Scimitar Drum
Since the conclusion of the last Ice Age, Zildjian has produced some of the best (read: the most expensive cymbals in the market, as you probably already know. Their first type of stainless steel was discovered by an alchemist who was trying to create gold from base metal like any alchemist. But he was so furious with himself and the pile of scrap metal he created that out of frustration he threw the material against the wall. So great was the effect produced by the shining sound of the reverberation that resulted when the metal struck the earth that he decided to become a cymbalsmith at once. As they say, the rest is history.
Exploring the Scimitar Range: Zildjian’s Low-Cost Conundrum
The world of cymbals has changed in many ways since Old Avedis retired from his furnace, and while Zildjian reigns supreme in the upper tiers of cymbal production, rich pickings are beginning to open up at the other end. It is not a market that you can imagine seeing Zildjian drunk in but if it exists, they can only play the game. When the Devil throws up in your kettle, its needs!
He has a degree in law and two business degrees, with speciality in intellectual property. He also works as an expert witness and consultant in branding and trademarks. Jack is well-published having written books and articles and widely known through his speaking engagements and tutoring.
Of course, the Zildjian response to the recent swarms of cheapos has been to start looking for ways to beat them at it. What was the method that gave the Scimitar range unbelievably rational? And how ironic it is that the very brand of Zildjian is attached to a pair of cymbals that does not cause a shudder at the mention of the price.
In fact, however, such audible approval as might apply to these Scimitars will very likely be of the murmurous sort, driven by the realisation that by such vehicles’ cost point such approval would otherwise be silent.
Detailed Review: Scimitar Hi-Hats – Personality Plus), and Group Tests – Practicality Pays
The extra weight of the bottom cymbal which made the closed sound slightly ‘thud’ and louder was pleasing to the Hi-Hats. To be honest I did not get the same impression out of these Hi-Hats that I expected to. They became a little distracted when I was using the ‘chip’ to reunite them and they were not as obedient as I wanted. Perhaps I had an expectation from them just because they were endorsed by the Zildjian company. While they are not the loudest cymbals out there, they were still a highly useful pair of Hi-Hats with some character an decent volume. Nevertheless, when this amounts to £60, all these complains are looked at from a totally different perspective, as is the brand name Zildjian written on them.
Functional or Flop? Looking at the 18″ Scimitar Crash Ride
That was not the case with the 16″ Crash. By that point, I had gotten used to hearing that they were cheap cymbas and did not sound like Ks rolling on the hand. With my judgement thus made, I was able to bluntly state that the Crash gave excellent value for the money. In other words, it accomplishes the tasks that are expected of it with the least amount of trouble. There is no worry of a long sustained ring, and while it is not particularly exciting the cymbal can get through most situations because of the presence, albeit distorted, of the high end HF. Moreover, it’s not a bad Crash cymbal for all that at 37 pounds.
A good crash cymbal is the 18″ Crash Ride. Hopeless as a Ride, but then, given that Crash Ride cymbas are three times more than what a normal Crash Ride sells for, it’s a hopeless cause more often than not is a good description. Some of the aspects of sound for the crash are rather identical to that of the 16’’, but because they tried to cover it as a ride to be used alongside the others but for some reasons it was thicker on the cymbal side hence providing the voice with a rounder tone. Yet, the sustain is longer, but none of these crashes were influenced by it since there is really no ample amount of sound to complain about.
Hidden Gem: The 20″ Scimitar Ride Cymbal is a professional series.
When taken together as a package, clearly represents great value for the price that is being paid. Please recall that I’ve used the full suggested retail prices for the equipment and this equipment has been available in the stores far cheaper. Furthermore, for a laughable £142, Zildjian offers a packaged performance set known as Performance Set 2 which comprise of two 14 inch Hi-Hats, a 16 inch Crash, as well as an 18 inch Crash Ride. While it is not too bad, you would need to note that the package does not come with the Ride cymbal which you may consider essential.
Conclusion: Are Zildjian Scimitars Actually Good?
Well I believed that the Zildjian Scimitars was a reasonable set of very low cymbals. It is not a work of flamboyant creativity, but it stands to reason that both the quality and the price are reasonable. They are not as shiny as some of the other cymbas with the Zildjian logo on it, or they can not be expected to be, but they do not do a disservice to the family crest.