K Constantinople Flat Ride Cymbal

The K Constantinople Flat Ride is clearly identifiable by its extreme stick articulation. Specifically designed with a thinner weight, these new rides deliver an open yet clear flat ride sound. The handmade K Constantinople Flat Ride creation process gives each one of these cymbals their unique, dark and warm voices. These flat rides are superb for intimate to moderate acoustic environments such as jazz ensembles and offer a truly unique sound source that is effective as an alternate voice under soloists. They are very musical and expressive and are designed to express sounds that are sensitive and personal to each drummer. The 20" size offers slightly more stick definition and is slightly drier than the 22"; while the 22" offers a slightly broader sound with a touch more volume.

The storied "old K" sound had its origin in the city of Constantinople, late in the 19th century, when Kerope Zildjian put his name on the family's cymbals during his tenure as keeper of the Zildjian flame. During the '50s and '60s, the great drummers of the bebop era found the warmer, darker tones of the Turkish-made K Zildjian cymbals ideal for their exciting new music. The "K" sound became legendary, having been captured on the many classic recordings of the time featuring such greats as Max Roach, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, and Elvin Jones. Zildjian first revived this classic sound in 1998 under the direction of Armand Zildjian himself. Since then Zildjian's Sound Lab has continued to research, reproduce, and improve upon the techniques that helped craft Kerope's cymbals. K Constantinoples are hand-lathed by skilled artisans using old-style cutting tools. Pits and other surface impurities that modern finishing processes remove are retained, preserving the original tonal quality.

Zildjian developed prototype K Constantinople Flat Rides specifically for consumer feedback at the 2004 PASIC show in Louisville, KY and on the 2005 Steve Gadd Clinic Tour. Several Zildjian artists also tested the final design of the rides on their regular gigs before the official release.

John Riley (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) said, "The new K Constantinople Flat Rides are the best ever. (They have) great woody stick definition and a rich, warm, full sound. Every time I play them someone comments on how great they sound with the band."

Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny Group) added, "The 22" Flat Ride I have is incredibly crystal clear. It cuts through amazingly well, but at the same time, has a very distinctive warmth to it. I love to use it as a riding alternative to my other Constantinoples because they complement each other in a way that is hard to find in new cymbals."