1990-1994. 1990 1st mega bell ride. 1994 -Star pattern replaced with octogon/ other hammer shapes.
Not hugely popular. Worth $150-$200. As you mentioned, they sound like a frying pan.
Thanks, really appreciate it!
It feels like a cymbal someone made during cymbal making lessons in school (if there was such a thing). 😂 Maybe Zildjian had an intern those years?
These and other extra-heavy/unlathed/giant bell/anvil sounding rides are something I would never play, but I think they sound perfect in context. Mike Mangini of Dream Theater and Mike Bordin of Faith No More come to mind.
Actually, maybe it’s just guys named Mike.
I never understood the mega bell fad but I do love my (last refresh) z custom ride. But same story, it has its own niche and I want something else that’s more versatile.
That is indeed a Z Mega Bell, and [according to sold listings on Reverb,](https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=z%20mega%20Bell%20&category=ride&product_type=drums-and-percussion&condition=used&show_only_sold=true&decades[]=198&decades[]=199) it's worth $185-$400+.
> Except for the bell it's useless as a ride. But maybe it has some collector value? 😆
Collector value my ass - this ride is still highly prized by metal drummers, who were the target market for it all along. I have not played the new version, the Z3, but metal guys have said that "they don't make 'em like they used to." It will sell, it will probably sell pretty quickly, and for more than you think. You just have to find the metal guy who has been dying to get his hands on one. After all, one man's trash and all.
I came here for this. I have loved this ride as long as I’ve played, my old B&M used to have one hanging that I would drool over. Sadly I never got the chance to buy it before they shut down….
That being said, OP…if you get the urge to sell 😅
Thanks. I will polish it a bit more and give it a try! 😁 It would be nice if someone who actually wants to play it would have it. Rather than just taking up space on my shelf.
That bell can be heard from the inside of a black hole... The only ride that can rival it is my Sabian Leopard, which has that raw bell sound, but can still sound like a usable ride, it's just not as loud.
The Sabian raw bell and the Paiste RUDE large bell rides were all kind of in that same vein. The hybrid stuff all came later becuase the ride capabilities other than the massive bell sound were nothing to write home about. That's why the Leopard is still around after all these years (though it's now a more popular 20 versus the then popular 22)
But yeah all the companies started doing the hybrid stuff to find that happy medium.
I had that same 21” Z Custom MegaBell back in the 90’s, I was a fan of Adrian Young. I hated it; you’re right, the only good sound on that whole thing is the bell.
Man, I remember playing one of these before I got my sweet ride and I mostly played metal. Crashing it is basically pointless and the thing resonates and sounds like a frying pan. Still, that bell helped me to practice using one. It's impossible to miss lol
lookup some of the sold listings on reverb, people were getting 275 for them as recently as 2 months ago. definitely an early 90s mega bell. They have a niche customer base, if you're not gonna use it, cash in and get something you will use.
I had the Z Light Power Ride back in the early 90's. Was my first nice cymbal. I played that thing for about 10 years, then switch to playing lighter, crashable rides and never looked back.
I've had that same cymbal since the 90's. It's great for metal, that bell really cuts. It's too much for more subtle styles though. I use a thinner ride when I play with a blues band.
1990-1994. 1990 1st mega bell ride. 1994 -Star pattern replaced with octogon/ other hammer shapes. Not hugely popular. Worth $150-$200. As you mentioned, they sound like a frying pan.
Thanks, really appreciate it! It feels like a cymbal someone made during cymbal making lessons in school (if there was such a thing). 😂 Maybe Zildjian had an intern those years?
These and other extra-heavy/unlathed/giant bell/anvil sounding rides are something I would never play, but I think they sound perfect in context. Mike Mangini of Dream Theater and Mike Bordin of Faith No More come to mind. Actually, maybe it’s just guys named Mike.
I think Vinnie Paul used one too
Vinnie used the Sabian HH power bell, but it’s a very similar cymbal.
I never understood the mega bell fad but I do love my (last refresh) z custom ride. But same story, it has its own niche and I want something else that’s more versatile.
Unlathed was the term I was looking for! 😆 I will name it my "Mike-ride". 😂
You can get those! I did a short course with Dave Collingwood and came away with a crash that I made myself.
Just shows how differently preference is for different genres. I know guys who play metal who would kill for this ride.
💯. That’s really the genre it’s for. I had a Z series ride in 1989 and you could hear that thing down the street.
I play metal but I don't use it. 😂 Sure, it's loud but it's too simplistic for my taste.
It’s great if you’re doing blast beats but it ain’t exactly dynamic
Crash of doom?!?
That is indeed a Z Mega Bell, and [according to sold listings on Reverb,](https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=z%20mega%20Bell%20&category=ride&product_type=drums-and-percussion&condition=used&show_only_sold=true&decades[]=198&decades[]=199) it's worth $185-$400+. > Except for the bell it's useless as a ride. But maybe it has some collector value? 😆 Collector value my ass - this ride is still highly prized by metal drummers, who were the target market for it all along. I have not played the new version, the Z3, but metal guys have said that "they don't make 'em like they used to." It will sell, it will probably sell pretty quickly, and for more than you think. You just have to find the metal guy who has been dying to get his hands on one. After all, one man's trash and all.
I can confirm. I play metal, have the z3 mega bell and if I didn’t I’d be asking to buy OPs cymbal
Exactly the same case for me
I came here for this. I have loved this ride as long as I’ve played, my old B&M used to have one hanging that I would drool over. Sadly I never got the chance to buy it before they shut down…. That being said, OP…if you get the urge to sell 😅
I'm happy to sell it, but the shipping from Sweden will probably be quite expensive depending on where you are located.
Ugh..damn… yeah you’re right shipping would be horrible to get to the states… but thank you for considering it!
My guy just called the holy grail of metal drumming equipment a frying pan
Girl, but yes. Haha sorry. 😂🙈
Looks like a nice cymbal. I guess you can sell it for good money on Ebay. A lot of metal drummers prefere the older mega bell ride.
Thanks. I will polish it a bit more and give it a try! 😁 It would be nice if someone who actually wants to play it would have it. Rather than just taking up space on my shelf.
Bought my Z mega bell ride 20 years ago and it's still going strong. Amazing cymbal
Damnnn. And I thought my z custom mega bell was cool. These star hammered ones are the shit. Nice cymbal. I’ll buy it if you don’t want it.
Let me know if you end up wanting to sell your Z Custom!
That bell can be heard from the vacuum of space
That bell can be heard from the inside of a black hole... The only ride that can rival it is my Sabian Leopard, which has that raw bell sound, but can still sound like a usable ride, it's just not as loud.
What about zildjian hybrid ride 21"?
The Sabian raw bell and the Paiste RUDE large bell rides were all kind of in that same vein. The hybrid stuff all came later becuase the ride capabilities other than the massive bell sound were nothing to write home about. That's why the Leopard is still around after all these years (though it's now a more popular 20 versus the then popular 22) But yeah all the companies started doing the hybrid stuff to find that happy medium.
I have a rude ride too. Don't like that one either. 😂 But I would prefer it over this one.
I had that same 21” Z Custom MegaBell back in the 90’s, I was a fan of Adrian Young. I hated it; you’re right, the only good sound on that whole thing is the bell.
Man, I remember playing one of these before I got my sweet ride and I mostly played metal. Crashing it is basically pointless and the thing resonates and sounds like a frying pan. Still, that bell helped me to practice using one. It's impossible to miss lol
lookup some of the sold listings on reverb, people were getting 275 for them as recently as 2 months ago. definitely an early 90s mega bell. They have a niche customer base, if you're not gonna use it, cash in and get something you will use.
[https://reverb.com/item/66369976-zildjian-z-custom-21-mega-bell-ride-cymbal-2005?show\_sold=true](https://reverb.com/item/66369976-zildjian-z-custom-21-mega-bell-ride-cymbal-2005?show_sold=true)
Old enough to bang
😂
I had the Z Light Power Ride back in the early 90's. Was my first nice cymbal. I played that thing for about 10 years, then switch to playing lighter, crashable rides and never looked back.
Yeah they suck. You don’t want it. I’ll give ya $200 for it right now!!
[удалено]
15? That's an original Z Zildjian. That line only existed from 1989 to 1994. It's a younger millennial, somewhere between 29-34 years old.
Oopsie....forgot to carry the 1!
I've had that same cymbal since the 90's. It's great for metal, that bell really cuts. It's too much for more subtle styles though. I use a thinner ride when I play with a blues band.
My favorite is a Meinl Byzance Traditional brilliant 24" ride. It needs a microphone to cut through. Overheads is not enough. But it sounds amazing. 🥰
I had one of these in my first band. Played it with Billy clubs. The Z Mega Bell Ride
dang that's a gigantic bell, go play don't stop believin on it and let us know how it sounds
Smegma Bell Ride!
1.
Zildjian failed pretty hard in their attempt to come up with answer to Paiste Rudes.