Zildjian

Zildjian Cymbals

Zildjian has a cymbal-making history stretching back centuries, and today its catalogue covers almost every part of the modern drum kit. The range includes bright, cutting cymbals designed to project through a busy mix alongside darker, more complex sounds with a very different character. Series such as A, A Custom, K and K Custom have developed their own identities, while ranges including Planet Z provide an accessible starting point for newer drummers. This breadth is one of Zildjian's greatest strengths, giving drummers plenty of scope to build a cymbal setup around the sound they actually want.

Zildjian Hi-Hat Cymbals

Hi-hats do a huge amount of work in a drum setup, providing everything from tight rhythmic definition to loose, open accents. Zildjian produces hi-hats in different diameters, weights and tonal styles, allowing relatively small changes in specification to create a noticeably different response. The famous New Beat design has become an established part of the Zildjian catalogue, while A Custom and K Custom models explore brighter or darker territory. Larger hi-hats can introduce additional body and wash, while smaller diameters tend to produce a tighter, faster response.

Zildjian Crash Cymbals

A good crash needs to respond quickly and add impact without overwhelming the rest of the kit. Zildjian crash cymbals are available in a wide variety of weights and diameters, with thinner models generally opening up quickly and heavier designs providing greater projection. The choice of series also has a major influence on the sound. A Custom crashes are known for their bright, polished character, while K and K Custom models move towards darker and more complex tones. Adding crashes of different sizes is also a simple way to give a drum setup a broader range of accents rather than relying on one cymbal for every part of a song.

Zildjian Ride Cymbals

The ride often provides one of the most distinctive voices on a drum kit. Stick definition, bell response, wash and sustain can vary considerably between models, which is why Zildjian offers such a broad selection of ride cymbals. A heavier ride can deliver strong definition and projection, while thinner designs introduce more wash and may also work effectively when crashed. Models such as the K Light Ride and K Custom Dark Ride demonstrate how different two rides can sound even within the same wider Zildjian family. Size also plays its part, with larger rides generally producing a broader and fuller response.

Zildjian Cymbal Packs

A Zildjian cymbal pack provides a straightforward way to build or upgrade the main cymbals around a drum kit in one purchase. Sets typically bring together matched hi-hats, crash and ride cymbals from the same family, with some packs adding a second crash to create a more complete setup. Planet Z packs provide an accessible option for developing drummers, while A Custom and K packages move into professional-level cymbals with their own distinct tonal characteristics. Buying a matched pack also gives the kit a consistent foundation before additional crashes or effects cymbals are introduced.

Zildjian Effects & Specialist Cymbals

There's plenty more to the Zildjian catalogue beyond the traditional hi-hat, crash and ride setup. China cymbals, splashes and other effects designs introduce sounds that can completely change the character of a drum part, adding short accents, explosive attack or deliberately unusual textures. Zildjian also produces L80 Low Volume cymbals, which are designed to dramatically reduce acoustic volume while retaining the familiar response of a cymbal. They provide a practical alternative for lessons, home practice and other situations where a conventional acoustic cymbal setup would simply be too loud.

Choosing the Right Zildjian Cymbals

Building the right cymbal setup is a very personal part of putting together a drum kit. Size, weight, finish and cymbal family all influence the final sound, so it's worth considering how the individual pieces will work together rather than looking at each cymbal in isolation. Explore the Zildjian range at Absolute Music to compare hi-hats, crashes, rides, cymbal packs and effects cymbals across a wide selection of series and price points. Our team is also available to help if you need advice putting together or upgrading your cymbal setup.