K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
Group: Crashes
Type: Cluster Crash
Size: 18 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: 1276g, 1283g, 1303g, 1318g, 1329g, 1332g
Years of production: 2019 - Present
Sound file: K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 18" Cluster Crash
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Zildjian’s new Cluster Crashes offer more focused, trashy voices for the K line. The trio of 16”, 18”, and 20” crashes all share thin weights, unlathed bells, and the company’s traditional K-style hammering throughout the bow. What sets the Cluster contingent apart is, well, clusters. Each cymbal features several small knots of heavy hammering spaced around the bow at seemingly random positions. The dense hammer marks in the clusters look to be created with a small head, and form roughly 1.5” sort of bowls in the surface.
The aim of those clusters is to alter the surface tension in an effort to elicit more complex overtones and trashy character. While I wouldn’t call the K Clusters overly trashy or exotic, they definitely some extra dry-ish spray in the wash. They’re dark and smoky with a slightly quicker than average finish. Even the 20” model, which I expected to maintain the breathiness of a normal thin 20” crash, cinched up earlier than expected. Zildjian says as much in the product description, and I think I agree that they kind of split the difference between a standard thin K crash and an FX-style crash with holes.
I thought the Cluster Crashes recorded beautifully. They have a fairly mellow attack in both edge crash and bell, but there’s a fullness to every note that sits nicely next to other instruments. Played delicately, the 18” and 20” can both used as breathy, wash-first rides if needed, but it’s not a strong suit for either. The 16” is expectedly the fastest of the group, and offers a great punctuation mark for stabs or closing rapid fire fills.
I really enjoyed my time with these cymbals, but I would offer one note of caution to anyone considering the Cluster set: They have a pretty noticeable volume threshold. I brought a couple of them on a loud rock gig, and they just disappeared next to amplified guitars. The Cluster Crashes have really lovely, character-rich sounds that I think would be sort of wasted in high-volume settings anyway though. I think they would be best utilized in funk or modern fusion-type situations where their subtlety has room to shine."
Review written by anonymous ("Review: Zildjian 2019 New Additions", drummagazine.com)
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