I just purchased my first Istanbul-made Vintage "K" cymbal. It's a Vintage 18 inch Istanbul K Zildjian medium ride cymbal. Old Stamp IVb {1959}
The cymbal weights approximately 1600 grams.
I did bit of a "no-no" and bought it w/o listening to it - I figured there's enough market for these and I got it at a reasonable price (or so I thought) so I figure I could turn it over if the sound isn't just what I hoped...
Anyone familiar with this specific type of cymbal that could offer me a few words about them (sound...history...anything informative?) to chew on while I sit at the window and wait for the mailman? Coffee Break2
Best regards,
Russell
'79 Slingerland "Blues Time" Maple 670T - 12,13,14,15,18,24
'68 Ludwig Silver Sparkle - 12,13,16,22,24
'79 Ludwig Vistalites clear - 12,13,16,22
Snares: '68 Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14, Ludwig 5 x 14 Black Beauty (modern), '70's Slingerland Buddy Rich TDR COB 6.5x14, DW 10/6 Maple 4x14, Pearl '70's COB 5x14, Slingerland 50's blue duco 6.5x14 & 5x14, Pork Pie "Little Squealer", Pearl Masters MCX maple 6.5x14
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
"There isn't a good one in the lot; don't even bother with this pile."
Phil Grant, who was credited with being the expert on K.Zildjian cymbals, to Mel Lewis while picking through the K stockpile at Gretsch.
They are hit and miss, I've purchased 9 and kept 7. For me it depends on what the sound is in your head.
Never play it the same way once.
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Phil's next line was.. "HERE is the good pile!"
But..I remember getting a pair of old K hats once that had inked stamped on them "Hand selected by Phil Grant for " whoever it was,and I remember not liking them too much!
I spoke with him on the phone once years ago too for a bit..
18" K's are the most common size,but the OS's are the best ones..
I have had a few that were amazing...
Blair
"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Where would the 1600 gms fall.....ride territory or crash/ride....or is that something more to tell with the specific cymbal?
Thanks for the comments btw... :)
'79 Slingerland "Blues Time" Maple 670T - 12,13,14,15,18,24
'68 Ludwig Silver Sparkle - 12,13,16,22,24
'79 Ludwig Vistalites clear - 12,13,16,22
Snares: '68 Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14, Ludwig 5 x 14 Black Beauty (modern), '70's Slingerland Buddy Rich TDR COB 6.5x14, DW 10/6 Maple 4x14, Pearl '70's COB 5x14, Slingerland 50's blue duco 6.5x14 & 5x14, Pork Pie "Little Squealer", Pearl Masters MCX maple 6.5x14
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Depends on the cymbal..
Play it with a wood tip 7a..see what you think...
I had a 18" OS K once,and since it was a 18"..you just assume it is a Crash,right?
So..kept hitting it as a Crash..and thought..doesn't sound too good..
THEN,played it as a Ride..there it was..a GREAT sounding Ride!
"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
My two 18's work as rides only and they weigh either side of yours.
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
'79 Slingerland "Blues Time" Maple 670T - 12,13,14,15,18,24
'68 Ludwig Silver Sparkle - 12,13,16,22,24
'79 Ludwig Vistalites clear - 12,13,16,22
Snares: '68 Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14, Ludwig 5 x 14 Black Beauty (modern), '70's Slingerland Buddy Rich TDR COB 6.5x14, DW 10/6 Maple 4x14, Pearl '70's COB 5x14, Slingerland 50's blue duco 6.5x14 & 5x14, Pork Pie "Little Squealer", Pearl Masters MCX maple 6.5x14
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Where would the 1600 gms fall.....ride territory or crash/ride....or is that something more to tell with the specific cymbal?Thanks for the comments btw... :)
As Blairdrums said it really depends on the cymbal.. and what your intentions are. I have a 19" Bosphorus Masters ride that only weights 1360 grams. Fairly thin and flexible. I recently got a paper thin Bosphorus 18" cymbal that's not marked as a crash or a ride, and it weights in at only 1180g! It will do crash service. An 18" 1600g cymbal is medium thin in my book and would probably serve as a crash/ride.
Mark
BosLover
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Well, it came in. Nice cymbal :)
It's more ride than crash but certainly would make a nice "Full" crash. Quite a bit of sustain...a little "gongy" if you smack it wrong :) - but thin enough with a little edge wobble to lay a nice ride with some edge crashing Keep on Pl
I like it....if I had the ability I might tame the sustain some...but it'll work nice with my other "K's" as is ...
Thanks again to all for chiming in!!
Russell
'79 Slingerland "Blues Time" Maple 670T - 12,13,14,15,18,24
'68 Ludwig Silver Sparkle - 12,13,16,22,24
'79 Ludwig Vistalites clear - 12,13,16,22
Snares: '68 Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14, Ludwig 5 x 14 Black Beauty (modern), '70's Slingerland Buddy Rich TDR COB 6.5x14, DW 10/6 Maple 4x14, Pearl '70's COB 5x14, Slingerland 50's blue duco 6.5x14 & 5x14, Pork Pie "Little Squealer", Pearl Masters MCX maple 6.5x14
Posted on 12 years ago
#10