Zildjian ZBT Cymbal > Reviews (3)

Zildjan ZBT Cymbals

My first......Drum Cymbal!!

Well, I love Zildjian cymbals over any other, the relativley new Zildjian ZBT Cymbals are 'budget' cymbals made from Zildjian Bronze Techology, hence the name ZBT. Zildjian have mainly succeded in producing good quality cymbals, however there are one or two cymbals that don't live up to the Zildjain standard

Cymbals in the ZBT range;

8" ZBT SPLASH
13" ZBT HIHATS
14" ZBT HIHATS
14" ZBT ROCK HIHATS
14" ZBT CRASH
16" ZBT CRASH
16" ZBT ROCK CRASH
18" ZBT ROCK CRASH
18" ZBT CRASH
18" ZHT CRASH RIDE
10" ZBT SPLASH
18" ZBT CHINA
20" ZBT RIDE
20" ZBT ROCK RIDE

Box sets include;

ZBT 4 CYMBAL SET-UP
ZBT 4 PRO CYMBAL SET-UP
ZBT EXPANDER CYMBAL SET
ZBT 3 CYMBAL SET-UP
ZBT ROCK CYMBAL SET-UP

It is best to buy a boxed set to save money, I purchased each Cymbal for my kit seperatley and wasted a lot of money. I would only advise someone not to buy a boxed set if they were looking for specific cymbals!

ZBTs Explained

Zildjian Bronze Technology starts with two identical pieces of bronze sheet metal which are then shaped, hammered and lathed until they sound just right. ZBTs have a higher pitch and a faster decay than Cast Bronze cymbals but are more consistent.

My Kit

On my kit I have at of 14" ZBT Hi- Hats, 16" ZBT Crash, 20" ZBT Ride and an 8" Splash (which is made by Sabian not zildjian).
I find that all the cymbals 'fit' together well but I find the 16 ZBT Crash very dissapointing. It looks part with its Zildjan logo and stamp like any other Zildjian cymbal but it just doesn't sound like a crash. It is quite quiet because it is so heavy, it doesn't move, whilst other ZBTs are lighter and sound a lot better. I do not like the crash at all it may be suitable for 'Heavier' Rock when hitting the bells out of it is acceptable but not other types of genres!!

A decent ZBT kit

From what experiance I have with cymbals; I would take two 14" Crash cymbals and make them into hi hats whilst using a 16" ZBT Rock Crash as Crash 1 and 18" ZBT Rock Crash as Crash 2 then I would use a 20" ZBT Ride in its normal place!!

Two 14"Crash cymbals as hi-hats sound pretty good together, the are crisp but decay quickly. Exactly what I like hi-hats to be like!!

A tip with drumsticks

If you happen to have just brought a new starter drum kit with these cymbals, throw the complimentary drum sticks away and go buy a pair of Vic Firth 5A's/7A's these drum sticks bring out the sound of ZBTs really well
Of corse this is my personal opinion, I am only trying to give advice on the matter.

Other Cymbals in the Zildjian Sheet Metal Range

ZHT Series Ultimate Sheet Bronze Cymbals.
ZXT Series Superior Sheet Bronze Cymbals

These cymbals are a higher quality but more expensive.

Conclusion

These cymbals are great for the first time buyer, I recommend purchasing a boxed set so you can save money but then start to play around with the cymbals to get them just how you want them. umming is one of the most independent things to do. No one else can set up your drum kit to how you exactly want it everyone is different. Get a pair of ZBTs they are cheaper thanoher models but sound great. I personally find Zildjian to be the best cymbal maker but everyone has different points of view.