Vulcan Dark Master 20" Ride

Vulcan’s Dark Master series is quite unique.

The ride cymbals in this series just sound different … good. Firing the cymbal in the oven after processing gives it both a unique appearance and a lovely tone.

This cymbal feels light and has pretty good control. The attack is medium-bright, with an understated wash underneath. If you crash on it, you’ll awaken the dark side of the cymbal’s tonal range and bring it out of its slumber.

The sustain is relatively linear, meaning the decay is slow.

And the otherwise black and burned surface isn’t entirely scorched! Vulcan has actually polished it, so it almost shines (which can be hard to see in photos).

All in all, it’s a delightful, light, and controllable ride cymbal with plenty of possibilities and a sound that stands out in the crowd.