Zildjian logo dating

How do you date Zildjian cymbals?

While other instruments have incorporated date stamps and serial numbers for years, a working date system wasn’t put in place at Zildjian until 1994. That leaves around six decades’ worth of cymbals primarily identifiable by one thing: the stamp.

What is a Zildjian stamp?

While it’s easy to assume this is the smallest stamp Zildjian ever produced, this era is known as the “Small Stamp” because of the stamp’s size in relation to the Large Stamp. The Small Stamps are defined by the absence of the three dots and a size of 1 ¼”.

How do I find the model number of my Zildjian product?

You can contact Zildjian Customer Service with your batch number (second group of digits) and unique serial (the last group of digits) and they can tell you the model information. In some cases it is obvious given the production year, diameter, bell shape, lathing, and weight.

Where are Avedis Zildjian cymbals made?

The English section, though changing slightly in detail over time, reads “Avedis Zildjian Co, Genuine Turkish Cymbals, Made in U.S.A.” The Arabic portion is the key element in identifying older models.

When did the first Zildjian cymbal come out?

A. Zildjian Cymbal Stamp Timeline FIRST STAMP 1929-1939 A.ZILDJIAN First Stamp 1920s-1930s 12 1/4 inch A. Zildjian paper-thin (353gram) cymbal and came with a Leedy 1937 trapset.

How do you date cymbals?

Dating cymbals is notoriously difficult. While other instruments have incorporated date stamps and serial numbers for years, a working date system wasn’t put in place at Zildjian until 1994. That leaves around six decades’ worth of cymbals primarily identifiable by one thing: the stamp.

What are the parts of a Zildjian cymbal stamp?

The stamps of an A. Zildjian cymbal are comprised of two parts: an upper section in Arabic and a lower bit in English. The English section, though changing slightly in detail over time, reads “Avedis Zildjian Co, Genuine Turkish Cymbals, Made in U.S.A.”

What makes Zildjian cymbals sound so good?

Until 1964 all Zildjian cymbals were hand hammered. This made them very thin which gives a deeper ‘trashy’ sound than thicker cymbals and is a major part of the reason why they have such appeal. The hand hammering and the varying thicknesses also mean that each cymbal is highly individual, consider it like speaking with an accent.

Where are Avedis K cymbals made?

Within four years (1980), all K Cymbals were being made in the Norwell US plant, because the Ks demanded far more oversight. Armand worked with friends, the drummers Elvin Jones and Tony Williams to relaunch the K Series. In early 1977, Armand Zildjian was appointed President of the Avedis Zildjian Company by his father.

What are Zildjian cymbals?

The first Zildjian cymbals were created in 1618 by Avedis Zildjian, an Armenian metalsmith and alchemist. Like his father, who was also a metalsmith, he worked for the court of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in Constantinople. He made an alloy of tin, copper, and silver into a sheet of metal, which could make musical sounds without shattering.

What does Avedis Zildjian mean?

Avedis Zildjian Co. is the worlds leading producer of cymbals. The company traces its origin back to 1623, when a formula for making an alloy that produced superior cymbals was discovered by a forebear of the Zildjian family. The name Zildjian in fact means cymbal maker in Armenian.

Who made the first cymbals?

In 1928, Avedis III, his brother Puzant, and his uncle Aram Zildjian began manufacturing cymbals in Quincy, Massachusetts, and the Avedis Zildjian Co. was formed the following year in 1929. Avedis III sought out jazz drummers like Gene Krupa to understand their needs.