A Zildjian 14" Fast Crash

Group: Crashes
Type: Fast Crash
Size: 14 Inch
Series: A Zildjian
Weight: 675g (2021 Serial Number), 693g (Large cursive A), 709g (Large cursive A), 710g (2021 Serial Number), 722g (2006 Serial Number), 730g (2005 Serial Number), 745g (2005 Serial Number), 758g, 765g, 768g (2008 Serial Number), 780g (Small Cursive A)
Median Weight: 730g (n=11)
Years of production: 2005 - Present
Sound file: A Zildjian 14" Fast Crash
A Zildjian 14" Fast Crash
A Zildjian 14" Fast Crash
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The 14" and 15" crashes were very bright, yet refined. In fact, the 14" was surprisingly complex. A glancing blow produced a satisfying explosion with multiple underlying overtones that developed and rang out with complementary pitches."

Review written by Paul Bielewicz ("Product Close-Up - Zildjian A Fast Crash and Splash Cymbals - Familiar Sound, Faster Response", Modern Drummer, May 2006, p. 35)

Review: "Finally, there’s the 14" Fast Crash, which is also the part of the pack we were most sceptical about. In a world where most people’s crashes are the same size as the ride in this pack, we wondered if it would have the power to hold its own among the other cymbals here. Small crashes can also have a tendency to fall between sounding like large splashes with too much throat, alternatively, they can be difficult to open up dynamically, producing an ‘all or nothing’ sort of sound.

We were relieved, then, to find that this one was neither. The paper-thin weight means that it is expressive, but it still has plenty of body. It certainly lives up to its ‘Fast’ name by exploding with the pitch and tonality of a larger cymbal, then dying out quickly too. It’s impressive, rivalling our 16" medium crash in terms of power."

Review written by Stuart Williams ("Zildjian A Series City Pack review", musicradar, October 11, 2018)

Review: "There are five new crashes covering each inch from 14" to 18". The A Zildjian range already includes a fair number of thin crashes and splashes. Generally speaking, the thinner a cymbal the lower its pitch, but the speedier its initial response. The difference is that while the new Fast crashes are indeed lightweight, fast and fairly deep in timbre, they nevertheless retain their brightness.

So yes, they're incisive, but they also have body and character.

Zildjian suggests this is in part due to the newly designed, smallish bell. The bigger the bell on a cymbal the more ride-like it becomes and crashing it can feel a bit oafish. So it was with great pleasure we found these new Fast crashes responded instantly and have that lovely silvery smoothness - Zildjian describes it as 'buttery' - which really does make your mouth water.

You know you can slip a Fast crash or splash in at will without getting the evil eye from your singer.

The smaller bell and lighter weight also mean the cymbals are not so loud, but are quicker to build up and to decay. They spark into life with the merest of glancing blows, provide just enough wash and then die gracefully. They don't hang around muddying up the sound.

Somehow Zildjian have achieved this without sacrificing too much body, so that the overall tone is extremely pleasant. There's an orchestral purity which is tasteful without being insipid. Starting with the 14" and 15" these are lightning strikes which will serve to make precise interjections in any style of music, adding colour and variety."

Review written by Music Radar Team ("Zildjian A Series Fast Crash 14" review", musicradar.com, November 29, 2007)

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