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The ride cymbal is the heart and soul of any jazz drum kit setup. It’s typically the main focus in jazz swing grooves, so having a great-sounding ride is crucial.
It’s not uncommon for jazz drummers to use more than one ride cymbal in their setup, whereas most drummers who play other styles only ever have one ride around their drums. So, it’s good to look at multiple rides when looking for jazz cymbal options.
A ride cymbal used for jazz needs to be musical and versatile enough to fit well with all the subgenres played within jazz. Cymbals with complex tones work incredibly well.
In this guide, we’ll look at the best jazz ride cymbals for your drum set. I’ve compared performance, quality, sound, and cost to give you my top recommendations.
In a Rush Round-Up
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Jazz Ride Cymbals
I’ve played in bands that cover a variety of styles throughout my career, with many of those being jazz groups. Jazz has a particular sound that requires warm and buttery cymbals, and I’ve heard how the wrong ride cymbal can stick out like a sore thumb when playing swing grooves.
When testing cymbals for this list, I first checked to see how musical they were. I then played them at different dynamic levels to test response.
Finally, I wanted to see how washy they sounded when played on the edge, as that’s always an important part of a jazz ride cymbals setup.
I assessed the materials, size, and design of each cymbal to ensure that they deliver rich, warm, and nuanced sounds that are ideal for jazz music.
My recommendations below also encompass a range of budgets, guaranteeing you’ll find the perfect jazz ride cymbal to craft that distinct, expressive jazz groove.
Jazz Ride Cymbals Reviews
Zildjian 20” K Constantinople Renaissance Ride Cymbal
Zildjian 20” K Constantinople Renaissance Ride Cymbal Review
The winner of the best jazz ride cymbal is this highly expressive Zildjian K Constantinople Renaissance Ride Cymbal; and it’s a beautiful sounding cymbal with lots of articulation and just the right amount of wash.
I’m not lying when I say that this is probably one of the best cymbals I’ve ever played.
It has such amazing tones when struck in every way, and I could quickly tell why it’s the first-choice ride for so many jazz drummers that I know.
This cymbal has so many characteristics that make it a pure joy to play. It has a very wide spectrum of sound and it feels great to play with a nice, balanced rebound.
The Zildjian K Constantinople line is an illustrious range of cymbals. They are made by Zildjian in small batches, and they represent the pinnacle of Zildjian craftsmanship.
Zildjian K Constantinople cymbals are arguably the best jazz cymbals to ever be produced. They are characterized by deep and complex hammer marks and gradual curvatures to produce very rich and highly musical sounds that are irresistibly smooth.
The cymbal is supremely responsive and it performs crashes, accents, and shanks incredibly well. It has such a beautiful and delicate sound and a dark wash that floats underneath the cleanly articulated stick sound.
The 20” Constantinople renaissance ride is one of the finest ride cymbals to ever be produced. If you are looking for a cymbal that possesses a wide range of dynamic and gorgeous sounds, this is the best jazz ride cymbal around.
Pros
- Very rich and highly musical sounds
- Best jazz ride cymbal with the perfect wash
- Pinnacle of Zildjian craftsmanship
Cons
- Expensive cymbal, but worth every cent
Meinl 21” Byzance Transition Ride Cymbal
Meinl 21” Byzance Transition Ride Cymbal Review
The Meinl 21″ Byzance Transition Ride Cymbal is a premium ride cymbal that possesses delightfully warm and vintage sounds – one of the best cymbals for jazz music.
I’m a big fan of Mike Johnston, so I was very excited to try out his signature ride. While he’s not a huge jazz drummer, I’ve heard him say how he loves jazz drum tuning and cymbal sounds, so this ride goes along those lines.
I can say firsthand that this stunning ride cymbal is a gorgeous musical instrument. It’s a work of art that has fantastic sonic properties and a controlled overall volume.
This jazz ride cymbal has a beautifully rounded sound that is ultra responsive to the touch. It has a warm and precise stick definition, and the cymbal opens up when comping and crashing on the edge.
Where this cymbal exceeds is its versatility. It has a clean ride sound when played on the bow or the bell with the tip of the stick, and when transitioning to wide open crashing it produces a full, highly musical sound.
With dark, earthy, warm, and musical sounds, the Meinl 21″ Byzance Transition ride cymbal is one of the best jazz ride cymbals available right now.
If you are looking for a gorgeous ride cymbal that has a dark, earthy tone and a beautiful stick definition, this really makes a fantastic choice.
Pros
- Perfect as both a ride and crash
- One of a kind appearance
- Dark, earthy tone and woody stick definition
Cons
- Very few negatives- besides the price tag!
Meinl 20” Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride Cymbal
Meinl 20” Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride Cymbal Review
The Meinl 20” Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride Cymbal is another gorgeous-sounding cymbal from Meinl that has a very distinctive personality.
This cymbal naturally has a very dry tone. It performs as one of the best jazz ride cymbals on the market and it works perfectly for other various styles of music including pop, blues, fusion and R&B.
I love how this cymbal produces a particularly dark and dry sound. It also produces a highly articulate stick sound that is indeed very impressive, and works perfectly for busy ride patterns.
The cymbal also offers a beautifully clean and crisp sound thanks to the large bell that gives it a lot of presence.
The very dry and dark tone is without a doubt what makes this one of the best jazz cymbals to choose from, in my opinion.
Pros
- A lot of stick definition
- Beautifully clean and crisp sound
- Wide natural spread makes it incredibly musical
Cons
- Does not crash very well
- Too little wash
- Potentially too dry sounding for some
Paiste 20” PST 7 Light Ride Cymbal
Paiste 20” PST 7 Light Ride Cymbal Review
The Paiste 20″ PST 7 Light Ride Cymbal is a stunning, lightweight cymbal that produces rich and musical sounds. It’s an affordable yet premium sounding cymbal,
While pro jazz drummers wouldn’t exactly pick this ride, I’ve always been very impressed by how this cymbal sounds when trying it out.
I could hear how it would be a great option for rehearsal rooms or jazz drummers on tight budgets. It’s a great cymbal because it has a responsive and full-bodied sound, and a great balance of wash and stick definition.
The overall sound of the Paiste PST7 light ride is mellow and smooth yet has lots of bright qualities. It’s very light and therefore has a great amount of wash, and it really excels when it bursts into life as a crash cymbal!
The cymbal produces an expressive and musical voice. It’s a fantastic all-around cymbal. It responds supremely well to all different levels of playing dynamics.
The Paiste PST7 light ride cymbal doesn’t simply sound great – it also offers fantastic value for money. It’s a versatile and highly functional ride cymbal with an excellent crash that makes it an excellent choice for working drummers in different musical scenarios.
If you are looking for a versatile and mellow cymbal at a great price, this is one of the best jazz ride cymbals for the money.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
- Versatile jazz crash and ride cymbal
- Expressive, lightweight and musical
Cons
- A little on the brighter side
Meinl 22” Classics Custom Crash Ride Cymbal
Meinl 22” Classics Custom Crash Ride Cymbal Review
The Meinl Classics Custom Crash Ride Cymbal is a great sounding cymbal that possesses a unique dark finish. This cymbal has an excellent stick definition, and the bell of the cymbal has a clear and definitive ping sound.
I wasn’t expecting this ride to work well as a jazz option, as I’ve mainly seen it being used by metal drummers. However, jazz is all about sonic experimentation, and I could hear when playing this cymbal how the more aggressive tones would work in certain jazz contexts.
This cymbal really excels because it offers the best of both worlds.
It produces clean and articulate ride sounds from the bell and bow of the cymbal, and it performs brilliantly as a crash cymbal as it explodes with lots of character and volume.
This cymbal is not as warm and mellow as the previous cymbals reviewed, but it does mean it performs better in louder volume scenarios. It is formed from a B10 bronze alloy which means its sound is not as rich as the premium B20 bronze cymbals designed specifically for jazz.
Overall this is a good sounding ride cymbal that is a great choice for both beginners and working drummers. It also offers excellent value for money and this cymbal will perform well across a wide range of musical applications.
Pros
- Excellent sounding ride and crash cymbal
- Highly versatile and good value for money
- Bright and clear stick definition
Cons
- Lacks warmth and richness
- Suitable for jazz music but not the best option
- Heavy cymbal model
Jazz Ride Cymbal Buying Guide
The main function of a ride cymbal in jazz settings is to provide an open yet articulate sound that you can use to keep time.
Jazz is such a broad term for a wide variety of styles and feels, and your ride cymbal needs to be able to support all of those with its tones.
Depending on the size, weight, bell size, and material makeup of your ride cymbal, you’ll get vastly different sounds from it. So, it’s important to look out for those features when choosing a ride cymbal for jazz.
Features to Look for in a Jazz Ride Cymbal
Cymbal Alloy
All cymbals are made from different metal alloys, and those alloys determine the cost of the cymbal, as well as the quality of sound.
The cheapest cymbals are made from brass, and I suggest staying far away from those when looking for a jazz ride.
Budget and inexpensive cymbals are made from either B8, or B10 bronze. Some B10 ride cymbals are surprisingly musical, and they work well for jazz.
The best ride cymbals are made from B20 bronze. These ride cymbals have the most complex tones, along with plenty of musical responsiveness.
The cymbals with the highest costs have also been hand-hammered to get unique sounds. These are the best cymbals that you can get, and a good hand-hammered ride cymbal sounds beautiful in a jazz drum kit setup.
Cymbal Weight
Thin ride cymbals are quicker to speak, and they work brilliantly for playing jazz ride patterns.
Generally speaking, thinner ride cymbals work best for jazz drumming. Thin cymbals also tend to have better crashability.
However, you shouldn’t necesserily rule thicker ride cymbals out. They produce more volume, and they are suitable for louder and more energetic settings. A good example would be playing drums in a big band with 20 other musicians.
Thin ride cymbals are typically more expensive, while thick ride cymbals are more affordable most of the time.
Cymbal Sound
When it comes to jazz, it’s better to have a warm, dark, and complex sound from your ride cymbal. Cymbals with these tonal qualities are more musically expressive, lending better to the types of things played on the drums in jazz setups.
Bright cymbals are quite sharp and stick out in a jazz setup a bit too much. Having one or two bright cymbals may work, but I wouldn’t recommend using a very bright ride cymbal.
The ideal jazz cymbal will have musical sounds from playing on the edge, bow, and bell.
If you get a ride that doesn’t sound as good in one area, you can always use a second ride cymbal in your setup to compensate for that.
Cymbals that have gone through the most in-depth production processes sound the best, yet they’re the most expensive to ride cymbals to buy. Inexpensive cymbals don’t sound as good, so keep that in mind.
Things to Consider When Buying a Jazz Ride Cymbal
Consider the cymbal size:
A good jazz ride cymbal will range from 18” to 24”. The smaller the ride is, the more defined stick articulation it will have.
As rides get bigger, they get more washiness when played on the surface. A bit of washiness is good, but too much washiness will take away the stick definition, which is why 24” rides aren’t very commonly used.
Check the bell sound:
The bell of a ride cymbal is significant in many jazz subgenres. A good example is Latin music. You need a strong bell that cuts enough to be heard when playing with other musicians. If a ride doesn’t have a strong bell sound, it won’t be the best option for many jazz settings.
Determine crashability:
It’s a big bonus if a ride cymbal can be crashed on. Jazz drumming often has you using ride cymbals interchangeably as crash cymbals as well, so a ride cymbal that can be crashed on is ideal in a jazz drum setup.
Some ride cymbals have better crashing sounds than others, but you don’t want to get too much crashability and lose the stick definition.
Establish your budget:
Quality ride cymbals are some of the most expensive cymbals that you can get for a drum kit. If you want an amazing jazz ride cymbal, be prepared for a premium price tag.
However, you can also find some reasonably good-sounding cymbals at affordable prices. They just won’t be as musical or responsive.
Jazz Ride Cymbal FAQs
How Many Cymbals Does a Jazz Drum Setup Feature?
A basic jazz setup typically has three cymbals. Your hi-hats, a crash cymbal on the left, and a ride cymbal on the right. Many jazz drummers play with two ride cymbals instead of using a crash cymbal.
However, don’t limit yourself to only three cymbals if you’d like to use more. Using more than three cymbals gives you access to a wider array of sounds, which is excellent for jazz drumming.
What Brand of Cymbals is Best for Jazz Drumming?
Meinl, Zildjian, Paiste, and Sabian are the most widely used cymbal brands worldwide, no matter what style of music a drummer plays. However, Meinl and Zildjian have many cymbals in their product lines that cater incredibly well to jazz drumming, so you may see more jazz drummers using those than the other two brands.
Many jazz drummers also love using cymbals from smaller brands, such as Istanbul Agop or Bosphorus.
