It takes a special talent. But about the matching issue: they were usually matched at the Gretsch warehouse, but this only applying to the U.S. market:[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/drumaholic/lizziesstuff/websize/PG%20logo.JPG[/img] For the European market I would surmise that these cymbals may have come directly from the Istanbul foundry and never even saw the Gretsch warehouse. They probably just sent out a pair of cymbals and didn't bother to find the perfect match-up. And I'm also assuming that these cymbals were originally purchased in the U.K. seeing as how you're from Ireland.In any event, if they sound good together that's all that counts.
That has to be the coolest looking ink stamp on a cymbal that I've ever seen! I wish I had a pair of those. I got these cymbals in Ireland and they've definitely been in Ireland pre eBay. That's all I can say. They came with a Ludwig kit I bought locally. They used to belong to a drummer of some Irish rock band back in the 80's and had been collecting dust since they disbanded in the early 90's. The two heavy cymbals might have been good with the rock band. I don't know who matched the cymbals up, but you're probably right in thinking they originally came from UK. We were slow to catch on to the idea of matching cymbals for Hi Hats here I guess. Or I should say in England. In Ireland we still haven't caught on. We just get whatever the Brits and the Americans make. When I went to pick up the kit I saw the hats and thought..what are they? UFIP. Old Ajaha? Then I saw the stamp with K Istanbul and couldn't get my wallet out quick enough. Seller had no idea.