I had a pair of 50s 15" Zilcos that Jimmy Pratt sold me for very little $$ in 1963, in Rome. It was an emergency as my drums and cymbals had been stolen and I had to scramble to put together equipment.

I played them for a number of years. Actually, they weren't bad considering they were the 'budget' line of Avedis, but nowadays, with used Zildjians being so reasonably priced, I can't imagine why anyone would want Zilcos.

Ron

I guess sometimes things get accidentally made right as well wrong. This pair just sounded great to my ears! Very subjective obviously, but hey I liked them.

Please don't misinterpret my comments. I didn't mean to imply they weren't well made... just that they were Zildjian's second line. If you're on a tight budget and the price is right, they should serve you well... which is why I made it a point to say that I played my 15" Zilcos for a number of years.

As long as you're aware of what else your dollars could buy. It's a buyer's market now, especially for used Zildjian hihats.

Ron

According to The Cymbal Book there are two different kinds of Zilcos, from different time periods. I think the later one has the By AzCo on it. And...I won't be able to put the info here until later. Errands to run.

I don't know if by "not hammered" Pinksterboer means "pressed into shape with no hammering for shape" although that would be the obvious interpretation.

So Azco was the factory Zildjian set up in 1968 in Meductic (which later became Sabian, of course). If a Zilco says "by AzCo" then it is from the later period (late 60s to 1979). Otherwise it could be from the 1940s or 50s. Implicit (rather than explicit) in the Pinksterboer text is that the earlier Zilcos were sold by Premier Drums in the UK but I don't see any mention of who else may have sold them. In that sense the early Zilco brand may be like Zenjian (Leedy) and Alejian (Slingerland) which are other lines of Zildjian cymbals for sale by drum manufacturers.

So you two may be talking about the two different Zilco periods.

Also implicit in some discussions of Zilco is the idea that they are "seconds" as if they have faults. Not so. They are referred to in the catalogs as "second lines" or "other lines" and may well have more to do with branding and marketing. It wouldn't be the first time companies have placed several lines or brands in a marketplace so they can compete with less expensive products but not cannibalize the value/sales of their premium brand.

No worries! I didn't take it the wrong way at all. There's been enough drama of late here at VDF. I appreciate your response! & a great story too! I just look through Jimmy Pratt's discography...Damn!

I can only imagine your pain brought by the theft of your drums (may the person develop a rare disease !@#$%^&).

I know I could grab some New beats or 2002s, but it's nice to have something original sounding too. I actually just grabbed some 505s for 50$ this weekend so i'm a happy camper. They remind me of the 70's 2002 Rock hats that I stupidly got rid of.

Oh, and BTW I'm looking at a beautiful Royal Ace at a good price right now. Thought you'd appreciate that!