How to Rivet a Cymbal 

Its amazing how much fear are in the drummer comunity to do this... Finally someone can explain how to do this properly... Thx Rick!

Louie bellson in an old modern drummer magazine recommended a cluster method of 1 in from the edge, three rivets one-quarter a part. It's been my secret formula. Smile

Thanks for sharing the technique. I’ve got a cymbal that I’ve been wanting to install rivets. This will definitely help.

So I just went to harbor freight to pick up some stuff for this. The cashiers name....was Zildjian. Pretty crazy moment, had to share

Thanks for the info! I will work on re installing rivets on my Zildjian vintage swish cymbal!

I do it all manually, with a hand driller. In my case, I always drill and install only 3 rivets (like an Armand Zildjian 19 ride). I measure the distance between each rivet and the distance from edge. Put a little pen mark and then do the drilling. I use Istanbul brass rivets that are easy to bend after installed. But here in Brazil once you install rivets in a cymbal, and if you decide to sell the cymbal, it is very hard to do it, since most drummers do not like rivets or drilled cymbals. It is a shame. I love the rivets especially to play ballads with brushes and gently hit the cymbal for that sizzle effect. Cheers everyone.,Keep on drumming!

Great Rick!...This procedure clarifies what otherwise might turn out be a disaster. I have a couple of cymbals that I use a chain sizzle with. Look forward to installing rivets and seeing how they work out.....Thanks

I got to hand it to ya Rick. You have to have some serious balls to dare drilling holes in to a $500 jazz cymbal.

This is great - been thinking about doing it to my 22" k con bounce ride. Looks pretty straight forward. My only addition would be to use a center punch for marking - especially if you only have a hand drill. It will indent the cymbal at the correct mark and not just keep the bit from wandering, but will actually pull the bit into the center of the mark.

Interesting . Thanks again. BTW, Your Advanced Coordination book is GREAT !!

Any thoughts on how placement affects the sound? I mean placement in terms of cluster (i.e. 2 or 3 in a line) or perimeter (evenly spaced, as you're doing here). Thanks!

Nice job…thank you

another cuestión Rick, supone that i made rivets on a 20" ride and then I decide to take them out. the sound of the cymbal would be diferent than the original sound? the holes would affect the cymbal sound?

Thank you for the excellent rivet video! Also what does the back of your t shirt say…looks like NC state shape?

Great video. Just wondering is their a reason you didnt just use your carpenters square to make your marking on tbe cymbal upside down to start? Could you not just skip the template step and measure an inch and a half from the perimeter? Either way extremly helpful I would have used a drill and drilled right side up. Very helpful.

What size drill bit? How about using a hand drill? I don’t have a drill press/ workshop. Thanks for the video!

Can you link to an example of the rivets you use? I’ve just riveted my cymbal but the rivets don’t even vibrate slightly! Fully locked...issue is the type of rivet. Thanks...great vid.

thanks fotos the information man! great data!!! I have one question, if you rivet a cymbal (8 rivets) that changes de sound or the volume of the cymbal?

What size rivets did you get?

What material should rivets be made from for best results? ...Brass, Iron, copper, bronze.

Thanks for the video, can I pay you to do it though? :P

It almost seems like you hammer your rivets in 6/8

Why on earth didn’t you tell us what distance from the edge you drill the holes? Nice video but that seems very important