Z Zildjian

Early 1986 ad

Introduction: American made, starting in 1986, until the end of the series - 1993. Succeeded by the Z Custom Series in 1994.

Background: The Z (pronounced "zee") series was a totally new cymbal produced using the centuries-old Zildjian family secret casting and alloying process, but shaped by computerized hammers, and not lathed. This new process gave them a distinctive sound, a striking appearance, and unsurpassed tensile strength.

Alloy: B20

Quality: Professional

Production: The Zildjian Sound Lab used science to advance the art of cymbal-making. A computer-controlled hammering process gave Z series cymbals their unique sound and look. The pattern, spacing, and thrust tonnage of the hammers were all stored in digital memory and could be repeated with a degree of precision never before possible. Hammering shapes included Convex Closed Hex, Concave Open Penta, Concave Five Point Star, and Convex Six Point Star.

Company Description: Non-lathed, computer-hammered cymbals available in a variety of hammer patterns. Each hammer pattern creates a different sound.

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  Convex Closed Hex - Dyno Beat Hi Hat, Heavy Power Ride

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  Concave Open Penta - Dyno Beat Hi Hat, Heavy Power Crash, Light Power Ride, Mega Bell Ride

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  Concave Five Point Star - China Boy, Power Smash

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  Convex Six Point Star - Light Power Crash, Power Crash, Splash

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  Early Z Zildjian Stamp

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  Later Z Zildjian Stamp

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1986 Ad

1986 Ad

Rides

• Light Power Ride - 20" 22"
• Heavy Power Ride - 20" 22" 24"
• Mega Bell Ride - 21"

Crashes

• Light Power Crash - 16" 18" 20"
• Heavy Power Crash - 16" 18"
• Power Crash - 16" 18" 20"

Hi-Hats

• Dyno Beat Hi-Hat - 13" 14"

Splash

• Splash - 12"

Chinas

• China Boy - 18" 20"
• Power Smash - 18" 20"

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