Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Cymbals

GEARREVIEWS
SUMMER 2006 RHYTHM 103
So is the dual surface a gimmick or a genuine boon?
Akira Jimbo says he was aiming for maximum versatility
and you can see what he means. The odd sizes and varied bells,
as well as the dual surfaces, all point to much thought going
into the fi nished designs. These are fi ne cymbals which reward
a musical, inventive touch. But by doing several things well
can they do one thing brilliantly? Other than the musical china
and the killing, hissing hi hats, I have to say I preferred previous
K Customs with their more singular designs.
The dual Hybrid finishes make this a musical set
of cymbals, capable of wide tonal variations.
The Hybrid finish makes the cymbals extremely expensive,
so be extra sure they are really what you want.
★★★★★
RATING
The larger
11" splash
has more of an
orthodox splash sound, a
nice balance of hissiness and ringing
after-tone. The bell still takes up most of
the brilliant fi nish section, with the result
that you get a silvery attack and fairly
abrupt decay.
Hybrid hats
Now we’re getting really quirky. 13¼"?
According to Akira, this gives him a bit
more power than a 13" pair but more
control than a 14". The most interesting
thing about the hi-hats though is that
they have ‘Hybrid Hammering’ around
the outer edge of the bottom cymbal.
This takes the form of small, half circle
indentations pushed up from beneath
the bottom cymbal. Zildjian says this
increases the area of contact, but in fact
it reduces it, surely? Anyway, the effect is
to counter the trapped air you get when
two at-edged discs clamp together – it
sharpens
up the pedalled
chick’ sound. More
unusually, you get a fabulously
sibilant ‘tiss’ when you just ease the
pressure on the left foot and play the
cymbals slightly open. It’s almost as
though there is a rivet in the top cymbal.
Effective and unique.
The 19" china has a small squared bell
and broad, upturned rim. Lots of chinas
are hideously brash, like a dustbin lid
explosion and little else, but this one
has a wider, deeper, darker sound and
a phenomenal amount of sustain when
you play the edge. The dual surface again
extends the ride possibilities. The brilliant
section is slightly smaller on this cymbal
than on the others, but when you play
here with your stick tip you get a high-
pitched, brittle ping. Crash the cymbal
anywhere on its surface and it is
obviously attacking and strident, but the
relatively deep and musical K Custom
tone makes up for any harshness.
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