Zildjian dating guide

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.

Why choose Zildjian K series?

For decades Zildjian K series has been a favored choice by many worldwide drummers. Forged from the Zildjian Secret Family Alloy, these instruments share natural and organic sound – the sound that is dark in tone and highly rich in harmonics.

Why choose Zildjian cymbals?

These cymbals are a great choice because they work for all genres and all settings. The hammering craftsmen use when making A Zildjian cymbals has a symmetrical pattern, and the finish is traditional.

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 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 different stamps of Zildjian cymbals?

The Different Stamps of A. Zildjian Cymbals. 1 First (Pre-Trans) Stamp. Years of Production: 1929–ca. 1946 First, pre-trans stamp. 2 Trans Stamp. 3 Large Stamp. 4 Small Stamp. 5 ‘60s Stamp. More items

How can I tell the age of a Zildjian cymbal?

There really is only one method of ascertaining the age of a zildjian cymbal and that is the Manufacturer’s stamp that is enbossed onto each cymbal.

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.

What are the different stamps of Zildjian cymbals?

The Different Stamps of A. Zildjian Cymbals. 1 First (Pre-Trans) Stamp. Years of Production: 1929–ca. 1946 First, pre-trans stamp. 2 Trans Stamp. 3 Large Stamp. 4 Small Stamp. 5 ‘60s Stamp. More items

How do you identify a Zildjian K Stamp?

The inclusion of “Constantinople” in the title understandably leads some to assume these models are Ks, the machine hammering and uniform finish are easy giveaways for identification. The CO stamps were the last unique signatures on Zildjian models until the company introduced their laser engraving system in 1994.

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.

When did Zildjian start using open ink on cymbals?

A US court cancelled the A.Zildjian&Cie, Constantinople trademark, owned by Fred Gretsch Mfg Co, but it took some more years before A.Zildjian could actually use this stamp on their cymbals in the 1970s. The open ink stamp is found in a mid seventies catalog.