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Zildjian S series18" suspended: an orchestra player's view
"I like this S cymbal a lot! I've owned (and loved) a gorgeous US-made K 20" suspended cymbal for 35 or so years. My K is sensitive, powerful, dynamic, and rather dark in tone. The S provides a really nice complement to it. It's sensitive and dynamic, like a good sus should be, but it's also nice and bright - brighter, IMO, than A cymbals, which is what I was hoping for. And it's got volume, too. I took a shot in the dark and ordered it because it was inexpensive compared to the As or Ks. I didn't really know what to expect in advance, being that the S series is a lower-priced line, but the quality seems to be top notch. The color is quite coppery and I'm not sure what alloy is used, but the thing sounds great with any mallet or stick I use - piano, fortissimo, or in between. I'd like to see Zildjian expand the S line of concert cymbals to different sizes (hand cymbals too). I'm considering taking a flyer on the S series hand cymbal pair as a brighter complement to my 50-year-old set of 18" A Medium Band cymbals, which sound great in a symphony orchestra setting. Despite what you may have heard elsewhere - even from Zildjian - I myself consider the S series a totally pro line of cymbals."