K Custom Cymbals Join Zildjian Product Line

Mar 06, 2004

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The Zildjian Company introduced the new K Custom Session line of cymbals. Designed with Steve Gadd and featuring his distinctive cymbal sound, the K Custom Session line includes 14" Hi-Hats, 16" and 18" Crashes, and an 18" Ride.

Steve Gadd worked with the Zildjian Sound Lab for several years to reproduce the sound of his cymbals. Paul Francis, R&D Project Specialist, commented, "Steve's 18" Ride, specially selected by Armand Zildjian over twenty years ago, was the inspiration for creating the 'Steve Gadd sound'."

The K Custom Session 14" HiHats are unique in that they have a heavier top and lighter bottom, which is preferred by Steve. The HiHats feature a medium weight top and a medium-thin bottom, and have a sharp, defined "chick". The 16" and 18" crashes are thin in weight and have a low, dark sound with a quick decay. Unlike the HiHats and Crashes, the 18" Ride is unlathed with a Brilliant finish, and utilizes new hammering techniques with a more controlled sound that is low in pitch but with enough spread to ride on top of the music. Like Gadd himself, the new K Custom Session cymbals are versatile enough for many playing and recording situations.

The first call drummer for Eric Clapton, Steve Gadd also has split his time over the past few years recoding and touring with Paul Simon and James Taylor. Gadd was the 2003 recipient of the American Drummers Achievement Awards, which pays tribute to the world's legendary drummers. Previous winners of the award include Louie Bellson, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones and Max Roach.

K CUSTOM SESSION HIHAT

• 14" M/MT - Pair - $520
• 14" M - Top - $260
• 14" MT - Bottom - $260

K CUSTOM SESSION CRASH

• 16" - $310
• 18" - $362

K CUSTOM SESSION RIDE

• 18" - $362

For more information, visit their web site at www.zildjian.com.