General
The profile (shape) of a cymbal possibly plays the most important role in the resulting sound, ranging even before the material it is made of. Since each parameter of the profile affects more than one sound property, there are several ways to make a cymbal brighter or sustain longer, for example. The exact composition of all these properties makes for the fine (or bad) sound of the instrument. This is the point were craftsmanship turns into art.
Edge
The edge is the place where crash cymbals are played with the shoulder of the drum stick. Such treatment brings out all the frequencies in a cymbal, starting from low, climbing up to the highest and dropping back to the fundamental tone. The edge is also the most vulnerable part of a cymbal.
Bow
The curved outer area from the edge to the cup is called the bow. This is where ride cymbals are usually played with the tip of the drumstick.
Bell
The size and height of the cup (or bell) is responsible for the amount of overtones a cymbal can generate. The cup maybe played for stronger, louder ride accompaniment and accents. The sound may differ significantly using either the tip or shoulder of the stick.
Thickness
The thickness, along with the diameter, determines the pitch of a cymbal. A small diameter and/or great thickness and/or a high profile results in high pitch, increasing size or decreasing thickness and/or height of the profile lowers the pitch. Even thickness along any given circle on the cymbal's surface is essential for even sound. This is the reason why badly handcrafted cymbals may have dead spots that just won't sound.
Taper
The taper is the increase of thickness from the edge to the center of a cymbal. The taper may vary from none (even thickness throughout) to strong (thin edge, thick bell). A strong taper will shorten the time a cymbal needs to reach full vibration (attack) and to get back to silence (decay). Thus, of two otherwise equal cymbals the one with the stronger taper will respond quicker. For the same reason, crash cymbals generally are tapered stronger than rides.
Height
The height of a cymbal is also responsible for its attack and decay properties. A high profile yields more sustain, more highs and a higher pitch. A low profile will result in a lower, shorter, drier, and more explosive sound.
