Zildjian ZBT Plus 20" Studio Ride
Group: Rides
Type: Studio Ride
Size: 20 Inch
Series: ZBT Plus
Weight: ?g
Years of production: 1998* - 2002
Sound File: unknown
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "I consider this cymbal a real gem among our test group. The ZBT-PLUS series is the higher of Zildjian's two "value priced" lines. The cymbals are what Zildjian calls "sheet bronze" models, meaning that they are made of pre-rolled B8 bronze alloy, as opposed to being cast from more expensive B20 alloy and then rolled and formed individually. This keeps the cost of manufacturing—and the resulting purchase price down.
Cymbals made of B8 alloy tend to favor higher pitches, and are generally a little more one-dimensional than lines cast from B20 alloy. This doesn't make them inferior, just different in their tonality and perhaps in their musical applications. But because of these characteristics, cymbals in lines like the ZBT-PLUS series tend to be targeted toward younger, rock-oriented players looking for combinations of volume, durability, and low price. So ride cymbals in these lines have heretofore been pretty heavy and loud.
Zildjian has taken things in a totally different direction with the ZBT-PLUS Studio ride. This 20" ride is thinner than other models in the line, and features a much smaller bell. These characteristics give it a nice blend of stick attack and articulation, with a few nice "washy" undertones but without any significant build-up of "gongy" overtones. The clarity of the B8 alloy works to good advantage here, allowing the cymbal to project cleanly and clearly without having to get obnoxious about it. That's not to say that this cymbal can't get loud. It certainly can. But it offers a much more focused sound than most cymbals of its type, allowing for more overall control. The only thing the ZBT-PLUS Studio ride doesn't offer is a super bell sound—simply owing to the fact of its smaller bell design.
In addition to its role as a student or semi-pro ride, I could see the ZBT-PLUS Studio ride serving very respectably in a variety of professional applications."
Review written by Rick Van Horn ("Product Close-up - New Zildjian Cymbals", Modern Drummer, March 1999, p. 53)
Artist/song where it can be heard:
Source:
(*) "New And Notable - A Zillion New Zildjians" (Modern Drummer, February 1999, p. 38)
