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What's the deal with grams, old K zil?

Posts: 705 Threads: 83

I got one of those impossible deals I guess when I stumbled on a K Zildjian Istanbul for under a hundred. I've posted pics in another post.

I just notice that a lot of ebayers list the gram weight of the cymbal. Why is that? What is ideal weight for a 20" ride? or is there a more preferential weight?

This is really my first vintage cymbal.

thanks

1958 Gretsch Kit
1966 Kent Kit
1969 Ludwig Standard Kit
1970 Rogers Power Tone Kit
1970's Ludwig Vistalite Kit
1994 Yamaha Maple Custom
2010 Yamaha Maple Custom
28 assorted snares (including some real crap)
and 1 really nice K Zildjian Istanbul
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

I feel I was the one that came up with 4 Lbs on the nose (1816g) is the ideal weight for a 20" Turkish K.......most people go along with that now....

I have been weighing cymbals a LONG time..and used to get many K's 10 - 20+ years ago........

After playing around with them for so long,I found, to me,that the sweetest 20's were always around 4 Lbs...esp Old Stamps....

I feel that carries over to most brands too...a 4 Lb Paiste 602 20" ,and a Trans Stamp A.Zil 20" should sound pretty sweet!

YMMV!Mister T

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 705 Threads: 83

Mine measures 19 7/8" and weighs approx. 1780 grams. Is that good? Is there a gram per inch calculation, like if I was looking at a 22" how would I know an ideal weight?

1958 Gretsch Kit
1966 Kent Kit
1969 Ludwig Standard Kit
1970 Rogers Power Tone Kit
1970's Ludwig Vistalite Kit
1994 Yamaha Maple Custom
2010 Yamaha Maple Custom
28 assorted snares (including some real crap)
and 1 really nice K Zildjian Istanbul
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Yes,your weight on this is very good..get an EXACT weight though....

any thing under 1816 is going to fetch even more money,as that is getting pretty thin!

A super thin OS K went for $3K not all that long ago!

Also,under sized Turk K's are USUALLY Old Stamp ones..

Please post a pic of the stamp...

thanks

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 705 Threads: 83

Here's the stamp.

1 attachments
K zil stamp.jpg
107.6 kB
1958 Gretsch Kit
1966 Kent Kit
1969 Ludwig Standard Kit
1970 Rogers Power Tone Kit
1970's Ludwig Vistalite Kit
1994 Yamaha Maple Custom
2010 Yamaha Maple Custom
28 assorted snares (including some real crap)
and 1 really nice K Zildjian Istanbul
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Is the stamp 1/2 way between the bell/outer edge?In middle of cymbal,in other words....

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 705 Threads: 83

It's about 2 5/8"s from outer edge and 3 3/8"s from beginning of bell and it spans about 1 1/5"s.

1958 Gretsch Kit
1966 Kent Kit
1969 Ludwig Standard Kit
1970 Rogers Power Tone Kit
1970's Ludwig Vistalite Kit
1994 Yamaha Maple Custom
2010 Yamaha Maple Custom
28 assorted snares (including some real crap)
and 1 really nice K Zildjian Istanbul
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 1296 Threads: 208

"Ideal" weights are only a guide line, especially when it comes to Old Ks. Due to the variances in their manufacturing process they can play "lighter" or "heavier" than their gram weight might indicate. Things like lathing style, bow shape and hammering intensity effect the final character of the cymbal.

FYI

Never play it the same way once.
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

True,True!

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 69 Threads: 1

From blairndrums

I feel I was the one that came up with 4 Lbs on the nose (1816g) is the ideal weight for a 20" Turkish K.......most people go along with that now....I have been weighing cymbals a LONG time..and used to get many K's 10 - 20+ years ago........After playing around with them for so long,I found, to me,that the sweetest 20's were always around 4 Lbs...esp Old Stamps....I feel that carries over to most brands too...a 4 Lb Paiste 602 20" ,and a Trans Stamp A.Zil 20" should sound pretty sweet!YMMV!Mister T

That may be the ideal weight for your ears, others ears may vary,,,,old K's are to hit and miss anyway,,,Of course that is also subjective. So in my way of thinking, if the cymbal sounds good to you,,,,weight is not a factor. Though it's a good general indicator of the basic sound.

Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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