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Zildjian Pitch Black Cymbals

We just cracked open our July issue of DRUM! and got to wondering about what some folks at Pearl’s drummer forum have already been asking for days now: what the hell is up with Zildjian’s ad on the back cover? It’s solid black with the phrase “pitch black” in a very dark gray. Clearly, the big money is on Zildjian unveiling a series of black-coated cymbals, but the mystery is whether it will be a professional or budget line. Travis Barker recently appeared in Rhythm magazine with a set of black Zildjians…but that doesn’t necessarily mean the cymbals are designed for discriminating ears. Got any spy pics that will clear this up? Send ’em posthaste, please.

[Updates: Zildjian Pitch Black Cymbals (Part 2), Travis Barker Playing Zildjian Pitch Black Cymbals?, Zildjian Pitch Black Cymbals in France]

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10 responses to “Zildjian Pitch Black Cymbals”

  1. Matt Gonzalez Avatar
    Matt Gonzalez

    I HAVE SEEN THEM ! The Pitch Black cymbals
    I’m a sabian player and I want to go Zildjian , so I went to Guitar Center to buy sticks and this guy next to me pointed at awesome Cymbals by Zildjian Called Pitch Black they tested them out on a dw set and I tried them and they sounded like a heavy A custom
    Browsville ,TX Guitar Center

    Reply
  2. Tom Quinn Avatar
    Tom Quinn

    I seen them at Guitar Center today. I played the crash, I did not like it. The 18″ China sounded as good as an Oriental China, is only $140.00. I played the 20″ Crash Ride, that too, sounded awesome, I did not get the price on it, but I may go to the Pitch Black series though.

    Reply
  3. Dillon Avatar
    Dillon

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APvV1GyNmCA
    they sound great

    Reply
  4. fm$drummer Avatar
    fm$drummer

    theres a charity auction for the sticks
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160261688250

    Reply
  5. Mace Avatar
    Mace

    i recently bought the 16″ crash, 22″ ride, and 18″ china.
    they sound great, but my friend said they’re literally
    just black painted ZBT’S. No idea if this is true, though

    Reply
  6. Tommy Avatar
    Tommy

    I’ve been a true Sabian player as well, but also have played everything from ZBT’s to A Customs and B8 Pro’s to AAX’s.
    I’ll have to say I’m extremely impressed with the Pitch Black series,
    I played on a DW set at Guitar Center recently that sported the cymbals and was immediately surprised on how loud and clear they were.
    Now many people are bashing these cymbals saying they’re just coated Planet Z’s or ZBT’s, etc.
    This is entirely untrue. If you’re so tired of hearing the same sound every time you hit your cymbals, these are for you. I purchased immediately the 15” Mastersound Hats, 16” Crash, 13” Splash, and 22” Ride.
    I made some demo videos on my digital camera, not even a video cam or expensive tripod & such. These cymbals sounded perfectly crisp and loud on and off camera!
    Now to the cymbals I bought:
    The mastersound hats are easily comparable to the Zildjian A’s and Sabian AA Metal X’s, in my opinion. They have this crisp definition to them, open or closed. It’s not the boring ‘Chick” that most hats produce. The 16” Crash is extremely loud and is incredible each time you hit it. It’s not one of those crashes that sounds exactly the same, and is disgusting to listen to. The 13” Splash is like a mini version of the Oriental China, and it goes PERFECT when playing metal. And last the 22” Ride is massive, and has a huge range of definition. Basically each area on the big 22” cymbal you hit has a different loud, and definitive sound.
    Now my opinion is, if you play loud, and/or are tired of hearing the same crap each time you play. Get these now, they’re priced a little high, but compared to high end A Customs or AAX’s, etc., it’s definitely worth it. Basically you’re getting an exceptional, unique sound, for an intermediate price, and an amazing look to add to your set.
    I’m definitely considering buying even more models from this series, including the 18” China and Crashes, to add to the amazing sound. The china I have yet to demo but from what I’ve heard it’s comparable to the oriental china with an even louder, cutting sound.
    Overall I think these are highly bashed cymbals, but if people really sat down and considered playing these and really noticing the difference and the uniqueness that they really have, many would actually like them.

    Reply
  7. SFL Avatar
    SFL

    Thanks for the review, Tommy. Have you posted the videos you made? We’d love to see them.

    Reply
  8. Drummer Dave Avatar
    Drummer Dave

    Now the Pitch Black Cymbols sound really good!!!! But in all aspects it really sounds like some one got the idea of purchasing Gloss Black spray paint and went to town……wait a minute, that sound like an idea….

    Reply
  9. Trevor Avatar
    Trevor

    I played on these cymbals and i wouldn’t really compare them to anything else…these cymbals in my opinion have a very distinct unique sound the the pitch black series is a very unique form of cymbal…they contain multiple sounds and have much playability in them…pricey but i highly recommend these cymbals to anyone trying to get a gorgeous sound while haha looking cool at the same time….i personally think they go great with my Ddrum diablo

    Reply
  10. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    well i am poor, infact i dont have a drumset, i dont even know what a drumset looks like. but i think that i could make some money by spray painting some trash-can lids black, and maybe charge 140$ for each of them. sounds like an idea to me. i seen them at the guitar center today

    Reply

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