Favorite Zildjian Ride?

[DrJuanitor]

im stuck between either a 21" sweet ride or a 20" K hybrid ride. i wanted to see what you all prefer for rides! i currently have a wimpy 20" Zildjian ZHT ride, its really bland imo

[caddywumpus]

I have a Sweet Ride. Very washy, and better used as a crash cymbal, in my opinion.

If I were you, I would look into the K Light Ride series. There are 22" and 24" models that are just STELLAR. I found a 24" K Light Ride that is my grail...

[diegobxr]

Well.. it depends what styles do you play, what do you want it for...

I have a 24" A Medium Ride. It's awesome.

I also have a 20" K Ride. It's pretty awesome too.

And a 20" K Custom Dry Ride. Guess what? Yeah, it's awesome too. :)

They're all very different from each other and I use them for different things.

Cheers!

[Davethis]

22" Custom K dark - delicious

[Richards1008]

My newly acquired 20" Zildjian brilliant Earth Ride :-D From the second run of the 80's :-)

[audiotech]

My favorite Zildjian ride happens to be my K Custom 20" Dark ride with my 21" Sweet ride a close second. It happened to be either the third or forth Sweet ride I played before deciding on it. A couple did sound more washy then the others, but only one had a superb tone that the others were lacking.

Dennis

[Bull]

I am very interested in trying a 22" K Dark Medium Ride.

[brittc89]

Whatre you using it for? As someone who plays a lot of jazz, I really dig the Constantinople. I used to have a 22 Constantinople flat and I SOLD it. Ugh. Mistake. I miss it so much. But I use a Constantinople from the early 2000s that I drilled a few holes for rivets in. I adore it w/ and w/o the rivets. I also cant help but dig hard on my 1969 K. Had to pay out the nose. But love at first stroke. Just dont make em like they used to.

[kingsxrocks]

K custom or Z custom power ride. Love a great bell!!!

[Liebe zeit]

I recently got an A Custom 20" flat ride. I like it a lot for its non-dingy bell-less-ness and distinct stick sound

[makinao]

If you've already narrowed it down to these two, I suggest try out as many of them as you can in all the stores you can reach. No two b20 Zildjians are alike. Enjoy your search.

[Muckster]

At the Moment, my 20" K Custom Dark Ride.

[AirborneSFC]

1st Place - 20" A custom Ride
2nd - 20" K Dark ride

[Fuzrock]

I've had my 20" K Custom Dry Ride for 15 years and haven't thought about switching. It has everything I have ever wanted in a ride. It has a loud, clear bell, quiet body with great stick definition, sounds like a gong when you crash it, and looks like it was buried for 10 years. Well maybe that last part isn't something I've always wanted but I still like how it looks.

[Alex_NJT]

I like my 20" Avedis Medium Ride, I also tried a 20" Kcustom hybrid ride and it actually has a great sound!

[Mad About Drums]

I love my 20" K custom ride, it's over 25 years old now, let say it's been run in very nicely :)

In the past, I treasured my 22" Earth ride, a totally different beast, the foundation in rock riding, a killer bell too :)

[ineedaclutch]

#1-20 K Custom Dark (been with me for a good while and goes with any style I have to play), #2 K Heavy (same thing), and (I know it's heresy to speak well of this cymbal but) #3 21 Z Custom Mega Bell. The one I have can not be beat if you need a strong ping with no wash. I have heard others which sound like gongs but this thing has a great note and is great in a loud rock environment. It also works well with Latin grooves due to the ping and almost no overtones. My K rides are my favorite as far as sound and tones go, but get called into a loud live gig and the Z comes with. The K Dark is right next to it on any occasion though.

[BabyBob]

Originally Posted by Alex_NJT

I like my 20" Avedis Medium Ride, I also tried a 20" Kcustom hybrid ride and it actually has a great sound!

I second this even though I don't own the K custom Hybrid Ride I heard it at my local music store and it sounded awesome!

[DrJuanitor]

im looking for something with a good crash to it and doesnt sound so lame like my current ride. really im looking more for just anything better, but im looking for something more bright and that i can crash on it.

[longgun]

I prefer the 20" A custom flat ride.....not going to get any "Crash" sounds out of it though.

Using a 6" Zil-bel to make up for a lack of bell on the ride

[DrJuanitor]

ive been listening more and more the 21" Sweet ride, and i like the fact that it is so easily crashable. So can i get any imput of any one who has owned or owns one? and also suggest any rides similar to it? thanks guys/gals

[JimmyTheMonkey]

I have the 21 A Sweet Ride. I got it just a few weeks ago. I really like it so far. The brilliant finish is very intense once I cleaned it up. It is definitely more of a rock crash. If you want something to crash, I think this is the better option. The K ride has a really great pingy sound though. When I was looking I found the K very alluring until I realized that while the pingy sound is really fun, it doesnt integrate into Rock as well, at least in my opinion.

One day I plan on picking up the K as well to switch out when i'm playing different kinds of music.

[barryabko]

I have quite a few ride cymbals. My two favorite are my 21" Armand Zildjian and then my 20" Zildjian & CIE.

Next in order are:

20" 1970s Paiste Formula 602
20" 1950s A. Zildjian
20" 1960s A. Zildjian

Barry

[cky42091]

I've been using a nice sweet ride for about 6 months now. Getting really bored with it. It sounds good enough, but it just doesn't seem to have ANYTHING that stands out. It's not complex enough for jazz, and doesn't cut enough for rock. Although it does sound wonderful with mallets...

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by DrJuanitor

ive been listening more and more the 21" Sweet ride, and i like the fact that it is so easily crashable. So can i get any imput of any one who has owned or owns one? and also suggest any rides similar to it? thanks guys/gals

The 21" Armand Ride has similar characteristics to the Sweet Ride. The subtleties obviously vary....the Armand can offer a little more tonal complexity I feel, but than again, that depends on which Sweet Ride you are comparing it too. There tends to be a pretty wide variation from one SR to another......some offer a little more ping, some wash out more easily than others etc etc. But all in all, they are pretty comparable cymbals.

[ECU_Drummer]

I haven't been able to play it lately, but I love my 22" A Custom Pong Ride. Such a great sound and can fill up the room. Great crash sound too.

[BYUDOG]

I have a 22 zildjian ping ride too. I like the sound, but, Im not sure about crashing with it. It seems kinda heavy for that.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by BYUDOG

I have a 22 zildjian ping ride too. I like the sound, but, Im not sure about crashing with it. It seems kinda heavy for that.

I'm always surprised when I read about guys who like the sound of their Ping rides when crashed too. I've got a 20" A Ping ride.....excellent, sharp and cutting ride, but the most horrible crash sound ever. I know Zildjian cymbals have pretty wide tolerances from one to another, but I've still never been lucky enough to hear a Ping that produces an acceptable crash sound. I reckon there are far better choices for a crashable ride.

[alparrott]

I'm with MadAboutDrums... I've played an (original) 20" K Custom for 22 years now, and it's still tops. That is something I can point to and say, "That's MY sound" (if for no other reason that it's the only one in town!)

[simmsdn]

Originally Posted by longgun

I prefer the 20" A custom flat ride.....not going to get any "Crash" sounds out of it though.

Using a 6" Zil-bel to make up for a lack of bell on the ride

A sniper using a flat ride?

[simmsdn]

20" A custom Ping Ride or 21" Z Mega Bell.

I like a defined PING when I play my ride and obviously do not crash my ride cymbals.

[evans_69]

My 22" K heavy ride...

Also love the A sweet ride and Armand ride as crashes :)..

Always fancied trying a 22 A ping ride though.

[vinniewannabe]

My go-to was the 22" K Custom Medium ride. It was perfect - just enough ping and wash and a clear bell...played primarily rock music with loud amps.

[Richards1008]

Originally Posted by simmsdn

20" A custom Ping Ride or 21" Z Mega Bell.

I like a defined PING when I play my ride and obviously do not crash my ride cymbals.

Boy you should try an old earth ride, completely different world of "ping!"

[ECU_Drummer]

Originally Posted by Pocket-full-of-gold

I'm always surprised when I read about guys who like the sound of their Ping rides when crashed too. I've got a 20" A Ping ride.....excellent, sharp and cutting ride, but the most horrible crash sound ever. I know Zildjian cymbals have pretty wide tolerances from one to another, but I've still never been lucky enough to hear a Ping that produces an acceptable crash sound. I reckon there are far better choices for a crashable ride.

Let me clarify a bit. Compared to what I had before (ZBT Ride) it has a great crash sound. I haven't played that many rides, so what I may find great others may find mediocre or bad. I bought the ride while at PASIC in 2006 and it's held up to my playing. I chose the ping because the ZBT didn't have that good of a sound. If I had the cash I would have went for a K (22" or 24"). After replacing a cracked crash I might invest in a K.

[uniin]

i've never really liked zildjian cymbals all that much, however the 20" k custom ride has one of the nicest bells ive ever heard. i also like the special dry ride. apart from that i dont really like any other rides.

[lebreton566]

Originally Posted by DrJuanitor

ive been listening more and more the 21" Sweet ride, and i like the fact that it is so easily crashable. So can i get any imput of any one who has owned or owns one? and also suggest any rides similar to it? thanks guys/gals

The sweet ride is definitely a sweet ride. Used to have it and loved it. Sold it to try out some different rides. Also loved the 20" k custom dark ride. Shouldn't have sold either of those, but I finally found my perfect ride: 1950's zildjian a series 20". Found mine for $160. Look for the ones on the thinner side. Very similar to the sweet ride but a little easier to get a crash out of it. I love that thing it sounds so good at shows.

[DrJuanitor]

it seems to be pointing to that the K Custom rides work best for most. Im probably getting annoying by now because i cant make up my mind. Im just looking for something that has alot of bright sound to it. To give an idea of what my sound is close to, i listen to alot of Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, The Whigs, alot of Indie rock bands and some garage rock like bands. I see them all playing on their rides when its an intense part of the song, and it sounds like the ride is a crash. i just want that sound. after i get my ride, im going to go for a new pair of hats, which will be easier, because they all sound good to me above what i have.

[jt.mcrae]

Originally Posted by Pocket-full-of-gold

I'm always surprised when I read about guys who like the sound of their Ping rides when crashed too. I've got a 20" A Ping ride.....excellent, sharp and cutting ride, but the most horrible crash sound ever. I know Zildjian cymbals have pretty wide tolerances from one to another, but I've still never been lucky enough to hear a Ping that produces an acceptable crash sound. I reckon there are far better choices for a crashable ride.

^ ha I'm that guy :P

I have a sweet ride which I absolutely love. I found one that has a really nice blend between ping and wash. It sits perfectly in almost any genre of music (except metal, unless used as a crash) without being too overpowering. Definitely go the sweet ride over the k hybrid as it has a nice tone in my opinion.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by ECU_Drummer

Let me clarify a bit..........

Originally Posted by jt.mcrae

^ ha I'm that guy :P

Hey, I'm not questioning how your ears hear it men. If you guys say you hear a crashability there, then I don't doubt it. I just know that my Ping ride sounds horrible when crashed....as do a few others that I've heard and I don't usually associate them as being crashable is all. Love the thing....just for reasons other than it making a good crash sound.

Originally Posted by DrJuanitor

Im just looking for something that has alot of bright sound to it.

I just don't hear K's or K Customs as having "a lot of bright sound" to them. They are quite complex with darker tones, hence why the jazzers love 'em.....they are cymbals that thrive on really being explored by pulling tones out of them, rather than beaten mercilessly by crash riding them in a loud setting IMHO. If it's a bright cymbal that you can really lay into that you're after, I'd suggest you keep exploring the A or A Custom series. For that garage/indie/Travis Baker/Taylor Hawkins style of crash riding, I'd be looking at the Sweet Ride or an A Medium ride, personally.

But then again, I don't think Ping rides are crashable, so what the hell do I know. :-)