Best China Cymbals for Metal in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best china cymbals for metal drumming. Expert recommendations on trashy 18"-20" accent cymbals for blackened, thrash, and death metal breakdowns, featuring the exact chinas used by Lars Ulrich, Joey Jordison, Dave Lombardo, and Gene Hoglan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What china cymbal does Lars Ulrich use?
Lars Ulrich uses a 20" Zildjian Z Custom China, part of his Zildjian A Custom setup that has defined Metallica's cymbal sound since the 1996 Load sessions.
What size china cymbal is best for metal?
20" is the most common choice among metal drummers for its low-end weight and projection — used by Lars Ulrich, Joey Jordison, and Gene Hoglan. 18" chinas respond faster and suit technical or progressive passages where a full 20" wash would clutter the mix.
Should I mount my china cymbal upside down?
Inverted (cup-down) mounting produces a trashier, more explosive attack and is standard in extreme metal. Standard (cup-up) mounting gives a more controlled, traditional china sound. Try both — many drummers prefer inverted for maximum trash.
What's the best budget china cymbal for metal?
The Zildjian ZBT China (€70-90) delivers a genuinely trashy B8 bronze sound at a true beginner price. For a step up, the Sabian XSR Fast China (€100-130) brings B20 bronze — usually reserved for pro cymbals — to a mid-range price.
China vs crash cymbal — what's the difference for metal?
A crash is designed to ring out cleanly with a longer, more musical decay. A china produces a faster, dirtier, more explosive attack with a shorter decay, making it better suited to accenting breakdowns, transitions, and blast beat punctuation rather than sustained washes.