Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash
Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash
The Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash delivers the bright, versatile crash sound that has made the A Zildjian series a staple for drummers across a wide range of musical settings. Its medium-thin weight opens easily for quick response, while the stronger high-end gives it more projection than a thinner crash. Available from West Coast Drum Shop in Bellevue, WA, this 17-inch crash is a dependable choice for players who want classic Zildjian character with balanced body, brightness, and control.
Product Description
The Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash embodies the classic Zildjian crash cymbal sound with a bright voice, versatile response, and musical projection. A Zildjian Medium Thin Crashes are among Zildjian's most popular crash cymbal lines, offering a balance of quick opening response and enough high-end presence to cut through a mix. This 17-inch version gives drummers a useful middle ground, with more body than a smaller crash and more immediacy than many larger cymbals.
The medium-thin weight is a major part of this cymbal's appeal. It allows the crash to open easily under the stick, so players do not have to work hard to activate the cymbal. That quick response makes it useful for frequent accents, fills, transitions, and expressive dynamic playing. At the same time, the medium-thin build provides more substance than an ultra-light crash, helping the cymbal retain definition and projection when the music gets louder.
Zildjian notes that A Medium Thin Crashes project with a stronger high-end tonality than Thin Crashes. For the 17" A Medium Thin Crash, that means each accent has a clear, bright edge that can speak through a full band while still retaining the classic and colorful A Zildjian character. The sound is bright and recognizable, but not overly specialized, which is why this model works well as a central crash voice in many different setups.
The 17-inch size adds flexibility. It is compact enough to respond quickly, but large enough to produce a fuller crash than smaller sizes. That balance makes it practical as a primary crash for players who want fast response, or as a secondary crash paired with larger cymbals for contrast. Its familiar A Zildjian sound also makes it easy to blend with a wide range of cymbal families, from bright modern setups to more traditional configurations.
Sound & Playing Feel
The Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash has a bright, open crash sound with quick response and a stronger high-end than a Thin Crash. The attack is immediate and musical, giving accents a clean front edge without feeling harsh or overly stiff. When struck, the cymbal blooms quickly and produces a colorful, familiar crash voice with enough projection for both live and studio use.
The medium-thin weight gives the cymbal a responsive feel under the stick. Softer strokes bring out a clear shimmer, while stronger hits produce more volume, body, and brightness. This makes the cymbal comfortable across a range of dynamics, from controlled accent work to more assertive crash moments. It does not require excessive force to speak, but it still has enough high-end presence to remain defined when the arrangement becomes fuller.
The sustain is balanced and musical. It opens quickly, spreads naturally, and fades in a way that keeps the cymbal useful for repeated crash placement. The 17-inch diameter gives the cymbal more body than a smaller accent crash while preserving enough speed for tight arrangements. Overall, the sound is bright, versatile, responsive, and classic, with the kind of A Zildjian character that fits easily into many drum set configurations.
Order online or visit West Coast Drum Shop in Bellevue, WA to hear and compare cymbals in person.
Applications & Use Cases
- Primary crash role: Delivers a classic bright A Zildjian sound with enough body and projection for central crash duties.
- Quick accent work: Medium-thin weight opens easily for fast response during fills, transitions, and musical punctuation.
- Stronger high-end presence: Added brightness compared with a Thin Crash helps the cymbal stay clear in a full mix.
- Studio recording: Familiar crash character and balanced sustain make the cymbal easy to place in detailed drum tracks.
- Live performance: Versatile projection and responsive feel support a wide range of stage volume levels.
- Flexible cymbal pairing: Blends naturally with other A Zildjian cymbals, brighter crashes, or mixed cymbal setups needing a dependable 17-inch voice.
Why Choose West Coast Drum Shop?
West Coast Drum Shop in Bellevue, WA offers knowledgeable support from experienced drummers and cymbal specialists who can help match crash size, weight, brightness, response, sustain, and projection to your full cymbal setup. Most cymbals displayed in-store may show minor cosmetic shop wear from handling or light play, but this does not affect sound or structural integrity. Every cymbal order is carefully packed for protection during transit, with reliable nationwide shipping available.
For complete technical details from the manufacturer, visit the official Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash product page.