I've played so many vintage ride cymbals that sounded crappy that I was pleasantly surprised at how nice that one sounded. A lot of that has to do with your touch, of course. In fact, all these rides sound great with you playing them. Nicely done.
I prefer the vintage but that is my taste. I love classic sounds that could take you and the band on massive musical journey without ever sounding out of place no matter what the style. Versatile, classic and timeless.
I like both new and vintage. But i do wish it was a little more straightforward to find ride cymbals that replicate the sounds used on all my favorite old school jazz recordings. As in a new jazz ride that doesnt have that low wash that is currently popular.
you'll never know what those cymbals sounded like...they were mostly 509's A's and newish K's...all various weights and sizes depending on the player...plus the players touch and stick choice, plus the room, vintage mics and preamps...filtered down to vinyl...
@@ruffryder13 OK let me clarify...you won't find one ride that will sound like all of your favorite recordings. But, you can a ride that sounds close to 1-2 of them that have similar characteristics. Turkish K sounds can be found in Bosphorus, Soultone, Istanbul Agop and Memhet...etc. Zildjian Avedis reissue line will give you 50's A sounds...K Constantinople line for more specific jazz tones rooted in classic sounds, but not direct copies (Except for the Bounce rides) ...Kerope for classic K profiles. Don't forget...flat rides, dark rides, dry rides..and swishes... After going through a ton of cymbals, I realized it was futile to look for "my tone", instead, I just followed the recipe of a lot the players I was watching...14" New Beats, 19" Beautiful Baby for left side ride...a 22" K con main ride (in my case, a Medium...ala Peter Erskine) and a 22 swish...splashes and crashes to taste. There's very little you cant do with this rig...funk, soul, blues, classic rock..big band. For more specific tones, look for recreations...The Take 5 ride, Philly Joe ride...Mel Lewis series from Istanbul...or copy the rig of your favorite modern player. Or...just find a used full Jeff Hamilton Bosphorus set.
Its definitely hard to find that sound, and it might be a good idea to be ok with never sounding like Philly Joe or Elvin or Joe Morello or Tony Williams... cause we'll never be them!!! 🤣
@@thebetterdrummer well said. Over the last few years, I've been through tons of cymbals and the better my playing has gotten, the more I sound like me regardless of the cymbals being played.
Great Video! One small critique though: Unless that A has been reworked, it is almost definietly not hand hammered. By the early 1960s, Zildjian had completely moved to machine hammering.
I may be wrong but I thought the vintage Avedis (not called "A" series in the 60's - I know, I was there) Zildjian cymbals were all machine hammered and this was the reason the jazz artists at the time ordered their "K" series through the Gretsch drum dealerships who had exclusive rights to importing them at the time. "A" have always been brighter than "K" Zildjian's. Please check on this. Thanks.
I have cymbals from the present day, from the 80's and the 60's. My personal taste does not rule out any cymbal that is in good shape and sounds good, regardless of history. However, you compared a bright Zildjian Avedis (now known as A-Series) ride to a dark Istanbul Agop Traditional Jazz ride (one of my favorites). This is kind of like, "apples to oranges". I would have preferred to see and hear a comparison between a dark Zildjian K 20" ride made in Turkey vs. a dark American (EAK) 20" ride. This is probably not economically feasible, but it would be nice. This isn't a complaint, just a request. Thanks! Again, a wonderful video.
Thanks for this really interesting & entertaining video. I have a quick question for you & your viewers here. I hope to be gigging out wiylth a Top 40 Cover Band soon. But I just bought a beautiful used Jazz 22" Ride Cymbal that is rich, smokey & complex from Istanbul...from their Mehmet El Negro lineup. I also have a vintage A Zildjian vintage 70's era ride. The A Zildjian is my primary Ride cymbal for gigging out in a pop music ensemble I thought of using my Istanbul 22" Ride Cymbal as my 2nd/alternative/less dominant Ride. Is this OK to do & appropriate to do..to carefully, tastefully, & sparingly introduce a different Ride sound? Both Cymbals sound beautiful & definitely deliver their respective classic & old sounds in spades. Thanks! David-
I like the 20 inch Istanbul agop I got a 20 inch 30th anniversary and is crushable. I also got 3 - 25 in cymbals that are all crushable. Agop 30th, Agop signature, and a Royal Cymbal Craftsman made by Paul Francis. He calls it The BEAST.
Hi Zack! Great content! I wanted to ask what is the name of the product you use for those cymbal sleves that stay in the cymbal when they are not in the stand, thanks!
Hey Oliver! Those are called Cymbal Chiefs and Grombals. Here's a link to get them! music-lives.com/store/p9/cymbalchief/cymbals/cymbalstand/drums/drumsticks/grombals/cymbalsupport/foampads/feltpads.html
Seems like an apples/oranges comparison to me as your comparing a hammered cymbal to a non-hammered one... so my thought is that, of course, they're going to sound different and that it doesn't necessarily have to do with the fact that one is vintage and the other contemprary...
the vintage sounds like a "normie" cymbal. which is exactly what i want. no swishing, no annoying overtones, no infinite sustain. i've come across a 23 K sweet ride, and i feel like it's in the same ballpark. the agop traditional jazz is a great crash cymbal. not a ride, despite its marketing..
Your "History of Istanbul Agop" is a total BS. Agop did not continue making cymbals alone. He and the other Cymbal Master of late Istanbul Zidjian faktory Mehmet started together the cymbal brand "Zilciler" then after a short period change their name to Istanbul Cymbals producing cymbals signed by both Agop and Mehmet. After Agop died in 1996 the Brand split as "Istanbul Agop" and "Istanbul Mehmet" between Agop's sons and Mehmet Tamdeger because both Mehmet and Agop had equal rights for the brand name.
I've played so many vintage ride cymbals that sounded crappy that I was pleasantly surprised at how nice that one sounded. A lot of that has to do with your touch, of course. In fact, all these rides sound great with you playing them. Nicely done.
Thanks so much! Agreed, its a surprisingly good sounding cymbal!
I prefer the vintage but that is my taste. I love classic sounds that could take you and the band on massive musical journey without ever sounding out of place no matter what the style. Versatile, classic and timeless.
Totally agreed!
I second that emotion for that sound that carrying the whole band!
Both sound great! Amazing playing, Zack!
Thanks Nax!
Wonderful cymbals and a wonderful presentation!
Agreed, and thank you!!!
i really like the zildjian too but those agops are just amazing, especially that 22"
I literally play them on every gig I have
That vintage ride sounds amazing! The Istanbul one doesn't sound bad at all - but the vintage ride just has that buttery smooth quality to it.
20'' Agop is my favourite!! Awesome playing Zack!!
Martí! Gracias mi amigo... Intento jugar como tú!
Great Content, Zac!
Thanks, glad you are enjoying it!!
you should get a vintage K for this comparison next time. could be expensive tho
Alternatively, a modern equivalent like the agop 30th anniversary rides
Love this idea… definitely can’t afford one, but if someone has one I’d love to compare them!
well done
Both!
I like both new and vintage. But i do wish it was a little more straightforward to find ride cymbals that replicate the sounds used on all my favorite old school jazz recordings.
As in a new jazz ride that doesnt have that low wash that is currently popular.
you'll never know what those cymbals sounded like...they were mostly 509's A's and newish K's...all various weights and sizes depending on the player...plus the players touch and stick choice, plus the room, vintage mics and preamps...filtered down to vinyl...
@@bryanherward4679 I said the sounds from the recordings, which we do actually know about, more or less
@@ruffryder13 OK let me clarify...you won't find one ride that will sound like all of your favorite recordings. But, you can a ride that sounds close to 1-2 of them that have similar characteristics. Turkish K sounds can be found in Bosphorus, Soultone, Istanbul Agop and Memhet...etc. Zildjian Avedis reissue line will give you 50's A sounds...K Constantinople line for more specific jazz tones rooted in classic sounds, but not direct copies (Except for the Bounce rides) ...Kerope for classic K profiles.
Don't forget...flat rides, dark rides, dry rides..and swishes...
After going through a ton of cymbals, I realized it was futile to look for "my tone", instead, I just followed the recipe of a lot the players I was watching...14" New Beats, 19" Beautiful Baby for left side ride...a 22" K con main ride (in my case, a Medium...ala Peter Erskine) and a 22 swish...splashes and crashes to taste. There's very little you cant do with this rig...funk, soul, blues, classic rock..big band.
For more specific tones, look for recreations...The Take 5 ride, Philly Joe ride...Mel Lewis series from Istanbul...or copy the rig of your favorite modern player.
Or...just find a used full Jeff Hamilton Bosphorus set.
Its definitely hard to find that sound, and it might be a good idea to be ok with never sounding like Philly Joe or Elvin or Joe Morello or Tony Williams... cause we'll never be them!!! 🤣
@@thebetterdrummer well said. Over the last few years, I've been through tons of cymbals and the better my playing has gotten, the more I sound like me regardless of the cymbals being played.
Great Video! One small critique though: Unless that A has been reworked, it is almost definietly not hand hammered. By the early 1960s, Zildjian had completely moved to machine hammering.
I didn’t actually know that… it has not been re-worked, but it will be soon!! 😄
I may be wrong but I thought the vintage Avedis (not called "A" series in the 60's - I know, I was there) Zildjian cymbals were all machine hammered and this was the reason the jazz artists at the time ordered their "K" series through the Gretsch drum dealerships who had exclusive rights to importing them at the time. "A" have always been brighter than "K" Zildjian's.
Please check on this. Thanks.
I have cymbals from the present day, from the 80's and the 60's. My personal taste does not rule out any cymbal that is in good shape and sounds good, regardless of history.
However, you compared a bright Zildjian Avedis (now known as A-Series) ride to a dark Istanbul Agop Traditional Jazz ride (one of my favorites). This is kind of like, "apples to oranges". I would have preferred to see and hear a comparison between a dark Zildjian K 20" ride made in Turkey vs. a dark American (EAK) 20" ride. This is probably not economically feasible, but it would be nice. This isn't a complaint, just a request. Thanks!
Again, a wonderful video.
Thanks for this really interesting & entertaining video.
I have a quick question for you & your viewers here.
I hope to be gigging out wiylth a Top 40 Cover Band soon.
But I just bought a beautiful used
Jazz 22" Ride Cymbal that is rich, smokey & complex from Istanbul...from their Mehmet El Negro lineup. I also have a vintage A Zildjian vintage 70's era ride.
The A Zildjian is my primary Ride cymbal for gigging out in a pop music ensemble
I thought of using my Istanbul 22" Ride Cymbal as my 2nd/alternative/less dominant Ride.
Is this OK to do & appropriate to do..to carefully, tastefully, & sparingly introduce a different Ride sound? Both Cymbals sound beautiful & definitely deliver their respective classic & old sounds in spades.
Thanks!
David-
I like the 20 inch Istanbul agop I got a 20 inch 30th anniversary and is crushable. I also got 3 - 25 in cymbals that are all crushable. Agop 30th, Agop signature, and a Royal Cymbal Craftsman made by Paul Francis. He calls it The BEAST.
Hi Zack! Great content! I wanted to ask what is the name of the product you use for those cymbal sleves that stay in the cymbal when they are not in the stand, thanks!
Hey Oliver! Those are called Cymbal Chiefs and Grombals. Here's a link to get them!
music-lives.com/store/p9/cymbalchief/cymbals/cymbalstand/drums/drumsticks/grombals/cymbalsupport/foampads/feltpads.html
@@thebetterdrummer Awesome!! Thank you so much
You should try comparing Agops and Istanbuls, if there's any difference.
What’s the thing in the center hole? Does that eliminate cymbal felts?
Hey Xander, its something called a Cymbal Chief/Grombal! Check it out, great product
what is that insert on the hole?
Bosphorus 20th Anniversary 20 ride 😎👍
Those are great cymbals also!
great editing bro! U deserve more subs! (+1 from me)
Ha, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the sub!
Man this is awesome content! What’s the name of the jazz song being played at 1:42?! Sounds great!
Seems like an apples/oranges comparison to me as your comparing a hammered cymbal to a non-hammered one... so my thought is that, of course, they're going to sound different and that it doesn't necessarily have to do with the fact that one is vintage and the other contemprary...
Who said we can't compare apples and oranges?! Ha, I agree but its still fun to listen to the differences in weirdly shaped metal circles
Zack! What would be a good 20 inch ride to compliment the 22 Traditional Jazz? 30th anniversary?
30th anniversary are great cymbals, the 20” trad jazz complements the cymbal nicely also… maybe a traditional ride? Many options
I thought the 20” trad jazz ride was the best of all 3
I too own the Agop series but like my 22 better than my 20.
The 20" definitely has its place, its a great sounding cymbal!!
I find the Istambul mehmet signature sereries cymblas better than Istambul Agop ones.
Everyone has their own tastes! I haven't played many Mehmet cymbals
Try the Session series and Horacio El Negro Hernandes series. @@thebetterdrummer
I dont think there is a ride cymbal you couldnt make sing. Nice touch!!!!
You tells us about Agop. But where's Mehmet in the story? They started together you problably know....
✨ "Promosm"
Promosm?
You paid $250 for a vintage A 20? Jesus Christ, dude! I just paid $110 for a 22. Doesn't Harvard have a business school or something?
the vintage sounds like a "normie" cymbal. which is exactly what i want. no swishing, no annoying overtones, no infinite sustain. i've come across a 23 K sweet ride, and i feel like it's in the same ballpark. the agop traditional jazz is a great crash cymbal. not a ride, despite its marketing..
Your "History of Istanbul Agop" is a total BS. Agop did not continue making cymbals alone. He and the other Cymbal Master of late Istanbul Zidjian faktory Mehmet started together the cymbal brand "Zilciler" then after a short period change their name to Istanbul Cymbals producing cymbals signed by both Agop and Mehmet. After Agop died in 1996 the Brand split as "Istanbul Agop" and "Istanbul Mehmet" between Agop's sons and Mehmet Tamdeger because both Mehmet and Agop had equal rights for the brand name.
jesus christ when does the playing fucking start
3:44 but you could just scrub through the video instead of leaving this comment! :)