Zildjian: Z Heavy Power Vs. Z Custom Power - A Ride Cymbal Comparison

The classic Z ride up against its successor the Z Custom version. Played alone and with kick and snare. Let me know in the comments which you'd rather play for metal or heavy rock applications.
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Note: I did not include mega bell rides in the video at all. As far as I know Z had Heavy Power, Light Power, and Mega Bell. Z Custom had a flower petal hammered one simply called "Ride," plus Power, Rock, Thrash, and 2 versions of Mega Bell. Z3 had Rock, Thrash, Medium Heavy, and Mega Bell.

[@lpjdrummer12295]

The old z sounds best imo. The difference is subtle, but the bell is just so much nicer to listen to on the old z.

[@catobekkevold8333]

I’ve had my 22" Heavy Power ride since 1987 and used it on all my recordings. Perfect for my use.

[@HazeAnderson]

I like 'em both. :) Switching back and forth is like changing chords ...

[@wellmounted]

Don't know if it was mic placement but the old seemed to have a better projection. Also liked the lower tone on the old.

[@jackisnotreal9275]

I have the old one. It’s reaaly cool

[@ARDrummer]

Cool demo! I just bought a Heavy Power Z...looking forward to getting it :)

[@brucekaralash5054]

I still own the old Z Power Ride from 1990. Great ride!🍻

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I kind of want a light power too, just to complete the set, but I’m not someone who will actually set up 2 rides most of the time, so it’s kinda pointless.

[@Assimilator702]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom I have the 20" Z Light Power Ride. I wish I also bought the 22".

[@stevenwilson9865]

I bought a Z 22" light power ride new in the #80s. I bought this size and model because, I had read Tommy Aldridge and Joey Kramer were using this model and size. I still have, and use it today. 😊

[@HandsomeFuture]

I use an old z power for jazz often. It’s killer actually. (I use it for metal)

[@tikidrummerpoi]

The bows of each are about the same. The bells are obviously different. I prefer the darker sound of the older one.

[@matthewtucker5439]

Both sound killer but I think I’m a fan of the original

[@alexandernemeth4428]

Z customs also divide into first wave and second. The first wave Z Customs also have hexagonal hammering patterns. Plus they also changed the logo within the production line of the Z custom. The first wave had a big Z logo just as the original ones.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Yeah there is some overlap. The dyno beat hats really only have about 2 iterations between Z, Z Custom, and Z3, even when the rides and crashes had 3+ generations of changes.

[@chrismaille3478]

The older heavier one sounds better. I remember the Z crashes back then, hated 'em. Became a lover of A customs...never looked back.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I had a Z Custom crash for a while 16" Rock Crash and it wasn't amazing and also broke pretty quickly. I'm partial to my AAX X-plosion crash, I'd like to have some more of those. Similar to A Custom I think.

[@chrismaille3478]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom yep...my other recent go to is a sabian aax plosion 17 inch ...

[@Wut88]

yeah they were terrible crashes, you had to hit em so hard to get a full sound that ended breaking more than regular weight cymbals, but man I had that z custom power ride and watching this kinda makes me miss it

[@damianostrowski5633]

I play a 22 inch heavy power ride, there is no Z letter on it ( maybe it wore off), but it’s absolutely perfect for metal. It cuts through beautifully and really delivers that ping I love to hear.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I think the Z logos were put on with an inferior ink because I’ve only seen a couple for sale that still have any remnants of the logo. Most wore off long ago.

[@Dumb_Drummer]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom I have the ride - Zildjian Z Heavy power ride 22 - it has all of logos in good condition.)

[@MGBlast666]

3:55 thank you!

[@HazeAnderson]

I got rid of my Earth Ride too --- that sucker was too heavy and too hard to fit in. I purchased "Drum Beating" what an amazing (and readable!) collection :)

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Yeah I didn't think the Earth Ride had enough wash actually. So dry it didn't cut through a mix well enough. I sold mine for more than I paid for it... so it was a good investment. Thanks for checking out that translation! I think you're one of maybe 20 people tops to buy it so far, I knew it would be a small market. that's why I didn't even bother my publisher with it. They'd have given me some weird looks.

[@DWBubinga]

Is the original a 20” or 22”?

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I only have 20” power rides. Never actually owned a 22” of any type.

[@albertofalzoi1541]

very useful video, man! I'd rather prefer the old and smother Z Ride ❤

[@angeliebay3276]

If it could be possible to combine the bow of the older Z series with the bright bell of the newer one it would be the perfect combination for fast thrash/death metal rolls and beats.....but the overall volume of the ride cymbal itself in the sound of the whole kit is a little low, just for my earing.... I have 22" and 24" versions of the Z series heavy power rides....the best ride cymbal for metal ....got rid of my $$$ paiste rude and dimentions mega power rides 24" because of the volume. But the dream ride cymbal for me would be the old Z heavy power ride 24" with the 8" bell like Z/Z custom/Z3/A megabell rides do have. And the weight might be 6.5 kg....around 14 - 14.5 lbs. Mine has 6.4 kg.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I’ve never really been interested in losing the space that a 24” ride takes up. Just so unwieldy. I like 20” I’ll do 21” if I have to. I also use 10/12 rack toms over the usual 12/13 and I like 20” kicks and would never play a 24” for metal. Big drums and cymbals are fun, but I really prefer the smaller sizes. Although, I know a guy who gigs with a 16” kick and an 18” ride and no toms. So compared to him my kit is gargantuan.

[@Assimilator702]

The bow sound of the gen 1 Z Mega Bell Ride with the Bell of the Z Custom is the PERFECT combo to my ear.

[@octavius428ball]

I got Z customs and Z originals both sound awesome

[@Flightlikeabrave]

I don’t understand why they discontinued the Z series...

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I don’t really understand either. Sabian also stopped making their Metal X line. They still have a few good heavy cymbals but they’re scattered across other lines. The only dedicated heavy cymbals for loud music that are worth playing that are still made is Paiste Rude. But people are very brand loyal, so it seems like Zildjian and Sabian should offer a line like Z.

[@pabloabregu5871]

I have an old z megabell ride 21, excellent for metal.

[@pabloabregu5871]

I prefer the old

[@NEALBABBITT]

I'd like to hear a zildjian mega bell ride next to these.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

So would I, but I didn't really mention the mega bells because they are their own beasts... not really in the same category as these power rides. As far as I can tell, Zildjian made a Z mega bell ride with star hammering, a Z Custom mega bell with star hammering, a Z Custom mega bell with round spiral hammering, a Z3 mega bell with round hammering but not in a spiral, and an A mega bell with round hammering (which I think is the only mega you can still buy new). The A sounds much thinner and washier, the other 4 Z versions are all very dry and pingy, just in differing pitches.

[@NEALBABBITT]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom you really know your stuff!

[@anthonyvenedicto518]

I have the 20 z custom power ride and I tell u I love the bell and the body a lot

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I’m always looking for a deal on a mega bell to go with these but I haven’t found a reasonable one yet.

[@anthonyvenedicto518]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom me too bro. I tell u the prices are quite ridiculous for the z custom and z3 mega bells. I saw a z3 online for like 300 dollars. I tell u man. We are all searching for an old school zildjian mega bell these days

[@1thess523]

That's what though feather like pattern series is, I've run across a few but didn't know what they were. I had the second version and the Z23 mega bell (terrible cymbal), i prefer the original Z in this video 👍

[@brianjezuit4085]

I love the Z Custom... the top one, to be clear 😆☕🥁🥁🥁🎼🌌🚬

[@andersdo2925]

Man i had a 20” old Z power ride in the 80’s and sold it like a fool. miss that ride - although not very versatile in my opinion I regret letting it go!

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Not versatile at all. But when you need it you need it.

[@Bigredshred]

I have & love the original Z Heavy Power Ride! I also love the Paiste 3000 Rude Power Ride which is awesome too- though MUCH darker than the Z Heavy Power Ride. Anyone else have these? How do you think they compare?

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Never owned anything in the Rude line. Always too expensive. I’ve never found a deal anywhere in my life.

[@Bigredshred]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom My 22' Rude Power Ride was $225 used, but well worth it. It's really low pitched making it very different from the original Z Heavy Power Ride. Highly recommended!

[@6789drummerdude]

They really don’t make cymbals like they used to. I had an unlathed z 16” crash with star hammering from either the late 80s or early 90s, and I still haven’t found another cymbal with as much presence or character as that thing had. Sadly, I cracked it within the first couple of years of owning it (I played really hard back then). What I wouldn’t give to have a full set of those cymbals from that era. Zildjian needs to reissue some of these.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen any Z crashes in person. They didn’t last very long on average. I used to have a z custom 16” and it cracked pretty quickly. The hats and rides are legendary but the crashes and chinas are short lived.

[@anthonyblackmon5428]

Zildjian made the Z series then it was replaced with the Z custom and then like you said Z custom was replaced by Z3 series. When the Z, Z Custom, Z3 line was discontinued it was replaced with the A Heavy line. Like with the Mega Bell Ride you had the Z series one, Z Custom one and the Z3 one to where now it's the A Heavy series Mega Bell Ride

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I had not heard of the A heavy crashes. That’s interesting. They do look like they’d be a continuation of the Z lineage. Doesn’t look like they make hats or Chinas and the A mega bell is the only ride I see... unless I’m just unable to find them on the Zildjian website.

[@manosliapakes7086]

The old one

[@Mr.KingsThings]

I'd stay with the earlier model

[@Assimilator702]

Actually the Mega Bell Ride would be the ONE model that ran through all three Z series plus the new one in the A line.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Yes, megabell has been around for a long time, you’re right. They made at least 5 iterations: Z, 2x Z Custom, Z3, and A. In my mind they’re a different beast than these power rides and I’ve never had one to compare or demo. I’d like one for sure and they’re pretty awesome overall.

[@VjeranHursijević]

"Z" heavy power ride is best ride cymbal ever. It have power and strong "ping" like "earth" ride but with more dinamic.

[@Richlucch]

Perfect demo i was sick of seeing soft jazz and weird patterns that they weren’t intended for these heavy cymbals are for thrash and punk for sure

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Yeah, this! I hate metal cymbals demoed with jazz patterns and I also hate when someone violently crashes a jazz cymbal and hammers on the bell. Play the cymbal the way the end user is likely to play it so the true sound is represented. That’s what I try to do.

[@Richlucch]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom exactly, also what do you think about the Z custom mega bell compared to the heavy power ride? Ive been on the hunt for that cymbal for years. Heavy power ride might have darker overtones but not sure

[@runnningonempty]

They made a 16 ,18 crash I own them and the heavy ride I purchased new in 1989 The top finish was messy like the one you have since day one..

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Interesting. The crashes are rare these days.

[@darrenswan7252]

The bow of the older is nicer but the bell of the newer is better also the look of the new is much better

[@wotsitoscar]

I prefer the original Z heavy power ride 🤓

[@NEALBABBITT]

Heavy power ride has a more pleasing lower pitch.

[@mechanikbob]

Old z sounds warmer. But new have a modern sound

[@cenaga3]

Z Heavy Power sounds better for me (I got a 21" Z Custom Mega Bell Ride)

[@thomaskauser8978]

The prices are getting onerous.

[@TheDispather]

Z original od Better to me.

[@Wut88]

wow I sold that power ride for 100$ cause I changed to Paiste for a while and then Zildjian again, now I started using again the 2002 22" heavy ride I replaced the power Z custom, it was really popular in the late 90s early 2000, and boy the Z custom crashes sound like shit , specially compared to loud cymbals like Paiste rudes

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

the Z series has really only ever been popular for its rides and hats. the crashes and chinas and whatever else have always sort of been viewed as "meh" in comparison. Rude is the only other series that compares in terms of heavy music, though.

[@runnningonempty]

@@RyanAlexanderBloom Z crashes RULE THE FKN WORLD!....Rude is kids crap..You are to young to know...YOU ARE WAAAY WRONG! THIS MUST BE CNN

[@winstonwolff]

No comparison the 80s were better

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I’ve got 2 rides and a hat that “match” from that era. Very useful for playing extremely loud.