Best K Ride for Rock?

[shoedaddy]

I love the sound of Zildjian K rides, and I know they were originally designed for jazz music. I'd like, however, to get one for mostly rock music. Any recommendations? The K Custom Ride and K Custom Dry Ride sound great, but do you think they'd be loud enough?

[drumtechdad]

I recently bought the K Custom Hybrid ride for my kid, who plays rock unmiked. That was after about a year of listening to cymbals and trying damn near everything.

It has a good ping (almost as good as the Ping Ride), several different sounds available from the top, a nice-sounding wash (unlike the Ping Ride), it is very crashable, and has a bell that can kill small animals at close range.

It's heavier than your average K, thus a bit brighter and louder. It's not what I'd pick if I were looking for a jazz ride, but it seems ideal for the purpose. Listen to one!

[Wavelength]

Modern "regular" K rides are fairly decent for rock.

[pbm2112]

The 22" K Custom ride is PERFECT for rock and will be plenty loud enough.

[Numberonefan]

The only one my son liked for his rock and metal band was the Heavy K. We tried to stay Zildjian as every other one he has is a Zildjian but ended up with a Sabian HH RBDR it looks odd but sounds great!

The K custom hybrids are fantastic cymbals and he has both a 19inch crash and an 11 inch splash but the ride did not cut it for him.

[Hybridt@vo]

The 22" K Custom ride is PERFECT for rock and will be plenty loud enough.

^ I second this one or the 20" either one is great, bright, fabulous bell, and great stick definition.

[Hybridt@vo]

The K custom hybrids are fantastic cymbals and he has both a 19inch crash and an 11 inch splash but the ride did not cut it for him.

Same thing happened to me end up selling it and gettin the regular K custom ride

[shoedaddy]

Thanks for all the tips. I'm going to try out a K Custom Ride at my favorite shop this weekend. I actually owned a K Custom Hybrid at one time, and I agree with you, Drumtechdad--that was a nice ride, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for in terms of a distinct K sound. I liked it but never loved it, so then I traded it for some Paiste 2002s, which I thought were a natural fit for my Vistalites. I'll let you know what I think of the K Custom Ride. I'm thinking of matching it up with A Custom crashes, which I love for their brightness, and putting together a set of cymbals for my Pearl Masters kit. Any ideas on that on the K Ride/A Custom crashes match-up?

[cjl71178]

I own a 20" K Custom Ride and it's unbelieveable. Perfect for rock, pretty much any situation.

[Togg]

I have a 22 K ride that I use as the main ride and largest crash.

Works a treat, you will love it, not used a custom, but I did the same with a 22 med ride a few years ago, still prefer the K, but it's close.

[Muckster]

I have a 20" K Custom and have played it for years on Rock gigs. It works very well in that application.

[Drifter in the Dark]

I love the sound of Zildjian K rides, and I know they were originally designed for jazz music. I'd like, however, to get one for mostly rock music. Any recommendations? The K Custom Ride and K Custom Dry Ride sound great, but do you think they'd be loud enough?

My $.02-- Both of those cymbals are great choices, but may I also suggest the K Custom MEDIUM ride? It's a little more versatile than a straight-up K Custom IMO; it has fewer of those "gongy" overtones and it sounds a little warmer. And it looks cool because the underside is unlathed (just like a regular K Custom), but the top is lathed like a regular K.

[Hybridt@vo]

Thanks for all the tips. I'm going to try out a K Custom Ride at my favorite shop this weekend. I actually owned a K Custom Hybrid at one time, and I agree with you, Drumtechdad--that was a nice ride, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for in terms of a distinct K sound. I liked it but never loved it, so then I traded it for some Paiste 2002s, which I thought were a natural fit for my Vistalites. I'll let you know what I think of the K Custom Ride. I'm thinking of matching it up with A Custom crashes, which I love for their brightness, and putting together a set of cymbals for my Pearl Masters kit. Any ideas on that on the K Ride/A Custom crashes match-up?

Check a 18" A custom crash, also the 19" k custom hybrid will match very well

[trkdrmr]

My cymbals are mostly A customs. But depending on the mission: I have Wuhan and some Sabian aax china & mini china.

I don't lock myself down to one line or brand to voice my cymbal pallet.

Cymbals should not be looked at as one or the other. You may like K-hats, a-crashes and a paiste ride.

[MR DRUMS]

I used t play Zildjian and used to have the K Custom ride 22" that sounded decent but had a lack of power and projection, the regular K Ride is ok but I don`t think has the sound ans power for rock, but I would recommend the K Heavy ride that is IMO the heaviest K I`ve ever heard.
From Sabian I just love the HH RBDR 21" and the classics AA and HH Rock rides.

Regards!

[DrewTheShoe]

I use a 20" K Custom and it works brilliantly for rock, even louder jam sessions with a few of my mates. It has excellent stick definition, but still a slightly darker character (it is a bit heavy, but it's still a K) along with a perfect amount (not too much, not too little) of that gorgeous K wash that defines all the K's. In louder situations, the ping is still a VERY noticeable attribute, not getting lost in the mix. The bell is stellar also, loud but musical. In softer applications, it still works beautifully, especially with brushes. You really can't go wrong with it mate.