So, enjoyed an Oktoberfest meal at our favorite German restaurant, and the playing of the three pc. band. Drummer is an 80 year old we've seen before. Says his ludwig bass dates to 1956 as well as his Zildjian 25"? ride. The magic of this cymbal is it's almost complete lack of ringiness. it's hit and quit or perhaps it's just the way he plays it. question for the experts - I couldn't get a close look - does this tell you something about it's vintage and origin? Is it perhaps the much sought after Constantinople version that gives it that quality? I'd die for a cymbal with that sound and lack of building and ultimately, overwhelming ringing, and i've got a late fifties, early 60's Zildjian ride, US version, that I don't like because of the ringiness. Maybe it's my touch. Hmmmm
1956? 25" Zildjian ride mystery
90's Premier Signia
So, enjoyed an Oktoberfest meal at our favorite German restaurant, and the playing of the three pc. band. Drummer is an 80 year old we've seen before. Says his ludwig bass dates to 1956 as well as his Zildjian 25"? ride. The magic of this cymbal is it's almost complete lack of ringiness. it's hit and quit or perhaps it's just the way he plays it. question for the experts - I couldn't get a close look - does this tell you something about it's vintage and origin? Is it perhaps the much sought after Constantinople version that gives it that quality? I'd die for a cymbal with that sound and lack of building and ultimately, overwhelming ringing, and i've got a late fifties, early 60's Zildjian ride, US version, that I don't like because of the ringiness. Maybe it's my touch. Hmmmm
It's not a Constantinople, that's for sure.
As for "that sound", to find an Avedis with such a quality is very very hard to find, but they do exist. I have a 22-1/4" thin letter (no 3 dots) large stamp that has precisely that same vibe. It's dark enough to mistaken for an old K., and not at all ringy. In fact it's one of the driest old A's that I've yet encountered.
I wonder if this old guy has owned this cymbal all his life, because there was once a late 1950's 25" floating around in Europe several years ago that was sold through ebay, and that one had a quadruple stamping with the late 1950's type trademark. And that type has been known to exist as early as 1956. So if the opportunity ever arises again, see if you can get close enough to see that trademark. If its multiple stamped, then its the same one.
The dry A that you're seeking might just take you a while to find. It took me 35 years to get mine. And the only way anybody else is ever going to get it is by prying it out of my cold dead hands.
I bought a 25" Trans Stamp at the Chicago show......some years back.....$325!
Blair, do you still have it? Let's see some pics. I played on a very thin 25 once that had no stamp but it sure looked and felt like an A zildjian. Very nice sound too.
Gary
12,13,16,20, 14x5 snare
Fibes crystallite-14x5.5 snare
Just a thought, but maybe being in the audience and listening to a kit/cymbals in the mix of a band changes how it is perceived. When I tune my kit, I get my friend to play it so I can hear it out away from being on top of it. I would bet cymbals may be susceptible to this...
Jason
Blair, do you still have it? Let's see some pics. I played on a very thin 25 once that had no stamp but it sure looked and felt like an A zildjian. Very nice sound too. Gary
Gary..no....long gone....sold it for 1K...was told later..by 2 people...it was worth more then that!..$1,200?
Just a thought, but maybe being in the audience and listening to a kit/cymbals in the mix of a band changes how it is perceived. When I tune my kit, I get my friend to play it so I can hear it out away from being on top of it. I would bet cymbals may be susceptible to this...Jason
I'm sure you're on to something there for sure - at least I hope it sounds better out front than from behind sometimes! we were right next to the stage - maybe 12' from that magic cymbal, and I listened real hard for any comeback ring and couldn't hear it. Of course I don't hear as well these days!
90's Premier Signia
I used to have a big basement in my last home....I would always ask people to play cymbals they were checking out while I stood quite a ways back from them....some would sound good...others,not,and I would tell them as much...then,I would go play,and ask them to stand way back....listen....
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