Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride

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$320.12 to $444.95 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (27)

7 Reviews

Find out who is using Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride

2 community setups

5 wishlisted

62 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

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5.0 (5)

$444.95

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5.0 (11)

$444.95

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5.0 (30)

$444.95 New

$400.46 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (17)

$320.12 30 available New

$230.67 17 available Used

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5.0 (52)

$444.95

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4.8 (16)

$387.00 $381.00 $6.00 · All time low

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£329.00

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Average Price: $387

Standard/Professional

$200

$501+

Price Tier

In the Ride Cymbals category, Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Step up your drumming game with the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride. This all-purpose cymbal is renowned for its versatility and adaptability to a wide range of music genres. Loved by many, this cymbal has become the "gold standard" for many drummers worldwide, owing to its colorful medium overtones and brilliant finish.

The Zildjian 21" Sweet Ride is cast from Zildjian's secret alloy formula, a testament to centuries-old craftsmanship, delivering a tone that is bright, full-bodied, and natural. It responds sensitively to your individual touch and style, yet is capable of producing as much volume as your music demands.

Whether you're a seasoned drummer or just starting out, this Sweet Ride will effortlessly fit into your setup, offering a rich spectrum of tonal colors that will complement any musical setting. It's the perfect cymbal to have on hand, whether you're laying down the rhythm in a jazz ensemble, driving the beat in a rock band, or exploring new soundscapes in the studio.

Key Features:

All-purpose ride with medium overtones
Cast from Zildjian's secretive alloy formula
Beautifully round sounding ride cymbal
Bright, full-bodied, and natural tone
Size: 21"
Weight: Medium
Brilliant finish
Suitable for a wide variety of musical genres
Loved and played by drummers worldwide
Part of the world's most popular and versatile A Zildjian Series

Product specs

Type	Ride
Size	21"
Weight	Medium
Finish	Brilliant
Material	B20, Cast Bronze
Volume	Loud
Sound	Medium
Sustain	Long
Pitch	Low to Mid
Bell Size	Large
Balance	Blend

FAQs

What makes the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride suitable for various music genres?: The Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride is known for its versatile sound, offering a medium tone with a long sustain and a large bell. Its brilliant finish enhances its bright and lively character, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
How does the brilliant finish affect the sound of the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride?: The brilliant finish on the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride gives it a brighter and more shimmering sound compared to traditional finishes, adding clarity and projection, which is ideal for cutting through in live performances.
Is the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride loud enough for live performances?: Yes, the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride is designed to be loud, making it an excellent choice for live performances where projection and presence are essential.
What is the pitch range of the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride?: The Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride offers a pitch range from low to mid, providing a balanced blend that complements both high and low-frequency instruments in a band setting.
Does the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride have a large bell?: Yes, the Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride features a large bell, which contributes to its loud volume and clear articulation, making it ideal for accentuating bell patterns in various musical contexts.

Equipboard's Expert Review

Equipboard tested this

Zildjian's Versatile Sweet Ride

From the moment we unboxed it, Zildjian's Sweet Ride impressed us with its robust build and stunning brilliant finish. It felt substantial, yet perfectly balanced in weight, making it a joy to mount on our kit.

This ride cymbal truly shines. Its versatility is unmatched; it fits seamlessly into any genre from slow, atmospheric ballads to heavier rock pieces. We found it capable of producing a wide array of sounds, making it an industry standard for a reason. Whether you’re looking for a glassy ping, a warm wash, or a powerful crash, the Sweet Ride delivers.

The clean-cut, staccato ping is perfect for those intricate ride patterns, while the bell produces a loud, clear sound that cuts through any mix. The cymbal opens up beautifully, allowing for dynamic crescendos and broad crashes. That said, we did notice some ping-y overtones, which might not be to everyone's taste. The ride sticking can also feel a bit weak, particularly when playing fast 16th notes.

The Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride is an exceptional choice for musicians looking for a versatile and durable ride cymbal. It’s perfect for those who appreciate a cymbal that can adapt to various musical contexts. However, if you’re particular about having a persistent, pronounced ping, you might want to explore other options.

Overall, the Sweet Ride offers tremendous value and versatility, making it a worthy addition to any drummer’s arsenal.

Rated 5

Videos

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Reviews

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PROS

Unique, clean-cut staccato ping sound distinct from other rides
Effective as both a ride and a secondary crash
Loud, clear bell sound that cuts through mixes
Versatile for various musical styles, including rock, pop, and gospel
Brilliant finish offers a more focused, controlled sound with better stick definition
Durable and reliable for live shows and recordings
Beautiful wash and sustain, perfect for dynamic crescendos
Industry standard for high-end studio settings
Exceptional for building dynamics, transitioning between ride and crash
Robust build and perfectly balanced weight

CONS

Can be too bright and overpowering in small to medium gigs
Ride sticking can feel weak, especially for fast 16th notes
Some users may find the ping-y overtones undesirable
Brilliant finish and logo may fade quickly with use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride.

Comparisons

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The 21" A Sweet Ride is described as brighter with good stick definition, while the 20" K Ride offers more darkness and stick definition.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The A Sweet Ride is favored for rock music due to its ability to cut through a guitar-heavy mix, whereas the K Ride excels in intimate venues and recording.
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0 0

The A Sweet Ride is highlighted for its versatility in practice settings and jamming environments, especially in larger rooms.
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Features and functionality

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The A Sweet Ride's bell is noted to cut through any stage mix, making it suitable for high-volume performances.
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0 0

The A Sweet Ride has a fantastic wash when played aggressively but can also offer a pingy sound near the bell.
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User experience

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Owners mention the A Sweet Ride can sound more gong-like, depending on the specific cymbal batch.
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Setup and maintenance

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It's advised to inspect for cracks along the edge, in lathing marks, and around the mounting hole, using balance and sound checks for any rattling.
Source

Value and pricing

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A Sweet Ride in good condition for $150 is considered a notably good deal by several owners.
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Other

0 0

The logo size only indicates the cymbal's age, with larger logos being newer. Performance depends on previous owner care, not logo size.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 27 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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2 star

1 star

steve_sipos

395

6 months ago

Love it.

I've tried a lot of rides.This has the best combination of wash and definition.

Roles:

Guitarist Drummer Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country

darren_moreno

107

about 5 years ago

Perfect

Pretty tone with nice stick definition. Opens up well, allowing for crescendoing into a large crash.

Roles:

Guitarist Drummer

Genres:

Rock

toby_thorpe

128

almost 7 years ago

My Favourite Cymbsl

My absolute favourite cymbal is the Zildjian A Series Sweet Ride. Bright enough to be used solely as a ride cymbal for slow genres, also trashy enough to be used almost as a giant crash cymbal for heavier pieces.

mathiasperalta

over 8 years ago

Legendary

This cymbal is a ride that throws mid frequencies, it has a very distinguishable and musical sound / it is very fine and crashable. Very comfortable to use as a ride, crash, or both.

Conclusion: very hard to go wrong with this cymbal, it sounds on its own.

This review has been translated automatically into English. See original

bradrummer

222

almost 7 years ago

A work horse. Great for the studio

Everyone has to have one. They are awesome. BUT the only downside, is being so bright and having some harsh tones to it, it can overpower a small to medium gig if you're crashing it hard.