BeatIt Test: Zildjian Z Custom

We had waited a while for this moment, but finally received a rather sizeable parcel from the Zildjian distributor in our area. The box contained several shiny drum cymbals bearing the characteristic “Z” logo. We are, of course, talking about Z Custom cymbals. We immediately got down to testing them. It should be noted that the manufacturer discontinued the Z series in 2009 and replaced it with the Z3 series, which in turn was discontinued in 2013 and merged with the A series. On April 9, 2024, Zildjian announced the relaunch of the Z Custom line. The manufacturing, like its predecessors, is a computer-controlled process, during which hammering gives Z Custom Series cymbals a unique sound and look.

We’re testing Zildjian Z Custom cymbals: 14″ Hi hat, 18″ Crash, 19″ Crash, 21″ Mega Bell Ride, 20″ Ride, 20″ China.

1. Test

We tested these instruments in our own Luta Recording Studio. The cymbals were recorded with DPA and Hum microphones. Neve, Chandler, Germanium, Focusrite and Rme preamps were used. For the recording and test, we also used a DW Collector’s Maple drum kit, which includes a 13“ x 11” rack tom, an 18“ x 16” floor tom and a 24“ x 18” bass drum, as well as a Ludwig Supraphonic 14“ x 6.5” snare drum.

2. Basic product specification:

Manufacturer: Zildjian
Model: Z Custom
Cymbals tested: 14″ Hi hat, 18″ Crash, 19″ Crash, 21″ Mega Bell Ride, 20″ Ride, 20″ China
Finish: Brilliant with original star pattern hammering
Material: B20 bronze
Weight: Medium (crashes), Heavy (rides), Medium Heavy (hi-hatu top), Heavy (hi-hat bottom), Medium Thin (chinas), Extra Heavy (Mega Bell Ride)
Sound: Bright, explosive, loud, cutting
Sustain: Long

3. Product and sound

Zildjian Z Custom cymbals are instruments created for drummers who love powerful and heavy sounds. In the 1990s, they were simply a must have in metal, punk, even rock. The characteristic sound of the Mega Bell Ride or Z crashes can be heard in many music productions of that era. This made it all the more surprising that the company discontinued their production in 2009. The continuation in the form of the Z3 series and a merger with the A line, in our opinion, did not work out too well. That’s why we were very happy to see Z Customs revived. The bright and explosive sound of these instruments is able to cut through, and glue together, even the dirtiest sounds in any kind of mix. The manufacturer also assures us that the revised design enhances the musicality, feel and durability of these legendary cymbals. So let us move on to testing them.

We’ll start with the look. All the cymbals feature a gorgeous brilliant finish. They are densely lathed and then subjected to a polishing process, which produces the final effect of interchanging colors from silver patina to sunshine gold. Such a finish, in addition to its visual appeal, also provides specific tonal qualities, such as a bright characteristic with a distinctive ping when the instrument is hit with the tip of a stick. The use of B20 alloy is, of course, a fully professional solution, and (although such a sound may not suit everyone) you can hear that these are fully professional instruments.

14″ Hi hat. Despite the heavy weight of the instrument, it plays quite lightly. The cymbals have a very strongly defined presence, which is bright and explosive. The chick is very audible and easily cuts through the mix. When opened, the hats did not give the impression of exaggerated dynamics or “killing” the sound of other instruments (especially the snare drum) while playing.

18″ and 19″ crashes. Explosive and aggressive, with plenty of treble. Ideal for strong, explosive accents. In addition, they work well together tonally. One inch of difference does the job in playing double accents or in unison. It’s also worth noting that the new crashes in this series are generally a bit thinner than the 1990s originals (the thickest Rock version, for example, is absent), so the manufacturer has tried to make these cymbals even more musical.

21″ Ride Mega Bell. Originally, an all-time classic. What about the new version? The characteristic sound of the bell has not changed a bit – classic stick definition and short decay. This instrument will cut through in any context of extreme music and give it an already classic sound.

20″ Ride. Here, we have a bit of a dilemma. This ride sounds a lot like the Mega Bell, but just without the bell. We don’t really understand the idea behind this instrument. Its sound is very similar to the 21″ Mega Bell ride, but it lacks the added advantage of a differentiated sound, as its bell and body sound very similar, if not actually identical.

China 20″. Everything ads up on this one – both explosiveness and tonality as well as brightness and a glassy quality to the sound. If you want to catch the listener’s attention, this china is perfect for such purposes.

To sum up, the cymbals do their job perfectly. They are aggressive, bright and explosive. On the other hand, they are not sonically overblown, and their appearance will add some bling to any drum kit. Our studio and microphones recorded their sound very well, as you can hear in our audio/video test below. Unfortunately, we are unable to test their durability. However, we assume that the manufacturer has improved their durability.

Here’s the rating achieved by Zildjian Z Custom cymbals:

Appearance: 10