal are simple yet important. Since we all want a good finished product, follow these steps to ensure your cymbal doesn’t look like my first attempt.
1. Put on some Z87 safety glasses and gloves.
Personal protective equipment is essential for working safely with metal. Nobody wants a piece of copper alloy in their eye or under their skin.
2. Decide where you want to drill a hole.
Perhaps you want to evenly space the holes throughout the cymbal or choose to make one (or three) holes. If you are installing one to three rivets, for example, a lot of drummers like them at the 2 o’clock location as the cymbal rests on the stand.
Cymbals have a top and bottom. As you play the cymbal, it will rest in the same place every time if it’s not otherwise restricted. To determine the resting position, spin the cymbal on the stand and let it stop. Play it a bit to ensure it’s found the resting position.
3. Use a center punch to mark the drill location.
A center punch will add a slight indentation to the cymbal. This put in the surface of the cymbal will help guide the drill bit as it starts the hole.
If you skip this step, the drill bit could drift. As a drill bit begins to turn, resistance from the cymbal surface can cause the bit to move away from the intended drill hole target.
If you were drilling a hole into wood, a pilot hole with a smaller drill bit would serve the same purpose. A smaller drill bit would lead to less drift and increase the accuracy of the larger bit’s path.
4. Choose the right size and type of drill bit.
Copper is a soft metal, so a steel drill bit will work. I use a 9/32” bit for rivets, but you should double check the rivet manufacturer recommendation.
5. Apply a drop of cutting fluid to the hole location
Cutting fluid isn’t absolutely necessary, but it is a best practice to make a clean hole. The drill and cymbal will maintain a lower temperature, and the cut will be a smoother process.
6. Hold the drill so that it’s comfortable to keep the bit straight.
It’s important to be situated such that you can manage a handheld drill (if you’re not using a drill press). I like to keep the top of the drill below my chest so my shoulders can relax and provide more stability as needed.
7. Apply only enough downward pressure to keep the drill bit on course.
Too much pressure is a safety hazard for you and the drill bit. If it slips and you lose control, a cutting hazard could result.
Additionally, we need to remember that drill bits don’t have a lot of shear strength, so stress that’s perpendicular to the bit can lead to a catastrophic failure.
8. Gradually increase the speed of the bit and be ready to stop.
Most handheld drills with the proper bit will go through the cymbal in seconds. But don’t go too slow or too fast. Commit to moderate to fast speed and increase it until you feel it drilling through the cymbal. Then get ready to cut through to the other side without slowing down too much.
If the drill bit slows down too much when it cuts through and completes the hole, the sharp edges of the bit can grab the edge of the hole and break the bit or cause another unwanted loss of control.
9. Carefully clean up the cuttings.
The cuttings can be a problem if you don’t clean them up immediately after finishing the hole. These metal cuttings can cling to your clothing and transfer to places where they might be undetectable, like your sleeve and eventually your child’s bed. From there, it doesn’t take much to get a metal shaving in your eye or worse.
Rivets for Making a Sizzle Cymbal
Now that the cymbal has holes, it’s time to make it sizzle. And to do so, I recommend two options – installing rivets or using paper clips reshaped for optimal sizzle.
How to Install Rivets for a Sizzle Cymbal
Some cymbals come with hole patterns and rivets. But by the time I got my hands on an old Zildjian swish, the rivets were gone.
As a teenager, I had little experience with rivets and no Internet, so I went to the hardware store to seek some help. The shopkeeper recommended split rivets for my swish, and I’ve been using them ever since.
Split rivets, also called bifurcated rivets, are easy to install and don’t need specialty tools. Sabian sells a package of them or you can click on the Amazon link above to check prices for similar sizes.
These rivets will stay in the cymbal if you spread the two ends. I’ve found that most of the time I can use a large screwdriver to spread the split ends. Occasionally, I’ve had to finish it off with some needle nose pliers.
The other type of rivets are designed such that you need to smash the bottom end to keep the rivets in place. If you buy the Zildjian rivets, you’ll likely get this style.
Try a Paperclip for a Sizzle Cymbal Sound
If you don’t have rivets, that’s not a problem. You just need something metal that can vibrate on the cymbal. Sometimes I use paper clips.
Try reshaping the paperclip to get some consistent contact with the cymbal, and bend the other end to ensure it stays in. The paperclips fall out in cymbal bags from time to time so I always have a couple of paperclips in my stick bag.
Beaded Chains to Make a Sizzle Cymbal
Rivets and paper clips are not the only way to make a sizzle cymbal. And if you don’t want to drill holes, the beaded chin is a good option.
Pull Chain Sizzle Cymbal
A pull chain for a lamp or ceiling fan works great for making a sizzle cymbal. But don’t steal one from your mother’s favorite lamp. Amazon has a lot of pull chain options.
Firstly, determine how long you want the chain, and then make a loop to lay on top of the cymbal. If the chain isn’t staying on the cymbal, you can loop it around the cymbal post in between the felts.
If you don’t have a pull chin, try stringing together several paper clips. It will be a lighter sizzle, but could work in a pinch.
Cymbal Bacon Sizzle Cymbal
The Cymbal Bacon is a beaded chain made by Meinl, and it’s designed to make your cymbal sizzle like bacon in a pan.
Other cymbal manufacturers offer beaded chain options, some of which come in different sizes for different levels of excitement.
See the gear links above for more information and price checking.
Will a Coin Work for a Sizzle Cymbal?
A coin taped to the cymbal makes a sizzle sound. I haven’t used this method much at all, but I knew a guy in college that always had a coin on his ride. It sounded great.
Percussion Toys Can Make a Sizzle Cymbal
If you want to mess up your beat with some welcomed chaos in your cymbal sound, top them off with a percussion instrument. Some goat nails, a tambourine, or some charm jingles can hang off the cymbal stand post and make a sizzle sound.
Maybe you don’t have some of these percussion instruments but surely you have a set of keys. I especially like stuff like this on the hi-hat.