K Zildjian 22" Crash Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Crash Ride
Size: 22 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: 2740g, 2759g (EAK), 2793g (EAK), 2804g (IAK), 2810g (EAK)
Median Weight: 2793g (n=5)
Years of production: 1982 - 1994; 2008 - 2010 (in Brilliant finish only)
Sound file: K Zildjian 22" Crash Ride
K Zildjian 22" Crash Ride
K Zildjian 22" Crash Ride (EAK)
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Though they have only just become commercially available, Zildjian's two new K Brilliant crash rides have been in existence for some time. They were originally commissioned by Who sticksman and Zildjian endorsee Zak Starkey, who has been using versions of the cymbals for at least five years.

Zak required cymbals capable of supplying what he refers to as the 'wall of sound' that The Who demand. Many classic Who recordings (especially live) feature a constant wash of cymbals from Keith Moon's kit, and there is plenty of archive footage of Moon laying into a large cymbal positioned over his hi-hats for entire songs, so it's easy to understand where Zak was coming from.

Zak was closely involved in the cymbals' development, and it took several attempts before the early prototypes hit the right notes. Over the years the cymbals have been tweaked here and there at Zak's request.

The cymbals are cast from Zildjian's K bronze and feature extensive lathing on both sides, along with plenty of tidy hammer marks. They are unique among Ks in their brilliant finish, which is intended to offer high-end sparkle and smooth out the sound. At 21" and 22", they are also the largest crashes that Zildjian produces (interestingly, Zildjian has no plans to introduce a 20" Brilliant crash ride). Both cymbals share similar profiles, with the edge of the 22" tapering down a little more.

There are so few contemporary crash rides of this size on the market that it's difficult to compare these two new Ks with anything else available. While crashable rides and large rideable crashes exist, there are virtually no specifically designated rivals to this pair.

Though the cymbals are only separated by an inch in diameter (a mere half-inch around the edge) they are easily distinguishable from one another.

Despite being only marginally bigger overall, the 22" model was considerably deeper in pitch. This quality ensured that the bell possessed a strong, commanding voice. Riding on the body of the cymbal brought a flurry of background wash which, though being more of a distraction, was trashier than that of the 21" and therefore added a little complexity to the equation. Bringing the cymbal up to a rolling wash brought a dramatic increase in its intensity, and like the 21" it could be held there. At full crash it was so loud that it wouldn't be an understatement to describe it as tinnitus-inducing.

Whacking both cymbals together was beyond painful, creeping into the realms of the masochistic."

Review written by Music Radar ("Zildjian K Brilliant Crash Rides review", MusicRadar.com, May 23, 2008)

Review: "Over the years, I’ve frequently expressed my distain for “crash ride” cymbals. Although some of them do a passable job of serving as both a crash and a ride, most of the ones I’ve encountered have been mediocre overall. This is because the qualities that I look for in a crash cymbal are very different from the qualities I want in a ride. So in all honesty, I didn’t unpack the new 21" and 22" K Crash Rides with very high expectations. But after just a few minutes of playing, I was impressed.

These new crash rides were designed with Zak Starkey to provide the “wall of sound” that he needs when playing with The Who. These cymbals are also the only Ks offered with a Brilliant finish, which is said to “offer additional sparkle and smooth out the sound.”

When played as rides, these cymbals provide a lot of wash. However, like most Ks, the stick sound is somewhat dry and clicky. That characteristic provides enough definition for straight-8th rock or fast jazz ride patterns. If you need pinpoint articulation, look elsewhere. But if you want a ride with a good blend of a big sound and reasonably clear stick definition, you should check these out.

I don’t typically think of 21" and 22" cymbals when searching for a crash, because it’s usually hard to get a fast response when trying to move that much metal. But again, I was impressed with how these giant “crashes” performed. They speak more quickly than I expected. And they have some high-end sparkle. But that sparkle lives in the context of a dark, low-pitched sound. These are not crashes that will cut through a band’s sound. Instead, they’ll reinforce your music from within. Crashes such as these will add power to a key moment in a song without calling attention to themselves."

Review written by Rick Mattingly ("Zildjian - Big-Time Additions To The K Line", Modern Drummer, July 2008, p.38)

Artist/song where it can be heard: Zak Starkey