I think of old Ks as really specifically for use in jazz - they often won't cut through a rock band and they don't have a "sweet" crash; very dark and complex, not loud.Do you play jazz? I would like to but have to get to work on making that happen heh. Anyway I wonder how they actually sounded in the room, might be a whole nother kettle of fish...What you said about looking through many cymbals to find one you like, for me that's true of Zidjians in general. In fact the last time I went up to the local music store to buy a cymbal, there was only *one* that I liked in the whole room!......and it was a Sabian XS20!Mitch
I do play jazz, among other styles, and my main cymbal setup for most gigs is all Agops. Much darker and thinner than almost any Turkish K. 22" 25th anniversary, 22" Sig, 14" Sig hats.
You're spot on about having to pick out cymbals, no matter the brand. I used to own an 18" Sabian HH thin crash that I really regret selling, no other one I've played compares despite being the same model. But there's just an intense reverence for old K's, and I've found that the majority of them are crap. Agop and Bosphorus are much more consistently good sounding to my ears.
But then I've occasionally heard gorgeous old thin K's as well. I know they exist. But I'd never ever buy one without playing it in person. And I don't think the sound alone is ever worth what they fetch.
