Z Custom 20" China Boy
Group: Chinas
Type: China/China Boy
Size: 20 Inch
Series: Z Custom
Weight: 1684g (2024 Serial Number), 1694g (2005 Serial Number), 1740g (3rd Generation), 1828, 1943g (First Generation)
Years of production: 1994 - 2007
Sound file: Z Custom 20" China Boy
Z Custom 20" China Boy
Z Custom 20" China (3rd Generation)
Z Custom 20" China (3rd Generation)
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "What we have with the Z Custom China Boys is a compromise between sound and function. To get the authentic trashiness of a China cymbal, that cymbal needs to be quite thin. But an authentic, thin China cymbal wouldn't last three beats at the impact level the Z Custom series is designed to withstand. So the Z Custom China Boys offer a good, China-like character—providing vivid contrast to the sounds of the regular cymbals. Of the two available sizes, the 18" is most likely to serve in the traditional China-cymbal capacity. It's just thin and small enough to be explosive and fast in response.
The 20", on the other hand, requires some serious attention in order to produce any sort of legitimate crash response. The 20" cymbal did, however, offer an interesting alternative potential. Owing to its size and thickness, it worked extremely well as a trashy, jazzy ride cymbal! It put me in mind of the old Swish Knocker referred to by drummers of the '50s. And for fusion drummers who sometimes attack their Chinas on ride patterns, this cymbal would offer a bit more in the way of controlled stick definition while still retaining that unique "China" quality."
Review written by Rick Van Horn "Product Close-Up - Zildjian Z Custom Cymbals" (Modern Drummer, Nov. 1994, p. 43)
Artist/song where it can be heard: Ginger Fish
