Zildjian A China High 18" China Cymbal
The A China High 18" is a high-pitched, bright china cymbal with a biting sound you recognize from the first stroke. It adds an exotic, aggressive accent that neither the crash nor the ride can produce, without sliding into the low roar of big chinas.
What sets it apart
- Strong, bright, high-pitched china sound
- Unlathed, highly polished bell that boosts brightness
- Higher china profile
- Medium decay, rated 5 out of 10 for sustain
Why the bell is polished, not lathed
On most cymbals, the bell is lathed like the rest of the surface. Here, Zildjian leaves it raw and then polishes it heavily: that choice enhances the bright colour of the sound. Add a profile higher than a classic china's, and you get an accent that rises into the treble instead of spreading into the low end.
Its dryness of 2 out of 10 on the Sound Lab is a reminder that a china stays rich in overtones: that is the whole point of this type of cymbal.
Specifications
| Diameter | 18" |
|---|---|
| Weight | Thin |
| Bell | Unlathed, polished |
| Series | A Zildjian |
| Brightness | 6/10 |
| Dryness | 2/10 |
| Definition | 7/10 |
| Sustain | 5/10 |
What it's for
- Biting accents in rock, pop and fusion
- Aggressive ride patterns on a bridge or chorus
- A first china for a drummer discovering this sound
Compared with other manufacturers
At 18", these chinas from other makers also go for bite:
| Manufacturer | Model | Diameter | Stated character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zildjian | A China High | 18" | High, polished bell |
| Sabian | AA Chinese | 18" | Bright, penetrating trash |
| Paiste | 2002 China | 18" | Classic rock china |
| Dream | China | 18" | Hand hammered, rapid decay |
Frequently asked questions
- What is a china cymbal used for?
- For sharp, exotic accents, or for playing a dirtier pattern than a ride in a chorus. Its attack cuts through the mix where a crash would blend in.
- China or crash?
- The crash gives a full, shimmering accent; the china a rougher, more biting one. Most drummers add a china to their crashes rather than replacing one.
- What does a china cymbal sound like?
- Like a raw, "trashy" metallic burst. This one, according to Zildjian, is strong, bright and high-pitched, with a medium decay: more flash than roar.
Avis clients
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