In addition to being a private violin teacher and having a degree in music from USC, Alecia started writing music-related articles and product reviews six years ago and has enjoyed this experience greatly. She likes to learn new instruments and write new compositions in her free time.
Marcus has a vast experience in digital audio and sound design. Thanks to his knowledge, he actively helps musicians with technical problems, improving their audio quality and promoting their tracks so that thousands of listeners can enjoy really good music.
Last updated: November 15, 2024
Prime Sound is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Are you looking to buy a high-quality jazz ride cymbal to achieve the top-notch sound? Given the money youโre spending, you want to be sure that you choose the best jazz ride cymbals for you that fits your musical style. When compiling these jazz ride cymbals reviews, we focused on a few key features.
ADVERTISEMENT
The diameter was important because of the vital role it plays in determining your cymbalโs pitch. We also thought about rivets, as most drummers want a little โsizzleโ to add to their songs. The weight and material of the cymbals were a prime focus because of their impact on the sustain, volume, and response. Lastly, we prioritized the included warranty to be sure youโre getting the most bang for your buck in the long-term. Hereโs a look at our top choices for the best ride cymbals for jazz.
"As a premium option, we have this 20โ ride cymbal by a famous brand. It produces vintage sound directly from โ50s-โ60s and has that warm and dark complexity."
The Meinl Cymbals B20JCR Byzance 20-Inch Jazz Club Flat Ride is generally well-received by highly-skilled drummers. Whatโs important to point out is that this model comes in 21 different varieties. Each one has different characteristics that allow you to choose the best jazz ride cymbal for your ideal genre and playing style.
ADVERTISEMENT
This jazz ride cymbal is actually hand-hammered right out of Turkey. That means each and every model of this cymbal sounds entirely different while also boasting an impressive sustain, low sound, and a ton of vibration. The four included brass rivets will add a ton of sizzle with each cymbal crash.
Most importantly, this particular model is considered to be โmedium-thin.โ That means this jazz ride cymbal is a good choice for just about any genre of music, whether you prefer playing heavy metal, smooth jazz, or anything in between. However, not everybody likes using it for other styles. What youโll appreciate even more is that this cymbal can double as a crash cymbal as well.
What makes it special?
ADVERTISEMENT
Doubles as a crash cymbal in some cases
Four brass rivets add sizzling sustain
Comes in 21 different styles
Hand-hammered to creates a high-vibration sound
What cons did we find?
Might not actually fare too well with styles other than jazz
The Sabian 20โณ SBR Ride Cymbal is perhaps the most affordable, yet high-quality jazz ride cymbal on the market today. For around $80, you can get yourself a rather durable brass cymbal that highlights the basics of what a jazz ride cymbal should be.
This is the perfect cymbal if youโre looking for a bright sound and tend to play higher-pitched and brighter music like pop and rock. Yet, it also will do its job just fine if youโre more of a jazz musician or heavy metal drummer thanks to the medium weight that can withstand heavy crashes. This construction can also give a bit of a deeper and louder sound when hit.
You can expect this jazz ride cymbal to produce an immediate sound that adds flair to your playing style. But, remember that there are limitations when it comes to what you can do with a brass cymbal. You wonโt find any sizzle (no rivets) or unique sounds coming from this beginnerโs cymbal.
The Zildjian Kerope 20โณ Ride Cymbal is a high-end jazz ride cymbal that can add a ton of style to all of your favorite musical genres. The greatest feature is that this model is designed in a way that feels โplayed-in.โ That means you can get right to playing without having to go through the typical โbreaking inโ process of a brand new cymbal.
A lot of cymbals are versatile, but very few target specific styles like the 50s and 60s music. This particular jazz ride cymbal is exactly what youโre looking for if you prefer vintage music and sounds. It provides warm and dark tones that many modern cymbals seem to be lacking. The cymbal produces a beautiful low-pitched, and traditional tone as well.
If a 20โ cymbal just doesnโt produce the deep and low sound that youโre looking for, the good news is that this particular cymbal also comes in a 22โ variation. Though itโs a little more expensive, it provides a very similar sound, albeit a bit deeper and louder than the 20โ model.
What are its best features?
Produces a vintage sound that works best with 50s and 60s music
Designed in a way where it feels already broken-in
A 22โ model is also available
Warm, dark, and complex tones
What could be improved?
Seems to be most well-suited for jazz playing only
The Sabian 22-inch HHX Manhattan Jazz Ride Cymbal is exactly what you need if youโre looking for a lower, deeper sound when playing more intense music, including metal and rock. Since this model is larger, you can expect an incredibly loud sound without needing to hit your cymbals too hard.
Whatโs most important is just how responsive this jazz ride cymbal is. Since it produces a loud and impressive sound immediately, you might even be able to use this jazz ride cymbal as a crash cymbal in a pinch. This gives you a lot more possible variety when playing your drums.
Itโs quite important to point out that this specific jazz ride cymbal is quite thin, given the 22โ diameter. This combination is a little unusual, but it does help to provide the unique sound thatโs produced when hit. The dark sound also makes this the perfect jazz ride cymbal for lower-pitched jazz music. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive.
What stands out?
Creates a dark sound thatโs suitable for jazz
22โ diameter helps to create a deep, loud, and low-pitch sound
The Zildjian 19โณ Armand Beautiful Baby Ride with 3 Rivets is a great choice if youโre looking for more of a vintage sound for several genres. At just 19โ in diameter, this medium-thin jazz ride cymbal can provide a relatively higher-pitched sound that isnโt quite as โin your face.โ
You also need to think about the material used to create this specific jazz ride cymbal. Since itโs made of a fine 80/20 (B20) material, it can produce a brighter and quieter sound that might fare pretty well in most jazz music. Even though this Zildjian jazz ride cymbal produces a very specific sound, a few people mentioned that it is not entirely versatile.
What youโll also notice about this jazz ride cymbal are the three rivets. This added feature can create an impressive sizzle sound to your music. It also has an incredible sustain that can drag each note out just a little longer after your jazz ride cymbal is struck.
What makes it stand out?
B20 construction produces a bright, yet quiet sound thatโs perfect for jazz
Three rivets will add a decent amount of sizzle
A great choice if youโre looking for a calmer sound
The Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals Jazz Series LD-R19 will produce a sound that youโve never heard before. Thatโs partially thanks to the โwoodyโ tones that this cymbal is capable of making. This design allows you to hear the actual impact of your drum sticks on your cymbal, which creates a bit more of an earthy sound.
Since this cymbal was created by hand with a specific sound in mind, it was crafted carefully. The insanely dark sound and the 19โ design make this cymbal the perfect choice for those looking for both low and dark sound thatโs common in jazz music.
Thereโs no doubt that the sound is unusual yet impressive, but thereโs a good chance 19โ is just a bit too small and quiet for your favorite genre. What youโll definitely appreciate is the fact that this model also comes in models ranging from 19โ to 24โ. This selection gives you the opportunity to personalize your sound and playing style fully.
What stands out?
Produces a dark and woody sound thatโs ideal for jazz music
Hand-crafted with unique dark lathing for a bronzer look
Comes in sizes ranging from 19โ and 24โ
What cons did we manage to find?
The woody sound might take away from trying other genres
The Meinl 20โณ Medium Ride Cymbal CC20MR-B is probably your best bet if you like to experiment with a wide variety of musical genres on the drums. Though this cymbalโs diameter is 20โ, it creates a loud sound thatโll keep your drum set from being overpowered by the other instruments in your band.
With such a durable construction and medium weight, this is the perfect jazz ride cymbal if you prefer live performances. You can feel free to pound on this cymbal without a second thought and not have to worry about the cymbal cracking, breaking, or denting.
If you play your drum set a ton, youโll appreciate how easy this cymbal is to clean. Since this cymbal is created with a brilliant and smooth finish, all it takes is a quick wiping to get rid of any of that pesky dirt or debris. Plus, the brilliant finish will keep your jazz ride cymbal look bright and flashy at all times. However, its bell might seem too large for some musicians.
Why did it make our list?
The medium construction makes this cymbal able to withstand even the hardest hits
Very easy to keep clean
Versatile enough for various musical genres
What is not ideal about it?
The large bell might make finding the perfect sound a bit difficult
The Stagg CS-RJ20 20-Inch Classic Jazz Ride Cymbal is an alternative if you appreciate the sound that comes with the Zildjian K. You can purchase this model instead to get a very similar sound profile without spending an extra few hundred dollars.
Whatโs the key to mention is the actual construction of the cymbal. Itโs made of a B20 alloy, which helps it to produce a darker and lower sound thatโs considered to be ideal in the jazz community. Furthermore, the lack of rivets gives you more of a pure and direct sound without any extra sizzle.
Despite the construction, you also need to consider the weight. Since itโs a medium weight, this jazz ride cymbal is actually more than capable of withstanding heavy crashes in some genres of music. However, it is not entirely versatile. Still, it definitely is a great choice for jazz, but you can add a little extra crashing thanks to the added weight.
What are our favorite features?
Designed to withstand even the heaviest hits
Creates a sound very similar to pricier models like the Zildjian K
Offers clean and full-bodied tones
What could be better?
Doesnโt seem to be as versatile for musical genres as the manufacturer claims
Things to Consider
The one thing that can make a skilled drummer sound even better is a high-quality drum set. But, the opposite is true as well โ the wrong equipment can make your favorite songs sound absolutely horrendous. Unfortunately, the best equipment for you might not be ideal for another drummer. Itโs time to figure out what you should look for in your next jazz ride cymbal. In this buying guide, weโll talk about the key features to focus on when doing your research. You should have a general idea of what to look for by the end of this brief guide.
Things to Consider Before Buying Jazz Ride Cymbals
Every single minor detail of a jazz ride cymbal will impact the sound and your playing style. That means itโs not a good idea to just choose the cymbal with the highest ratings online. Hereโs a look at some things youโll want to think about.
Your preferred pitch
Whether you like โsizzleโ in your cymbals
Your ideal volume, response, and sustain
The sound youโre going for
Other genres of music you plan to play
How long you want your cymbals to last
How much money youโre willing to spend
Now that youโve thought about what youโre looking for in your next jazz ride cymbal, letโs go over the key characteristics you should be looking for to achieve your ideal sound.
Diameter
The diameter of your jazz ride cymbal is the measurement from one end of the cymbal to the other. The diameter typically ranges between 18 and 22 inches for jazz ride cymbals. Though a 20โ cymbal doesnโt seem all that much bigger than an 18โ cymbal, thereโs actually a huge difference in terms of sound, and the Meinl Cymbals B20JCR Byzance 20-Inch Jazz Club Flat Ride is designed to create that depth and warmth.
For the most part, a greater diameter means a much higher volume. That means youโll want to go bigger if you like your playing style to include loud cymbal crashes. You also need to think about the greater cymbal thickness that comes with larger jazz ride cymbals. The combination of a large diameter and great thickness means a much deeper sound and a lower pitch.
Rivets
The rivets of a jazz ride cymbal are sometimes referred to as โsizzles.โ These are rivets that are drilled into a cymbal to produce somewhat of a rattling, sizzling, or sustained sound. These rivets can add a little spice and flair to your current playing style, allowing your cymbal to ring out a little longer with a more metallic and brighter sound.
The more rivets drilled into your jazz ride cymbals, the more sizzle will be produced. For example, the Meinl Cymbals B20JCR Byzance 20-Inch Jazz Club Flat Ride that includes 4 rivets will hold out this metallic sound for a good amount of time. If you donโt want this โsizzlingโ sound at all, youโll want to opt for a rivet-free model like the Meinl 20โณ Medium Ride Cymbal CC20MR-B.
Weight
The weight of your jazz ride cymbals is sometimes referred to as the โthickness.โ Youโll notice that the thickness is described as thin, medium, or paper-thin (or some variation of these terms).
When it comes to thinner cymbals, you want to be aware that theyโre much more delicate to hard hits and strikes. If not played correctly, they can crack or degrade quite quickly. A thinner ride cymbal is known for producing immediate sounds without requiring much effort from you.
When your ideal genre is rock or metal, or you simply play much faster, youโll want to choose a thicker ride cymbal like the Sabian 20โณ SBR Ride Cymbal. These can take quite the beating and usually produce a much louder and deeper sound.
Material
The material your jazz ride cymbal is made of will surprisingly play a huge role in how your cymbals sound. Hereโs what you need to know about each of the more common metals used.
Bronze: The ratio of tin to copper is described in the name. For example, a B20 bronze cymbal, such as the Zildjian 19โณ Armand Beautiful Baby Ride with 3 Rivets, is made of 20% tin, 80% copper. The less tin a cymbal has, the more durable the cymbal, the louder the sound, and the greater the warmth will be.
Brass: Brass cymbals are perhaps the most common type of cymbal used by beginners. The sounds produced arenโt as technical or impressive, but these cymbals are generally cheap and easy to learn on.
In most cases, a brass jazz ride cymbal is a great choice for beginners. While B8 is better for harder styles like rock and metal, B20 is a perfect option for jazz and soothing music.
Sound
Perhaps you have a specific sound in mind, but just donโt know how to achieve it with your jazz ride cymbal. Here are some guidelines for achieving the perfect tones.
Bright: Shoot for a jazz ride cymbal that has a smaller diameter, is much thinner (weighs less), and has included rivets for that ideal sizzle sound. These are perfect for rock and pop music, too.
Dark & Deep: Aim for a jazz ride cymbal that has a larger diameter, is much thicker (weighs more), and has a lower tin-to-copper ratio (i.e., B8). These are ideal for jazz patterns.
No two cymbals sound the same, so you really want to focus on the sound youโre looking for before selecting a cymbal to drop into your Amazon cart.
Versatility
One of the biggest misconceptions is that jazz ride cymbals are only useful for jazz music. While theyโre definitely great for jazz, they can also be monumental in improving your sound in other genres.
For example, thicker and larger jazz ride cymbals like the Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals Jazz Series LD-R19 are a great choice for playing heavy metal and hard rock. Thatโs because thick/large cymbals typically produce a louder and deeper sound while also being more resistant to breakage with heavy hits.
You can also use your jazz ride cymbals when playing pop and soft rock music. That can be achieved by choosing thinner, smaller, and brighter cymbals like the Zildjian Kerope 20โณ Ride Cymbal. These cymbals are built for gentle hits but still create a vibrant and beautiful sound.
Warranty
Simply put, youโre going to be spending a decent amount of money on your next jazz ride cymbals. Thatโs why itโs a pretty good idea to be sure that youโre really getting your moneyโs worth. This can be guaranteed with a warranty.
Though a warranty is definitely necessary to protect your assets, most jazz ride cymbals require you to purchase the warranty separately. For jazz ride cymbals like the Stagg CS-RJ20 20-Inch Classic Jazz Ride Cymbal, you have the choice between a 3-year and a 4-year warranty. This will cost you between $33.99 and $44.99.
Even though you might be reluctant to spend any extra money, a warranty will definitely come in handy if your jazz ride cymbal suddenly breaks or becomes damaged with regular use.
Prices
Thereโs no doubt about it โ Jazz ride cymbals can be a little pricey. But, just how much you end up spending really depends on what youโre looking for in your jazz ride cymbal.
For example, thereโs the Sabian 20โณ SBR Ride Cymbal, which costs less than $80, and it can offer a decent-sounding B20 alloy cymbal that can give you the perfect jazz tones. On the other hand, you can invest a cool $400+ on the Zildjian Kerope 20โณ Ride Cymbal. This model can give you a perfectly warm sound, and itโs ready to be played as soon as itโs delivered.
You also need to consider the extra costs that come with warranties. A 3 or 4-year warranty can cost you an extra $30 to $80. All in all, youโre looking at between $100 and $500 for a jazz ride cymbal and any extra warranties you tack on.
Cleaning your jazz ride cymbal is not something you should do only when your cymbal gets so impossibly dirty that cleaning is your only option. In reality, you should be cleaning your cymbal after a few uses. For most instances, you should be okay just wiping your jazz ride cymbal down with a dry cloth to get rid of any dust, dirt, or debris. For more intensive cleaning, youโll want to clean your jazz ride cymbal with some water and dish soap. Make sure that youโre wiping your jazz ride cymbal as soon as youโre done washing it, as water sitting on the surface can impact the integrity of your cymbal.
In all honesty, thereโs no reason your jazz ride cymbals shouldnโt last forever. However, the lifespan of your jazz ride cymbal will severely be impacted by how you play it and how you care for it. Striking your thin jazz ride cymbal quite hard will definitely wear away at its strength and eventually cause cracking or damage in a few short months. You also need to make sure that youโre protecting your jazz ride cymbal from outside damages. You can do this by using a soft carrying case, wiping off any dust or debris as it happens, and being sure to dry your jazz ride cymbal after each and every cleaning.
If youโre choosing a jazz ride cymbal based on your genre of music and playing style, thereโs no reason your jazz ride cymbal should ever crack. One of the most common reasons for this cracking is playing relatively hard and intense on a thin or paper-thin cymbal, which clearly wasnโt built for this type of playing. You should also make it a point to install your jazz ride cymbal at somewhat of an angle to reduce heavy hits that can weaken the cymbal. Itโs better to achieve a louder sound by getting a thicker and larger cymbal rather than playing small and thin cymbals much more aggressively.
Our second choice goes to the Sabian 20โณ SBR Ride Cymbal. This medium brass cymbal is an ideal choice for any beginners and those interested in playing hard rock or metal music as well. Add those features to the extremely reasonable price.
In our quest for the best jazz ride cymbals, we have the Zildjian Kerope 20โณ Ride Cymbal as our third choice. This model will give you a practically unmatched vintage sound that perfectly infuses into the 50s and 60s music.
