Zultan 18" Raw China

China Cymbal

Size: 18"
Raw series
100% hand-hammered
Material: B20 Bronze
Dark, warm and full sound
Great musicality
The unlathed surface results in a dry, earthy sound with little overtone
Compact sound with awesome stick definition

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Available since October 2016
Item number 398427
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Hand Hammered Cymbal Yes
Finish Regular, Traditional
Alloy B20 Bronze

£159

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in 18" China Cymbals

Raw look, warm sound

The cymbals in Zultan's Raw series are characterised by their raw, earthy look. The surfaces of the cymbals reveal the natural colour of the B20 bronze: The absence of a clean, polished finish is a very deliberate design decision here. All the Raw cymbals have a dark, dry response that melds perfectly with the rest of the kit – and the band – so they're perfect whenever musicians want warm, unobtrusive cymbal sounds. The cymbals are made in Turkey, the country in which the art of cymbal making is most highly developed and where cymbal smiths who have spent their lives perfecting their craft use traditional methods to create high-quality, beautifully musical instruments.

In tune with the music

Each cymbal in the Zultan Raw series is made from 80% copper and 20% tin – the premium B20 bronze alloy used for really high-end cymbals. Each piece is hand hammered, making every cymbal unique: Great care is taken during final tuning to ensure that the specified tonal tolerances are met. Not lathing the cymbals results, on the one hand, in their appealingly unusual look, on the other hand in a compact, slightly treble-reduced sound with a relatively short sustain. Thanks to these special acoustic characteristics, there is no risk that the cymbals of the Raw series will ever dominate the track they're played on. The 18" Raw China has a very sensitive response and generates a warm, hissing sound.

From Jazz to Electro and back again

Drummers from the genres of Pop, Fusion, Funk, and Jazz need dynamic cymbals with a fast response that are capable of blending homogeneously into different settings. The 18" China from the Raw series is perfect for the task: It can be played with sticks, rods, brushes, or felt mallets, showing off its full sound even when played quietly; this means it's also suitable for unplugged sessions or more varied percussion setups. Fans of hybrid drumming, in which acoustic and electronic sounds are on an equal footing, often prefer cymbals with dry sound characteristics – one of the key features of the Raw series. As such, the 18" Raw China is sure to perform here as well.

About Zultan

To provide traditional craftsmanship at a fair price has been the guiding principle of Zultan ever since it was founded in 2000. The firm’s practice of selling directly to the end customer makes it possible to offer very customer-friendly prices. Nevertheless, the production process for Zultan’s trademark cymbals, which are made mainly in Turkey, is of the highest quality, a fact which has ensured they have also been a fixture in the Thomann range since 2011. The nearly 250 Zultan products cover several cymbal series, catering for all sectors of the music market. Zultan also offers accessories such as bags and drumsticks. Thanks to the use of high-quality materials and manufacturing expertise, Zultan really does offer uncompromising quality at a reasonable price.

Mics love it Raw

The 18" Zultan Raw China can be used flexibly and has virtually no musical limitations, although it's probably not best suited to the very loudest styles. But thanks to this moderate volume and its balanced frequency spectrum, the Raw China is actually a perfect studio cymbal, where it's best for a balanced mix if the drum mics pick up the cymbals as little as possible. Equally, even in locations with difficult acoustics, for example in halls with very high ceilings or in cold, boxy rehearsal rooms, the 18" China, like all of the other cymbals in the Raw series, delivers very reliable results.

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4.6 / 5

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19 Reviews

Extremely trashy china for extreme music

Vykintas 01.03.2020

I would like to start this review off by saying that this is my favourite cymbal on my set (check "amendedband" on YT for a sound sample and a small review).
The cymbal is really thin and dry. Also - really trashy. I always wanted something like a Sabians AA holy china. This seems to be really close to that, but also is dry, a feat I really love about this cymbal.
The cymbal had a few, what I would like to call - linear scratches. But it has a raw finish, so maybe that is normal.
I have already owned this cymbal for 6 months and I always get a pleasant surprise every time I hit it.
A top quality sounding cymbal for an unbeatable price - recommend for anyone who is into heavier music.

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somatattooathens 06.09.2019

This is my first experience with raw cymbals. Despite the harsh loudness that the cymbal makes, fits perfect on recordings! Not my favourite "fat" sound thou.

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You struggle to find better for the price

Ste Keloid 11.09.2018

I bought this cymbal after I'd previously spend £250+ on a "high end" 18" China, only to have it break at the edge within 8 months.
As I needed one quickly, and didn't have £250 on me at the time, I went for this thinking "how bad can a china sound?". I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived, and I actually prefer it to my previous china now!

It's got a very dry, trashy sound, with a quick decay, and it's LOUD. Looks pretty cool too with the raw finish. I've gigged it a few times since getting it too including an outside "tent" style festival stage, and a 100/150 capacity club. On both occasions I was competing with very loud guitar & bass, on the club night with no overheads, and on both occasions it cut through everything with ease.
The style I play is on the whole "heavy" and we're a loud band, and I've been pleased with the sound of it for the situation it's in. I imagine it would struggle at lower volumes though, and might sound overpowering over an Ed Sheeran Ukulele cover for example.

Very good cymbal for the money - would definitely recommend.

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Good Cymbal

Rui M. Silva 22.09.2025

My only problem with this cymbal it's that it doesn't project enough. Especially if you are playing with big cymbals around you.

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Zultan 18" Raw China

China Cymbal