K Zildjian 22" Dark Medium Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Dark Medium Ride
Size: 22 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: 2819g, 2900g (2023 Serial Number), 2908g, 2936g, 2938g, 2946g (2012 Serial Number), 2948g, 3050g, 3076g, 3086g (2008 Serial Number), 3105g, 3132g (2023 Serial Number), 3141g (2023 Serial Number), 3423g (2009 Serial Number)
Median Weight: 2999g (n=14)
Years of production: 2007¹ - Present
Sound file: K Zildjian 22" Dark Medium Ride
K Zildjian 22" Dark Medium Ride
K Zildjian 22" Dark Medium Ride
K Zildjian 22" Dark Medium Ride
K Zildjian 22" Dark Medium Ride
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The resulting 22" cymbal falls on the heavy side of its official “medium” weight designation, tipping the scales at close to seven pounds. The distinctive hammering reminds me of several old Turkish Ks in my own collection. There was considerable variety in the depth of the surface “craters,” while the irregular pattern suggested human inconsistency, rather than computer symmetry. Paul Francis told me that to get that old-world, hand-made look, he employed three different types of hammering from various K series.

Our review rides worked equally well in a piano/upright bass/drums trio format and a band that’s sort of a jazz version of the White Stripes (meaning a duo of drums and guitar that can get quite loud). In both situations the rides delivered a clean, high-end ping with the tip of the stick, yet were light enough to open up for short duration accents played with the stick shank across the cymbal bow. Crashes were monumental, reminding me of Ringo’s magnificent cymbal swell in “Come Together.” Continuing with the Beatles theme, the large, unhammered bell permitted well-defined bell patterns, as in Ringo’s choruses to “Let It Be."

Review written by T. Bruce Wittet ("Zildjian K Dark Medium Ride >>Cindy’s Ride For All Seasons", Modern Drummer, September 2007, p.38)

Review: "Versatility was exactly what Cindy Blackman was after when she approached Zildjian with her idea for the 22" Dark Medium ride. Though best known for her work with Lenny Kravitz, Cindy is an accomplished jazz musician and solo artist in her own right. She was seeking a multi-use cymbal that would work across musical genres, with enough power to cut through in a stadium setting coupled with the colour and finesse required in an acoustic jazz setting.

Loading so many demands onto a single cymbal must inevitably build in compromises in some areas, but what Zildjian has come up with pretty much ticks all of the boxes.

There is an unmistakable air of refinement about the ride. Heavily lathed, and also sporting a good measure of hammer marks, its profile is crowned by a well-proportioned bell. In play, the cymbal gives a strong, tight stick sound that sits over a lapping wash. The wash introduces shading and musical overtones without ever threatening to engulf the pulse.

Moving onto the bell brings a more focused, driving response that adds authority. Bringing the shoulder of the stick against the bell delivers a seriously cutting sound that would force its way through most, if not all styles of music. The ride does open for crashing, but this end of its performance spectrum is better suited to rocky environments.

Whacking it results in a full, loud and exhilarating crash, one whose reverberations continue for some time after the initial attack has decayed. This is a well-conceived cymbal that performs strongly in all disciplines and excels in many of them. Between them, Zildjian and Ms Blackman have come up with a good 'un."

Review written by Music Radar Team ("Zildjian K Dark Medium Ride 22" review", MusicRadar.com, December 5, 2007)

Artist/song where it can be heard:Cindy Blackman, Aaron Spears

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Source:
¹ Modern Drummer, June 2007, p. 51