Best Zultan 20" Ride Cymbals 2026
Alright, let's talk Zultan 20" rides. You're probably chasing that shimmering, articulate wash that cuts through a dense mix, and a lot of rides just end up sounding brittle or muddy. Zultan's been quietly making incredible cymbals for decades, and their 20" rides are a seriously compelling option if you want something with real character - they're not just another cookie-cutter cymbal. These are the rides you reach for when you want to add depth and complexity, not just a 'tick' and a fade.
Last updated: September 7, 2026
Zultan 20" Alaris light Ride
- • Handmade B-20 bronze gives rich, warm tone
- • Exceptional stick definition for crisp notes
- • Soft, airy wash suits expressive playing
- • Clear bell remains defined during use
- • No weight listed makes balance hard to judge
- • Finish type not described in text
- • Bell size remains unspecified in data
Zultan 20" Alaris Ride
- • Handmade in Turkey with B20 bronze
- • Excellent stick definition on the ride
- • Warm wash for smooth tones
- • Assertive yet balanced bell sound
- • No weight or thickness listed
- • Finish type not explicitly stated
- • Bell size not specified in text
Zultan 20" Aja Blaze Ride
- • Handmade from high-quality B20 bronze alloy
- • Delivers an explosive attack characteristic
- • Maintains a soft, controlled sustain quality
- • Custom-crafted by skilled artisans
- • No specific finish type listed in description
- • Lacks stated weight specifications
- • Bell dimensions are not provided
Zultan 20" Ride 25
- • Warm, balanced tone excels in pop, R&B and beyond.
- • Traditional finish provides a visually appealing, handcrafted aesthetic.
- • B20 bronze construction delivers a complex, musical shimmer.
- • Excellent dynamics and response for nuanced playing and powerful accents.
- • The 20” size may feel small for players needing a larger wash.
- • Traditional finish might require more frequent cleaning to maintain appearance.
- • While versatile, it’s not a powerhouse for heavier, more aggressive genres.
Zultan 20" Heritage Flat Ride
- • Warm, complex wash offers a unique, vintage vibe.
- • Hand-hammering provides nuanced articulation and responsiveness.
- • B-20 bronze delivers a balanced, musical tone.
- • Flat profile encourages stick definition and controlled dynamics.
- • Limited versatility; less suited for heavier, modern playing styles.
- • Hammered finish may require occasional maintenance to preserve its character.
- • The thinner weight might not appeal to drummers preferring a heavier feel.
Zultan 20" Aeon Ride
- • B25 bronze provides a warm, complex tone absent in typical B12 cymbals.
- • Hand-hammering creates a responsive, lively wash with excellent stick definition.
- • Unlathed bell delivers a dark, musical fundamental, avoiding a harsh, processed sound.
- • The longer decay adds a beautiful shimmer and sustain for nuanced playing.
- • The B25 alloy can be slightly more brittle than standard bronze, requiring careful handling.
- • While versatile, its darker tone might be less ideal for very bright, modern genres.
- • The handmade nature introduces slight variations in weight and appearance between cymbals.
Zultan 20" Dune Ride
- • Exceptional clarity despite the dry, thrashy character
- • Hand-hammering provides nuanced, complex overtones
- • B20 bronze delivers warm, responsive projection
- • Polished bell offers a focused, articulate stick definition
- • Dry sound might not suit players seeking wash or shimmering sustain
- • Hammered nature means slight variations in response are present
- • Limited versatility; excels in specific genres, less so in others
Zultan 20" Heritage Ride
- • Warm, complex overtone structure creates a lush, musical wash.
- • Hand-hammered lathing delivers nuanced stick definition and responsiveness.
- • B20 bronze alloy provides a balanced, vintage-inspired tone.
- • Solid bell delivers a clear, musical ping without being overly dry.
- • May lack the bright, cutting shimmer some modern players prefer.
- • The warmer tone might get lost in very dense, aggressive mixes.
- • Handmade nature introduces slight variations in weight and feel.
Zultan 20" Raw Flat Ride
- • B20 bronze delivers a warm, complex fundamental tone.
- • Hand-hammering creates nuanced stick definition and response.
- • Raw finish minimizes sustain and unwanted overtones effectively.
- • Compact sound is ideal for smaller kits or quieter settings.
- • Raw finish lacks the visual appeal of more polished cymbals.
- • Limited versatility; not suited for bright, splashy playing styles.
- • The dry character might not suit all genres or drummer preferences.
Zultan 20" Ride Dark Matter
- • Exceptional hand-hammering creates complex, nuanced wash.
- • Dark Matter alloy delivers a warm, controlled, and musical tone.
- • Pronounced bell provides a clear, cutting articulation.
- • Large dynamic range allows for quiet subtlety to powerful crashes.
- • Darker sound may not suit brighter musical styles like jazz fusion.
- • Hammering marks, while beautiful, can create slight inconsistencies in response.
- • The thinner profile might not be ideal for heavier hitters.
Zultan 20" Caz Ride
- • The B20 bronze alloy delivers a warm, complex fundamental tone.
- • Hand hammering creates a nuanced, darker sound than machine-lathed cymbals.
- • Versatile enough for jazz and fusion, with a responsive stick definition.
- • The thinner profile allows for easy, expressive crash capabilities.
- • The lighter weight might lack sustain for heavier rock or metal styles.
- • Polished finish is prone to finger marks and requires more frequent cleaning.
- • While versatile, it’s not a powerhouse crash; more of a nuanced accent.
Zultan 20" Z-Series Ride
- • Hand-hammering creates complex overtones and a lively response.
- • B20 bronze alloy delivers a warm, dark, and versatile tone.
- • Excellent stick definition without excessive wash, cutting through a mix.
- • Unique, hammered appearance adds visual flair and artisanal character.
- • The dark sound may be too subdued for brighter, more modern genres.
- • Hammered finish can be more susceptible to scratches and patina.
- • Zultan cymbals, while excellent, don't have the brand recognition of some larger companies.
Zultan 20" Aja Ride
- • Bright, clear wash with a focused stick definition.
- • B20 bronze alloy offers a unique tonal character.
- • Relatively lightweight for extended playing sessions.
- • Polished finish enhances brilliance and responsiveness.
- • Lacks the dark, complex overtones of higher-end cymbals.
- • May be too bright for drummers preferring a vintage, dry sound.
- • The thin profile could make it prone to cracking with rough handling.
Zultan 20" Rock Beat Heavy Ride
- • B-20 bronze provides a warm, complex fundamental tone.
- • Heavy weight delivers powerful projection and sustain.
- • Power bell cuts through the mix with assertive clarity.
- • Hand-polished surface enhances brilliance and responsiveness.
- • The heavy weight may be fatiguing for extended playing.
- • Limited versatility; excels in rock but less suited for delicate jazz.
- • Finish, while hand-polished, isn’t as refined as premium brands.
Zultan 20" Q Ride
- • Deep hammering creates a uniquely complex, shimmering wash.
- • B-20 bronze alloy delivers warm, musical sustain.
- • High-gloss/raw contrast enhances articulation and visual appeal.
- • Hammered bell provides a focused, darker, bell tone.
- • The raw outer ring can be prone to minor oxidation over time.
- • Might be too dark/washy for players seeking a bright, cutting ride.
- • Limited versatility; excels in studio but less ideal for loud rock genres.
Every 20" ride cymbals that matches
21 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Zultan 20" F5 Ride | Size 20" | $266 |
| 17 | Zultan 20" Mellow Ride | Size 20" | $346 |
| 18 | Zultan 20" Aeon Light Ride | Size 20" | $289 |
| 19 | Zultan 20" Raw Jazz Ride | Size 20" | $255 |
| 20 | Zultan 20" Raw Ride | Size 20" | $255 |
| 21 | Zultan 20" Rock Beat Medium Ride | Size 20" | $266 |
20" Ride Cymbals by the numbers
Measured across all 147 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best 20" Ride Cymbals
Turkish Heritage & Alloy
Zultan uses a unique B20 bronze alloy with a higher tin content than many competitors. This contributes to their characteristic complex overtones and a really nuanced response - it's not just 'bright,' it's a shimmering, almost vocal quality.
Bell Definition & Sustain
The bell on a Zultan 20" ride is key. It's surprisingly defined, offering a clear, cutting stick sound without being harsh. The sustain is long and controlled; you get that wash without it spiraling into a messy, uncontrolled ring.
Wash and Articulation
The wash is what separates a decent ride from a special ride, and Zultan nails it. It's full and complex, but maintains excellent articulation - you can still hear the individual stick strikes even within the wash. This is crucial for genres like jazz or anything that demands a lot of dynamic control.
Weight and Feel
Zultan 20" rides tend to be medium-thin. This gives them a responsive feel and makes them easy to control, especially for lighter stick strokes. It's a nice balance - enough weight to project, but not so much that they feel sluggish.
Manufacturing Process
Zultan's hammering process is key to their sound. They're hand-hammered, which creates those complex overtones and gives each cymbal a unique sonic signature. You can feel the craftsmanship; it's not mass-produced stiffness.
Buying Guide
Look, Zultan isn't the cheapest option out there - you're paying for that heritage and hand-hammered quality. But you're also getting a ride that will genuinely elevate your playing. Be sure to listen to sound samples online, but ideally, try one out in person. Every cymbal is unique, and the subtle differences in hammering will be apparent. Don't expect a super-loud, aggressive ride; these are about finesse and musicality.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 21 of 147 20" ride cymbals from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
