Zildjian S Family Series

108
| MAY 2016 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
F
rom February 2016, Zildjian’s new
S Family takes over from the
outgoing ZHT series. The ZHTs,
launched in 2007, were Zildjian’s
fi rst cymbals made from B12 bronze alloy,
with four percent more tin content than the
(still available) ZBT’s B8. Now Zildjian has
spent two “intensive” years in the Sound Lab
making subtle improvements.
The S Family is extensive, with 38 cymbals
available individually or in two boxed sets – a
Performer and a Rock Cymbal set. For
review we were sent the Performer set,
comprising 14" Mastersound hi-hats, 16" and
18" Medium-Thin crashes and 20" Medium
ride. We were also treated to a 10" splash
and 18" Trash Crash, the latter with its 40
radiating spoke holes.
Build
The S Family certainly looks the part with
its snaking ‘S’ logo emblazoned over a
gleamingly polished Brilliant fi nish. As
compared with the B8 ZBTs, the B12
S Family has 50 percent more tin and it
shows in the more silvery hue. Medium
spaced rippled lathing covers the top and
bottom surfaces, and there is intensive,
graded machine hammering everywhere
except on the bells.
Adding to the family diversity the
collection encompasses four weights: Thin,
Medium-Thin, Medium and Rock – the latter
being the heaviest.
Hands On
Straight away the 20" Medium ride manages
to chalk up several good points. Stick
defi nition is exemplary, with the clarity
of a top pro cymbal, quite woody and
focused. The bell is a corker and when
you crash the cymbal’s edge there is an
enjoyably deep and effusive roar. Looking
From £62 Replacing the ZHT line, the S Family is Zildjian’s brand
spanking new upper-budget B12 bronze offering
ZILD
J
IAN
S FAMILY SERIES
WORDS: GEOFF NICHOLLS
back to our review of the ZHTs in 2007
all these aspects seem to have been
improved. And yet hovering above all this
there is still the tell-tale electro-zing – a
slightly uncomfortable high-pitched
mosquito buzz.
It’s only to be expected, as fashioning
an exceptionally good ride is the hardest
thing, rides being the most complex of
cymbals, requiring the most extensive
qualities. Where the 20" Medium’s toppy
vigour does pay off though is when you
move along and up to the bell, which is
especially strong, bright and resonant. A
shining beacon.
On the other hand, where the thin zing of
the ride feels a little uncomfortable is in the
way it contrasts with the two Medium-Thin
rides, 16" and 18". Being quite thin they both
have deep pitches with fast responses. They
are pretty cool cymbals, lively with a sharp
edge followed by a surprisingly warm and
smooth depth. It’s just they are a little cowed
by the power and whine of the ride. The
heavier Medium and Rock crashes might
fare better?
Those latter heavier crashes might
very well be more powerful too, as Zildjian
claims the S Family cymbals are loud,
though when it comes to the Medium-
Thin crashes this is stretching the
imagination. As we’ve seen with other
upper-budget lines, like Sabian’s B20
and Paiste’s PST8, the tone is defi nitely
on the right lines, but the projection is
lacking just that bit which the most
expensive cymbals have. It’s what you
pay top sterling for I’m afraid.
Inevitably then this reduces the power of
the 10" splash. It too has a pleasing quality of
tone, but it is not the most cutting or
powerful of splashes.
Looking back again to 2007’s ZHT review,
THERE IS UNDENIABLY A SLICE OF
THAT FUNKY THIN AND TRASHY
ELEMENT, BUT FOR ME THE SOUND IS
MORE OF A SUPER-THIN FAST CRASH
TRASH CRASH
This 18" crash has 40 holes
arranged in fi ve spokes and
has the sizzling tone of a fast
paper-thin crash
I see the Mastersound hats were my
favourites of the bunch. They are still
impressive, but this time they will have
to compete with the Trash Crash, more of
which in a moment. The hats have a
hammered wavy edge to the bottom
cymbal which increases the sharp ‘chick’
and gives them more sizzle when part-open.
Again I feel the S Family version is more
Also try…
1
P AISTE PST8
We say: “ Pick of Paiste’s
graded Sound
Technology (PST) lines
with shiny Refl ector
fi nishes in Heavy, Rock
or Medium weights. ”
2
MEINL
SOUNDCASTER
FUSION
We say: “ B12 alloy, like
the S Family, but with
dual un-lathed and
close-lathed fi nishes for
a washy sound with
short sustain. ”
RHY254.gear_zildjian.indd 108 3/23/16 9:59 AM