A Custom 18" China

Group: Chinas
Type: China
Size: 18 Inch
Series: A Custom
Weight: 1242g (2010 Serial Number), 1280g (2016 Serial Number), 1293g, 1308g (2014 Serial Number), 1311g, 1318g (2019 Serial Number), 1334g, 1337g, 1344g, 1345g, 1352g (2010 Serial Number)
Median Weight: 1318g (n=11)
Years of production: 1996 - ?
Sound file: A Custom 18" China
A Custom 18" China
A Custom 18" China
A Custom 18" China
A Custom 18" China
A Custom 18" China
A Custom 18" China
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The A Custom Chinas, while not being as scary as the Oriental Classics, are unique in that they are the first Chinas to be introduced in the A Custom line. It's very interesting to hear how the A Custom sound—clear, airy, and bright—merges with a China design. Yes, there's that beautiful shimmer and texture, but it's coming out of a lower, trashier China effect.

The A Custom China is available in 18" and 20" sizes. The cymbals are thin, helping to produce an explosive attack sound with a short decay. The 18" is particularly fast, but with a clean shimmer that is unique for Chinas. It works well for that punctuating, short-crash effect. The 20", while having a big crash sound, is particularly fun to ride on. The typical, trashy China sound mixed with the shimmer of the A Custom line made for a ride sound that cut through the band in a musical, not annoying way. This might be the China cymbal for people who find China cymbals to be a bit too harsh."

Review written by William F. Miller "Product Close-Up - A Zildjian Potpourri" (Modern Drummer, July 1997, p. 44)

Review: "Zildjian first released a China cymbal back in the 1950’s in collaboration with Gene Krupa, calling it a Pang cymbal (the collaboration also resulted in the Swish, which is like a Pang, only higher pitched and with more wash). The China went out of production for a while, then came back. Not only does the China cymbal continue to be manufactured today, but in several styles. This Zildjian 18″ A Custom China Crash looks similar to the original ones, except that it is in a brilliant finish. The sound remains classic though.

The lathing is fine, all the way out to the edge, and includes the bell. The sound is standard China, as compared to some of the unusual variations seen these days, including the ones with holes in them. I did not strike the cymbal very hard for the sound sample because I wanted you to be able to hear all the undertones. But, China cymbals can be one of the loudest cymbals in your kit."

Review written by John E. Johnson, Jr. ("Zildjian 18″ A Custom China Crash Cymbal", hometheaterhifi.com, March 8, 2011)

Artist/song where it can be heard: