In an earlier published article on Drummerszone.com about the Musikmesse International Press Awards you will find an overview of the most important price winners for drums. Click here to read the article that covers all price winners.

K Custom Hybrid Series
Designed with one of Japan’s top drummers, Akira Jimbo, the K Custom Hybrid Series features two distinctly different finishes on each cymbal model. This unique design results in the possibility of both bright and dark tones depending on how and where the cymbal is played. The range includes a 20-inch Ride, 17 and 19-inch Crashes, 9 and 11-inch Splashes, a 19-inch China and 13¼-inch HiHats. Besides the unorthodox size, another unique feature of the HiHats is the reverse Mastersound “Hybrid” hammering around the outer edge of the bottom HiHat for increased surface area contact between the cymbals and a warmer “chick” sound.

Akira Jimbo has been a leader in the Japanese music scene for nearly two decades and continues to gain international acclaim for his mastery of the drum kit. Akira was also a headlining performer at this year’s Musikmesse and was on hand at the Zildjian booth to sign autographs and celebrate the win.

Akira said,

“It meant a lot to me that the Hybrid line received this award. I thank all the great people at Zildjian who worked so hard to create these cymbals. I believe the success of the Hybrids is the result of the friendship that I’ve had with Zildjian for 27 years. It’s not very long compared to over 380 years of Zildjian history, but it certainly means we have been sharing something very special.”

Brad Baker (Vice President - Chief Marketing Officer) added,

“We are proud to be recognized by the industry and to have worked with a great artist such as Akira in the development of the K Custom Hybrid line. An exciting moment for the Zildjian Company.”

The K Custom Hybrid Series debuted at the 2006 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA and began shipping to dealers March 1, 2006. Zildjian also received the 2004 M.I.P.A award for the K Custom Session Series designed with Steve Gadd.