18” Zildjian crash cymbals

[Jazzhead]

Been looking for a nice 18” crash that can be paired with my K cymbals. I had the 16” k custom dark crash and didn’t like it, it was medium thin and had to be hit hard to open up nicely. I am looking for something light with nice warm low pitch sound and not too much sustain that gets in the way when going back to the ride.
A Customs are too bright, regular A is nice but it’s also high pitched usually. Do you know the difference between the cymbals below all in 18”? All of these are in the same weight range. 1300-1399g

K Custom dark crash
K dark thin crash
K custom session crash
K custom fast crash - fast decay but splash like sound?
Or any other one you know about?

Yes I can watch Memphis drum shop videos but sometimes they sound very close to each other and since I am not the player I don’t feel how the player hits them. That’s where your experience comes in, thanks!

 

[Lennykenard]

My experience with my 16” KCD crash is quite different than yours. A light touch will open it up. At 968g it’s a great secondary crash.
As far as the 18” goes, I would recommend the K Sweet.

 

[CC Cirillo]

I have both an 18 K Custom Dark Crash and an 18 Kerope.

The KCD is a little stiffer, voices and bows out, but needs a bit more coaxing to open up fully.

The Kerope is more nimble. Opens easily and is done.

The Kerope is lower in pitch.

Both are keepers for me and used in different settings.

 

[Soulfinger]

K Custom Special Dry? If that one is too "special" for your taste I´d also recommend the K Sweet.

 

[DrumPhil]

The way you describe your desired sound as lower pitched and not too much sustain made me think of the Kerope line. The K Sweet could also fit.

If you are open to other brands, you might look at heavy patina offerings from Bosphorus, Dream, or a boutique maker like Madejski or Timothy Roberts.

Yes, it can be hard to tell the finer differences between cymbals in videos, but be sure to listen to them with good headphones. Otherwise everything sounds the same.

 

[lossforgain]

A Customs are too bright, regular A is nice but it’s also high pitched usually. Do you know the difference between the cymbals below all in 18”? All of these are in the same weight range. 1300-1399g

K Custom dark crash
K dark thin crash
K custom session crash
K custom fast crash - fast decay but splash like sound?
Or any other one you know about?

The thing about Zildjian in general is that they aren’t always consistent. I’ve had more than one of almost all of the models you mention here, and the thickness/stiffness isn’t the same. I’ve had one KCD 18 that sounded great and felt great, and one that didn’t open up well. I have a Session on the drum set at church, it’s fine, but a little on the heavy side. I’ve had at least 3 each of the dark thin and the fast crash, and I’ve played ones that were stellar and ones that leave a lot to be desired. The very first 18 fast crash I had would probably be the one you would like most, I never should have sold it.

That said, if you can find a place to play multiples of these models you may find one that works well for you. Also check out the Avedis reissue. Those are very good on a consistent basis, just not sure if the decay is fast enough for you.

 

[2oo2]

The K Custom crashes lean to the dry side, so subjectively they might appear as requiring more force to open up. Look into the K Dark Thin (or the K Sweet), they have that warm, wet sound that's just so nice to the ear.

 

[Redbeard77]

I agree the K Dark Thin or K Sweet would be good starting points. What are the other cymbals you're pairing this 18" crash with?

 

[Rich K.]

Used 18s are usually plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
I'd look for some '50s or '60s Zildjians as well as the suggestions above. Buy 2 used ones for the price of a new, play it for a while then sell one or both. Repeat as necessary...

 

[Houndog]

Ditto on the Zildjians sounding different in the same size weight class …
I’ve heard wild variances …..

 

[BruceOrl]

I'm an old Zildjian A man who just recently switched to Sweet K's. My preferred A in an 18" was Medium Thin and I've had a bunch of them over the years.
I agree with the wild variances with some A's (esp. the newer ones), but for the most part I knew what I would be getting.

That being said, I like the Sweet's over the A's that I currently were using. I have three sweet crashes, 17", 18" & 19" that have very distinct tones and pitches from one another. The 19" and 17" were part of a box set, and the 18" I added separately.

All have a nice musical sound when played either softly or loudly. There is a bit of a different feel for me from the usual 18" medium thins. Because of the way the cymbal is lathed there feels to be a lot more weight in the unlathed bell area as opposed to an 18" A. They just feel a little thinner. It's subtle and hasn't affected my playing. I had minimal adjustment time to them and like how they can range from soft to loud. I'm playing blues and classic rock with a three piece and with this metal can cover a lot of area.

Hope you do as well with yours.

 

[Jazzhead]

I agree the K Dark Thin or K Sweet would be good starting points. What are the other cymbals you're pairing this 18" crash with?

20” k custom dark ride (thinnest I have seen) and a 20” light flat ride.
I would love a 18” EFX for effects, that thing sounds beautiful.

 

[Jazzhead]

Used 18s are usually plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
I'd look for some '50s or '60s Zildjians as well as the suggestions above. Buy 2 used ones for the price of a new, play it for a while then sell one or both. Repeat as necessary...

Done with buying random cymbals, especially without sound files. I am only going with used ones on GC’s website (sort of expected sound), if I don’t like I’ll return, GC is 10 mins away. Why go through the hassle of selling, packing and shipping and all that. Done with all that.
I had a 60’s A 1304g but still stiff for a smooth and effortless crash with nice shimmer, a good left side ride actually. Sold it.

 

[Jazzhead]

I need to look into k sweets, totally forgot about this line. On paper, they are what I am looking for but….gotta try.

 

[Josh Vibert]

For an 18” my recommendation would be K dark thin or Kerope with a preference for the Kerope.

 

[jptrickster]

A thin Trans stamp A can be very nice.

 

[Jazzhead]

After watching some demos, looks like the 19” sweet crash is the peach in that line of crashes, at least to my ear and to my taste.

 

[brhythm]

My 18" A Zild. and CIE Vintage reissue crash it the crash of my dreams.

 

[Jazzhead]

My 18" A Zild. and CIE Vintage reissue crash it the crash of my dreams.

What is the weight?

 

[lossforgain]

I need to look into k sweets, totally forgot about this line. On paper, they are what I am looking for but….gotta try.

Just listed in the classifieds, I have no affiliation.

19” Zildjian K Sweet Crash, 1462 gr, sound file link, $300 shipped CONUSA

I am selling a 19” Zildjian K Sweet Crash. Weight is 1462 gr. Very little used from the original buyer and I have never used at all as I am using smaller, lighter crashes for my gigs. It is in excellent condition and is a great sounding cymbal. (From Zildjian: The K Zildjian Sweet Collection...

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