Zildjian K Constantinople 24" Light

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K Con 24 Light 1.jpg
K Con 24 Light 2.jpg
K Con 24 Light 3.jpg

Group: Rides
Type: Light
Size: 24 Inch
Series: K Constantinople
Weight: 3180g (2021 Serial Number), 3218g, 3230g, 3274g, 3308g, 3348g, 3370g, 3373g, 3379g, 3379g (2003 Serial Number), 3384g, 3395g, 3398g
Years of production: 1999 -
Sound file: K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
K Constantinople 24" Light
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "All of my preceding comments are especially true of the 24" K Constantinople Light ride. Few drummers would be likely to choose this as their primary, general-purpose ride cymbal. It's dark, it's super trashy, and its definition can be washed out by the ringing undertones it produces. It also has an amazingly big sound, fat overtones, and wonderful sustain.
A cymbal this large must be played with thought and discretion. As Elvin Jones observed in an MD cover story a few years back, a cymbal can be a formidable weapon: If you don't like one of the musicians you're playing with, you can just drown him out with aride cymbal. Although the 24" K Constantinople Light ride could certainly serve such a purpose, its musical potential is much more impressive.
For drummers who like a dark, rich timbre that forms a cushion of sound underneath the other instruments, this cymbal's thick overtones and long sustain should prove to be popular. True, at a fast bebop tempo, the rhythmic definition tends to get lost in awash of overtones and undertones. But for medium tempos, and especially for ballads, the cymbal is perfect for a fat, legato pulse with overtones that sizzle like water thrown in a hot skillet.
Some drummers who like to really lay into a ride favor smaller cymbals (or even flat models) so that they can play aggressively without overpowering a band. Conversely, this "oversized" cymbal could be useful to drummers who prefer to play with a light touch, but who need a bigger sound for certain situations. Played lightly, even at faster tempos, the articulation isn't as prone to being washed out.
While I've always been aware that different sticks can bring out different aspects of a cymbal's personality, I was amazed at how responsive this cymbal was to different types of sticks and shapes of beads. This is due to the cymbal's large surface area and relatively light weight. When played with light-weight sticks (like Zildjian's maple Acoustic Combo, Pro-Mark's Elvin Jones model, or Joe Porcaro's 7A Diamond Tip), the higher, brighter overtones were more prominent and the undertone was reduced. I got a similar effect with a Regal Tip nylon-tip 5A. With a more meaty stick (such as a Firth 5A and 5B, a Vater New Orleans Jazz, or a Zildjian Louie Bellson Saturn Tip), more of the mid-range over-tones were obvious. There was also a good balance between definition and overtones/undertones (provided I didn't start bashing). With extremely small-beaded sticks (like a Firth Peter Erskine), the cymbal was at its darkest.
Some drummers may feel that this cymbal is simply too big, too dark, and too uncontrollable. And for some situations it may very well be all of those things. But in other settings such a cymbal could fit the music like a warm glove—providing it is played with the right touch."
Review written by Rick Mattingly ("Product Close-Up - New Zildjian K Constantinople Rides", Modern Drummer, May 2000, p.38)
Artist/song where it can be heard: