Over the last 2 and a half years and over 800 Modified/Repaired cymbals later I have learned quite a bit about cutting, reshaping and repairing cymbals.

My techniques although very basic have netted some very nice sounding cymbals. Not only compared to what they sounded like before a repair has been made but the overall change cutting down or removing some of the cymbal has made.

What I have found to be the most important part when repairing a cymbal is to not leave any sharp inside corners or any jagged cuts. A sharp corner will break again the more rounded a repair is the better your chances of longevity.

I've noticed the thicker (heavier) cymbals do not take well to cutting all the way down round. Instead just removing the damaged parts and removing any rough/sharp edges have proved to net some very nice sounds.

The thinner cymbals cut round have a much better sound then the thicker/heavier cymbals. The cymbals with damage towards the inside of the cymbal (no edge damage) are probably the best to repair. You can go ahead cut the damage out, remove any rough edges and end up with a fantastic cymbal.

Several shops offer cymbal cutting. I believe the cheapest I have seen is $2.30 per inch. Even a 14" finished cymbal will cost you about $44.00 for cutting, probably $16.00 shipping getting the cymbal back and forth and the original purchase let's say you picked up a damaged cymbal for $25.00 with shipping your looking at a minimum of $85.00 for a recut 14" cymbal.

 Although less expensive then many top quality 14" cymbals keep in mind professionally cut or not the sound does change when recut all the way down. Your better off buying new for this kind of money.

BOTTOM LINE: DON'T SHY AWAY FROM REPAIRED CYMBALS. INSTEAD LEARN AND KNOW WHAT YOUR BUYING.

For beginners there is nothing wrong with using damaged cymbals or upgrade to repaired cymbals. Studio drumsets what the heck repaired cymbals sound great and nobody sees them. Rock stars or exhibitionists why would you want to kick over one of your $250.00 cymbals in a show. You can easily set up a damaged or repaired cymbals and have at it cheap.

For those of us who appreciate a fantastic sounding cymbal damaged/repaired cymbals are perfect. With the different musics I play I needed many different crash sounds (I will never change my 2002 ride) so I have 3 undamaged unrepaired crashes and 3 repaired crashes. They all sound great.

Incidently I do offer repaired as well as undamaged cymbals on Ebay, stop by check out my listings and thanks for looking!