Best K Zildjian Ride?

[& You Dont Stop]

What, in your opinion, is the best K Zildjian Ride for contemporary applications (rock, funk, fusion)?

 

[michaelg]

Steve's favorite

 

[blueshadow]

I think the K custom medium regular K Ride would work. Most of the others seem a little dark and light and will get lost in the mix. I had a K light for a gig or two and sold it for that reason

 

[cinemadrummer2001]

I have a 20” K heavy ride I bought new around 97’ or 98’ that works great for Rock, funk, country, etc. It has a warmth to it that most “rock based” rides don’t have but it still cuts.

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

I had a 20 inch K custom dark ride that was awesome. It was a little too much for jazz even though I added a rivet. I still regret selling it years ago. It would be great for blues, fusion and rock.

 

[Steech]

Steve's favorite

Strange, the title says dark medium but he calls it a dark.

 

[dharma bum]

I have a 20” K heavy ride I bought new around 97’ or 98’ that works great for Rock, funk, country, etc. It has a warmth to it that most “rock based” rides don’t have but it still cuts.

I had an older 20” K Heavy Ride and I agree. It cut and had a good bell but was never harsh. It was my favorite “rock” ride, was stolen when loading out after a gig….

 

[UptownShakedown]

22 K light ride is my go-to all purpose ride - plenty of wash in addition to stick definition plus a bell that cuts, I love it.

 

[RyanLovesDrums]

Dennis Chambers plays the 21” Organic ride. Looks cool.

 

[CC Cirillo]

This one.

Interestingly enough it’s called simple “K Ride”. A fundamental sound providing all the general attributes and sonic components of the K line.

There is enough ping to cut and enough wash to cushion the groove with some of that K crunch. Not too dry, not too glassy. The bell is pronounced but not icy. Can handle a crash with good tone if you know how to hit it.

I’ve got four or five K rides and this one seems to go to almost every gig whether I’m playing pop, rock, or funk.

Records well, too.

I know it’s not anything specialized or haute design, but I’m telling you it’s a satisfying and versatile cymbal.

It’s THE “K Ride”.

 

[aparker2005]

22 K Dark Medium or a 24 K Light are my favorite 2.

Currently have a 22 K Custom Medium on my Beauford replica. It's pretty basic, but decent as well.

 

[notINtheband]

I have a 20” K heavy ride I bought new around 97’ or 98’ that works great for Rock, funk, country, etc. It has a warmth to it that most “rock based” rides don’t have but it still cuts.

+1 on the 20” K Heavy Ride. Picked mine up from a pawn shop about 7 years ago and it’s been my gigging ride ever since. My other K ride was a little too bright and ‘pingy’ and when I listened to playback it was too pronounced in the mix.
The heavy ride was just the right balance.

 

[Esotericdrums]

This one.

View attachment 536456

Interestingly enough it’s called simple “K Ride”. A fundamental sound providing all the general attributes and sonic components of the K line.

There is enough ping to cut and enough wash to cushion the groove with some of that K crunch. Not too dry, not too glassy. The bell is pronounced but not icy. Can handle a crash with good tone if you know how to hit it.

I’ve got four or five K rides and this one seems to go to almost every gig whether I’m playing pop, rock, or funk.

Records well, too.

I know it’s not anything specialized or haute design, but I’m telling you it’s a satisfying and versatile cymbal.

It’s THE “K Ride”.

While I don’t own one of these, my good friend has one that I have played several times and heard from out front quite often. And it performs

It’s a good all around ride. I own a 20 K custom dark and I like it as a left side with a sizzle on it, but it can get lost in the mix with louder bands. Although It does have a great stick sound when recorded

I stick mostly with K Cons but “the K ride” from my experience is a better all around ride with more cut than the K custom dark

 

[JDA]

What, in your opinion, is the best K Zildjian Ride for contemporary applications (rock, funk, fusion)?

diameter settled?
Could be a 20" Bounce.
Could be a 22"...

what type of lightness or heaviness is most compatible with you/your/style/.

Can come down to diameter and weight - no matter what the brand make or model. And only you know you.

Cymbals are not only Sound, They are response, motion. and your compatibility to push/move it around.
I've found once you can decide ( and agree with yourself ; ) on diameter and weight
The compatible cymbal comes clearer into view.
with some keeping of side avenues

 

[jb78]

It depends how loud/pingy one needs it to be, but I find the 22" Constantinople Medium to be pretty wonderful.

 

[Phantomlimb777]

K dark medium gets my vote.

 

[bpaluzzi]

I'm a _huge_ fan of the 24" Light. It's a bit washy for some things, but for the type of music I'm playing it's just perfect.

 

[Old Drummer]

I'm a fan of the K Constantinople series. Alas, I don't own one anymore (never should have let that big band ride go) and they're too expensive for me to buy one now.

 

[Whitten]

In answer to the question - you really have to try a few to find the ideal one.
Every K dark is slightly different for example.
I have two EAK Rides that are my favourites, one is quite dark and characterful, the other is very clean and modern sounding.
I like most of the K Zildjian and K Con rides, so for a specific purpose I would just try as many as I could access.

 

[bolweevil]

I used to use a 90s K Heavy ride. I liked it a lot, but it lost a shoot-out (in my ears) to a heavy-ish HH Sabian.