Zildjian dating guide

How do I identify a Zildjian stamp?

Beginning in 1994, Zildjian introduced a laser-engraved serial number on the bottom of the stamp for easy identification. The two letters at the beginning of the numerical sequence distinguish the year. We were unable to load Disqus. If you are a moderator please see our troubleshooting guide.

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.

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.

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.

What is an a Zildjian stamp?

The A stamps use a stylized way of writing Avedis (” ‎‫و‬ه ‫ـض س‬‎ا “) across the top with the letters sort of piled on top of each other. Also Zildjian (” زــلجـيان “) below has the /l/ (“‎‫ل ‬ “) is sort of packed on top of the [dʒ] (” جـ “) in the stamp. The first A Zildjian cymbals tend to be very small (8″ to 12″) and paper thin.

What does Zildjian look like?

The telltale feature—the angular shape of the letter “J” in “ZILDJIAN”—is more pronounced in the middle era stamps. Here is an animated comparison of the two first stamps. This is a paper-thin 10″ with the middle first stamp. This cymbal has a larger bell than the one above.

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.

How old is this Zildjian cymbal with hollow block lettering?

Here we have the hollow-block-lettering Zildjian logo as on a 50s 20 inch ride. (2083 gram) 1960s logo of a 13 inch hihat top cymbal. This stamp was found on a 16 inch SWISH cymbal from the early 1970s.

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 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.

Where are Zildjian cymbals made?

In 1968, in order to address this backlog, a second plant, the Azco factory, was opened in Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada. In 1975, Zildjian began making K. Zildjian cymbals at the Azco plant.

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.”