I have and love my 18" K dark thin. It works well with my Vintage 17" A.
Except for un-miked performances, I tend to like smaller crashes, especially in home practice. I like that immediate, fast response and quick decay that a smaller (14-16") crash offers. Especially thin and paper thin small crashes. So it was that a few months ago I was auditioning some cymbals in GC when I came across a Zildjian 16" K Dark Thin crash, and it's 18" brother. Last week I found a new one on ebay that I could afford, and ordered it up.
The day after ordering the cymbal, I realized that I'd ordered a Medium-thin instead of the Thin weight I really wanted. I decided to wait and see how it would sound, so that is the review here.
I will say that I was never overly impressed by the older style Dark K crashes, so I was surprised by the changes to the new "square label" Darks. The sound of these crashes is pretty easy to describe: take the accentuated high frequencies of the new "A" line, add a considerable number of accentuated mid-low frequency undertones, and you have the new Dark Ks.
I will say that the medium-thin version of this cymbal exhibits fewer of those delicious mid-low frequencies than the thin version that I auditioned in the store. However, this does open up the possibility of adding the thin version alongside the med-thin for a very pleasing, complimentary pair of smaller crashes.
I'm quite pleased with the 16" Med-Thin Dark Crash. It blends exceptionally well with my 16, 17, and 18" A Thin crashes. Once funds allow, I'll be looking to add the 16" THIN Dark Crash. I'll report on the result.
GeeDeeEmm
I have and love my 18" K dark thin. It works well with my Vintage 17" A.
Yep, seems pretty accurate. I have a 17" K Dark Med-thin for sale at the moment, and the description seems spot-on even though this one is older (I don't know much about Zildjians so not sure which version it is). There's a 16" K Custom Dark as well. What I find funny about these models is that they are called "Dark", when to me they are pretty bright. They are certainly nowhere near as dark as the cymbals I use.
Glad the cymbal worked out for you though! I too have been switching to smaller crashes (just replaced an 18" with a 16" recently).
We have a lot in common.........I love thin crash cymbals that get in & out quickly.
I also own the exact same cymbal.........16" K Zildjian medium thin.
I use it often but it is thicker than every other crash I own.
I also have a 15" thin crash K Zildjian that is gorgeous.
And nothing beats my 13" K hats.
Gretsch USA & Zildjian(What Else Would I Ever Need ?)
My thoughts exactly. The presence of the lower undertones is the only reason I can see in calling these "dark." They speak with a very bright authority, and I love the undertones, but I'm seriously doubting that anybody in the audience will hear much difference between these and the new "A" line.
Gotcha! I've owned 14" and 15" thin crashes in the past and just loved them. They're a perfect bridge between splashes and crashes, and just lovely for small acoustic groups.
GeeDeeEmm
Really got the heart set on an 18 dark crash and a 15 hat top. Figuring will really compliment my 22 light Constanople ride.
all the best...
At that price...............SCORE.
Gretsch USA & Zildjian(What Else Would I Ever Need ?)
Just scored 2 K Dark Med Thin crashes, both in new condition (on line)...17" ($177.65) 18" ($200).
Super stoked. I wouldn't consider them super dark at all but up against my A and A Custom crashes, they're definitely dark-er, warmer and trashier (and quieter).
Love love love em!.
HHMMMM!...FIRE BAAAADD!!
I got super lucky I found a 18" k custom dark for $130
Bookmarks