Product: Musical Instrument: Percussion
breakable cymbals   (+4)  [vote for, against]
(musicians sometimes refer to (some) drum equipment as 'breakables')

literally glass cymbals for drummers- the drummer presumably has to wear goggles. - instrument destruction is a time honoured ritual for rock stars, - breaking ceramics sounds pretty cool, and.. - a breaking cymbal would add an element of unpredictability to live music- -before breaking it would have a glassy tone to it - For the practical side, glass is easily recyclable (though obviously broken glass is dangerous-although also rowdy rock concerts get plenty of broken bottles?) the cymbals could be made of sugar glass instead but thats way more delicate.
-- technobadger, Feb 16 2025

Glass Cymbals [pocmloc, Feb 16 2025]

https://www.youtube...watch?v=Ix_11UeGwYY [pocmloc, Feb 16 2025]

I could see this working if the glass cymbals were protected until the very end of the final drum solo of a concert performance, then dramatically shattered on the last beats.
-- xenzag, Feb 16 2025


Already done on here 12 years ago...
-- pocmloc, Feb 16 2025


You will need to find a fine balance between "strong enough (& other properties) to work as an instrument" & "weak enough to shatter when required".
I wonder if you could have a pedal with a spring-loaded "cracker" to kick (at the same time as striking with the drumstick) for the explosive finale? The glass could be made "prestressed" to shatter in a pleasing upwards manner.
<After more thought...> If the right balance is found, a regular wooden drumstick wouldn't smash, but a hard ceramic or metal tip (on the other end) WOULD be enough to do the deed.
-- neutrinos_shadow, Feb 16 2025


You mean the Prince Rupert Drum Kit?
-- minoradjustments, Feb 17 2025


If you can convince a Prince Rupert to have a cymbal shape, yes!
-- neutrinos_shadow, Feb 17 2025



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