What cymbals are included in the Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack?

The pack includes A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats, an A Custom Fast Crash, an A Custom EFX cymbal, and the A Custom 20th Anniversary Ride.

What is the primary finish of these cymbals?

All cymbals in the A Custom Gospel Pack feature a striking brilliant finish, which contributes to their bright and shimmering tonal character.

How do the Mastersound Hi-Hats differ from standard hats?

The Mastersound Hi-Hats feature a crimped edge on the bottom cymbal. This design allows air to vent quickly, resulting in a sharper and more articulate 'chick' sound.

What is the purpose of the holes in the EFX cymbal?

The laser-generated cutouts in the A Custom EFX cymbal create a unique, trashy sound that functions as a hybrid between a crash and a china cymbal, perfect for quick accents.

Is this set suitable for genres other than Gospel?

Yes, while specifically curated for Gospel, the bright and cutting nature of A Custom cymbals makes them highly suitable for Pop, Rock, and Fusion music.

What makes the Fast Crash different from a standard A Custom Crash?

The Fast Crash is designed with a thinner weight and a specific profile that allows it to respond instantly and decay quickly, preventing unwanted sustain in busy mixes.

What is the typical price for this cymbal set?

The typical price range for the Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack is approximately £1,042.

Why is a lower profile significant for these cymbals?

A lower profile typically results in a lower pitch and a softer feel under the stick, which helps balance the inherent brightness of the A Custom alloy.

How does the 20th Anniversary Ride perform?

The 20th Anniversary Ride is designed to offer a balance of clear stick definition and a musical wash, making it versatile enough for both rhythmic patterns and crashing.

Are these cymbals hand-picked by Zildjian?

Yes, Zildjian selects these specific models for the Gospel Pack to ensure they provide the 'heavenly sweet' cutting tones required for the genre.

How do these compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?

The A Custom Gospel Pack is much brighter and more shimmering, whereas the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series is known for being darker, dryer, and earthier.

What are the tonal grooves found on A Custom cymbals?

The tonal grooves are fine, concentric rings etched into the cymbal that help focus the sound and contribute to the signature glassy response of the A Custom line.

Gear article

Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack Cymbal Set

The Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack is a curated selection of professional-grade cymbals designed to cut through dense, high-energy harmonies. Hand-picked for the specific demands of Gospel drumming, the set features cymbals with brilliant finishes and lower profiles to deliver bright, sweet tones.

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Overview

The Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack is a specialised collection of cymbals tailored for the 'divine drummer'. Gospel music often involves powerful vocal harmonies and high-volume instrumentation, requiring cymbals that can be heard clearly without sounding abrasive. This set utilises the A Custom line's characteristic brilliance to provide a balance of projection and sweetness.

Pack Components

The set includes four specific models from the A Custom range:

A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats: Known for their crimped edges on the bottom cymbal, which helps air escape for a faster, more defined 'chick' sound.
A Custom Fast Crash: Designed to speak quickly and decay rapidly, ensuring the cymbal does not wash out the rest of the ensemble.
A Custom EFX Cymbal: A special effects cymbal featuring laser-generated cutouts for a trashy, white-noise accent.
A Custom 20th Anniversary Ride: A versatile ride cymbal that provides clear stick definition and a shimmering wash.

Design and Construction

A Custom cymbals are distinguished by their striking brilliant finish and lower profiles. They feature unique tonal grooves created using a rotary hammering technique. These design choices result in a cymbal that is lighter and more responsive than traditional A Zildjian models, producing a sound that is described as glassier and more sophisticated.

Sound Character

The primary sonic characteristic of this pack is 'heavenly sweetness' combined with cutting power. While many high-volume cymbals can be harsh, the A Custom Gospel Pack is engineered to maintain a bright, shimmering quality. The Fast Crash and EFX cymbals provide immediate, punchy accents, while the Mastersound hats and 20th Anniversary Ride offer the rhythmic clarity necessary for complex Gospel patterns.

Market Comparison

In the professional market, this pack competes with other high-end bronze offerings. While the UFIP Bionic or Class Series might offer different tonal weights, and the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series provides a darker, earthier texture, the A Custom Gospel Pack focuses strictly on brightness and clarity. It serves as a more specialized, genre-focused alternative to general-purpose sets like the Paiste Giant Beat or standard A Zildjian packs.

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Frequently asked questions

What cymbals are included in the Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack?: The pack includes A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats, an A Custom Fast Crash, an A Custom EFX cymbal, and the A Custom 20th Anniversary Ride.
What is the primary finish of these cymbals?: All cymbals in the A Custom Gospel Pack feature a striking brilliant finish, which contributes to their bright and shimmering tonal character.
How do the Mastersound Hi-Hats differ from standard hats?: The Mastersound Hi-Hats feature a crimped edge on the bottom cymbal. This design allows air to vent quickly, resulting in a sharper and more articulate 'chick' sound.
What is the purpose of the holes in the EFX cymbal?: The laser-generated cutouts in the A Custom EFX cymbal create a unique, trashy sound that functions as a hybrid between a crash and a china cymbal, perfect for quick accents.
Is this set suitable for genres other than Gospel?: Yes, while specifically curated for Gospel, the bright and cutting nature of A Custom cymbals makes them highly suitable for Pop, Rock, and Fusion music.
What makes the Fast Crash different from a standard A Custom Crash?: The Fast Crash is designed with a thinner weight and a specific profile that allows it to respond instantly and decay quickly, preventing unwanted sustain in busy mixes.
What is the typical price for this cymbal set?: The typical price range for the Zildjian A Custom Gospel Pack is approximately £1,042.
Why is a lower profile significant for these cymbals?: A lower profile typically results in a lower pitch and a softer feel under the stick, which helps balance the inherent brightness of the A Custom alloy.
How does the 20th Anniversary Ride perform?: The 20th Anniversary Ride is designed to offer a balance of clear stick definition and a musical wash, making it versatile enough for both rhythmic patterns and crashing.
Are these cymbals hand-picked by Zildjian?: Yes, Zildjian selects these specific models for the Gospel Pack to ensure they provide the 'heavenly sweet' cutting tones required for the genre.
How do these compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?: The A Custom Gospel Pack is much brighter and more shimmering, whereas the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series is known for being darker, dryer, and earthier.
What are the tonal grooves found on A Custom cymbals?: The tonal grooves are fine, concentric rings etched into the cymbal that help focus the sound and contribute to the signature glassy response of the A Custom line.