i want to install rivets on my own cymbals at home first and i don't want to ruin them of course. my bd likes rivets and might let me install them on a suspended cymbal at the school if i get this right. i'm going to install them on an 18 inch so how far would probably be best to space them? and how should i install them anyways? thanks...

I havent done it before but if I were to go throu with it I would get a book on it or go to a music store and ask them or at least go to someone who knows what they are doing.

actually, i went to a recording studio and music store and no one had done it before. i also asked my friend from "overhead" and he didn't really know what would be the best approach but told me that any machinist could do it and probably even me. my cousin is a machinist so i just need to give him specs on it now...

the best way to space them really depends on the sound you want, the more jingels the wetter the sound. but place them no further than 2 inches away from the edge.

I've installed them before. We put them about 2-3 inches from the edge of the cymbal about 4 inches apart. We just hammered them in. It didn’t take more than 2 minutes to do the 18 inch crash.
I personally recommend buying a sizzle. Or make one. Just take a washers and a metal bead necklace. Break the necklace in half and cut it to size, then tape it to the washer. Place it on the cymbal stand with the little ball bearing on the cymbal. This will give you a similar effect and won’t damage the cymbal.
http://www.music123.com/Promark-R22-Rattler-Sizzler-i83718.music
I do not recommend you install rivets into a suspended cymbal. Especially if it’s your only one.

If you are worried than just use the Pro-Mark rattler or sizzler. You just slip it where the felt goes on the cymbal and there you go.

Another cool effect is to rivet sets of tabourine jingles to the cymbals. Zildjian made 4 sets of these for the 01 and 02 G Cyms, and they definately have a unique sound, as well as a lot more projection than just rivets.

Send your cymbal to Zildjian and ask them to install rivets. THey'll ask you if you want six evenly spaced rivets or a cluster of three. You can get info in the Zildjian Cymbals section of the Z Answers section of www.zildjian.com

(cue a moderator with the direct link)

the tamborine jingles are very cool. and look there they are in your pic!

I have seen people do them on marching cymbals and they have turned out great. Like many people say do not do it on your own cymbal and if you are going to go through with it then make it to your accordance of the sound quality.

I would reccomend just to buy the Pro Mark sizzler like someone else said. It will be easier and less damagable. You may break or damage your cymbal without knowing what to do.

I made one for my HS when I was a student. Its not all that hard. Like others have said just find the right size rivets and drill a hole about 2 inches in from the edge of the cymabal. I believe I used 10 rivets around an 18" cymbal, but I could be wrong. Just space the holes evenly. It is insanely easy to drill the hole, just get a good bit and measure twice before you drill.