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Zildjian
Parent Category   Ride Cymbals Zildjian

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Zildjian A Custom Ping Ride 20''
By goodbyebluesky on 04/14/2008 at 17:15 Music is a hobby.

Overall Opinion  
I used this 20" Ping Ride from the A Custom line for a short while.
I'm not typically a fan of ping rides or dry rides since I've come to like (and expect) a good wash underneath the ever present "ping" of a ride cymbal. So I was pleasantly suprised with this cymbal. It is fairly "wet" for a ping ride, so you get a nice low to moderate "wash" or "shimmer" underneath the ping. I've compared this cymbal side-by-side with Zildjian's K Custom Ping Ride, and the K is markedly drier and has significantly less capability to produce a noticeable "wash" underneath the ping than the A Custom will produce when you induce it by playing harder and further out from the bell. In other words, the wash is there when you want it.

I had no problem getting excellent stick definition playing complicated patterns anywhere "in the field" of the cymbal while still getting a gentle wash and sustain underneath it, which pleases me and my playing style greatly.

My only dislike is the small size of the bell, although you can still get plenty of "ping" almost anywhere on the cymbal.

I think this cymbal is versatile enough for use in multiple styles. Its well suited for heavy rock music since it has a good density and its well-definied "ping" would do a good job of "cutting through". It could also be adequate for modern jazz or fusion style music since it has a fairly "wet" sound. I would also reccomend checking this cymbal out side-by-side with the 22" version to see if the larger, more expenzive one is better for you.
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Zildjian K Custom Dark Ride 20''
By goodbyebluesky on 04/14/2008 at 15:32 Music is a hobby.

Overall Opinion  
I've used this cymbal off and on for a while now. Everything from the K Custom series are well-made cymbals and sound wise are a cut above your average cymbal, but the K Custom Dry Ride stands out as a great choice (if it fits your prejudices in a ride cymbal). What I like most about it is its complexity, like a fine wine. This is probably the best dry ride I've ever played, because most dry rides are too dry and bland but not this one. This cymbal IS pretty dry, but it still has some "sizzle" too it, which give it a smoky sound and dark overtones. Its mellow but not wimpy, with a very defined "ping" and a subtle shimmer underneath it. Being a dry ride, of course, it has minimal sustain but riding it hard to try and build up some "wash" and "shimmer" underneath will leave you pleasantly suprised. Its all in how you play this cymbal.
I doubt that I would play this cymbal in a very agressive rock band, but I suppose you could if you wanted to. Being a dry ride and as dark as it is, I doubt I would use it in a jazz or fusion setting either. I think the perfect situation for using this cymbal would be a progressive rock band, or a more mellower rock band where you demand some complexity in the tone of your cymbals, and still want it to cut through.
Everything in the K Custom line is going to cost you some green, but if you are looking in this price range for cymbals then you must be discriminating enough to pay K Custom prices. I doubt you would be disapointed. I don't think Sabian or even my beloved Paiste makes a dry ride to compete with this one.
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