Need a new Ride Cymbal; Any suggestions?

[deseipel]

I have a 20" K Custom Dry Lite and I love it, but it doesn't cut it for rock.

Also a 20" Ping ride, it's a nice cymbal. Its been my main one for years. Its pretty vanilla though. The videos of the Dry K's didn't sound like they'd project for rock at all. Unless you have overheads maybe. One cymbal to rule all those styles would be tough.

If you're playing with amplified guitarists, good luck with anything cutting through the stage volume.

[Juan Expósito]

^^^ For that reason I would go for the brilliant model.
On the other hand, sometimes when I want more control for quiet places I put a little tape in the bottom side and it works very nice. It gives you less volume and sustain and more definited ride and bell.

[Matus]

Before switching to Paiste I used a 20" Zildjian K Custom Ride for years and it's just great. Good ping and projection, plenty of bell and enough wash if you hit it with the stick shoulder. It's the brilliant heavily hammered model, can't go wrong with that one.
http://zildjian.com/Products/Drumset-Cy ... ustom-Ride

[S.P]

My main ride is a 20" K custom dry light. Very versatile, I Love it.

I got one a couple of weeks ago, great cymbal! This will be my last ride purchase for a very, very long while.

I'm all set now with:

20" Sabian AA El Sabor Ride - Best bell on any ride cymbal I've ever had, really washy, great crash sound.

22" Sabian Artisan ride - Probably my most versatile cymbal.

20" K Custom Dry Light ride - Haven't had much opportunity to try it out, but its got pretty even stick definition all accross the cymbal....I was suprised by how light the cymbal actually is.

20" K Custom ride - Excellent for rock, fusion, anything that's generally going to be loud. Great bell as well. Lot's of ping and stick definition with little wash.

As others have said, it's going to be difficult to get something that's truly versatile and good in all settings. Some cymbals are like that but they will be stronger in some areas and weaker in others. Good luck, let us know what you get!

[Isaac Lee]

I am leaning towards the K Cust. Dry Light. I do have one concern with that however. We don't have any at Hollywood GC and I know they can vary a great deal. I wish I could have at least 3 of them to pick the one that I dig the most.

We have 3 of the 21" Dark Dry K Customs and I really like one of them. The other 2 are SUPER dry. The one that I like is so sick though.

Yesterday I did a big street buy (bought in used gear for the store to resell) and the guy sold us his 20in K Cust Brilliant Ride. I was thinking just now that I could pick that up AND the 21in Dark Dry that I like so much. That would be a pretty versatile combo!

Thanks for all the great feeback guys. I felt sorta dumb making this post at first because I work at a drum shop and all, but I'm quite glad I did because I've learned some things I didn't know before.

[S.P]

his 20in K Cust Brilliant Ride. I was thinking just now that I could pick that up AND the 21in Dark Dry that I like so much. That would be a pretty versatile combo!

It would be, I really like my 20" K Custom Brilliant Ride.

Yeah careful with the K Custom Dry Light ride...they do vary sound wise quite a bit.

[Isaac Lee]

I decided to go with a very nice sounding 22in K trad finish. We have two of them and this one sounds very different then the other. Its just a great sounding ride.

[DeeP_FRieD]

You work at Guitar Center, don't you? If you play with fairly heavy sticks, pick up a 22" Paiste Dark Energy Mark 2.

Yes I do work at GC. I'm familiar with our cymbal stock and the common go-to-cymbals. But, I value the opinion of others and do appreciate the feedback none the less.

We don't stock any Dark Energy Paistes but I'll look into them. I get 75% off retail on Paiste. But I'm not a big Paiste fan. At least not the stamped stuff. I hate the way the stick feels on those plates.

I had a similar disposition towards paiste before I bought this 20" Traditional Medium Heavy off my drummer buddy. Now my opinion has changed drastically. It is now my favorite cymbal I have.

[Joe Nocella]

I haven't read the whole thread yet. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s opinions on the topic....

I'd love to pick up a 20" Zildjian K Custom Dark ride. Messed around with one a local GC and really like the way it sounds and feels. Right now I have a regular K Ride from about the early 00's. I'm looking for a cymbal that is just a tad darker. I think the K Custom Dark is the ticket for me.

Cheers, Joe

[Cymbalfeltfetishist]

I have a 20" K Custom Dry Light Ride for sale...you said you were maybe interested in that. I'll ship it anywhere in the US.