This may be a bit out of the box, but I’d be interested in any ideas about how to strike cymbals with brushes. I often come out of a fill striking a cymbal only to have a wimpy response. What part of the brush should I use? What kind of cymbal is best, etc.?

Hi, I'm Alan from South Carolina, USA. I've had several fancy snare drums but as for a favorite, it would have to be my old 1976 Ludwig Acrolite. It consistently sounds better than any snare I've ever tried and it weighs half as much. Even the original stand still works. I wish I had kept the original plastic case and floppy rubber drum pad (that would never stay on).