Z3 19" Ultra Hammered China

Group: Chinas
Type: Ultra Hammered China
Size: 19 Inch
Series: Z3
Weight: 1479g, 1481g, 1525g
Years of production: 2011 - 2013
Sound file: Z3 19" Ultra Hammered China
Z3 19" Ultra Hammered China
Z3 19" Ultra Hammered China
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Paul Francis explains that "the 19-inch and 21-inch Z3 Ultra-hammered Chinas were an experiment with new cup designs. Zildjian was working on four new cup designs and decided to see which one worked well in a China cymbal".

The cup Zildjian settled on is called the Volcano since it has an inner dip rather than rising to a normal rounded dome. Compared with the existing 18-inch and 20-inch Z3 Chinas, these Ultra Chinas have noticeably wider flanged rims which are heavily hammered, while in the body of the cymbal there are four hammer rows which serve to interrupt the curvature and accentuate the trashiness.

With the brilliant finish and the dashing logo this all adds up to a striking look.

The Z3s have therefore been made more flexible which eases the playing. And the Ultra Chinas are actually quite thin, increasing the trashiness and deepening the tone. In fact, Zildjian says, the sound is trashier than you get with the 18-inch and 20-inch normal Z3 Chinas.

Because of the flat centre of the cup you can mount the cymbals either way up with equal ease resulting in only marginally different sounds. The shouldered stick on the broad lip obviously makes the most din - pretty fearsome: a fat and high-pitched crash, a big thundery explosion which is immediate in its effect, dropping off quickly.

But then - since the cymbal is heavily hammered and thin - there is plenty of after-sustain. A cloudy, trashy afterglow. Riding with the stick tip you get a high pitched, edgy tang with a bright ringing tone and deeper trashy undertone."

Review written by Geoff Nicholls ("Zildjian Swish Knocker And Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas review", musicradar.com, June 29, 2011)

Review: "It immediately became apparent that the ultra-hammered edge of these Chinas makes for a much looser-feeling playing surface. The extensive hammering thins out the edges, but the large hammer marks seem to reinforce the cymbal. This duality creates an intense trashiness that's somehow not jarring. The looseness of feel also allows the cymbal to be finessed for faster riding or even lighter accents. I took these Z3s out on a small club gig with a hard rock band and found I was able to evoke a full China effect without having to whale on them.

Striking with blunt force revealed the cymbals' tempestuous attack and volume, which is likely the reason why these Chinas found their home in the more metal-mind- ed Z3 line. A significant benefit to the cymbals is that the trashiness is not accompanied by unruly gong-like qualities.

Overall, these Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas were more diverse than I had expected, with an application that could stretch far beyond the metal realm. Evidence of this can be found in the fact that Dave Matthews Band drummer Carter Beauford converted to using both the 19" and 21" Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas in his most recent setup."

Review written by David Ciauro ("Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas", Modern Drummer, August 2011, pp.25-26)

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