Cracked Cymbals (How to Repair Them, Crack Prevention)

Anyone who owns a drum set knows that a cracked cymbal is a nightmare. A crack can change its sound. Cracks can start at the edge, along the bow, around the keyhole, or at the bell’s base, and a small crack can quickly develop into a large one.

If you have a cracked cymbal or want to know how to prevent it from cracking, keep reading, and gather all the information you can.

Take action early. If you see a small crack developing, stop playing and assess it before it gets any worse.

First, assess the damage

• Check the edge and both sides: clean off loose dirt, then look closely in good light. A line that continues through the metal, catches a fingernail or opens when the cymbal flexes is more concerning than a surface mark.
• Locate the crack: note whether it begins at the edge, follows a tonal groove, circles the bell or starts at the mounting hole. Photograph it and mark the ends with removable tape so you can see whether it grows.
• Listen and compare: play it gently once if there are no loose or sharp pieces. Buzzing, a shorter decay or a changed pitch can help you decide whether it is still useful to you.
• Check warranty before modifying: contact the maker or retailer with photos and proof of purchase. Drilling or cutting can void coverage.

If a piece is loose, an edge is sharp or the crack is spreading quickly, take it out of your normal setup. Do not put hands or cables near an exposed sharp edge.

Should you repair, repurpose or replace it?

• Surface mark only: leave the metal alone and keep an eye on it.
• Small crack, out of warranty: a professional cymbal repairer may be able to cut past an edge crack or stop a crack in a suitable location. There is no guarantee it will stop growing or sound the same.
• Long edge crack or several cracks: removing enough metal may change the diameter and tone substantially. A stack or effects cymbal may be a better use.
• Crack at the bell or mounting hole: mounting stresses make this especially awkward. Check the sleeve, felts and wing nut, then ask a repairer whether the cymbal is worth working on.
• Loose fragment or unsafe edge: retire it from regular playing until a professional has made it safe.

How to Repair a Cracked Cymbal

Suppose your cymbal has cracked. Is it gone for good, or can you repair and reuse it? Some workshop methods can extend its useful life, and a damaged cymbal may work as an effect. None can be counted on to restore its original sound.

1. Use a Drill

A small stop hole at the end of a suitable crack is a common repair attempt. First locate the full extent of the crack. Hole size and position matter, and drilling can create new stress or a sharp edge, so ask an experienced cymbal repairer before modifying a valuable cymbal.

Some repairs also remove the cracked area with a cutting disc. This changes the cymbal and requires careful metalworking; the video shows an example, not a guaranteed fix.

Any cut edge must be smooth before the cymbal goes back into use. Check for new cracks afterward.

2. For Large Cracks in the Middle: Use a Bracket

For an internal crack, a repairer may remove the damaged area and smooth the opening. The amount of metal removed can change the sound and weaken the cymbal further.

Another approach is bracketing. Treat this as an effects-cymbal experiment, not a standard repair for a valuable cymbal.

A bracket bridges the damaged area with another piece of metal. It adds weight and requires new holes, so the result can sound and move differently.

Discuss the location and amount of damage with a specialist before considering this kind of modification.

Do not assume the stand will hold a bracketed cymbal safely. Check for protruding hardware, loose fragments and sharp edges before any low-volume test.

3. For large or many cracks on the outside: Use a cutting disk (with caution!)

For a large edge crack, a repairer may cut past the damaged part and smooth the new edge. This is a more substantial change than a small stop hole, and it may leave you with an effects cymbal rather than the original crash.

Now, depending on how far the cracks go and how big they are, you will have to cut a large portion of the cymbal’s edges. Doing this will ultimately reduce the size and diameter of the instrument, so keep that in mind.

This procedure involves power tools and sharp metal. If you lack metalworking experience, leave it to a repairer or machine shop.

4. Add Rivets to Create a Sizzle Cymbal

Rivets can add a sizzle to a cymbal, but they do not repair a crack. They are an option only if the damaged cymbal is otherwise safe to handle and play.

A repairer can advise whether there is a safe place for rivet holes and whether the remaining metal is sound enough for an effects-cymbal experiment.

Any added hardware must be secure, with no sharp or loose pieces. Do not use rivets as a way to stop a spreading crack.

5. Put Multiple Cracked Cymbals Together to Create a Cymbal Stack

If the cracks are too large for a useful repair, you may be able to pair a damaged cymbal with another one to make a stack. Keep pieces with sharp edges or loose fragments out of the setup. A stack gives the cymbal a different role rather than restoring it.

The cymbals you combine will determine the sound. Try different pairings gently and listen for a useful short, trashy effect; check that the pieces sit securely on the stand.

How to Avoid Cracking Cymbals

Cymbals can last a long time, but playing and setup still affect the stress they take. These habits can reduce avoidable damage without guaranteeing that a cymbal will never crack.

For the people who are here for these prevention tips, the following are a few ways that you can use to prevent damage and cracks to your cymbals.

1. Don’t hit them as hard

You do not need to strike a cymbal as hard as you can to get a full sound. Try a lighter stroke and listen to where the cymbal stops opening up. Repeated heavy blows can add stress, especially at the edge.

2. Work on your hitting technique – don’t strike the cymbal straight on.

Similar to the concept of striking too hard, you must also remember to use the right moves when hitting.

Instead of driving the stick straight through the edge, use a glancing or swiping stroke. This lets the cymbal move more freely and can help avoid concentrating force in one spot.

A hard strike on the same edge spot again and again may shorten its life. Check that the cymbal sits where you can reach it comfortably.

3. The angle is also important

While close to the subject of stroke techniques, it’s also important to remember the angle and positioning of the cymbal.

A slight tilt can make the edge easier to reach with a glancing stroke. Avoid an extreme angle or a tight wing nut that prevents the cymbal from swinging naturally.

A small position adjustment is worth trying if you find yourself striking straight into the edge.

4. Clean and inspect cymbals

Clean cymbals according to the maker’s advice and the cymbal’s finish. Dirt and fingerprints affect appearance, but cleaning does not repair a structural crack.

However, abrasive brass polishers can be a little too strong for a cymbal that only requires stain removal. If you use the wrong product, you might damage the face of this cymbal and its tonal grooves.

If cleaning is needed, use a product intended for cymbals and the particular finish, and test it cautiously. Some cleaners can remove logos or affect coatings.

There is no need for an expensive product when gentle cleaning recommended by the maker will do the job.

5. Use good felts to cushion the cymbal against the stand.

Use a sleeve over the stand post and felts above and below the cymbal. These prevent direct metal contact while letting it move; do not clamp the wing nut down tightly.

Without a sleeve or felt, the mounting hole can bear against the metal stand. Inspect the centre hole and replace worn stand parts.

A felt and sleeve are simple parts of a setup that protects the cymbal from avoidable mounting stress.

If you transport your cymbals, use a case or bag and separate the edges so they do not rub against each other. Avoid leaving a cymbal standing on its edge on a hard floor.

Cymbal life and material

Cymbals are made from different copper alloys, including bronze and brass, and their life depends on how they are played and mounted. Felts, a sleeve, a comfortable position and a glancing stroke can help reduce avoidable stress.

If a cymbal cracks, assess the damage before deciding whether it can be repaired, repurposed or should be retired.

A damaged cymbal may still make an interesting stack or effect, but it will not be as good as new.

Conclusion

Cymbal cracks are a nightmare for all drummers. Some of you might have faced this situation repeatedly with your precious collection of cymbals, while others are just starting to build their kit.

Whether you play heavily or lightly, it is worth checking your setup and technique when a crack appears.

It’s also useful to know what causes these cracks and the proper way to intervene if you spot a crack in your cymbal.

The steps above can help you assess damage, choose a sensible next use for a cracked cymbal and reduce avoidable stress on the next one.

None of them guarantees a crack-free cymbal, but they can help you make a safer, more informed decision.