Frankly it depends on what you play. If you're a heavy hitting rock drummer I wouldn't use them. Don't drill 'em please. Find a stand that works with them. They are a pair of Type IIIc old stamps from the mid '50s. A nice find, but not everyone's cup of tea. Not sure what they're worth, but maybe Drumaholic will chime in. How much did you pay for them?

I am playing rock, but am by no means a heavy hitter (nylon tip 7A). I think I have come to the conclusion that, while these are awesome hats, I think they will serve someone else better. I don't want to drill them, but I do want a set of decent playable hats that will fit my drop clutch.

I also have some idea of what they're worth, I have been looking at other cymbal sites as well as watching a similar set that didn't seem to be as in good condition.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=190682033018&nma=true&rt=nc&si=TWLiB%252BkPlquOE%252BYS1CmloxfjKkw%253D&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_500wt_1202

:(

I only paid $85 for them.

The eBay link is for a pair of New Stamps from the '70s. Not sure if they're overpriced, but I believe your 20 year older pair will generally be worth more than a pair of new stamps.

My question to you is this, did you try on a vintage K ride with rivets before you drilled the cymbal? If so, why did you ask how many rivets to drill for? I am sorry but I think that customizing something that some people consider almost sacred is a shame.

While I generally agree with you about drilling into vintage cymbals, ultimately its a musical instrument and if by drilling and adding rivets its now one of his favorite gigging cymbals, its hard to fault him.

Among the many cymbals I and my son have is a set of Bosphorus Hammers (designed by Jeff Hamilton). For the last several years these cymbals have gone largely unused. They were bought new 8 or 9 years ago. We have been talking about adding rivets to the 20" left side ride for years, but were loathe to drill holes into an expensive handmade and hand hammered Turkish cymbal.

We finally succumbed several months ago and installed 2 old Borphorus small head copper rivets. Just what the doctor ordered. Its now my son's favorite left side ride for jazz and show gigs, and a great cymbal for brushes. It even cuts it as a main ride in low level acoustic situations.

My point is that these are musical instruments first and vintage antiques second. Their reason for their existence is to be played, not just collected. If drilling them is considered carefully, executed professionally, and serves the music and gets them played more, then I have no problem with it.

I understand your logic, but, with all due respect, you're talking about a cymbal that is still being made today. It's been 35 years since a cymbal made in Turkey was stamped with a Zildjian trademark...and roughly 60 years since the trademark that sting88 has...I don't know about AtlantaDrumGuy's cymbal.

I'm just saying...

I understand. And as I said I generally agree with you. It is extremely unlikely I would drill for rivets in a vintage cymbal. I rarely even consider cleaning them unless there is real grunge or tape residue. I was only suggesting I could envision it being done in specific circumstances to serve the music as they are musical instruments first.

I was getting ready to polish them when I noticed the logo was one I hadn't seen before. After some digging, I quickly put the polish away.

Don't clean them! I don't clean any cymbals.

I had the rivets installed professionally. It was done for a musical purposes. The old K sounds exactly as I want it...it is now my left side jazz ride. I wanted this one specifically due to its weight. But, I also see the argument on how some people don't want to mess with an old K. I can understand that point of view. On the other hand, this is a keeper and something that I would want to pass down.