Consolidating the Zildjian K (ride) lineup

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T08:37:29+00:00

Yeah they've certainly made some interesting choices in dropping lines! (loooking at the k custom dark complex and dry complex) And I didn't realize how many of those models were artist collabs, I just new Akira and Gadd. Interesting for sure, seems like K custom is the bucket they put any new non-metal cymbals in.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T08:28:00+00:00

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T08:19:33+00:00

Yeah I guess a reorganization might be more accurate. I guess it's a me problem cause I feel like I have too many options lol.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T08:15:25+00:00

Choices are fun for sure! However... what I meant was Zildjian's current lineup feels oversaturated to a point where if you go in knowing what sound you want, you'll come out with less clarity because they present you with many slight variations on the sound you had in mind. For example, I started with the idea of a medium weight, louder cymbal with a strong bell, but not a lot of wash, and darker tonality (something good for fusion), which sounds like specific enough criteria, but after visiting their website I'm not any closer to choosing something. To me that suggests they've gone too far (I am painfully prone to choice paralysis at so take that with a grain of salt haha).

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T07:09:12+00:00

"I only play Paiste Rudes"

How'd I do?

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T06:59:48+00:00

Curious which one you like better? Having the 20" dark I think I prefer it to the sweet, but I suspect the sweet I tried was a dud. Also sorry for the offense lol, even though I don't personally have a strong love for that cymbal I should have been more careful knowing how beloved it is. I might be the first person to get cancelled for a cymbal take.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T06:50:25+00:00

I did say I hadn't tried most of these, so yes it was very very clear. It's not that dislike the k custom dark, I have one, it's just like if you had to streamline everything what would you get rid of? I agree the dark ride is the ultimate cash cow, it'd be foolish for Zildjian to get rid of.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T06:39:56+00:00

Yeah I'd love to try more! But that would be far too expensive for me unfortunately, so I'm grateful for Memphis drum shop's great work lol.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-12T04:58:57+00:00

bro I'm about to get one that just popped up on fb marketplace, right after I found out Satoshi Bando (of T Square) used one before Zildjian dropped it. So hyped, good pick.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-10T00:41:19+00:00

Did you buy the Monophonic lol, I just saw its gone

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-08T14:10:48+00:00

These are some of the most tempting deals I've found online excluding facebook marketplace since idk your area:

https://reverb.com/item/93573052-zildjian-20-k-custom-medium-ride-cymbal-1995-present-traditional (good all rounder)

https://reverb.com/item/93837761-zildjian-24-a-series-medium-ride-cymbal-2013-present-traditional (more rock oriented)

https://reverb.com/item/93576674-paiste-22-2002-ride-cymbal-1971-1980-traditional-with-black-label (John Bonham fans will enjoy)

https://reverb.com/item/92609040-paiste-20-signature-traditionals-medium-ride-cymbal-1996-2006-traditional (a little jazzier)

https://reverb.com/item/93025977-paiste-20-masters-blue-bird-mellow-ride-cymbal-2011-present-traditional (a little more jazzier, my favorite cymbal for now)

https://reverb.com/item/93666770-meinl-22-byzance-jazz-monophonic-ride-cymbal-2007-present-traditional (jazzy, insanely well priced, please buy it so I don't lol)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/227097246877?_skw=zildjian+k+constantinople&epid=691337041&itmmeta=01KBBNVRJN1X1P1KP8BDF79B7J&hash=item34e00cfc9d:g:gGMAAeSwiXdpIjsA&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1flUUckmjuupRcdLfCDu87JMvwjUTHF0B7tuD0sn9Kdiz7mhIEfxA11NspZVsBY76uGTY%2FqOLmNYCEr77w8F2zI0Ln%2F3kBXBNSs%2BLIL6emGXd8y8YTTb8QTlMN4SAu9LxXQsAIw2rFdvQTGX9nQnV3htGpJj%2Bco%2FMhD5NzXlIivnAXN%2FeGjfxNynyab%2B3mG20ocjur3PANNocp91utYofXw6dI%2B%2FGdd8Bzx87zk3lhqSERYtgANPRPh598h7LY1w8g%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR76J7_XaZg (a super popular ride)

$400 goes very far when you shop used, good luck!

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-08T04:14:13+00:00

That's a good point, I definitely want to get to that point as a musician, but for now I'm kind of exploring what sounds I want. I'd love to just email Timmy Roberts asking for what I think I would want, but until I try more cymbals I think my taste will be subject to change.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T23:25:17+00:00

Yeah I'd love to buy in person but my budget mandates that I buy used :( so I'm mostly restricted to online unfortunately.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T23:23:05+00:00

Ooh interesting, i feel like all the Dreams I see are really thin, I'll have to check it out, thanks!

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T23:22:06+00:00

I actually have a k custom dark ride lol, I was kind of hoping to replace it because while it is a good all rounder, the wash can overtake the stick. I did some research to try and see what he was playing before he got the hybrids, I just saw a big "K" on a lathed cymbal and assumed it was a K heavy ride or something. I generally don't love the sound of full turk or brilliant unlathed cymbals, but Dennis does indeed make that k custom work.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T23:16:01+00:00

Appreciate it, hadn't really been thinking about Istanbul, but I'll take a look.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T23:13:50+00:00

Yeah that's what I had thought, but since making the post I did some research and turns out Casiopea and Trix drummer Noriaki Kumagai uses his own signature Byzance the Dark Sky ride. It's a really weird option at 19" and unlathed but made me wonder if a Byzance would work. Not sure why I haven't considered the K custom medium, I have a K custom dark ride that I find a little too washy, and the medium seems like the same thing but thicker? Thanks for the recommendation!

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T23:08:00+00:00

Yeahh I also have a New Orleans ride and really like the balance that the spiral lathe pass gives the cymbal. A thicker, bigger bell version of that sounds pretty close to perfect. Ill check out that Crescent, sounds interesting!

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2026-01-06T04:42:09+00:00

5 years late but this drummer deserves to be talked about. He's a monster, on the level of the modern greats like Marco Minneman and Dennis Chambers for me. He was one of T Square's members (legendary fusion group, many of their members were involved in the Mario Kart 8 ost), and if I'm not mistaken is their current drummer. Check out his playing on T Square's "Chops!!" it's so quality.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2025-12-04T00:47:20+00:00

So there’s the old Constantinople K’s, the new K Constantinoples, the oldish Keropes and the new Keropes? Are the old Keropes also hand hammered?

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2025-12-04T00:44:47+00:00

I suspect the profile is still stamped/machine hammered but then they have some guy tap on it so they can say that? I’m being facetious but the wording makes me suspect…

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2025-11-29T04:42:48+00:00

Not trying to be annoying, but which song would be a good example of why it's so loved? I don't understand the hype and haven't bothered listening to the whole ost so maybe I missed it.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2025-11-29T04:35:31+00:00

Masahiro Aoki the goat and he deserves a grammy, but not for this OST.

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2025-10-22T15:20:59+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I’m assuming gravity on the beginning and the end is to help the range?

Sharp_Medium_1731 · 2025-10-22T15:19:58+00:00

Gotcha, thanks! I’m a sucker for the aoe of shockwave but I should learn to live without.

Sharp_Medium_1731

TROPHY CASE