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cymbal rehammering/modifications?

Posts: 53 Threads: 7

Perhaps this is blasephemous to vintage purists, but has anyone had a cymbal modified or rehammered? Where'd you get it done, and how'd it turn out?

I acquired a late 70's/early 80's Zildjian thin crash for not much. It's fine, but a little too boring and straightforward for my tastes -- I think it's machine-made, without any hand-hammering. I was considering getting it reworked, since it's not essentially bad and reworking it would probably be cheaper than getting another cymbal.

Thoughts? Experiences? Looking for someone in the Pacific Northwest if possible. I'll probably be popping over the Cymbaholic forum and calling around, too.

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

I have never done it. Oddly enough, North American brands of B8 pies are extremely popular to re-hammer and re-work.

I think Saluda actually re-works cymbals, as well as building their own. There are also a fair number of people on the cymbalholics forum who would re-hammer your cymbal.

Usually, most people try for a dried-out sound when they re-work a cymbal.

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

www.saludacymbals.com

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

I've tried it twice, with a brass HH bottom and a B8 splash. Results were... interesting. You gotta have proper tools and maybe know a little something about the craft. I don't, so basically, I got very trashy and weird looking pieces of metal. One of these days, I might post a thread about it.

Try it, but find someone skilled to do it for you, or be very careful. Use specialized hammer and don't hammer the very edge of a cymbal. If you do, it's just going to bend and look like poor piece of crap. Start from the middle, on the bottom side and lay the hammering evenly. Well, that worked for me on the B8 cymbal. I turned a bad splash into an interesting little china.

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 53 Threads: 7

From bunnyman

I have never done it. Oddly enough, North American brands of B8 pies are extremely popular to re-hammer and re-work.

Good to know...not sure what my cymbal is made of. I think it's an early 20" Thin Crash -- it has a more primitive-looking "Thin Crash" stamp on top, a hollow logo on bottom.

From bunnyman

Usually, most people try for a dried-out sound when they re-work a cymbal.

That's what I want. It sounds alright when crashed, but it's got a bit too much ring and bell if you ride it. Not much complexity or noise in the wash, either.

I've considered trying to hammer myself, but I don't know the first thing about it, and the learning curve seems rather steep! I'd rather leave it to the professionals.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

the 70's hollow ink logo cymbals are pretty sought after. i would certainly let a professional work on that one as opposed to doing it yourself.

mike

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 53 Threads: 7

From mlayton

the 70's hollow ink logo cymbals are pretty sought after. i would certainly let a professional work on that one as opposed to doing it yourself.

That's what I intend to do. I think someone in Portland does some finishing work (a company called Cymbal & Gong), so I might call a shop down there. Cymbaholic is being weird and not letting me register, so I guess I'll have to wait before I can post over there.

Just out of curiousity, what is the market value like for 20" hollow logos? These days the market's soft and cymbals don't look like they're going for much, which is why I wanted to modify as opposed to sell.

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 53 Threads: 6

I recommend Heather Stine for cymbal modifications. She does excellent work.

You can reach her at [email]littlemisspunkass@googlemail.com[/email]

She also makes cymbals of her own from blanks, and does everything from mild to wild...

[IMG]http://www.rarevintagecymbals.com/ebay/ebay_998_stamp.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.rarevintagecymbals.com/ebay/ebay_491_stamp.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.rarevintagecymbals.com/ebay/ebay_1783_dc.jpg[/IMG]

Later,

Matt

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

From evan

Good to know...not sure what my cymbal is made of. I think it's an early 20" Thin Crash -- it has a more primitive-looking "Thin Crash" stamp on top, a hollow logo on bottom.That's what I want. It sounds alright when crashed, but it's got a bit too much ring and bell if you ride it. Not much complexity or noise in the wash, either.I've considered trying to hammer myself, but I don't know the first thing about it, and the learning curve seems rather steep! I'd rather leave it to the professionals.

Zildjians, with the exceptions of ZXT/ZBT, are B20 bronze.

If it were me, I wouldn't modify that cymbal with the hollow logo...

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 53 Threads: 7

Hey Matt, I'm glad you responded! I've browsed your website and was wondering who you'd recommend. Those look beautiful.

I understand why people want to leave vintage instruments as they are, but the fact is I think this cymbal could be better with a little handiwork, and ultimately will be more unique and playable for it. But if anyone wants to trade me a nice hand-hammered cymbal for mine, feel free to make an offer!

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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