Zildjian has been making cymbals since 1623 — longer than most countries have existed — and the company's position at the top of the cymbal market is not simply the result of four centuries of marketing. The Zildjian A series is genuinely the benchmark that every other cymbal manufacturer measures against and the K series is the choice of jazz and studio players who need something warmer and more complex. Understanding the difference between them and what each series is actually for changes how you shop for cymbals permanently.
Used Zildjian cymbals are one of the best value purchases in drumming. Bronze cymbals do not wear out the way drumheads do — a well-maintained Zildjian A or K series cymbal from twenty years ago sounds identical to a new one and shows up on Reverb regularly at prices well below retail.
How Zildjian Makes Cymbals — Why It Matters
Zildjian cymbals are made from a proprietary bronze alloy — B20, which is 80% copper and 20% tin — that the company has been using for centuries. The alloy is cast into bell-shaped cups, rolled into sheets, shaped, hammered, and lathed to create the final cymbal. The hammering process — both machine and hand hammering depending on the series — creates the surface texture that affects how the cymbal responds to a stick and how it sounds.
The lathing process removes material from the bronze in a spiral pattern. More lathing produces a brighter, more cutting sound with a faster decay. Less lathing — or no lathing in unlathed areas — produces a darker, warmer sound with more complex overtones and a longer sustain. This is the fundamental difference between the A and K series.
Zildjian A Series — The Standard
The A series is Zildjian's core production line and the cymbal that defines what most players mean when they imagine a standard cymbal sound. A series cymbals are fully lathed, medium weight, and produce a bright, cutting, focused sound with clear stick definition and a controlled sustain. They project well in loud environments and cut through a band mix without requiring you to hit them harder than they should be hit.
The A series is the right choice for rock, pop, country, funk, and any style where projection and clarity matter more than warmth and complexity. They are also the most affordable Zildjian production line which makes them the correct starting point for most drummers who are not yet certain what tonal character they prefer.
A Series Hi-Hats
The Zildjian A New Beat hi-hats are the most popular hi-hat combination in the world and have been for decades. The medium bottom and heavy top combination produces a crisp open sound and a tight closed chick that works across most playing situations. The 14-inch size is standard. Used A New Beat hi-hats on Reverb in good condition run $150 to $250 for a pair.
A Series Ride
The 20-inch A Medium Ride is the most commonly used ride cymbal in rock and pop drumming. Clear stick definition, a usable bell, and enough wash at high volumes without losing control. Used examples run $100 to $180.
A Series Crash
A series crashes come in 14 through 20 inch sizes. The 16-inch and 18-inch are the most common combination. Fast attack, medium sustain, and a clear decay that does not linger into the next musical phrase. Used A series crashes run $60 to $120 each depending on size.
Zildjian A Custom Series — Brighter and Faster
The A Custom series uses a different alloy blend and an alternative lathing pattern that produces a brighter, more cutting sound than the standard A series. A Custom cymbals have a faster response and a more modern character that suits contemporary rock and pop production. They are slightly more expensive than standard A series and show up used at a small premium over standard A examples.
Zildjian K Series — The Jazz and Studio Standard
The K series is where Zildjian makes cymbals for players who need something fundamentally different from the A series character. K series cymbals are darker, warmer, more complex, and less focused than A series. They blend into a band mix rather than cutting through it. They respond more expressively to different stick types and velocities. They are the choice of jazz drummers, session players, and anyone who needs a cymbal that sounds musical in a quiet or dynamic context rather than powerful in a loud one.
K series cymbals are more expensive than A series and the used market reflects this — used K series hi-hats run $200 to $400 for a pair and used K series rides run $150 to $350. They are worth the premium for players whose music genuinely benefits from the warmer character.
Zildjian L80 Low Volume Series — For Practice and Small Spaces
The L80 series reduces cymbal volume by approximately 80% through a perforated bronze design that limits how much air the cymbal moves. They feel like real cymbals and respond like real cymbals while producing a volume that does not require hearing protection or angry neighbors. For drummers who practice at home or in shared spaces the L80 series is a genuinely practical purchase.
What to Check Before Buying Used Zildjian Cymbals
Keyholing — the wear around the center hole where the cymbal tilter contacts the bronze — is the most common issue on used cymbals. Minor keyholing is cosmetic and does not affect sound. Severe keyholing can cause the cymbal to crack from the center hole outward and should be avoided.
Cracks anywhere on the cymbal — from the edge, from a keyhole, or through the bell — are terminal. A cracked cymbal cannot be repaired and will continue cracking until it fails. Walk away from any cymbal with a visible crack regardless of how attractive the price is.
Find your Zildjian cymbals on Reverb — used bronze cymbals from a reputable manufacturer are one of the best value purchases in music gear and the Zildjian used market is consistently deep.
Follow Phantom Power Gear on Pinterest for more gear tips and recommendations.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
