Some players really like these, & they have a mystique, so for $120, it may be a good price to flip. ...But, they are a very special sounding cymbal, & do not have broad appeal. They are basically a thick metal plate w/ no sizzle or character, high pitched & one dimensional. (in the 1920-30's they would be called Gong cymbals, the type used attached to bass drums & struck w/ a foot pedal beater., .. very strident & metallic. I've had several of them, & they really didn't fit, sonically, w/ anything I played. (I'm sure you'll hear from the players who appreciate them).

I don't know if the earth ride is one of those specialty cymbals that may command more money always, or from time to time ,or at all,or if it is one of those that you can get for less because they are a drug on the market.

I guess you could figure value as what you would paid for a 20" A Zil,1979 or later,I think that was the first year for them. That would be 6.00 an inch,which is about what I would spend on a 20" A Zil 70's or after.

That being said I think the earth ride pre dates the paiste Rudes,and was intended as a rock cymbal,pretty much all ping no sing dry kind of ride,but soon after a lot of Jazz drummers started using the earth and rudes.

If you are buying it to play I think 120.00 is a good price,but no idea if you are buying it to flip.

they did re-release this as part of the "Rarities" program.

Is it brilliant or raw finish?

Yes you could get them both ways.

Should sound like a whole bag of "ping" with some trash in the over tones.

I lusted for one for quite some time till I found my other 4 rides.

The Earth Ride was perhaps the first of Zildjian's different cymbals. I've got an original, and it's a very dry ping. Not dead, but maybe 90% ping, 10% ring.

$120 is a decent price, but you won't get much more than that if you're trying to flip it. the fact that there aren't many completed auctions should be an indicator of their desirability (which is pretty low.)

If you're not going to use it yourself, I'd pass.

Bermuda

Thanks for the input guys. This cymbal is the raw finish which doesn't really bother me. Kind of gives it character. I thought it might be a nice one to have for the collection. I will see if the seller will go lower or throw something else in to sweeten the pot. If not I think I will pass.

Dean

my buddy just picked up a 20 in dark ride and its the worse cymbal ive ever played the bell sucks no crash ability at all, you can hit it all day with a 2x4 and it still sounds the same worse idea , a cymbal thats 1/2 done. junk junk junk

Like I said, Zildjian's first, really different cymbal. Their previous variances from the norm - what came to be known as A's - were hardly adventurous: the 21" Rock Ride had a slightly different bell and bow, and New Beat hats were simply paired so the bottom was significantly heavier.

The Earth Ride was a huge departure from what anyone was offering, and its novelty caused some interest. But in the real world, they didn't get used much. I got one just because. I'm surprised Zildjian re-issued it a few years back.

Bermuda

I'd still like to play one for a weekend, dont know if I could commit to owning it though, now if one fell into my lap I may keep it (and the bruises)

If you use a chop saw blade,..you`ll get the same soundish like !!