Zildjian A Platinum

Original black logo

Later purple logo

The very first Platinum ad - 1985 - A.J. Pero (Twisted Sister)

1991 Platinum ad

Introduction: 1985
Discontinued: Sometime in 1995*

• 

  1995 Serial Number

• According to Zildjian employee John King: "The Platinum line enjoyed overwhelming success during its lifetime. However, we were forced to discontinue the process in 1995, due to increasing demands from the Massachusetts Environmental Agency. Those new regulations would have prevented any means of producing the Platinum line in a consistent and cost-effective manner." (Modern Drummer, August 1999, p.30)
  

Alloy: B20
Quality: Professional
Innovation: The series, introduced at NAMM in 1985, was created in response to the then-hugely popular MTV generation of music. The silvery appearance was not painted on, but applied using a proprietary process developed by Zildjian. According to a Platinum ad, the process was "a unique nine step high-voltage electroplating technique that permanently bonds the alloy to the finish, so it will never wear off." The name derives from its resemblance to Platinum; the cymbals themselves contained none of the element. The original logos were black, while around 1990, the company changed to purple logos. Many models and sizes were readily available in Platinum, while any others from the A Zildjian series were available by special order with an upcharge for the finish. ($12 USD per cymbal)

• According to Zildjian education director John King, “A Zildjian Platinum New Beat hi-hats were made using a unique electro-plating process. This process required the use of brilliant-finished cast cymbals as a starting point. There is a slight attenuation of the high-end overtones with cymbals that have been buffed to a high luster—as compared to traditionally finished cymbals. The Platinum cymbals had that same attenuation, but otherwise the plating process had no effect whatsoever on the sound properties of the cymbals." (Modern Drummer, March 2002, p.18)
  

Applications: All musical situations, but especially popular with Rock and Metal drummers.
Sound: Slightly smoother sounding, with fewer overtones than the A Zildjian series, and no real difference in pitch, or sustain.

See this video that shows side by side comparisons of Platinums & A Zildjian "traditional" finish cymbals.

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Rides

• Crash Ride - 20"
• Medium Ride - 18" 20" 22"
• Ping Ride - 20" 22"
• Rock Ride - 20" 21"

Crashes

• Paper Thin Crash - 14" 16"
• Thin Crash - 13" 14" 16" 17" 18" 20"
• Medium Thin Crash - 16" 17" 18"
• Medium Crash - 16" 17" 18" 20"
• Rock Crash - 16" 17" 18" 19"

Hi-Hats

• New Beat Hi-Hat - 13" 14" 15"
• Quick Beat Hi-Hat - 13" 14" 15"
• Rock Hi-Hat - 14"

Chinas, Swish, Pang

• China Boy High - 16" 18"
• China Boy Low - 18" 20" 22"
• Swish - 20" 24"
• Pang - 18"

Splash & Effects

• Splash - 8" 10" 12"
• EFX #1 - 12"

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Information from:

1. Modern Drummer October 1985

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