Zildjian K Session Custom Cymbals

GEARREVIEWS
Zildjian
K Session Custom Cymbals
NOVEMBER 2005 RHYTHM 101
T
he K designation traditionally
indicates a darker and warmer
sound, not so brash and loud
perhaps as Zildjian’s As or Zs.
K Custom cymbals are a
‘contemporary expression’ of
the K sound, with drier but still
complex sounds.
The 20" K Custom Session ride is
an unlathed, medium thin cymbal in
a brilliant fi nish, featuring crater-like
hammerings and a smooth bell. It’s a
larger version of the previous 18" ride,
which was developed in conjunction
with Zildjian’s prize champion Steve
Gadd. Gadd has often preferred an
almost perversely dry cymbal sound,
to the point he would play an old
favourite cracked 18" ride. In his hands
it worked, and the sound of that cracked
cymbal became the inspiration for the
18" Custom Session ride.
You’d expect then an extremely dry –
virtually dead, even – cymbal, but
that’s not what I found. The cymbal
was anything but dull. It was brighter
and fuller than anticipated. But maybe
that’s the idea? After all, sitting behind
a cymbal, you hear a different sound
to the audience or what ends up on a
fi nished record, where overtones are
buried in the overall band sound. Maybe
the audience hears a more Gadd-like
sound than the player? What did remind
of me of Gadd was the wonderfully
distinct stick sound. When the band is
roaring away, you can still hear every
ride stroke. This clarity extends to the
quite raw and bright bell.
Although the cymbal is designated
‘session’ I found it worked great live. In
fact I think it would suit many different
types of player, refl ecting Gadd’s
legendary versatility. Although it is
medium thin and sonically inspired
by a cracked cymbal,
it is neither too dark
nor too dry.
Top hats
These are also an addition to
a previously available model, the 14"
Special Dry hats. In contrast to the
Custom ride, the hats are rough looking
with a dark brownish top, heavy lathing
and pronounced circular crater
hammerings. Also unlike the ride,
the bell is lathed rather than smooth.
The top cymbal is medium-thin and
is paired with a slightly heavier, medium
weight bottom. This time I found the
sound too dry at fi rst. In fact, my
immediate reaction was the hats were
so dry they lacked fl avour and warmth.
But I soon realised they were sharp
and crisp, suiting them to miking
and recording. Being 13" they have
a slightly higher pitch than standard
14" hats, but since they’re relatively
light they are also fairly dark in timbre.
The thin-ish top cymbal means
they don’t sustain as much as heavier
hi-hats when opened up. The result is
a clean, short-ish wash and a concise
pedalled ‘chick’.
£354 | Zildjian wrings more mileage out of its
classy K Custom range. Geoff Nicholls tries
out a couple of contrasting newcomers.
ESSENTIALS
PRICES
20" K Custom
Session ride £354
13" K Custom
Special Dry
hi-hats, pair £410
CONTACT
Yamaha-Kemble
Music (UK) Ltd
Sherbourne Drive
Tilbrook
Milton Keynes
MK7 8BL
Telephone
01908 366700
Website
www.zildjian.com
The magic letter ‘K’ always bestows a mysterious quality
and these latest cymbals are not quite what you’d expect.
Regarding the 20" ride, I don’t see how you can replicate
the sound of a cracked cymbal except by cracking it. This
is a versatile and subtle ride with a particularly clear stick
response. As for the hats – they also fared well live since,
although dry and not the most powerful cymbals, they seemed
to occupy a frequency where they cut through without being raucous.
An unexpected outcome and a welcome surprise.
Distinctive, characterful and classy,
occupying particular niches for discerning players
Hi-hats may be too dry and
lacking in power for some styles
★★★★★
RATING
The sound
Sitting behind a
cymbal you hear a
different sound from
that which ends up
in the audience or on
a fi nished record.
RHY117.tt_zild 0101RHY117.tt_zild 0101 9/9/05 10:46:41 am9/9/05 10:46:41 am