Royal Cymbals 22″ Cymbal Craftsman Early K (Tony Williams NYC ’89 Inspired) Ride – 2632g

Royal Cymbals Cymbal Craftsman 22” Early K Ride (Tony Williams Blue Note NYC ’89 Inspired)

This very cymbal is the result of a custom commission and Handcrafted by Paul Francis!

Commissioned with a purpose, this 22” Early K ride was built to capture a singular moment in jazz history: Tony Williams’ performance at Blue Note with his quintet in New York City, 1989. Crafted by Paul Francis—legendary cymbalsmith and founder of Royal Cymbals—this ride was designed specifically to echo the power, control, and dark fire of Tony’s iconic cymbal sound during that performance.

A one-of-a-kind cymbal with historical inspiration. Not a clone—it’s a tribute with soul.

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Specs:

• Size: 22”

• Finish: Traditional

• Weight: 2632 grams

• Bell: Medium-sized, slightly integrated tone

• Timbre: Dark, dry stick with a complex, tight wash

• Feel: Responsive and alive, with controlled crashability

• Application: Modern and post-bop jazz, trio to quintet, live or studio

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If you’ve ever chased Tony Williams’ cymbal sound from his later Blue Note quintet years—especially that 1989 NYC firestorm—you know how rare it is to find a cymbal that speaks with that kind of authority. This one does. It was built on request by Paul Francis with that exact tone in mind.

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This isn’t just another jazz ride—it’s a cymbal with a voice and a story.