Zildjian A's or A Customs Whats the Differences?

[theuntitleddrummer]

Whats the difference between the a's and the a customs
im thinking of buying them

[wert90]

the a customs are shinier

brighter sounding

and more expensive.

thats without getting complicated!

[Ainulindale]

they are both 'bright', but...
A's - warm and the Customs - shimmering...
hope that helps, Zildjians site has solid sound files, but of course smacking 'em yourself is best!

[theuntitleddrummer]

anyone else have opinions on these two cymbal series?
Does same apply to Sabian AA and AAX?

[jcmuse2089]

The AA's are vintage style cymbals and great for all purpose rock.
The AAX's have a more modern sound for newer music, I prefer AAX. Although both are great cymbal lines.

Zildjian A's are the most versatile cymbal on the planet and can be used for almost anything.
A Customs have a more modern glassier sound.

[Bonzo_CR]

I have a 16" A thin crash which I have used for years and years, still sounds great! And I have a 17" A custom crash which sounds great too! I use them both all the time.

I agree with the descriptions here...

The A customs are indeed more 'modern' sounding. for the crashes that means they have a very 'clean' crash sound but a little darker, and with less overtones. For my taste some of the newer A custom crashes (the 'fast crash' for example lack a little bit of body and can get lost in the mix. The A's are the classic cymbal line, a little more spread and not quite so 'clean' but they do have a real classic crash sound and cut through well. And yes! they are shiner (and more bendy).

The rides again sound modern but are noted for having some 'spread' (overtones coming out) as you start to hit the cymbal harder. A little too much spread for my taste (I have a K Custom Ride which has a less spread but still very warm, love it!), but many do like them.

As with all cast Zildjians, each individual cymbal sounds different (3 cymbals of the same model and same size will sound a little different from each other) so take your time, try them and choose the one you like best. Take your other cymbals along too when you go to try them so you can see how they fit with your existing setup.

[danlikesdrums]

A Zildjian proper name is Advis
A Customs are more brighter

Here's my Set

13'K hi-hats
18' A med thin
22' K ride
19' Advis Crash

[TTNW]

A Zildjian proper name is Advis
A Customs are more brighter

Here's my Set

13'K hi-hats
18' A med thin
22' K ride
19' Advis Crash

Avedis was Armand and Robert's father.
The A line is descendant from the original American cymbals by Zildjian.

Kerope Zildjian was the late 1800s patriarch of the Zildjian family, hence the K line. Ks were made in Canada at their Zildjian plant. The Turkish K factory was actually a separate company until the Zildjian family took it back over in the late 70s.

A Customs were Vinnie Colaiuta's contribution to the Zildjian line up. Folklore has it that Vinnie wanted a more modern, glassier, shimmering quality to the A line (like Paiste cymbals) but he was very loyal and devoted to Zildjian.

K Customs were created under a similar premise. Modernize the K sound with more radical hammering. Drumming icons like Dennis Chambers and Steve Gadd contributed in creating the sounds that make up this line.

Sorry about the history lesson. I just thought I'd break it down for everybody.