Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $608
High-end/Boutique
$200
$501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Zildjian’s 23" K Sweet Ride is a cymbal that takes the legendary K series to new heights with its versatile tonal palette. Crafted from Zildjian's time-honored B20 bronze alloy, this ride is a testament to the brand’s centuries-old expertise. The K Sweet Ride offers a dynamic blend of dark and sweet tones, complemented by a responsive feel that adapts to your touch. Whether you're laying down a solid rock foundation or exploring the subtleties of jazz, this cymbal delivers with a crashable, medium-thin weight that ensures a lush, expressive sound.
The K Sweet Ride's hand-hammered surface and traditional lathing techniques bring out a rich spread of harmonically complex overtones. Its articulate bell stands out with clear stick definition, cutting through any mix with precision. This cymbal doesn’t just play—it sings, offering a range of sounds from a gentle whisper to a thunderous crash, making it an ideal choice for drummers across genres.
Perfect for those who crave both power and nuance, the K Sweet Ride is equally at home in rock, jazz, orchestral, or world music settings. Its lush musicality and emotive voice make it a must-have for any drummer looking to elevate their performance.
Key Features:
- Part of the iconic Zildjian K Family
- Medium-thin weight for versatility and expression
- Hand-hammered and traditionally lathed for complex overtones
- Articulate bell with clear stick definition
- Crafted from Zildjian's B20 bronze alloy
- Made in the USA, backed by Zildjian’s craftsmanship legacy
Product specs
| Type | Ride |
| Size | 23" |
| Weight | Medium Thin |
| Finish | Traditional |
| Material | B20 |
| Volume | General |
| Sound | Dark |
| Sustain | Short |
| Pitch | Low to Mid |
FAQs
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What genres is the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride best suited for?
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The Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride is versatile and excels in a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, and blues, thanks to its dark sound and medium-thin weight which provide a rich, complex tone.
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How does the size of the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride affect its sound?
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The 23" size of the Zildjian K Sweet Ride offers a balanced blend of sustain and projection, producing a low to mid pitch with a general volume that makes it suitable for both live performances and studio recordings.
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What is the finish on the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride and how does it affect the cymbal's sound?
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The Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride features a traditional finish, which contributes to its dark sound and enhances its overall warmth and complexity.
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Is the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride suitable for both beginners and advanced drummers?
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Yes, the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride is suitable for drummers of all skill levels due to its versatile sound and responsive playability, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
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What material is the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride made from?
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The Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride is crafted from B20 bronze, known for its durability and ability to produce a rich, dark tonal quality.
Videos
Avedis Zildjian Company
Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile across music genres from jazz to rock to metal
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Excellent stick definition, even in complex patterns
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Bell sound cuts through mixes beautifully
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Highly crashable with a responsive recovery
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Lower pitched ping complements other cymbals well
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Darker tone than comparable rides, ideal for varied styles
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Washy yet controllable sound, adaptable to different needs
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High-quality finish and craftsmanship
CONS
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Heavier crash not ideal for lighter pop music
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Lower pitched ping can get lost in loud mixes
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride.
Use cases and applications
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The K Sweet Ride is noted for its ability to crash while maintaining stick definition, making it suitable for fast ride parts in hardcore/punk music.
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The cymbal is recommended for those seeking a large, crashable ride with a monstrous sound, particularly suited for rock and metal music.
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The Big Beat is noted for its complexity and rapid decay, making it suitable for players seeking a cymbal that crashes and quickly fades.
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Comparisons
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The K Sweet Ride is described as having a more controlled volume compared to the A Sweet, which cuts through a mix better, ideal for different musical styles.
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Some users compare the 23" K Sweet Ride's riding characteristics to Istanbul cymbals, noting a similar washy quality.
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Istanbul Agop and Mehmet offer cymbals with a similar Turkish style to the K Sweet Ride, often at a lower cost, ideal for European buyers.
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The Paiste Big Beat 22" and 24" models are noted for a similar feel to the K Sweet Ride, with a lower pitched bell and quicker decay.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the K Sweet Ride for its versatility, with some preferring it over other K models for its dynamic range and ability to open up with a gentle touch.
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Owners describe the 23" K Sweet Ride as having a washy ping, making it less suitable for defined riding compared to a 24" medium ride.
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One owner replaced their 23" K Sweet Ride with a 22" K Custom Dark ride for better definition as a primary ride, though still values the Sweet Ride for practice.
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Features and functionality
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The 23" K Sweet Ride is praised for its bright crash sound and impressive bell tone, enhancing its versatility in rock and metal genres.
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Value and pricing
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Calling Sweetwater and negotiating can yield up to a 15% discount on the 23" K Sweet Ride, potentially bringing it to around $500.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
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Father John and Josh switched up the cymbals for this latest tour, opting for a collection of Zildjian Sweets including 14-inch hats, 19- and 20-inch crash cymbals, and a 23-inch ride augmented with two Zildjian A EFX crash cymbals and an EFX cymbal stack.
Father John, Josh Dun's Drum also talks about Josh's set up in the video
Travis has switched out his longtime choice of Ride, the 21"/23" A Sweet Ride Brilliant, for a custom Brilliant version of the 21" K Sweet Ride. He has been using this since the K Sweet cymbals were released by Zildjian in early 2018.
Matt Cameron is confirmed to use the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride cymbal as part of his current setup for Pearl Jam's touring and recording, as detailed by his drum tech in an article by the Drumeo Team on the Free Online Drum Magazine, The Drumeo Beat.
In the video titled "The New K Sweet Collection - Daniel Platzman of Imagine Dragons," Daniel Platzman discusses his cymbal setup at 0:20, specifically mentioning the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride.
Daniel Fang is listed as a Zildjian artist on the official Zildjian website, where he is associated with the Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride cymbal.
In the description of this YouTube video, Will tells what gear he uses which includes a 24" K Sweet Ride. Since that doesn't exist it is likely to be the biggest ride they do have which is a 23" K Sweet Ride.
In the video titled "Hollywood Undead's ANTHONY GHAZEL || DRUM RUNDOWN" by Drum Rundown, Anthony Ghazel can be seen showcasing a Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride cymbal as part of his cymbal setup at the 19:01 mark.
Album Usage
The Zildjian 23" K Sweet 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 Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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