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Yet another "help w/ Zildjian dating"...

Posts: 25 Threads: 8

I've got a 20" Zildjian Crash/Ride (2013 grams) that I'm trying to date. Anecdotally, the previous owner said that it was purchased new by his dad in 1971, and the owner of the music store told his dad it had already been sitting on the shelf for a couple years at that point.

As you can see from the photo, the stamp is extremely light - the Arabic script at the top is almost not there at all, as is the other "Genuine Turkish Cymbals..." text at the bottom.

I've also included some other pix to better show the lathing patterns, bell, and center hole.

Obviously, going by what the previous owner told me, it would most likely be a late 60's/early 70's Zildjian. But maybe some of the real experts here will have a more informed opinion.

thanks in advance,

JohnB

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 2374 Threads: 168

From johnnyzero

I've got a 20" Zildjian Crash/Ride (2013 grams) that I'm trying to date. Anecdotally, the previous owner said that it was purchased new by his dad in 1971, and the owner of the music store told his dad it had already been sitting on the shelf for a couple years at that point.As you can see from the photo, the stamp is extremely light - the Arabic script at the top is almost not there at all, as is the other "Genuine Turkish Cymbals..." text at the bottom. I've also included some other pix to better show the lathing patterns, bell, and center hole. Obviously, going by what the previous owner told me, it would most likely be a late 60's/early 70's Zildjian. But maybe some of the real experts here will have a more informed opinion.thanks in advance,JohnB

Early 1960's.

I've got one that looks like a twin of yours. It's a 20" with the same bell size and shape and even the same lathing style as on yours. This was a good era for Zildjians.

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 25 Threads: 8

Thanks. So you think early 60's, even with such a light stamp? I also notice that the "ZILDJIAN" lettering is very thick - to the point where it could almost be mistaken for hollow block at a quick glance. I've heard that some of the 60's stamps had this characteristic.

I've even tried using a 100x loupe to see if I could make out the abscence/presence of the "3 dots", but the Arabic script is just too faint.

Maybe when the music store owner said in 1971 that it had been on the shelf for "a couple years" he was mistaken (or maybe he didn't want the guy to think it was an old leftover "lemon" or something).

thanks again,

JohnB

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 2374 Threads: 168

From johnnyzero

Thanks. So you think early 60's, even with such a light stamp? I also notice that the "ZILDJIAN" lettering is very thick - to the point where it could almost be mistaken for hollow block at a quick glance. I've heard that some of the 60's stamps had this characteristic.I've even tried using a 100x loupe to see if I could make out the abscence/presence of the "3 dots", but the Arabic script is just too faint.Maybe when the music store owner said in 1971 that it had been on the shelf for "a couple years" he was mistaken (or maybe he didn't want the guy to think it was an old leftover "lemon" or something).thanks again,JohnB

This date wouldn't be entirely unexpected for a 1971 purchase. This is because even when a new order was placed for cymbals from Zildjian, what you received from them could have already been several years old right out of the foundry, so that accounts for some of this difference. This is what I call this "lag time". And then the fact that it stayed at the drum shop for a couple of years before being sold accounts for the rest of the time difference.

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
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