Zildjian A Medium Ride - who plays 'em?

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Acrolite82

Acrolite82

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I just acquired a Zildjian 22" A Medium Ride. It is high pitched and fairly loud. Just wondering who else has one and how do you like it.
 
I have a 20 inch Medium ride that I bought in '69 or '70. For many years I turned my nose up at it after I bought some other ride cymbals but now I'm rediscovering how good it is. It's low pitched with a moderate amount of wash. This cymbal is great for fitting into the music rather than sitting on top.

I also got a used Medium ride a few years ago that's newer (I'm guessing it's an 80s cymbal.) It sounds quite a bit different. Higher pitched with a lot less wash.

I have a feeling that there's a lot of variation among these cymbals.
 
I have a 70's 20" A. Medium Brilliant that has become indispensable to me for much the same musical reasons that Tom stated. The newer ones all sound like ass to me. Very clunky and too high-pitched, not blending well with the music. Having said THAT, Zildjian is STILL my favorite brand of cymbals, but the A. line doesn't sound as musical to me as it used to, at least not what I hear in stores. If I were in the Zildjian vault, I'm sure it would be a whole 'nother story. The Armand line is closer to what I hear in my head.
 
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............ Only old A's for me. Trans stamped are my favs. Hard to find very thin ones tho.


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I use a 22" early 70's med. ride.
Killer ride,ideal wash and a nice bell.
Pat
 
I had an A 22" Medium Ride that I used as my only ride for 12 years. It was only ~2 years ago that I cracked it, and then got rid of it.

I really liked that cymbal - very versatile. The only thing it didn't do that I would've liked is if it would've just opened up a little bit easier; just a tad thinner would've helped a lot. Oh, I still crashed on it, don't get me wrong, and I worked it into a lather for the big white-noise wash.

Perhaps one too many times, though, as it turned out...
 
Right now I have a 20" Armand & a 20" medium set up. I've been comparing them for a while now. The A medium is definetly brighter and has alot more wash. It's also got a fantastic crash. At some point I want to find a 22. I'll probably play 3 rides them. :D
 
there are just so many players who still own one of these and swear by them.. despite all the choices available to us now i love the A series.. The A medium ride and the paiste 2oo2 Ride are probs the most popular rides ever.
 
there are just so many players who still own one of these and swear by them.. despite all the choices available to us now i love the A series.. The A medium ride and the paiste 2oo2 Ride are probs the most popular rides ever.
 
While I would not call mine "crashable", I really love it and it sounds a little better every time I play it. But it needs to be played a certain way to sound good. It is also possible to draw bad sounds out of it depending on where you strike it and how hard.
I have noticed with my other two rides that they mellow out and sound nicer over time, as they develop a golden brown patina. Maybe that's why cymbals from the 60s and 70s seem to sound better than new ones. Maybe the new ones will also sound just as nice after a few years.
I like the echo sound that I get from mine. It isn't dry by any means. It is beautiful to look at and brings a smile to my face. It reminds me of the cymbal that I had in the 1960s, except without the rivits. Hmmm! That gives me an idea....
I am bringing it to a band practice tomorrow night, so I will get some more input on it. I hope they will like it.
 
Acrolite82 said:
But it needs to be played a certain way to sound good. It is also possible to draw bad sounds out of it depending on where you strike it and how hard.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought of mine, as well. I went through a series of rides to replace it: a 21" A Custom Medium (too shrill), a Sabian HH RBDR (too dry), an AA RBDR (still too dry), and happily settled on a 22" 2oo2 Ride, which seems like the ultimate ride to me at the moment.
 
FuzzBucket said:
... and happily settled on a 22" 2oo2 Ride, which seems like the ultimate ride to me at the moment.
Click to expand...
I did EXACTLY the same thing - with the same result. 22" 2oo2 ride. :)

I've still got all of my A. Zildjian stuff, though -- vitually all of which I bought new from about '83-'90. Don't think I've ever owned a 20" A. medium, but I've got a 20" A. ping and I'll never get rid of it, if I can help it.
 
troymiller said:
FuzzBucket said:
... and happily settled on a 22" 2oo2 Ride, which seems like the ultimate ride to me at the moment.
Click to expand...
I did EXACTLY the same thing - with the same result. 22" 2oo2 ride. :)

I've still got all of my A. Zildjian stuff, though -- vitually all of which I bought new from about '83-'90. Don't think I've ever owned a 20" A. medium, but I've got a 20" A. ping and I'll never get rid of it, if I can help it.
Click to expand...

Wow! You guys must be mindreaders!
I originaly went to Forks looking for a 22" 2002 Ride, but found this cymbal.
They both have a similar sound. I think the 2002 is much drier than the A Madium.
 
I use an A Zildjian medium ride with the band Tinted Windows. It crashes and rides great, covers a lot of bases.
 
mfryed2112 said:
hey acro - do a search on the forum or on youtube and you can hear buns ride cymbal with tinted windows. it really sounds great!!!
Click to expand...

Mike, I viewed some of the videos on Utube. I couldn't hear the ride very well, but it looks like a 20". It is still new-looking so I guess it it is of recent vintage.
 
So, I'm guessing you're liking the cymbal. At least, I hope so. Like others have mentioned, I found it very versatile. Those "bad sounds" you can draw out of it can work in certain instances. Keep on keepin' on...
 
I've just rediscovered my very 1st A Zildjian bought NEW in 1972...a 20 Medium...man I'm lovin it...
it's got a sweet underwash with nice stick definition, a clear shimmering bell, and makes a fantastic crash


Tee Are
 
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