Sounds ideal! I just bought one just like yours it's a Got it yesterday, but the eBay seller told me he got it new a couple of years ago (What? Really?) (He gave me a link, and it sounded what I was looking for) This morning, I found Zildjian manufacturing date info, (2003 JC on the serial) and the cymbal looks and sounds like yours! I am happy with it and it was just under $300 USD, with shipping! I wanted a newer one, because years ago I bought one and did not like it, and sold it, gongy crash, and it felt like it was a cracked and had too little wash. If I would have got one like yours (and my new one) I would have never sold it and that was 20 years ago!
We all have regrets especially when it comes to gear, I have bought and sold a few of these looking for the right one (like this one) and the very first one I bought was average. I tried and tried to like it but it was like a chunk of metal with a Zildjian logo on it.
I have never heard one in person but I have been intrigued by them, this is definitely the best model of the special dry rides, love that old hammering.
I use the same old Zildjians on every gig and most recording jobs, but I'm always switching out the ride, depending on the band and the room. I have one like yours, just a little heavier and drier, but in the right context, just perfect. Congrats! Not many happier places on earth than behind your kit, grooving on a ride that sounds and feels just right in that particular place and time.
This ride is always in heavy rotation between this and the K Custom Dark ride and now a little bit of he K Custom 90's ride. Of course playing right now isn't an option but I can stand, hit and appreciate them.
Beautiful. It has just enough cut - not like a projection ride, but enough to not be obnoxious. And it has just enough wash, but not weak, like one of my washy Dream-brand Rides.
Dream cymbals are underrated as they do make some of the most delicious pies I have ever heard. This ride just has the perfect balance and yes it's not overbearing or obnoxious.
unfortunately ,like many cymbals ,some didn't come out of the oven quite as nice as yours .Found one locally and it played stiff as a brick. the holy grail ride quest continues !
Z has been making these for years and they have made changes through the generations. The older batches were way heavier (this looks like one of them) the newer ones (2017 onwards) are lighter and have different hammering, giving more dryness and crash
I love mine. Great definition, just enough wash, nice crash and surprisingly good bell. Got it new in 2003. It's been my main ride right up until this weekend. I found a 20" 90s K Brilliant that has the sound I've heard in my head for many years. So now, the Custom Special dry is the "Left Side Ride" (but on the right 😉).
I really love the timbre of the older version of this ride.. I had a couple or three, but was foolish enough to part with them along similar lines to what described as "I took it on the gig..."
I have tried and played so many of the older ones (like this one) over the years and this is the first one with a nice amount of wash, gigs always bring out the "yeah this isn't sitting well in my setup" sort of vibe. I have questioned so many bits of gear over the years with gigs.
What year did you say this one was? Or what are the first two letters in the serial? I’ve had 2 of these and let them go, and just ordered my 3rd (from 2011) and hoping this is the one that sticks around. Thanks.
I just looked it up but has to squint my eyes hard as the text is so tiny on the cymbal and it's a JT model so that dates it back to 2006. I feel your pain on your search as like you I went through a few of these.
@@IAMDRUMMER Super, SUPER, super dry. I thought they sounded great in videos, as well. Not your avg rock/ alternative cymbal. Next to ZERO wash. great ping, but zero wash. maybe for an experimental, quiet jazz trio. Or something crazy metal where you're basically using the ride as a time-keeper... You should try one!
The two stores who have them online for sale can't be located and I really don't want to order one in, so the one you have was like a bright version of the K Custom Dry Ride, all ping and no wash.
@IAMDRUMMER Probably something like that, yeah. I think it's a bit heavier than the k custom dry - Not as "waffly" or thin, so it had some good stick definition. -Beautiful stick definition, actually - but it was just so, so, soo dry that it rendered itself unusable for myself. Crashing on it was useless, almost...
Can't say I can relate to the guns part but I do get what you mean, I have very rarely regretted selling off certain gear but when I sold the heavy version of this cymbal I didn't think twice, others I have lost sleep over.
