# What Cymbals Does Blake Richardson Use? Full Setup

**Band:** Between the Buried and Me | **Brand(s):** Sabian

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## Direct Answer

Blake Richardson plays Sabian cymbals: 14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" HHX Evolution Crash, 17" AAX Holy China, 21" AAX Holy China, 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" HH Duo Splash, 9" Radia Cup Chime.

## Cymbal Breakdown

| Piece | Size | Series | Model |
|-------|------|--------|-------|
| Hi-hat | 14" | HHX | Evolution Hi-Hats |
| Crash | 18" | HHX | Evolution Crash |
| China | 17" | AAX | Holy China |
| China | 21" | AAX | Holy China |
| Ride | 21" | HH | Raw Bell Dry Ride |
| Splash | 10" | HH | Duo Splash |
| other | 9" | Radia | Cup Chime |

Verified roster hardware entry: "Sabian (14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" HHX Evolution Crash, 17" & 21" AAX Holy Chinas, 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" HH Duo Splash, 9" Radia Cup Chime)." Source: roster gear.cymbals (verified: true; sources on the drummer record).

## Setup Context

- **Hi-hat:** Two cymbals on a stand, played by foot and/or stick — the main timekeeper for tight, fast 16th-note patterns and blast beats.
- **Crash:** A short, explosive accent on strong beats and fills; metal kits often stack several sizes (e.g. 16"/17"/18") for different accent pitches.
- **China:** An upturned-edge cymbal with a trashy, explosive, dirty accent — a staple for breakdown and chorus hits in metal; sometimes mounted upside down for an even darker tone.
- **Ride:** The largest, heaviest cymbal in most setups — carries sustained 16th-note "blast-beat" ride patterns and cuts through a dense mix, with the bell used for sharper accents.
- **Splash:** A small, thin cymbal for a quick, bright accent that decays almost instantly — used more sparingly in metal than in lighter genres, mostly for fill ornamentation.

## FAQ

**Q: What cymbals does Blake Richardson use?**
A: Blake Richardson plays Sabian cymbals: 14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" HHX Evolution Crash, 17" AAX Holy China, 21" AAX Holy China, 21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" HH Duo Splash, 9" Radia Cup Chime.

## More Resources

- [Full cymbal setup page](https://metalforge.io/cymbals/setups/blake-richardson)
- [Blake Richardson's Drummer Profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/blake-richardson)
- [Cymbals Guide](https://metalforge.io/llms/cymbals.md)
- [All LLM Resources](https://metalforge.io/llms/index.md)

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*Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*