22" K Con model characteristics?

[Tdipaul]

Thinking about buying one for the first time and despite having listened to them online and looking at the Z website, I'm still a little confused. These are rarely stocked in stores so can't judge feel, volume, etc

I believe these are the models currently offered?

• Renaissance
• Bounce
• MT- Low
• MT- High
• T- Overhammered
• MT Overhammered
• "Medium"

Q's:

• Most popular?
• Stick/wash ratio's
• Most crash-able
• Most versatile (ae any of these a one trick pony?)
• Softest stick feel
• Trashiest
• Cleanest
• Does "High" and "Low" refer to the shape of the bell shape and/or overall profile, or are they referring to pitch?
• Volume output - which is the loudest and which is the quietest (in an acoustic jazz setting )
• Are they fairly consistent within models (inconsistent like Dreams or consistent like Paiste's?)

TIA!

 

[JDA]

oh. an easy question.. : D

 

[Matched Gripper]

Thinking about buying one for the first time and despite having listened to them online and looking at the Z website, I'm still a little confused. These are rarely stocked in stores so can't judge feel, volume, etc

I believe these are the models currently offered?

• Renaissance
• Bounce
• MT- Low
• MT- High
• T- Overhammered
• MT Overhammered
• "Medium"

Q's:

• Most popular?
• Stick/wash ratio's
• Most crash-able
• Most versatile (ae any of these a one trick pony?)
• Softest stick feel
• Trashiest
• Cleanest
• Does "High" and "Low" refer to the shape of the bell shape and/or overall profile, or are they referring to pitch?
• Volume output - which is the loudest and which is the quietest (in an acoustic jazz setting )
• Are they fairly consistent within models (inconsistent like Dreams or consistent like Paiste's?)

TIA!

My 2 cents: In my experience, first, Zildjian K’s in general and especially K Cons, of the same models, all sound different. So, for example, no two K Con MTL’s will sound alike. They are all somewhat unique. Second, the sound of a “new” K Con will change as it is used over time. So, even if you test a new K Con in person, it will not sound the same as it will after a few months of use. YMMV.

If you want more certainty, buy a well used cymbal that you have tested in person. Otherwise, there is a bit of a gamble when buying K’s and K Cons.

 

[Seb77]

I only own a 20" MTL, so that's what I can talk about

• Stick/wash ratio's

The MTL with its lower profile seems to have more stick than some "high" models I tried, but I didn't check their weight (heavier= more stick)

• Most crash-able

I'd say they all crash well to a degree, but the MTL works great as a big, low crash.

• Does "High" and "Low" refer to the shape of the bell shape and/or overall profile, or are they referring to pitch?

I think both. A higher profile creates a higher pitch. I had to get used to those low, throaty tones of the MTL from the player's perspective. The MTL 22" has some seriously low overtones going on.

• Volume output - which is the loudest and which is the quietest (in an acoustic jazz setting)

The MTL isn't the quietest cymbal but reacts well to dynamic playing. I used to tape the bell, might do it again, as it's quite powerful (and so is the crash).

 

[foxy_shazamtastic]

There is a huge variation in each model, so every question here is impossible to answer besides the profile question. High and low refers to the profile shape.

 

[Tommy D]

I have a 22" K Con medium ride with 2 rivets in it. Very nice cymbal. Nice stick definition with a smooth wash under it. The bell isn't really pingy, but if you hit it with the shank it actually man make a bit of a ping to it, unlike a lot of these jazz styled rides that have very dull bells.

I would never use it for anything other than a jazz setting or some sort of soft singer/songwriter music. It doesnt have the presence in the mix for anything with volume.

 

[GiveMeYourSmallestSticks!]

No expert here, but recently got into these as well, and acquired a 22" MTL (2546g) and a 20" Bounce (1688g).

The MTL has a dark cushion of wash and a very articulate stick sound, along with a very useable bell and a roaring crash sound. Shank accents sound beautifully trashy, and the cymbal is pitched far lower than any other cymbal I own.

The Bounce is light by 20" standards, and thus crashes and washes much more easily, sacrificing some of the stick definition of the 22". It has a larger but somewhat less playable bell than the MTL, with just a little less trashiness too. The whole cymbal feels lush and buttery to ride and crash on, and produces a very musical and brighter wash.

These are just my experiences with my cymbals, but I can also provide some overall impressions which could traverse the chasm of subjectivity to reach objective some objective truth about K Cons. These cymbals are surprisingly louder than my Avedis set and the Keropes I used to have, and the MTL could work as a main ride in many genres of music, but of course is perfect for jazz. They strike a wonderful balance between wash and stick clarity, and are complex instruments that do change with playing over time. As others have mentioned, the weight is going to determine the character of the cymbal as much as the model type, so watch the g's and good luck!

 

[JDA]

It may help YOU to start at the beginning of the line.

There were (1998) four initial models (I know. I bought two of them) ba dum tssh)

20" Light
22" Light

20" Medium
22" Medium..............ok?

Then the dancing devils expanded the line (not the official name - was in the ads picturing Elvin Jones) this release included.

20" Medium Thin Low
22" Medium Thin Low
20" Medium Thin High
22" Medium Thin High
and...
20" Thin High
22" Thin High

2003 Print Ad of Zildjian K Constantinople Dancin Devils Drum Cymbal Elvin Jones | eBay

Condition, nothing less. We are collectors first !

www.ebay.com

Next .....(somewhere 14" hi hats..were already released) were 13" Hi hats and a Flat Ride.

After that ...........some one else take over

 

[JDA]

google is not bringing up the old search results but here's a couple. Reviews.

Zildjian K Constantinople Cymbals review

Armand Zildjian, then president of the Avedis Zildjian Company, introduced the K Zildjian Constantinople series in back 1998.The aim was to recreate the look, feel and ultimately the sound of the original Turkish-made Kerope Zildjian Ks. After the death of Armand in 2002, the baton was handed...

www.musicradar.com

Zildjian K Constantinoples Reviewed! - DRUM! Magazine

BY JIM BATCHO It’s tough not to get haughty about cymbals like these. Playing them, you feel more than a little elitist, like a first-class citizen, the type who walks around in immaculately tailored suits and appreciates the finest in everything. The new line of K. Constantinople ride cymbals...

drummagazine.com

 

[bassanddrum84]

I’ve had a lot of k cons and can honestly say I never disliked any of them.

 

[aparker2005]

I've got a 22 mtl that is my main crash on my small kit. Absolutely stunning cymbal. Works perfectly as a ride for small, quiet shows. It really excels as a crash to me.

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

The "light" models are not light always but are nice. High and low is pitch whether 20 or 22. Thin over is a great one. Did not like the bounce. My 22 MTL sounded like my 22 Light so I sold it. My Favorite line is the MTL. I have a 22 MTH now and it's a tad high. I have an original 20" light and that one is different too. Very dark and very hammered. Nice ones but I dont use them. I had an early 22 medium and it was heavy and loud, not for jazz. I had a 20 MTH and it was dead sounding and swapped for a newer 20 medium which is a very nice versatile one I've gigged outdoors amphitheaters and in museums/small rooms. Yet to own a Ren but I am always looking! I owned two 18" crashes. I didn't think much of them and felt the K custom dark was a better crash.

Please PM me about the 22 MTH and 20 Light.......

 

[JDA]

I've got a 22 mtl that is my main crash on my small kit. Absolutely stunning cymbal. Works perfectly as a ride for small, quiet shows. It really excels as a crash to me.

"(every day I say a little prayer for the day you get 'out of that lol)"

 

[edhr]

IMO the K Cons are rather loud. It's like a giant orchestral crash, basically. Beautiful dynamic sounds but absolutely a concert / stage cymbal.

 

[f.stahlenius]

It may help YOU to start at the beginning of the line.

There were (1998) four initial models (I know. I bought two of them) ba dum tssh)

20" Light
22" Light

20" Medium
22" Medium..............ok?

Then the dancing devils expanded the line (not the official name - was in the ads picturing Elvin Jones) this release included.

20" Medium Thin Low
22" Medium Thin Low
20" Medium Thin High
22" Medium Thin High
and...
20" Thin High
22" Thin High

2003 Print Ad of Zildjian K Constantinople Dancin Devils Drum Cymbal Elvin Jones | eBay

Condition, nothing less. We are collectors first !

www.ebay.com

Next .....(somewhere 14" hi hats..were already released) were 13" Hi hats and a Flat Ride.

After that ...........some one else take over

Love that ad. Need to see them angels dancin' too, though.

 

[JDA]

some flat sound here ->

Zildjian 22″ Constantinople Flat Ride

Note: In researching the model for this review, I found out it has been discontinued. However, there are still plenty available around the web. Zildjian’s Constantinople series was created to repli…

drumgearreview.com

lot of early K Con intro/info/release/ is gone from zee internets)
there briefly was a 21" Big Band Ride (had one)

 

[TWTDrums]

Thinking about buying one for the first time and despite having listened to them online and looking at the Z website, I'm still a little confused. These are rarely stocked in stores so can't judge feel, volume, etc

I believe these are the models currently offered?

• Renaissance
• Bounce
• MT- Low
• MT- High
• T- Overhammered
• MT Overhammered
• "Medium"

Q's:

• Most popular?
• Stick/wash ratio's
• Most crash-able
• Most versatile (ae any of these a one trick pony?)
• Softest stick feel
• Trashiest
• Cleanest
• Does "High" and "Low" refer to the shape of the bell shape and/or overall profile, or are they referring to pitch?
• Volume output - which is the loudest and which is the quietest (in an acoustic jazz setting )
• Are they fairly consistent within models (inconsistent like Dreams or consistent like Paiste's?)

TIA!

The MTL has a dark cushion of wash and a very articulate stick sound, along with a very useable bell and a roaring crash sound. Shank accents sound beautifully trashy, and the cymbal is pitched far lower than any other cymbal I own.

this is a dead-on description for me.

Thinking about buying one for the first time and despite having listened to them online and looking at the Z website, I'm still a little confused. These are rarely stocked in stores so can't judge feel, volume, etc

I believe these are the models currently offered?

• Renaissance
• Bounce
• MT- Low
• MT- High
• T- Overhammered
• MT Overhammered
• "Medium"

Q's:

• Most popular?
• Stick/wash ratio's
• Most crash-able
• Most versatile (ae any of these a one trick pony?)
• Softest stick feel
• Trashiest
• Cleanest
• Does "High" and "Low" refer to the shape of the bell shape and/or overall profile, or are they referring to pitch?
• Volume output - which is the loudest and which is the quietest (in an acoustic jazz setting )
• Are they fairly consistent within models (inconsistent like Dreams or consistent like Paiste's?)

TIA!

I’ve got a 22” MTL and I love it. Great stick articulation, deceptively easy crash (it’s my only right-side cymbal). It’s recorded perfectly, in my opinion — responds well to changing stick angles. I find the feel super soft, despite the articulation.

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

I forgot about my flat rides - I had a 22 K Con - I STILL regret selling it but the price was way right. Gorgeous woody stick sound and typical fast burst crash. I now just have the 20 now - killer cymbal.......I'm just not good enough to get away with it as a sole cymbal for a gig.....

 

[bbshams]

My main ride is a 22” Renny that I put two rivets in. It was a beast at first but it’s definitely mellowed out over time. It’s on the higher pitched end of the spectrum, but it fits in live and recorded mixes beautifully! It’s got perfect amount of trash and complexity over nice stick sound, and has a fair amount of give and crashes well. I love it!

I borrowed a friend’s MTH for a while and almost bought it, but it didn’t quite win me over. Certainly high pitched with a nice stick attack that felt pretty soft, but it was a bit too quiet for me and i didn’t love how it sounded with a band live.

 

[CC Cirillo]

Don’t know if this transfers to a 22, but the bell on my 20 Medium does not project particularly. It plays integrated “with” the cymbal as opposed to sounding like a different instrument like so many ride bells do.