As all Polish drum maniacs know (and the rest of the world is going to find out now), Radek Owczarz is one of the best studio and touring drummers in Poland. He has collaborated with some of the platitum-selling acts on the Polish scene, such as Kasia Kowalska, Pilichowski Band, Edyta Bartosiewicz, Patrycja Markowska or Jan Borysewicz.
Very recently, apart from testing some heads from Aquarian, he has also checked out quite a number of Zildjian cymbals from the K Custom Special Dry family. The first to go was a set comprised of the following: a 15″ hi hat, 20″ and 22″ crashes and a 23″ ride (see HERE). We will now take a closer look at another set made up of a 13″ hi hat, an 18″ crash, a 19″ crash and a 21″ ride. Let us put the 21″ ride under our microscope first, shall we?
21″ Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Ride
1. The test
The test was carried out in professional studio conditions, at the CLC recording facility in Piaseczno, Poland. We useda Ludwig kit (Radek himself does not remember what model it is, maybe you could help?) and a Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 snare. The cymbal tested by us is a 21″ Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Ride.
2. Basic specification of the cymbal tested here:
- Company: Zildjian
- Series: K Custom Special Dry
- Cymbal type: Ride
- Cymbal size: 21″
- Finish: Natural
- Character: dark, sandy, dirty, dry, short decay
- Weight: Medium.
3. The product and the sound
The K Custom Special Dry family is Zildjian‘s answer to the current craze for dry and dirty-sounding cymbals. Obviously, that is exactly what this ride offers. High frequency band harmonics have practically been eliminated. The sound is very explosive, the attack is fast while the decay is short (shorter that that of its 23-inch counterpart). The bell cuts through without being excessively loud and stick definition is still quite distinctive. Crash riding is comfortable. It is a beautiful-looking, wonderfully crafted cymbal with noninvasive sonic characteristics which do not just copy competitors’ products.
4. Summary
We think we should Radek Owczarz himself sum up the whole experience:
“The 21″ Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Ride is a wonderful cymbal. It has undoubtedly passed the studio test. It causes no problems as far as EQ goes, which compliments my drum kit because it doesn’t overwhelm with high frequencies. It also works great as a big crash ride and is fit for any style of music, really“.
Producer: https://zildjian.com/
Distributor in Poland: http://www.adamusic.pl/
OUR VERDICT: 5/5 TOP
Advantages:
- Very well crafted
- Fashionable, dry, earthy sound
- Stylistic versatility
- Magnificent look
Disadvantages:
- None
Drummers and Drummerettes! It’s time to put the 21″ Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Ride (still relatively unknown to drummers in Poland) to the most important test of all, i. e. the en.beatit.tv viewers’ test! Exclusively for you, we give you Radek Owczarz!
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