Absolutely not joking, I just assumed it wasn't really worth anything because this is the type of thing that never happens to me. I thought because of the extra rivet holes or odd size holes or something it wouldn't be worth much. This is actually my first vintage cymbal except for a couple of kent cymbals and a pair of old new beats, or at least I think there new beats.

How can I be sure of the value? Could I get it appraised? Where. I'm still in disbelief.

You can never be sure of the exact value until someone pays you for it. The market is soft right now, but I bought one similar to it, without the rivets, for close to $1400 a few years ago, which was on the high end. I would say that it would be worth around $1000 at the least, and possibly a couple of hundred more. 18" old K's sell for around $700 to $800. Twenties are not only bigger, but much more desirable. There is a similar cymbal to yours on eBay for which the bidding is at close to $700 with around 3 days to go. Most of the serious bidding will come close to the end.

Any accurate appraisal you're likely to get will be from this site.

Well, put it this way: I don't regularly hang out on this forum, but I made a special trip over here to look for this thread (which a friend told me about) so that I could congratulate you. (I don't know what value anyone would attach to *that* ... LOL! ... but it is what it is.) Ya done good. Ya done better than good. Ya done good fifteen times over. 70 bucks? I agree with >$1K in this market at that weight. (Somehow I know it's a little under 1800g. Was that earlier in the thread or in another one? Or did I just hear that? IDK.) You've already gotten as good an appraisal as you're going to get. Play it, enjoy it, let it own you until you own it, and then give it away when you're laid out. That's how old Ks should go...

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/images/smilies/huepfen024-07.gif

Thats like walking into a bar and finding a playboy bunny. You sit down, order a drink,,,she comes up and says,,,"want to spend the next three days together"

It just never happens lol

Funny thing is that happened to me too!! And afterward she tried to pay me but I had to refuse. You never know where that money has been. LOL!!!

But seriously, It took a while for me to truly believe that i found the deal of the decade because I always hear about guys finding vintage drums at garage sales and junk shops and I don't go to either.

The value is really the icing on the cake, since I bought the cymbal simply because I really liked the sound. I play jazz mostly and felt it would complement my other cymbals and provide a new color palette, and it does.

I actually thought it might not be a real zildjian so I was afraid I was overpaying for it.

Now I not only have a great cymbal to play but also a great story to tell.

So is there any special care, cleaning, etc. I don't want to damage it in any way.

Yes ... don't do a THING! No cleaners, cleansers, soap, water, brushes, cloths ... nothing. Don't even look at it cross-eyed. Leave it alone and *play* it.

BTW if it still has a small vintage-sized mounting hole (that wants a 6mm cymbal stand), pick one up for it. Vintage or one of the recently discontinued Ludwig 6mm stands. They might still be around? Or make an adapter. If its hole has been enlarged so that it will fit on a modern 8mm mounting post, then you're good to go. Do not, however, try to jam it onto a stand if it doesn't want to fit easily. That's one reason why so many of these have ended up cracked around their mounting holes.

Good luck!

Thanks! Good input. Don't know what I'd do without this forum.

Coffee Break2

I'm just crying because I am so happy for you...

CryBaby

Cheers