It’s been ten years since Pat Petrillo first collaborated with Zildjian to bring the K Custom Organic Ride to life. At the time, it was developed to meet a specific demand from working drummers like Pat Petrillo himself, players who needed one cymbal to do the job of three. A decade later, the ride has become a staple in kits around the world. Now, to celebrate the milestone, Petrillo is offering something more personal: a limited edition, signed and dated version of the cymbal, available only through his website.
This isn’t just another reissue with new branding. What sets the release apart is its exclusivity and direct connection to the artist. Each cymbal comes signed by Pat Petrillo and marked to signify the anniversary year, a small detail, but one that carries weight for fans of the drummer and the original model. No retail channels, no mass distribution. Just a direct release from the artist’s hands to the drummer’s kit.
The original Organic Ride was unique from the start. Its unlathed top, dry stick attack, and warm crash characteristics gave it a hybrid quality: flexible enough to cover jazz, funk, rock, or even quieter acoustic gigs. It quickly stood out in the Zildjian lineup not because it was flashy, but because it was useful. It filled a gap many players didn’t realize existed until they heard it in action.
That utility is part of why this anniversary edition feels meaningful. Petrillo isn’t just commemorating a product; he’s celebrating a tool that’s been in daily use for ten years across practice rooms, recording studios, and live stages. It’s a cymbal that’s helped define his own voice behind the kit, and by extension, shaped others’.
Pat Petrillo’s career has always walked the line between performing and teaching. From Broadway pits to global masterclasses, he’s built a reputation for clarity in both his playing and his gear choices. So it’s no surprise that his approach to marking the Organic Ride’s anniversary isn’t flashy or overhyped. It’s thoughtful, niche, and aimed at drummers who value function as much as form.
There’s a quiet message behind the release: that well-designed gear, when paired with a clear artistic vision, can stand the test of time. In an era where product cycles seem to shrink by the year, a cymbal that’s still in demand after a decade is worth pausing for.
Only a limited number of these commemorative cymbals will be made available. For those who’ve been playing the Organic Ride for years or those just discovering it, this edition offers something rare: a direct connection to the artist, and a mark of time in bronze.