13-inch HiHats
The new 13-inch HiHats are an addition to the premium K Constantinople line and offer a higher pitched and more controlled version of the existing, classic 14-inch K Constantinople HiHats.

Soft, delicate and subtle without being mushy, the 13-inch K Constantinople HiHats have a unique, ultra-warm and dark sound. They produce a very dry and warm “chick” that is still full-bodied with plenty of presence and are ideal for acoustic jazz and studio work.

K Constantinople Ride cymbals
Four new 20 and 22-inch K Constantinople Ride cymbals have been added to the cymbal line that has helped to define the “Jazz Ride” sound.

Featuring 20 and 22-inch sizes, the new K Constantinople Hi Bell Rides explore a bell shape that was modeled after a 100 year-old pair of Zildjian Orchestral cymbals. The larger surface area of the bell provides a wider range of frequencies, yet is not overpowering.

The Hi Bell Rides also feature a combination of traditional K Constantinople lathing and innovative “Spiral” lathing techniques. The new technique of Spiral lathing allows the cymbal to remain controlled while still making the Ride “crashable” and delivering an articulate stick sound. The Spiral lathing is employed from the bell to the middle of the cymbal only, with traditional lathing on the remainder of the cymbal. These models include the K Constantinople Hi Bell Thin Ride-High, Thin Ride-Low and Medium Thin Ride-Low.

Available in a 22-inch size only, the K Constantinople Hi Bell Dry Ride is the only new Ride to feature full Spiral lathing. This design prevents the cymbal from opening up as much as the half Spiral lathed models while keeping the cymbal crashable.

Steve Smith: “The 22-inch K Constantinople Hi Bell is my favorite Ride cymbal hands down. It has a clear, dry stick sound but enough wash so the cymbal flows and has a smooth feel for me and for the musicians I\'m playing with. I\'m using it as my main Ride in all the groups I\'m touring and recording with, Vital Information, Steps Ahead, Soulbop and Buddy\'s Buddies. Dave Liebman who plays in my newest group, Flashpoint, spent years touring and recording with the great Elvin Jones, and said it was one of the best cymbals he\'s ever heard.”

Flat Ride
The K Constantinople Flat Ride is clearly identifiable by its extreme stick articulation. Specifically designed with a thinner weight, these new Rides deliver an open yet clear Flat Ride sound. Brad Baker, vice president and chief marketing officer said, “When you dig into them, you immediately hear the stick sound, see the edge wobble and feel why these are a natural addition to the K Constantinople line. With all the different dynamics that you can get out of these new Rides, you can really bring your personality out. You can really hear what you feel.”

Zildjian developed prototype K Constantinople Flat Rides specifically for consumer feedback at the 2004 PASIC show in Louisville, KY and on the 2005 Steve Gadd Clinic Tour. Several Zildjian Artists also tested the final design of the Rides on their regular gigs before the official release.

Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny Group): “The 22-inch Flat Ride I have is incredibly crystal clear. It cuts through amazingly well but, at the same time, has a very distinctive warmth to it. I love to use it as a riding alternative to my other Constantinoples because they compliment each other in a way that is hard to find in new cymbals.”

Fast Crashes and Fast Splashes
The new A Zildjian Fast Crashes follow the success of the A Custom Fast Crashes introduced in 2002. True to their name, these new Fast Crashes have a smooth, fast decay. Following a strong initial attack, these cymbals are bright, full bodied and musical. The thinner weight provides for a soft, “buttery” feel and plenty of playability.

The A Zildjian Fast Splashes have a smaller bell than traditional Splashes, giving them their unique reactive response and a bright, cutting Splash sound. The new A Zildjian Fast Crashes and Fast Splashes both feature traditional A Zildjian lathing techniques, Paper-Thin weights and a Traditional finish.

After playing the new A Zildjian Fast Crashes, Matt Sorum of Velvet Revolver commented, “These cymbals have a nice brilliant sound and really jump out at you. They also have a nice attack and decay. They are in the tradition with the A’s but a newer, hipper, and more modern version. Zildjian is always trying new ideas and that’s a good thing!”

The new A Zildjian Fast Crashes and Fast Splashes are available in sizes 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18-inch, and 8, 10 and 12-inch sizes, respectively.

About the K Constantinople range
The “K” sound had its origin in the city of Constantinople, late in the 19th century, when Kerope Zildjian put his name on the family’s cymbals during his tenure as keeper of the Zildjian flame. During the 50’s and 60’s the great drummers of the Bebop era found the warmer, darker tones of the Turkish made K Zildjian cymbals ideal for their exciting new music. The “K” sound became legendary having been captured on the many classic recordings of the time featuring such greats as Max Roach, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones.

Zildjian first revived this classic sound in 1998 under the direction of Armand Zildjian himself. Since then Zildjian’s Sound Lab has continued to research and reproduce the techniques that helped craft Kerope’s cymbals.

K Constantinoples are hand crafted by skilled artisans using old-world cutting tools. Pits and other surface impurities, that modern finish processes remove, are retained, preserving the original tonal quality.