I’ve had an on-and-off desire for the Swish Knocker over the decades. Back in the 90s I wanted one desperately, but none were available. It cooled off in the 2000s when I got my monstrous Paiste 22” 2002 China.
It came back in the mid-2010s when I learned there was one available in JB Music MOA. But upon audition, I was less than impressed. It sounded stiff and lifeless, and lacked two rivets. Disappointed, I quickly forgot about it.
Strangely, without rhyme or reason, I got curious again and called the store early this year asking if it was still there. Yup, the same cymbal was still there, still lacking two rivets. But the curiosity was easily doused upon remembering my last disappointing encounter.
Finally, we were scheduled for dinner yesterday with my wife’s high school classmate in MOA. After parking, I had my wife go ahead to the restaurant while I stopped by JB for a quick peek at possible bargain. As I entered the door, I was reminded of it again. It wasn’t on display, and it took the sales person not a few minutes to dig it out of a pile. I knew it was the same one because it was still missing two rivets. Also, the big 25% off sale ended last week, so I would have to pay full price for it. But none of that mattered the moment I played it. Inexplicably, it sounded absolutely magnificent this time around. It had a rich throaty crash, funky ping, and sizzling wash.
What changed in my attitude towards this cymbal? Was it having been stored and aged for almost a decade? Had the acoustics in the store been modified? Are my strokes different? Or was it just my shifting current taste? Whatever the reason, I walked out of the store with 2419 grams of year 2015 magnificence, and a lighter bank account.
A happy ending to a long and wishy-washy story.
Strangely, without rhyme or reason, I got curious again and called the store early this year asking if it was still there. Yup, the same cymbal was still there, still lacking two rivets. But the curiosity was easily doused upon remembering my last disappointing encounter.
Finally, we were scheduled for dinner yesterday with my wife’s high school classmate in MOA. After parking, I had my wife go ahead to the restaurant while I stopped by JB for a quick peek at possible bargain. As I entered the door, I was reminded of it again. It wasn’t on display, and it took the sales person not a few minutes to dig it out of a pile. I knew it was the same one because it was still missing two rivets. Also, the big 25% off sale ended last week, so I would have to pay full price for it. But none of that mattered the moment I played it. Inexplicably, it sounded absolutely magnificent this time around. It had a rich throaty crash, funky ping, and sizzling wash.
What changed in my attitude towards this cymbal? Was it having been stored and aged for almost a decade? Had the acoustics in the store been modified? Are my strokes different? Or was it just my shifting current taste? Whatever the reason, I walked out of the store with 2419 grams of year 2015 magnificence, and a lighter bank account.
A happy ending to a long and wishy-washy story.
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