Z3 22" Rock Ride

Close-Up

Group: Rides
Type: Rock Ride
Size: 22 Inch
Series: Z3
Weight: 4100g (2010 Serial Number), 4231g
Years of production: 2009 - 2013
Sound file: Z3 22" Rock Ride (download)
Z3 22" Rock Ride
Z3 22" Rock Ride
Z3 22" Rock Ride
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The Z3 represents Zildjian’s series of high power (heavy) cymbals that are made for metal drummers who want to project their sound all the way into the restrooms at concerts. They have large bells and symmetrical hammering, which are factors that are partly responsible for their high volume output. This 22″ Z3 ride typifies the sound you can expect. It will punch through, with a bright, crisp ping, no matter how many guitarists you have.

Some drummers who are not familiar with the Z3 might think that they are entry level (budget) cymbals, but that’s not the case. These are very high quality, B20 cymbals, made for a specific purpose (wear your ear plugs when you are playing them).

The close-up photo shows the wide, deep lathing across the entire cymbal, including the bell. The hammering is deep and consists of concentric rings around the cymbal. They also appear as spokes, radiating out from the bell, and they are interleaved, meaning that a hammer mark from one spoke is in between the two hammer marks on the spokes on either side. This very unique, and very precise hammering, is part of the sound."

Review written by John E. Johnson, Jr. ("Zildjian 22″ Z3 Rock Ride Cymbal", hometheaterhifi.com, May 8, 2011)

Review: "The 22" Rock ride was quite a slab of bronze and produced a bigger stick sound on the bow. The bell's response could truthfully be described as mighty - deep, rich, and completely separate from the rest of the cymbal."

Review written by Adam Jones ("Zildjian Z3 Cymbals review", Musicradar.com, August 11, 2009)

Review: "Each Z3 ride was very loud, with clear stick definition, a bright "ping," and an articulate bell. The 20" medium-heavy rides had a defined sound and firm feel but were more musical than the rock models ($453). The 22" medium-heavy and rock rides ($541) are definitely for very heavy hitters. These hefty cymbals offered high- end bite, a pronounced "ping," and a penetrating bell sound, which could fit perfectly with your playing style if your biggest concern is being heard over your band. They had less- forgiving overtones than the 20" models yet remained more flexible than regular Z Custom rides. For true metal maniacs, there's an extra- heavy 21" Mega-Bell ride, which was downright massive sounding ($496).

Rounding out the ride lineup is the medium- heavy 19" Thrash ride ($427). It worked great as a crash/ride, as it had a little venom in its attack. When used as a ride, it offered a very open and raw sound with a lighter feel. This model has a unique hammering pattern that projects in a straight line from the bell. Zildjian claims this helps to accentuate the up-front attack. To my ears, the cymbal had the right amount of attitude without being noisome."

Review written by David Ciauro ("Zildjian Z3 Series Cymbals", Modern Drummer, August 2009, pp. 37-38)

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