thank you so much for your inspiring way of DO IT YOURSELF life.... i really enjoy seeing your works!....i'm trying to do my best my yet i've got to find the right way!...thanx a lot matt!
Not only does Matt Nolan make stunning, artful cymbals that look amazing, he has an ear for sounds that are unique as well as usable--smooth and complex at the same time. Dark, smokey, more musical than any other cymbals I've heard. I have three of his cymbals, and they are each exquisite. The bells are like nothing else I've experienced. On top of all this, he has been a perfect gentleman in all my dealings with him. Find a way to play one. HI-hats and I'll be done!
@allmetaliswelcome with the fire there I am tempering the bronze before hammering. It makes the metal somewhat softer and allows it to be less stressed by the hammering
Hi Matt, i was wondering if you could give me any tips on making a cymbal. I'm planning on making a crash, maybe a china, and maybe some effects cymbals out of some scrap stainless steel as a weekend project. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
p.s. Your cymbals are beautiful and sound amazing :)
@kshepthedrummer Look at existing cymbals. Look at them closely. See how they flex or don't flex. Tap all around their surface with a stick and see how the sound changes as you move about.
Look up the writings of the late great Mike Skiba on hammering. Craig Lauritsen has some notes too. Both these guys can explain it better than me.
@MattNolanCustom....ok so i tried makin an 18" crash ride with some 20 gauge....but it ended up like a fine tuned trash can haha....is this possibly due to the series of stainless that i used?....cuz i have no idea what series it was...... or is 20 gauge to heavy for an 18".....also is there any info for cymbal making out there. Im just interested in making cymbals for my kit. And i have the tools and metal working experience but i think there is something that im missing haha
@jrk4295 20 gauge would be about right for that. English SWG that is. I think American AWG is a little thinner - maybe too thin. But you say trash can, which sounds more like clunky. Look at other cymbals. Look at them closely, Feel them. Then make another 18" crash-ride...
how do you find the time, money, and materials to be able to make your cymbals? also do you use any tin to make your cymbals? last question, how would you compare your cymbals to cymbal making companies such as sabian, zildjian etc.?
@screamoc1 Time and Money? It is what I do! I make them and I sell them. There is Tin in my Bronze cymbals, but none in my Stainless Steel cymbals. Sabian and Zildjian make some great cymbals. Mine don't really compare. They're like a different animal. Totally hand-hammered, including the cups. Each one individual and made from start to finish by me. Check some other videos here. Listen for yourself.
thank you so much for your inspiring way of DO IT YOURSELF life.... i really enjoy seeing your works!....i'm trying to do my best my yet i've got to find the right way!...thanx a lot matt!
75Tatanka 3 months ago
@75Tatanka Go for it my friend! Find your own way and your own voice and bring it to the world ;-)
MattNolanCustom 3 months ago
@MattNolanCustom soon i'll post ( if u don't mind ;-)...) the third one i'm doing , it's a big boy!...and it's stainless steel!....thanx again.....
75Tatanka 3 months ago
Not only does Matt Nolan make stunning, artful cymbals that look amazing, he has an ear for sounds that are unique as well as usable--smooth and complex at the same time. Dark, smokey, more musical than any other cymbals I've heard. I have three of his cymbals, and they are each exquisite. The bells are like nothing else I've experienced. On top of all this, he has been a perfect gentleman in all my dealings with him. Find a way to play one. HI-hats and I'll be done!
rocbottomriser 3 months ago
hey matt, what are you doing with the fire? what affect does it have on the cymbal?
allmetaliswelcome 9 months ago
@allmetaliswelcome with the fire there I am tempering the bronze before hammering. It makes the metal somewhat softer and allows it to be less stressed by the hammering
MattNolanCustom 9 months ago
Hi Matt, i was wondering if you could give me any tips on making a cymbal. I'm planning on making a crash, maybe a china, and maybe some effects cymbals out of some scrap stainless steel as a weekend project. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
p.s. Your cymbals are beautiful and sound amazing :)
kshepthedrummer 1 year ago
@kshepthedrummer Look at existing cymbals. Look at them closely. See how they flex or don't flex. Tap all around their surface with a stick and see how the sound changes as you move about.
Look up the writings of the late great Mike Skiba on hammering. Craig Lauritsen has some notes too. Both these guys can explain it better than me.
Good luck! Wear hearing protection and have fun!!
MattNolanCustom 1 year ago
@MattNolanCustom thank you so much
kshepthedrummer 1 year ago
You must love your work.
mistahmaxi 1 year ago
I think you videos are great!
I'm definitely intrigued by your cymblas, too...
;-)
SAHBfan 1 year ago
Hey what gauges are your bronze and stainless sheets that you start with?
jrk4295 1 year ago
@jrk4295 That depends upon what it is that I am making. Mainly from 22 swg to 14 swg
MattNolanCustom 1 year ago
@MattNolanCustom....ok so i tried makin an 18" crash ride with some 20 gauge....but it ended up like a fine tuned trash can haha....is this possibly due to the series of stainless that i used?....cuz i have no idea what series it was...... or is 20 gauge to heavy for an 18".....also is there any info for cymbal making out there. Im just interested in making cymbals for my kit. And i have the tools and metal working experience but i think there is something that im missing haha
jrk4295 1 year ago
@jrk4295 20 gauge would be about right for that. English SWG that is. I think American AWG is a little thinner - maybe too thin. But you say trash can, which sounds more like clunky. Look at other cymbals. Look at them closely, Feel them. Then make another 18" crash-ride...
MattNolanCustom 1 year ago
you are the leonardo da vinci of cymbal making !
Ragnarock83 1 year ago
how do you find the time, money, and materials to be able to make your cymbals? also do you use any tin to make your cymbals? last question, how would you compare your cymbals to cymbal making companies such as sabian, zildjian etc.?
screamoc1 1 year ago
@screamoc1 Time and Money? It is what I do! I make them and I sell them. There is Tin in my Bronze cymbals, but none in my Stainless Steel cymbals. Sabian and Zildjian make some great cymbals. Mine don't really compare. They're like a different animal. Totally hand-hammered, including the cups. Each one individual and made from start to finish by me. Check some other videos here. Listen for yourself.
MattNolanCustom 1 year ago
Are you allowed to make custom cymbals in California if your name isn't Matt? ;-)
goldenhopper 2 years ago
No. It is the law. However, I'm not in California, I'm in England.
MattNolanCustom 2 years ago
Could I hammer a cymbal I bought?
KYLEBROWN12342 2 years ago
Absolutely superb Matt! Loving it :)
fourfingerfunk 2 years ago