The 5 Best Gongs To Buy Online (2024)
Gongs are a popular type of thick cymbal originally from East and South-East Asia. They are now used around the world in different settings, from ceremonies and orchestral music to home decorations!
They are usually made out of bronze, with different types of alloy used. In this article, you will find both big orchestral gongs as well as some of the small, desktop version ones that you should check out.
My top recommended gong is the Sabian 52402 24″ Symphonic Gong. A great all-rounder gong of good quality, size, and sound.
My second recommended gong is the Zildjian 12″ Table-top Gong and Stand Set. This is a more affordable option that comes with great quality and won’t burn your pockets.
Contents
- The 5 Best Gongs (2024)
- 1. Sabian 52402 24" Symphonic Gong
- 2. Zildjian 12" Table-top Gong and Stand Set
- 3. Paiste SG15032 32" Symphonic Gong
- 4. Wuhan Chau Gong - 36"
- 5. Woodstock Chimes WDG
- Stands and mallets
- Where do you hit a gong?
- How does a gong sound?
- How loud is a gong? (in dB)
- What is the purpose of a gong?
- Is a gong pitched or unpitched?
- Summary
The 5 Best Gongs (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Sabian 52402 24" Symphonic Gong
Starting this list with this quality symphonic gong. Sabian is a household name when it comes to cymbals and percussions, so it’s no wonder they are on top of this list. Sabian’s 52402 is a 24” wide symphonic, suspended gong.
It has a sturdy and powerful fundamental note that is then supported and enhanced by a swarm of supporting harmonies and overtones.
This creates a warm and full response, giving your music just the sound you might need. This is a high-quality item that will last you a long time and is good enough for professional use.
2. Zildjian 12" Table-top Gong and Stand Set
As far as the table-top gongs are concerned, there’s no better than Zildjian 12” gong set. In it you’ll find a 12” gong, with a really beautiful lathed front and back, making it a real eyecatcher. In the set, you’ll also find a mallet and a wooden stand.
Mallet is soft but big, so it will easily create a rich but mellow sound when used. Strings that come with the set are not the best, as they will do their job, but you can easily replace them with leather or any other sturdier strings for more security.
Sound from this gong is of course higher, as it’s much smaller than standard orchestral ones, but it can still be used in home situations.
3. Paiste SG15032 32" Symphonic Gong
Moving on to the larger end of the spectrum, Paiste SH15032 is a 32” symphonic sustained gong. It’s meant for use both in orchestral and ceremonial situations, with its rich and full sound.
Because it’s so large, you can create different sounds when hitting different spots in different ways, giving you many more options when playing.
As for the sound, it has a long sustain, so you can create different effects when playing it. The stand and the mallet come separately.
4. Wuhan Chau Gong - 36"
Wuhan Chau Gong is made in the city of Wuhan, China as they are the birthplace of gongs. This means that you will get as traditional gong as it’s possible and this factory still makes them the old way.
Each gong is handmade, one-cast bronze, so you are sure to get a crafted instrument. Each gong is 36” long and is made for orchestral use and is used by orchestras all around the world.
5. Woodstock Chimes WDG
If you’re looking for a mini desk gong, Woodstock Chimes WDG is one to look into. It’s a handmade tiny gong, 6” in diameter, standing on a 12” high stand made out of black ash wood and coming with a small mallet.
This gong is sturdy and affordable, making it a great buy for your meditation or just as a gift to friends to have in their living room or office as a decoration, as it is really beautifully designed.
Stands and mallets
There’s a big difference if you’re getting a desk gong or a full-sized one. For desk gongs, it’s standard to get a stand and a mallet in the kit, as people are not using them for music play, but more commonly as a gift or a decoration.
Big, orchestral gongs on the other hand are sold without anything but the gong itself. This means that you have to go out and buy yourself a fitting stand and mallet (or mallets) that you plan on using with your gong.
Where do you hit a gong?
Even though people usually think that gongs are played just by striking in the middle, that’s not the case really. Even though you can of course hit it in the middle with the mallet, it’s usually not the sweet spot of the gong.
You need to rehearse and find the sweet spot for your gong from which you’ll get the best sound (and maybe several different sounds depending on the placement of the strike) as well as several different techniques for playing such as priming or spinning.
How does a gong sound?
The gong has a precise pitch, a dark timbre, and a very full, round sound. This means that the gongs are usually used as an effects instrument. If you play them too hard, they can easily go overboard and miss the sound they are supposed to make.
How loud is a gong? (in dB)
Of course, this depends on the size of the gong, as bigger gongs will naturally be louder. But, for standard orchestral gongs, the noise is going to be somewhere around 85-90dB, comparable to the noise that a hairdryer or lawnmower makes when turned on.
What is the purpose of a gong?
Gong is an ancient Asian instrument and as such has several different uses. In history, it was used as a ceremonial tool announcing the entrance of an Emperor or similar ceremonial things. Today it has two main uses – orchestral and ceremonial. In orchestras, gongs have been used since the early 19th century to create Erie and dramatic moments in the background.
Gongs are also very often used in meditation and sound healing therapy, as people can relax when listening to the rich and mellow sound of a gong.
Is a gong pitched or unpitched?
Gongs can be pitched or unpitched. Usually, gongs that have knobs are pitched, but that really depends on the maker of the gong and the way he made the instrument.
Summary
I hope that this article has helped you learn a thing or two about gongs. Also, I hope that you have found what you were looking for, whether that was a table-top mini gong or a full-sized orchestral gong to expand your percussion collection.
My top gong pick is the Sabian 52402 24″ Symphonic Gong, a great and well-rounded gong with good quality sound and optimal size.
My budget gong pick is the Zildjian 12″ Table-top Gong and Stand Set, an affordable option for those on a tight budget looking for a decent quality gong.
