A Flat Ride - Is It Any Good?!

[@JulianFernandez]

when they work, they WORK

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

totally

[@volesrock]

Two of the single best rides that I've every heard in 40+ years of drum geekery, flat or not, were the Sabian Ed Thigpen Crystal Flat Ride that I played at the NAMM show in 95, and the Paiste Signature Traditional Light Flat Ride. The Paiste in particular was mind-blowing and I've wanted one ever since, and I don't even play jazz at all.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Being late to the party re; fat rides, I'll take your word for it. :) I played a Paiste Signature 18" crash that another drummer kindly let me use during a show, and I was really impressed with the sound quality...but man they're expensive!

[@tjohn4450]

I Love the dark under tone with the highs all in one cymbal.🔥💯

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Agreed! That's exactly what's going on with this cymbal. Well said, and in way fewer words than I used! :)

[@jables3377]

Perfect for jazz!

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

That seems to be the consensus, but then again the term "jazz" is so broad it's almost meaningless these days...

[@bassplate]

Sounds great! Flats sound really good with rivets, too.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Yeah they do. 😉 I know many drummers do add rivets to flat rides, but I don't feel the need to add them to this cymbal.

[@tomvillano5824]

I've had a couple of flat rides over the years- time to get another one I think. Great playing brother.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Thanks, it was fun to play! Back in the 80s one of the bands I was in used to cover Phase Dance.....always a musical adventure. I'm a bit embarrassed that I never looked into a flat ride before this. It's a really beautiful sound!

[@johnweyers2685]

Send 'er here. I'll take it! 😎 🥁

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Haha no way dude...I'm keeping it for sure!🙂

[@johnweyers2685]

@thecreativedrummer5546 🙉

[@bobbyddrums1566]

Paul Wertico and Antonio Sanchez are the ones who got me going on flat rides Antonio's cymbal work on Metheny s Way Up album left me in awe ,I have this cymbal as well but I started looking into darker tones so I got a paiste 22 inch dark masters and fell in love with it other mentions looking into would be Sabians Ed Thigpens 18 inch flat ride Oustanding job on phase dance your ride sounded great .well done.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

I love Antonio Sanchez's work too! He's next level dude. Thanks for the kind words!

[@earldrum]

Great drumming Gary! I love that Pat Metheny album! That cymbal is sweet … is it an A Custom or just an A? I have few flat rides for certain things and songs … but I agree it’s not an all purpose cymbal, but nice to have one! 👍🏻🤘🏻🛸

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Hey thanks for the kind words! I think that cymbal an A not a Custom. There's almost no branding on it...I had to look really hard on the playing side to find the engraved branding info, which is (with the help of a magnifying glass) how I found the serial#. Anyway, it just says "Avedis Zildjian Co., Made In USA" then the serial#. Hope that helps!

[@earldrum]

@ Gary, it looks like and A Custom … which they made in the 90s … Carter Buford played one. I have an old 1979 A Zildjian that was really pingy that a friend gave me! I sent it to this cymbalsmith in NC names Timothy Roberts and he modified it. Now it sounds much better than before … it’s more Paiste 602 like … I did a video on that cymbal … but your cymbal reminded me of that sound too! Great video!

[@cez8151]

that phase dance performance was majestic

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Thank you so much!

[@ArenHill]

Even as a jazz player, I've never really been a fan of flat rides. They all seem to be too bright and glassy.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Neither was I until I played this one. :)

[@tjohn4450]

How does it sound with a Nylon tip stick?

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

There's a brighter attack using a nylon tip for sure.

[@johnvenditto2908]

You couldn't remember the bass player's name...go figure 🤔

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Haha busted. Wait…..what was your name again? 😂

[@justpeachy4938]

Lol! I take it you two have played together.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Busted again! :)

[@johnvenditto2908]

@@thecreativedrummer5546 🤐

[@marcusjordan2518]

Flat Rides don't get enough exposure. I have 9 flats myself.

[@thecreativedrummer5546]

Nine...wow! I was a bit surprised at the variety in flat rides myself. I think "flat ride" describes more of a category than a given cymbal. I'm curious as to how you wound up with nine?

[@marcusjordan2518]

@thecreativedrummer5546 😂😂😂...I am intrigued by them. I'm a Sabian guy and they have decided to stop producing flat rides. So I am gathering a collection of them. I do have 1 Paiste Signature flat but the rest are all Sabian.