Zildjian K series

[topdog63]

So I've always been a huge fan of Zildjian A Series cymbals. Recently on a whim I picked up a few K series cymbals, 18" K custom Dark crash, 17" K Dark thin crash and a 10" K splash (just happened upon a few killer deals). I have to say, I am so impressed with these cymbals. They are so pleasing to the ears. K series cymbals, at least IMHO are perfect. I'd highly suggest to anyone in the market for cymbals to give these guys an honest shot. I'm probably not saying anything that most of you don't already know but I just needed to share my enthusiasm.

[MDK]

I agree, I switched a year ago from A Custom crashed to K Hybrids (15" & 17") and love them. I have a regular K 20" ride and now looking to get some Hats. I would really like to get some 15" K light hats but not sure yet.

[Ricardo]

I like the old "A" Zildjians from the '70s mixed with "K" Dark cymbals.
Add to that one A Custom and a couple of Wuhan Chinas and I have an array of great crashes and effects.

[kay-gee]

So I've always been a huge fan of Zildjian A Series cymbals. Recently on a whim I picked up a few K series cymbals, 18" K custom Dark crash, 17" K Dark thin crash and a 10" K splash (just happened upon a few killer deals). I have to say, I am so impressed with these cymbals. They are so pleasing to the ears. K series cymbals, at least IMHO are perfect. I'd highly suggest to anyone in the market for cymbals to give these guys an honest shot. I'm probably not saying anything that most of you don't already know but I just needed to share my enthusiasm.

I'm sold as well. I've dabbled with lots of different cymbals but I think I finally found just about the perfect sound for me. I have a K light hat top (recently purchased) over a heavy Zildjian bottom (unknown designation), An 18 Kerope crash (recently purchased) and 22 K Constanople ride. Can't picture needing anything else as I'm a minimalist set guy.

all the best...

[pcs90]

I've played many K's that I didn't really like, but they all sounded better than their A counterparts. However, the EFX crashes are especially good, as are some of the K Custom rides. I sold a 20" K Custom Dry Light ride a few months back that was gorgeous. It sounded very much like a real hand-hammered cymbal instead of machine-hammered.

[topdog63]

I've played many K's that I didn't really like, but they all sounded better than their A counterparts. However, the EFX crashes are especially good, as are some of the K Custom rides. I sold a 20" K Custom Dry Light ride a few months back that was gorgeous. It sounded very much like a real hand-hammered cymbal instead of machine-hammered.

The only other K I've owned was a K custom special dry ride. Couldn't stand the sound of it. Traded for a ping ride and never looked back. As with anything, it's all about what the individual likes. Some guys I know that have played pro like the sound of ZBT''s and B8's, they were never my cup of tea. I have just discovered that I love the K dark crashes.

[pcs90]

I've never played the Special Dry Ride.
What was interesting for me about the Dry Light ride I had was, in most videos this cymbal sounds dead, but this one sounded very full...dry, but still with plenty of wash if you were laying into it, it just decayed quicker. I could never find a video of this cymbal that sounded anywhere near as good.

[kay-gee]

Anyone ever notice that on all K cymbals the engraving is different? There is the crescent moon and star instead of the Arabic script and it also says K Zildjian & Co. Is K still it's own company but run under the banner of Avedis Zildjian? The large logo on both cymbals are the exact same. I do know that Avedis and Kerope were family, like cousins or something. Avedis emigrated to US and Kerope remained in Istanbul.

all the best...

[Kevaruka]

Played Zildjian A's & Z's all my career & swore by them. Just recently purchased a couple of K Dark Thins (16 & 18) Absolutely love them. Such a lovely sound.

[skills]

2 years ago I was able to play some, I'm actually a Paiste Player and I don't like b20 cymbals but the Ks are dark and dark + b20 = great, so if I wouldn't play Paiste I would play Ks.

[BackStreetDrums]

I went to the 'dark side' with a complete Kerope setup. A 22", 19",18",15" hats.

These will be, I have no doubt, the cymbals to take me out.

[late8]

The only other K I've owned was a K custom special dry ride. Couldn't stand the sound of it.

I have this ride and when I first heard it in person, I thought exactly the same thing as you but when I brought it into a studio setting and recorded, it was exactly the sound we were looking for.

[topdog63]

I can see where that would be good for studio play for sure

[late8]

I went to the 'dark side' with a complete Kerope setup. A 22", 19",18",15" hats.

These will be, I have no doubt, the cymbals to take me out.

Wow! That must of cost a huge fortune. I priced out a set of K Cont with 14" hats 21" ride 16" 18" crash and it put me at $1500 before sales tax...

[gdmoore28]

I'm a big fan of Zildjian As, and especially like the new A line. I've had my K Mastersound hi hats for years now, and recently bought a new K Dark Medium-Thin 16" crash. It's quickly become my favorite crash cymbal, so I hope to eventually add 17" and 18" K Dark Thin crashes to the collection. I must admit, though, to being much less enthusiastic about the K Custom line, and for the same reasons I don't like the A Custom line - the extreme high frequencies are missing. (I know the Custom lines are renowned - and marketed - as being "bright," but that's not what I hear. I'm quite convinced that what people call "bright" is actually the highly accentuated mid frequencies that are produced when the lathing lines are rounded off during polishing. Call me crazy, but that's what I hear. But, there is certainly nothing wrong with liking that sound.)

GeeDeeEmm

[topdog63]

Got to play them today in practice for Easter Service and they sound so good. They really blend well they are not as harsh as the A's. We don't have the drums mic'd but if this Facebook link works you can hear them. Don't mind the missed fill, first time I played this song

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...00001555208884

[Lefty]

[QUOTE=gdmoore28;676918]I'm a big fan of Zildjian As, and especially like the new A line. I've had my K Mastersound hi hats for years now, and recently bought a new K Dark Medium-Thin 16" crash. It's quickly become my favorite crash cymbal, so I hope to eventually add 17" and 18" K Dark Thin crashes to the collection.

Congrats on your new k. I have a 18 Med. thin dark. I like it a lot, but not for every thing I play. I use it mostly in a 60's and 70's rock band. It's a nice sounding cym. I think it sounds kind of bright for a dark cym. Dark is just a label though, the main thing is that I like it. You'll probably add a couple more K's in the future. I'd sure like to get a couple more.

[gdmoore28]

I have a 18 Med. thin dark. I like it a lot, but not for every thing I play. I use it mostly in a 60's and 70's rock band. It's a nice sounding cym. I think it sounds kind of bright for a dark cym. Dark is just a label though,

You are exactly right in the case of the K Dark line, and that's why I like them so much. The K Darks have the brilliant, crystaline high frequencies of the new As with the addition of the lower mid tones of many "darker" cymbals. But there is no tradeoff in sound. The Dark Ks are bright and dark. I like 'em.

GeeDeeEmm

[BackStreetDrums]

Wow! That must of cost a huge fortune. I priced out a set of K Cont with 14" hats 21" ride 16" 18" crash and it put me at $1500 before sales tax...

They were not cheap, but got them all pre-owned off ebay....did not spend more than $300 for the 22" cymbal...the hats I won off a bid for $275...the 18 and 19 were less.

So, all things considered, IMO, a great buy all around.

[late8]

They were not cheap, but got them all pre-owned off ebay....did not spend more than $300 for the 22" cymbal...the hats I won off a bid for $275...the 18 and 19 were less.

So, all things considered, IMO, a great buy all around.

Great score!!!

[myk]

The only other K I've owned was a K custom special dry ride. Couldn't stand the sound of it. Traded for a ping ride and never looked back. As with anything, it's all about what the individual likes. Some guys I know that have played pro like the sound of ZBT''s and B8's, they were never my cup of tea. I have just discovered that I love the K dark crashes.

I've had a 21" Special Dry ride for about a month,it did take me about a week to love the sound, I was moving it high and low,over my rack tom, low above the floor tom,different heights,tried about 7 different sticks..and finally found its place,flat about 3" above my 16" floor tom,using 7a nylon tip,I have a 20" HH medium ride to its left about 1.5" higher above my 14" floor tom,the special dry is an awesome cymbal, love it now,killer bell,beautiful dark ride,and just an awesome dark wash when played on the edge and it sounds great with the hh



Mike

[CollinCo.Drummer]

Yeah, I'm a little fond of Zildjian K's!

[myk]

Wow that's impressive

[Russ]

K's are good if you like darker, but for some reason they seem quieter to me. The brighter characteristics of the A line have the cut and volume that helps stand out against all else. The price of A's in comparison is favorable too, so that's a plus for me.

[cabasner]

I have the same 18" as you, the K Custom Dark Crash, a 16" K Custom Hybrid and a 19" K Custom China. I like 'em!!!! I have 15" A New Beat High Hats, which I like, but I think I'd really rather have either the Constantinople hats or K Custom Hybrid hats.