What does a 'flat top' mean for a cymbal?

A flat top cymbal is designed without a raised centre bell. This design eliminates the traditional bell sound and significantly reduces the sustain and wash of the cymbal.

How does the K Custom Flat Top differ from the regular K Flat Top?

The K Custom version is designed to be darker and significantly drier than the standard K Zildjian Flat Top Ride. It offers more controlled overtones and a more pronounced stick 'click'.

Is the Zildjian K Custom Flat Top Ride suitable for rock music?

While it can cut through a mix, its mellow and dry character is generally better suited for jazz, fusion, and acoustic settings. It lacks the loud, piercing bell sound often required for heavy rock genres.

What is the typical price for this cymbal?

The Zildjian K Custom 20" Flat Top Ride typically retails for approximately GBP 454. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current market conditions.

Can you crash on this ride cymbal?

Because it is a flat ride, it does not respond like a traditional crash cymbal. It produces a very short, dark, and trashy explosion that decays almost instantly, which is used more for specific accents than general crashing.

What kind of stick definition should I expect?

You should expect excellent stick definition. The lack of a bell and the dry finish ensure that each stroke sounds crisp and distinct, even during fast patterns.

Does this cymbal have a lot of sustain?

No, this cymbal is known for having very little sustain. The flat profile causes the vibrations to die away quickly, resulting in a 'mellow' and 'dry' finish.

How does this cymbal compare to the Istanbul Agop Lenny White Epoch?

While both offer dark and complex tones, the Zildjian K Custom Flat Top is typically drier due to its lack of a bell, whereas the Epoch series often retains more traditional crash/ride characteristics.

Is this cymbal good for recording?

Yes, it is highly regarded for recording because its controlled wash and dry tone are easy for engineers to manage. It provides clarity without bleeding excessively into other microphones.

What size is the Zildjian K Custom Flat Top Ride?

This specific model is 20 inches in diameter. This is a standard size for ride cymbals, providing a good balance between playability and tonal depth.

Does the lack of a bell make it quieter?

Generally, yes. Without a bell to amplify vibrations and create high-frequency overtones, the flat ride produces a lower overall volume and a more mellow presence.

What series does this cymbal belong to?

It belongs to the Zildjian K Custom series. This series is known for taking the traditional K Zildjian sound and applying modern hammering and lathing techniques for more specific tonal outcomes.

Gear article

Zildjian K Custom 20" Flat Top Ride

The Zildjian K Custom 20" Flat Top Ride is a specialist cymbal distinguished by its lack of a traditional bell, resulting in a controlled, mellow, and dry acoustic response. Positioned within the premium K Custom series, it is designed to provide a dark tonal palette with significant stick definition that remains audible within a musical mix.

See live prices

Overview and Design

The Zildjian K Custom 20" Flat Top Ride is a unique percussion instrument characterized by the complete absence of a raised bell at its centre. This flat profile radically alters the physics of the cymbal's vibration, preventing the build-up of the long, sustaining overtones typically generated by a bell.

Constructed from Zildjian's secret B20 bronze alloy, the K Custom version is specifically engineered to be darker than the standard K Zildjian Flat Top Ride. The manufacturing process results in a cymbal that emphasises a dry, focused 'ping' while maintaining a mellow overall volume.

Sonic Characteristics

The primary sonic trait of this ride is its extreme dryness. Because there is no bell to resonate, the wash is kept to a minimum, ensuring that every stick stroke is clearly defined. This creates an 'interesting' sound profile that provides enough character to cut through a musical mix without overpowering other instruments.

Compared to other cymbals in the K line, the Flat Top Ride offers: * A significantly shorter decay period. * A dark, moody tone. * A high degree of control over dynamics. * A distinctive lack of high-frequency shimmer.

Target Audience and Application

This cymbal is ideally suited for drummers who require absolute clarity and a low-volume threshold. It is a popular choice for jazz, fusion, and studio recording environments where excessive cymbal wash can interfere with the clarity of a recording or the nuances of an acoustic ensemble. Its dry nature makes it particularly useful for drummers who play complex, fast rhythmic patterns that might otherwise become blurred on a more resonant ride.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the industry, the K Custom Flat Top Ride sits alongside other specialised instruments like the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash or the Masterwork Iris 21 Ride, though its lack of a bell makes it even more focused than those models. While players looking for versatile all-rounders might opt for Paiste Giant Beat or UFIP Bionic series hi-hats, the Flat Top Ride serves a specific niche for those who find standard rides too bright or sustaining. It is notably darker and drier than the regular Zildjian K Flat Top, placing it at the extreme end of the 'dry' spectrum.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What does a 'flat top' mean for a cymbal?: A flat top cymbal is designed without a raised centre bell. This design eliminates the traditional bell sound and significantly reduces the sustain and wash of the cymbal.
How does the K Custom Flat Top differ from the regular K Flat Top?: The K Custom version is designed to be darker and significantly drier than the standard K Zildjian Flat Top Ride. It offers more controlled overtones and a more pronounced stick 'click'.
Is the Zildjian K Custom Flat Top Ride suitable for rock music?: While it can cut through a mix, its mellow and dry character is generally better suited for jazz, fusion, and acoustic settings. It lacks the loud, piercing bell sound often required for heavy rock genres.
What is the typical price for this cymbal?: The Zildjian K Custom 20" Flat Top Ride typically retails for approximately GBP 454. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current market conditions.
Can you crash on this ride cymbal?: Because it is a flat ride, it does not respond like a traditional crash cymbal. It produces a very short, dark, and trashy explosion that decays almost instantly, which is used more for specific accents than general crashing.
What kind of stick definition should I expect?: You should expect excellent stick definition. The lack of a bell and the dry finish ensure that each stroke sounds crisp and distinct, even during fast patterns.
Does this cymbal have a lot of sustain?: No, this cymbal is known for having very little sustain. The flat profile causes the vibrations to die away quickly, resulting in a 'mellow' and 'dry' finish.
How does this cymbal compare to the Istanbul Agop Lenny White Epoch?: While both offer dark and complex tones, the Zildjian K Custom Flat Top is typically drier due to its lack of a bell, whereas the Epoch series often retains more traditional crash/ride characteristics.
Is this cymbal good for recording?: Yes, it is highly regarded for recording because its controlled wash and dry tone are easy for engineers to manage. It provides clarity without bleeding excessively into other microphones.
What size is the Zildjian K Custom Flat Top Ride?: This specific model is 20 inches in diameter. This is a standard size for ride cymbals, providing a good balance between playability and tonal depth.
Does the lack of a bell make it quieter?: Generally, yes. Without a bell to amplify vibrations and create high-frequency overtones, the flat ride produces a lower overall volume and a more mellow presence.
What series does this cymbal belong to?: It belongs to the Zildjian K Custom series. This series is known for taking the traditional K Zildjian sound and applying modern hammering and lathing techniques for more specific tonal outcomes.