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Description

Crafted for the discerning percussionist, the 20" Zildjian Earth Ride offers a unique blend of raw power and nuanced articulation. This ride cymbal is forged from the finest bronze alloy, renowned for its durability and its capacity to produce a distinctive, earthy tone. The unlathed finish contributes to its complex sound profile, providing a dry and controlled ride with minimal overtones. Whether you're driving the beat in a high-energy rock ensemble or laying down a subtle groove in a jazz combo, this cymbal's robust character ensures it stands out.

The Earth Ride's heavy weight and solid construction offer increased projection and stick definition, making it ideal for drummers who prefer a more pronounced attack and a consistent, focused resonance. Its versatility allows it to seamlessly integrate into various musical styles, offering a compelling voice that can both dominate and complement a mix. Designed with input from professional musicians, this ride cymbal promises to elevate your performance to new heights.

Key Features:

  • 20-inch ride cymbal with a distinctive, earthy tone
  • Unlathed finish for a dry, controlled sound
  • Heavy weight for powerful projection and stick definition
  • Made from premium bronze alloy for exceptional durability
  • Versatile sound suitable for a range of musical styles
  • Ideal for both live performances and studio recordings

Product specs

Brand Zildjian
Model 20" A Series Earth Ride Cymbal
Finish Traditional, Traditional
Year 1982 - 2007
Made In United States
Categories Ride Cymbals
Diameter 20"

FAQs

What sound characteristics can I expect from the 20" Zildjian Earth Ride?

The 20" Zildjian Earth Ride offers a unique sound with great ping and dryness, minimal overtones, and a lower pitch compared to typical ride cymbals. It's well-suited for drummers seeking a distinct, earthy tone.

Is the 20" Zildjian Earth Ride suitable for all music genres?

While the 20" Zildjian Earth Ride excels in genres requiring distinct articulation and minimal overtones, such as jazz or rock, its unique sound may not fit every musical style. It's ideal for drummers seeking a specific, dry ride sound.

How does the finish of the 20" Zildjian Earth Ride affect its sound?

The traditional finish of the 20" Zildjian Earth Ride contributes to its dry, earthy sound by reducing overtones and enhancing stick articulation. This finish is key to achieving the cymbal's distinctive tonal qualities.

The Drum Thing

The Drum Thing

The Zildjian Earth Ride.

Video thumbnail for The Zildjian Earth Ride. by The Drum Thing

The Zildjian Earth Ride.

The Drum Thing

The Drum Thing

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 20" A Earth Ride - 3735g by The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

Zildjian 20" A Earth Ride - 3735g

The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 20'' A Earth Ride (3814g) by The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

Zildjian 20'' A Earth Ride (3814g)

The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

Video thumbnail for Used Zildjian A 20" Earth Ride - 3554g (UA0090-1040122T) by Memphis Drum Shop

Used Zildjian A 20" Earth Ride - 3554g (UA0090-1040122T)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Video thumbnail for Zildjian Earth Ride 20” 3762 grams by Hazelshould Drums & Cymbals

Zildjian Earth Ride 20” 3762 grams

Hazelshould Drums & Cymbals

Hazelshould Drums & Cymbals

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 20" Earth Ride Cymbal 3153g by Hawthorne Drum Shop

Zildjian 20" Earth Ride Cymbal 3153g

Hawthorne Drum Shop

Hawthorne Drum Shop

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 20" Zildjian earth ride.

Features and functionality

  • The 20" Zildjian Earth Ride is unlathed except for its bell, which enhances its distinct sound profile.

    Source
  • The Earth Ride's sound is described as having a hard, short, loud, industrial ping.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners appreciate its suitability as a "secret metal ride," indicating its effectiveness in heavier music genres.

    Source
  • The 20" K Custom Dry Ride, at 2809 grams, offers a similar "clang" when attempted to crash, but has a very dark sound that may not cut through dense mixes.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Some buyers in Australia report difficulty finding Earth Rides for under $800 AUD, highlighting its rarity and value in certain markets.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners describe the Earth Ride as initially unusual but increasingly appealing with continued play, indicating a unique sound that grows on users.

    Source
  • Owners note that attempting to crash the Earth Ride results in a harsh, undesirable sound often described as creating "negative space."

    Source
  • Owners find the Earth Ride to be among the heaviest and pingiest cymbals available, often described as having a "dead clang" with no wash.

    Source

Other

  • Earth Rides were introduced in 1979 and a serial number post-1994 helps date them, with 2003 being the end of production for the 22" model.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Earth Ride is approximately 3/16” thick, contributing to its durability and distinctive ping.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Earth Ride is likened to playing on a "manhole cover," similar to the Mega Bell Ride in terms of its dense, unyielding nature.

    Source
  • The Paiste Rude Mega Power Ride 24” weighs around 4500g, offering a heavier alternative to the Earth Ride.

    Source
  • Meinl's mb10 bell blast ride is noted for an exceptionally loud bell, making it a potential alternative for those seeking extreme volume.

    Source
  • Sabian's AA Metal-X ride is reported as the heaviest and "too pingy," suggesting an alternative for those seeking extreme ping characteristics.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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1 star
apbeddoes

earthy bronze

had this cymbal since 1994 bought off a pal its been dropped on the floor by a bass player and it still keeps going. its my current first choice along with a 20" medium ride i use as a crash ride...great in the studio and live orsum bell and very dark sounding ...makes mice deaf !

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stephen Morris uses 20" Zildjian earth ride

Stephen Morris

Drummer, Keyboardist

Joy Division

...
Verified via Mixdownmag

"Throughout the recording of Unknown Pleasures, drummer Stephen Morris played a traditional Rogers concert kit with a 14-inch Gretsch snare, 12, 13, 14 and 15 inch hanging toms, 15-inch Super Zyn hi-hats, 20-inch Earth ride cymbals, and 18 and 14 inch Zildjan crash cymbals."

See how Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett uses 20" Zildjian earth ride

Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett

Drummer

Michael Jackson (band)

...
Verified via Modern Drummer Magazine

Listed here as using this ride cymbal.

Album Usage

The 20" Zildjian earth ride has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use 20" Zildjian earth ride, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
ariansyari_

ariansyari_

Gear IQ 204

de_enigma

de_enigma

Gear IQ 199

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    Gear IQ 143