A Flat Ride - Is It Any Good?!

Unlike traditional ride cymbals, which have a pronounced bell and a more complex shape, the flat ride is well....flat...no bell! as a result it can produce a more articulate "ping"...a precise, less overtly resonant sound. It seems to have found a permanent place in jazz, but I think there's more to it than that. But the real question is, is it any good? A helpful video on 20" flat ride cymbals:    • Flat Rides