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Three cigar-shaped cut-outs radiate outwards at intervals of 120 degrees

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As is customary, Zildjian began the year by revealing a cache of new models to the drumming world. The first selections from this new bronze crop to reach us was a quartet of EFX cymbals. Originally designed for the Remix range, EFXs are highly modern instruments whose defining feature is a series of holes and shapes that are cut out of each cymbal.

The EFX design was transferred to the A Custom range in 2007 because drummers were buying the Remix EFX model and removing the jingles that came attached to the cymbal. Since then A Custom EFXs have been spotted on many players' kits from a wide spread of genres.

Aside from a pair of EFXs in Zildjian's ZHT series, the design has remained in A Custom territory. Until now that is, as two of the new cymbals are from the K series. The pair of Ks are sized at 16" and 18", while the two new A Custom models are in 14" and 20" diameters, neatly book-ending existing 16" and 18" A Custom EFXs.

EFX cymbals resemble regular cymbals in nearly all aspects; the difference lies in what's missing. Three cigar-shaped cut-outs radiate outwards at intervals of 120 degrees. Between each cut-out are patterns of four holes. These are spaced evenly, with three following the curve of the cymbal in a line while a single hole is placed closer to the bell, making a triangular formation.

The presence of the cut-outs influences the tuning of the cymbals, encouraging conflicting frequencies. They also interrupt the flow of energy across the cymbals, making them decay quicker in a process that could be compared to short circuiting the vibrations.

It's worth noting that Dave Grohl used a prototype 20" A Custom EFX. Grohl's drum tech, Gersh, recently described his ideal cymbal as one that sounds naturally as though it's been compressed, adding that the 20" EFX fitted the bill perfectly.

The pair of all-new K EFXs has been created because of requests from UK drummers for mellower versions of EFXs. They are easily distinguished by their traditional finish, in contrast to the brilliant finish of the A Customs. The two ranges also differ in weight, with K EFXs being classified as thin while A Customs are paper thin.

Hands on

An unintended side benefit of the apertures cut into the EFXs is the ease with which the cymbals can be picked up and placed on a stand. The first to submit was the 14" A Custom which opened quickly in a bright, aggressive manner. Its sound was recognisably that of a crash cymbal, but one with a distinctly trashy slant.