New Beats came out in the first half of the 1960s and are consistent with the stamp you shown in your photo. Although I've seen different claims (including some from Zildjian directly) about the exact year, sources agree that we have drummer Louie Bellson to thank.

The Zildjian Timeline amusingly says they became "standard equipment for all drummers overnight". (scroll to 1960). This quaint claim ignores the time it takes to get production going, and roll out a new product to retailers. Not to mention that some drummers would have kept using other manufacturer's hats (you know, companies like K Zildjian and Paiste) and A Zildjian hats which were closer in weight top and bottom. Not to take away from the wide and lasting popularity of New Beats. They hit a home run with these.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure I have posted this here at some point:

I e-mailed Zildjian asking them about the New Beats. This is their reply:

The "New Beat" concept actually started with the suggestion from the great drumming artist and Zildjian endorser, Louie Bellson in 1965. He recommended the use of a heavier bottom cymbal than what was commonly used up to that point in time. It was actually the bottom cymbal that was referred to as a "New Beat" (Mr. Bellson actually coined the term) that could be applied to any weight top cymbal (medium to thin weights). This went on for a couple of years until a dedicated New Beat Hihat pairing was established in 1967-68 using a medium weighted top cymbal to go against the "New Beat" bottom. It was then that the classic New Beat Hihats were born. Since then, they have remained our most popular hihat creations.

You'd have to weigh your cymbals to see if they're a matched pair or

if the bottom cymbal is heavier making them New Beats.

Hope this helps.

MW

Zen and MW, thanks for the great info! I didn't know any of that... and the hihats are definitely NewBeats. One is noticably heavier than the other. I have a 70's set of NewBeats that I love... but these sound even better.

Cassidy

Ok, I posted this information here first (see http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=28265&highlight=bellson). I am the person who wrote Zildjian asking about this and who you are quoting above. The way you present this, it feels like you are stealing my identity.

The same thing happened before, more or less: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=29109&highlight=bellson&page=2

I do like getting some credit, you know.

/Magnus

Magnus

Sorry, I should have made clear that I was just passing along

the info and wasn't the one that e-mailed Zildjian. This was just

info I saved at some point.

In the future, I'll add your name when this question arises or link

to your original post.

MW

Thanks, appreciated.

Best,

Magnus

Thanks Magnus.