Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (3)
$419.95
Guitar Center
5.0 (14)
$419.95
Amazon
4.6 (71)
$419.95
Reverb
5.0 (6)
$297.02 New
$279.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (17)
$419.95
zZounds
5.0 (3)
$419.95
Thomann
4.7 (24)
$387.00 $379.00 $8.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£344.50

Average Price: $382

Standard/Professional

$200

$501+

Price Tier

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Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX sits comfortably in the intersection of smoothness and aggressiveness, presenting you with a versatile cymbal ready to deliver an array of sounds. This 18" crash cymbal is a part of Zildjian's A Custom series, known for its crisp and distinct sound, and is built to serve both live performers and recording artists. It's a unique blend of the renowned A Custom smoothness and a distinct, trashy bite that sets it apart.

The EFX crash transitions from a soft, shimmering crash to a raw, distorted roar, depending on your playing intensity. It starts with a musical wash reminiscent of a traditional thin crash when played lightly. As you dig in, it reveals its true character, a jagged, overdriven sound that adds an edge to your performance.

The secret behind its versatility lies in the laser-generated "cut outs" strategically placed across the cymbal's brilliant bronze surface. These allow the cymbal to produce a fast, dry, trashy tone, perfect for punctuation and accents. Played hard, the cut outs become more pronounced, transforming the EFX Crash's tone from a traditional crash into a distorted, ragged bark. This innovative cymbal provides a range of sounds in a single instrument, making it an ideal choice for drummers seeking a minimal setup.

Constructed from B20 bronze, a premium alloy renowned for its musicality, the EFX Crash embodies the meticulous craftsmanship found throughout Zildjian's prestigious A Custom line. Its brilliant finish and perfectly balanced weight give the EFX Crash a shimmering look and feel consistent with the A Custom series.

Key Features:

  • Part of the renowned A Custom series
  • Unique laser-generated cut-outs for versatile sounds
  • Transitions from a traditional crash to a distorted bark
  • Ideal for live performers and recording artists
  • Constructed from B20 bronze for superior musicality
  • Brilliant finish and perfectly balanced weight
  • Wide tonal range, great for minimalist drummers
  • Fast, dry, trashy tone for punctuation and accents
  • Meticulous craftsmanship in line with Zildjian's prestigious A Custom line
  • Dark and trashy bite with a smooth, musical bloom.

Product specs

Type Crash
Size 18"
Weight Extra Thin
Material B20, Cast Bronze
Finish Brilliant
Sound Medium/Bright
Pitch Medium
Balance Cut
Bell Size Medium
Volume Loud
Sustain Short

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Crash Cymbal?

The Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX produces a medium-bright sound with a loud volume and short sustain. Its unique cut-out design delivers a trashy, explosive crash, making it ideal for adding dynamic accents to your drumming.

Is the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX suitable for rock music?

Yes, the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX is well-suited for rock music due to its loud volume and medium-bright sound. The cymbal's explosive and trashy crash can effectively cut through the mix in a rock setting.

What material is the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX made from?

The Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX is crafted from B20 cast bronze, known for its durability and rich tonal qualities, contributing to the cymbal's distinctive sound.

How does the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX differ from a regular crash cymbal?

The Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX features a unique laser cut-out design, which produces a trashier and more explosive sound compared to regular crash cymbals, offering distinct and dynamic accents.

Can the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX be used in a cymbal stack?

Yes, the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX can be effectively used in a cymbal stack, providing additional articulations and effects due to its unique cut-out design and sound characteristics.

Avedis Zildjian Company

Avedis Zildjian Company

Zildjian Sound Lab - 18" A Custom EFX

Video thumbnail for Zildjian Sound Lab - 18" A Custom EFX by Avedis Zildjian Company

Zildjian Sound Lab - 18" A Custom EFX

Avedis Zildjian Company

Avedis Zildjian Company

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1239g (A20818-1012418F) by Memphis Drum Shop

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1239g (A20818-1012418F)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Crash by Denver Percussion

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Crash

Denver Percussion

Denver Percussion

Video thumbnail for 18" A Custom EFX - A20818 by Avedis Zildjian Company

18" A Custom EFX - A20818

Avedis Zildjian Company

Avedis Zildjian Company

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal (A20818-1062311K) by Memphis Drum Shop

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal (A20818-1062311K)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1203g (A20818-1072420G) by Memphis Drum Shop

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1203g (A20818-1072420G)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Video thumbnail for Zildjian A Custom EFX Cymbal 18" by Drum Center of Portsmouth

Zildjian A Custom EFX Cymbal 18"

Drum Center of Portsmouth

Drum Center of Portsmouth

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1239g (A20818-1071222K) by Memphis Drum Shop

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1239g (A20818-1071222K)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX by The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1244g (A20818-1082317R) by Memphis Drum Shop

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1244g (A20818-1082317R)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Video thumbnail for Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1244g (A20818-1082719F) by Memphis Drum Shop

Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX Cymbal - 1244g (A20818-1082719F)

Memphis Drum Shop

Memphis Drum Shop

Reviews

PROS

  • Bright and clean sound, perfect for a variety of musical styles

  • Excellent for stacking and solo use

  • Unique blend of crash and china sound, offering versatility

  • Fast decay with a short, full crash effect

  • Shimmering, modern sound enhances musical arrangements

  • Great for recording, not overwhelming in live settings

  • Attractive design complements any drum setup

  • Explosive sound with minimal effort, ideal for dynamic playing

  • Works well as a transition cymbal or snare accent

CONS

  • Prone to cracking, especially under heavy hitting

  • Not as durable as some other A Custom models

  • Long overtone may not cut through loud live performances

  • Louder than expected for small practice spaces

  • Can warp if hit too aggressively

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX.

Comparisons

  • The Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX pairs well with the 18" K Custom Hybrid, providing a complementary sound profile.

    Source
  • An 18” A Custom EFX offers a distinct voice compared to the 18” A Medium Thin, making it a good secondary crash option.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The A Custom EFX is ideal for adding a mix of crash and china sounds, enhancing versatility in rock music.

    Source
  • It’s suggested that the A Custom EFX can effectively add variety to setups that feel monotonous with just a single crash.

    Source
  • Stacking the 18" A Custom EFX on a 22" Meinl sand ride creates a unique, trashy sound that users find appealing.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The A Custom EFX is noted for blending well with other cymbals, providing a unique sound that mixes crash and china tones.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Allowing cymbals to wobble freely when stacked may reduce the risk of cracking, as energy can dissipate through larger cymbals.

    Source

User experience

  • Tightening smaller cymbal stacks too much, like a 10" splash with china, can lead to cracking, but some users prefer the altered sound post-crack.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bradrummer

fast, cutting, and trashy

I loved this cymbal. In our song 100 Foxes, this is the cymbal that creates that big bright sound when the full band comes in. The only downside, is this cymbal is not durable. I hit my cymbals hard but I hit them right. I have had cymbals for yeeeeeears. But this guy cracked in a year.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Art Cruz uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Art Cruz

Drummer

Lamb of God

...
Verified via ART CRUZ

Art switched from Meinl to Zildjian. Listed as a part of his gear setup

See how Joe Rickard uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Joe Rickard

Drummer, Composer

In Flames

...
Verified via YouTube

At 2:58 he says he uses an 18" inch A Custom EFX Crash

D

Daniel Mullback

Drummer

Sabaton

...
Verified via Zildjian

The Zildjian website includes his cymbal set up.

See how Matt Billingslea uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Matt Billingslea

Drummer

The Agency

...
Verified via Photo

Matt Billingslea is confirmed to use a Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX cymbal in his Eras Tour drum setup, as seen in an Instagram post by the artist himself.

See how Andrea Vadrucci (Vadrum) uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Andrea Vadrucci (Vadrum)

Drummer

...
Verified via Andreavadrucci

Andrea Vadrucci (Vadrum) uses the Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX cymbal, as detailed on his official drum set page.

See how Jonno Panichi uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Jonno Panichi

Drummer

Stand Atlantic

...
Verified via Photo

In this post Jono can be seen using an a custom efx as part of his cymbal setup

See how Omar Gongora uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Omar Gongora

Drummer

Kinky

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram photo posted by Omar Gongora, he is shown using a Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX cymbal during a performance.

See how Brandon Zackey uses Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX

Brandon Zackey

Drummer

Whitechapel

...
Verified via YouTube

Brandon uses an 18" A Custom EFX as explained in this video

Album Usage

The Zildjian 18" A Custom EFX 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 18" A Custom EFX, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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max_shtoma

max_shtoma

Gear IQ 148

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