Vintage 20-inch Avedis Zildjian Dance Ride
Here is a video about the Avedis Zildjian Dance Ride. This is one of my favorite ride cymbals and it was manufactured from the 1940s into the early 1960s. This particular cymbal is 20″‘s and weighs 1950 grams. A perfect weight for an old A. Drum Set Craviotto Private Reserve Stacked Maple 20″ x 15″” Bass Drum 10″ x 8″ & 12″ x 8″ Toms, 14″ x 14″ Floor Tom Cymbals: Zildjian 20″ 1960’s Dance Ride Two Zildjian 1960’s 18″ Crash Cymbals Zildjian 20″ 1950’s Sizzle Ride Cymbal Sabian 13″ HH Regular Hi Hats
The vintage 20-inch Avedis Zildjian “Dance Ride” cymbal is a rare and sought-after artifact from Zildjian’s mid-20th century golden era of cymbal-making, with deep roots in swing, early jazz, and big band dance music.
Manufacture & Design
- Maker: Avedis Zildjian Company, founded in 1929 in the U.S. (originally from Turkey, c.1623).
- Era: Most Dance Rides are dated between the 1940s and early 1960s, identifiable by large stamp (1940s) or medium stamp (1950s–60s) Zildjian hallmarks.
- Alloy: Traditional B20 bronze (80% copper, 20% tin) — hand-hammered and lathed.
- Profile: Slightly flatter than modern rides, often thinner at the edge but with a pronounced, small bell.
- Weight: Typically light for its diameter — around 1800–2200 grams — putting it between a modern crash/ride and a thin ride.
- Labeling: Some were ink-stamped “DANCE RIDE” underneath or near the bell, though many have faded.
Purpose & Goal
- Goal: A “Dance Ride” was designed specifically for dance bands, where clarity, shimmer, and musicality at lower volume were essential.
- Meant to cut through horns and bass without overpowering the band — a musical ride cymbal with some crashability.
- Played primarily in ballrooms, jazz clubs, and big band halls where dynamic control was vital.
Sound Quality
- Tone:
- Warm, papery, with a smoky wash and clean stick articulation.
- Has fast decay compared to heavier rides.
- Bell: Generally muted, not the primary feature.
- Edge: Crashable but not explosive — more of a “splashy bloom.”
- Excels at brush work, low-volume ride patterns, and timbale-style comping.
- Considered exceptionally musical, even-tempered, and recording-friendly.
Artists & Recordings
- Not always mentioned explicitly, but Dance Ride-style cymbals were used by:
- Gene Krupa
- Papa Jo Jones
- Buddy Rich
- Mel Lewis
- Shelly Manne
- Elvin Jones (early period — used thinner rides in small club settings)
- Recordings:
- Classic jazz albums from the late 1940s to early 1960s often feature this cymbal type.
- You’ll hear its signature whispery wash on small combo sessions for Blue Note, Verve, and Prestige — particularly brush-heavy ballads and medium swing tunes.
Target Player
- Tailored for:
- Jazz drummers
- Swing and Big Band percussionists
- Brush stylists
- Recording artists seeking subtlety and warmth
- Best suited to low to moderate volume situations (pre-amplification era).
- Ideal for players valuing control, finesse, and musical texture.
Infamy & Rarity
- Infamous for being misunderstood: modern players often dismiss these as “too light” or “not pingy enough” — until they hear them in a mix.
- Became unfashionable during the rock era, when heavier cymbals became standard.
- Now prized by:
- Vintage collectors
- Jazz purists
- Boutique cymbal makers studying their profiles for hand-hammered recreations.
- Rare to find intact with legible ink stamp and without keyholing or edge cracks.
Summary
The vintage 20″ Avedis Zildjian Dance Ride is not just a cymbal — it’s a time capsule of the ballroom era, created for swing-driven musicality. It embodies a lost philosophy of cymbal making: warmth and character over volume and ping. In the right hands — especially in jazz, fusion, or acoustic settings — it remains a masterpiece of musical tone.
Would you like help finding specific recordings where it was used or how to price one in today’s market?