Best 17" Crash Cymbals for Beginner 2026
Alright, so you're starting out on drums - awesome! A 17" crash is a sweet spot for beginners; it's big enough to get a decent wash and volume, but not so massive you're wrestling with it. Forget the huge, shimmering 20" rides everyone else is playing for now. This list will guide you to a crash that's forgiving, sounds decent, and won't break the bank while you're learning to control your dynamics.
Last updated: September 7, 2026
Zultan 17" Aja Crash
- • Bright, responsive stick attack delivers immediate impact and clarity.
- • The B20 bronze alloy provides a warm, harmonically rich undertone.
- • Harmonically balanced fade offers a surprisingly controlled decay for its price.
- • Relatively lightweight construction (around 1300g) promotes comfortable playing.
- • Lacks the complexity and nuanced wash of higher-end cymbal alloys.
- • The thinner profile may not hold up as well to aggressive playing styles.
- • Finish is prone to oxidation if not properly cared for – requires regular cleaning.
Zultan 17" Aja Blaze Crash
- • Handmade from premium B20 bronze alloy
- • Delivers explosive attack with soft decay
- • Offers a unique blend of power and control
- • Custom crafted for distinct tonal character
- • No specific weight listed for handling
- • Finish type is not described in text
- • Lacks stated durability testing details
Paiste PST7 17" Crash
- • Bright, shimmering wash with a quick decay.
- • CuSn8 bronze provides a warm, full fundamental.
- • Well-latted for consistent response across the cymbal surface.
- • Excellent value proposition within the entry-level crash market.
- • Lacks the complexity and nuance of higher-end Paiste cymbals.
- • The sustain, while quick, isn’t suited for extended, atmospheric washes.
- • The finish is prone to scratching and tarnishing relatively quickly.
Paiste PST7 17" Thin Crash
- • CuSn8 bronze provides a warm, relatively complex tonal character.
- • Thin profile delivers a quick, responsive crash with a pleasant wash.
- • PST7 series offers a reliable, consistent sound at a budget-friendly price point.
- • Swiss manufacturing ensures a level of quality control and durability.
- • Thinness makes it susceptible to cracking with aggressive playing.
- • Sound lacks the nuanced complexity of higher-end Paiste cymbals.
- • CuSn8 bronze doesn't offer the bright shimmer of B20 bronze alloys.
Paiste 17" PST8 Reflector Rock Crash
- • B8 bronze provides a warm, responsive core tone.
- • Reflector finish delivers a bright, cutting shimmer.
- • Well-suited for rock, metal, and louder musical styles.
- • Hammered construction adds complexity and sustain to the sound.
- • The 'Reflector' finish can be prone to patina and require more cleaning.
- • Sound may lack the nuanced complexity of higher-end Paiste lines.
- • Limited dynamic range; not ideal for very subtle or quiet passages.
Zildjian 17" I Family Trash Crash
- • B8 bronze provides a surprisingly robust and complex trashy tone.
- • Medium-thin weight offers quick response and easy playability for accents.
- • Traditional lathing delivers a raw, unpolished aesthetic and sound.
- • Assertive, cutting sound cuts through dense mixes effectively.
- • The B8 alloy limits sustain compared to higher-end bronze cymbals.
- • The 'trash' character can be overly aggressive for subtle, nuanced playing.
- • Limited tonal versatility; not ideal as a primary crash cymbal.
Zultan 17" Dark Matter Holey Crash
- • B20 bronze provides a warm, complex fundamental tone.
- • Holes create a unique, fast decay and shimmering wash.
- • Hand-hammering adds complexity and responsiveness to the cymbal.
- • Offers a wide dynamic range despite its shorter sustain.
- • Holey design limits its versatility for very full, wash-heavy passages.
- • The darker tone might not suit brighter, more modern playing styles.
- • While affordable, the hammering may exhibit slight inconsistencies.
Zultan 17" Crash Dark Matter
- • Hand-hammered construction delivers a complex, nuanced wash of sound.
- • Dark Matter line provides a noticeably warmer, more controlled crash than brighter Zultan models.
- • 17-inch size offers a versatile balance between volume and responsiveness.
- • The fine overtone structure minimizes unwanted ringing, allowing for clean mixes.
- • Dark character might be too subdued for players seeking a splashy, cutting crash.
- • 100% hand-hammering means slight variations in appearance and response are expected.
- • While affordable, it may not offer the same level of complexity as premium, hand-crafted cymbals.
Zultan 17" Raw Crash
- • B20 bronze delivers a warm, complex foundational tone.
- • Hand-hammering creates nuanced stick definition and responsiveness.
- • Raw, unlathed surface minimizes harsh overtones and ringing.
- • Compact size offers excellent control and quick response.
- • Raw finish lacks the polished aesthetic some drummers prefer.
- • Limited versatility; excels in darker musical styles, less bright.
- • May require more frequent cleaning due to the unlathed surface.
Paiste 17" 900 Color Sound Crash Blue
- • Warm, full tone ideal for diverse musical styles.
- • B8 bronze offers a good balance of durability and sound.
- • The blue finish provides a unique aesthetic appeal.
- • Relatively lightweight for comfortable playing and fast crashes.
- • B8 bronze lacks the complexity of higher-end Paiste alloys.
- • Sound can be slightly 'one-dimensional' compared to more complex cymbals.
- • The blue finish might not appeal to players seeking a traditional look.
Paiste 17" 900 Color Heavy Crash BK
- • Rich, warm tone ideal for heavier music genres
- • The B8 bronze offers a robust, durable construction
- • Heavy weight provides a substantial, controlled crash
- • Paiste's 900 series delivers consistent quality and sound
- • The black finish can be prone to finger smudging and marking
- • Limited versatility; not ideal for very subtle, nuanced playing
- • The sustain, while long, can be overwhelming in quieter mixes
Paiste 17" 900 Color Sound Crash BK
- • Warm, full tone ideal for a wide range of musical styles
- • B8 bronze provides a responsive and relatively bright sound
- • The black finish offers a unique aesthetic and reduces glare
- • Paiste's consistent manufacturing ensures reliable performance and longevity
- • B8 bronze isn't as complex or nuanced as higher-end alloys
- • The 17in size can be a bit quiet in larger ensemble settings
- • The darker color can slightly dampen the cymbal's overall projection
Paiste 17" 900 Series Heavy Crash
- • B8 bronze provides a warm, full tone characteristic of the 900 series.
- • Heavy weight delivers a powerful crash with substantial sustain.
- • The slightly darkened finish enhances the visual appeal and lathing detail.
- • Versatile enough for louder styles, while retaining a musical warmth.
- • The heavier weight might be fatiguing for players with smaller builds.
- • The 900 series’ bright edge can be a little harsh in quieter settings.
- • Lacks the complex overtones found in Paiste’s higher-end Signature or Twenty series.
Paiste 17" 900 Series Crash
- • B8 bronze delivers a warm, controlled, and musical response.
- • Universally appealing sound suits a wide range of musical styles.
- • The slightly darkened finish enhances visual appeal and character.
- • Paiste’s consistent quality control ensures reliable performance.
- • B8 bronze isn’t as complex or vibrant as higher-grade alloys.
- • The 17 in size might feel small for louder, more aggressive playing.
- • The sound, while versatile, lacks a truly unique sonic signature.
Zultan 17" Rock Beat Crash
- • B-20 bronze delivers a warm, musical foundation for the sound
- • Fast response makes it ideal for dynamic, nuanced playing
- • Hand-polished finish provides a bright aesthetic and consistent tone
- • Excellent projection cuts through even dense drum mixes
- • Rock Beat series leans toward a heavier sound, less versatile for lighter genres
- • Brilliant finish may require more frequent cleaning to maintain shine
- • While well-made, the B-20 alloy isn't as complex as higher-end bronze blends
Every 17" crash cymbals that matches
100 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
17" Crash Cymbals by the numbers
Measured across all 100 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best 17" Crash Cymbals
Wash vs. Stick Definition
A beginner needs a crash that's forgiving; too much stick definition makes it sound harsh when you're still learning to control your hits. A good wash helps mask those early mistakes and creates a fuller sound. Think smooth, not brittle.
Sustain
Too short a sustain and the crash disappears; too long and it's uncontrollable. We're looking for a balanced sustain that allows for a clear sound without ringing forever and getting in the way of the next beat.
Volume
A 17" crash needs to cut through a band, but it shouldn't be so loud it's overwhelming. Beginner drummers need something that can be heard in a rehearsal setting without needing a hearing aid afterward.
Playability
How easy is it to control the cymbal? A stiff cymbal is a nightmare when you're just starting out. We're prioritizing cymbals that respond well to a range of dynamics, even soft ones.
Overall Tone
Bright, dark, warm, trashy... all descriptors that can be confusing. For beginners, a generally warmer, more balanced tone is easier to work with and less prone to sounding "wrong".
Buying Guide
Don't chase the flashy finish or the brand name. Entry-level cymbals often cut corners on the alloy - they might be brass, but not the best brass. Look for a cymbal that's responsive and sounds decent, even when played quietly. Spending a little more for a used, higher-quality cymbal from a reputable brand is almost always a better investment than a brand-new, cheap one.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 100 17" crash cymbals from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
