A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker

• NOTE: This model was originally called "ML Swish" according to the May-June 1979 Modern Drummer issue. (Although this name probably was changed prior to the start of production.)
  

(1982 - 1993 Era)

File:A 22 Swish Knocker 2.jpg

(1982 - 1993 Era)

File:A 22 Swish Knocker 3.jpg

(1982 - 1993 Era)

Group: Chinas
Type: Swish Knocker
Size: 22 Inch
Series: A Zildjian
Weight: 2250g, 2439g (Small cursive A), 2459g, 2528g (2023 Serial Number), 2558g (2024 Serial Number), 2571g, 2579g (Large cursive A), 2606g, 2609g, 2622g, 2646g (1996 Serial Number), 2893g (Hollow Logo), 2980g (1996 Serial Number), 3000g (1980s Era)
Median Weight: 2593g (n=14)
Years of production: 1979 - ?; Re-introduced 1996 - ?; (Re-designed in 2010); 2010 - Present
Sound file: A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
A Zildjian 22" Swish Knocker
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Never mind actually playing this baby; just having itup on your kit is making a statement. A large (22"),heavy, China-ish cymbal featuring twenty rivets, the Swish Knocker is a somewhat famous, if just plain strange cymbal that was made popular by Mel Lewis, Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, and other big band drummers decades back. Zildjian is now re-releasing the model, which has been adopted by modern drummers like John Robinson and Simon Phillips.

You'd think all those damn rivets would make this cymbal impossible to control, but because of its heavy weight, the Swish Knocker has a relatively short decay, keeping the rivets from dancing all over the rest of the band's sustained notes. Riding is a very realistic and enjoyable tactic with this cymbal, with the result being a dark, slightly trashy—though controlled—wave of sound. Crashing is also quite fun, though it takes a wallop to get all that metal to move some air. The result is quite worth it, though; no other cymbal you own is likely to provide a holy racket and punctuate choruses like this slab of bronze does."

Review written by Adam Budofsky ("Product Close-Up - New Zildjian Cymbals", Modern Drummer, August 1996, p. 45)

Review: "The Swish Knocker is certainly an atypical cymbal, one which will get you noticed. Played as a straight ride with stick tip near the midpoint of the body it has a bell-like chiming tone over the darker, mysterious body, with the chattering rivets following on.

The rivets add sizzle but die quickly once you stop playing. Crash the upturned brim and you get a pretty harsh trash-can sound. The bell is flattened on the top and if you strike here it is surprisingly deep and nutty, but glance just to the side and it is high-pitched and piercing. A double bell sound, then.

As for how to use it, it's instructive to seek out Mel's understated, musical playing on YouTube, eg: with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big band where he positioned his Knocker on the extreme right of his kit.

Paul Francis remarks: "Armand Zildjian told me that this cymbal is not a China or special effects cymbal. It is a ride cymbal for use in the shout chorus where all the brass is playing.

"It is called a Swish Knocker because it has the shape of a swish but the 'knocker' comes from knocking time on it.""

Review written by Geoff Nicholls ("Zildjian Swish Knocker And Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas review", musicradar.com, June 29, 2011)

Artist/song where it can be heard: Louie Bellson, Jimmy Chamberlin, Peter Erskine, Steve Smith, Chris Whitten