[COLOR="DarkRed"]In their day they were marketed as intermediate B8's...in between the 404's and the 2002's.

With that said, by today's standards I have found them to be significantly better than their original intent. I think they blow contemporary Alphas away, really...no contest.

They fetch pretty decent $ on eFlay....'hats often top $100/pair, 16" crashes get about $80+, and the rides can get to about $125 for a 20". The only one I have ever owned which was unimpressive was the heavy ride...just too heavy, not enuff life to 'em. But the mediums or lighter were nice B8's.

They are very respectable.... symbols...[/COLOR]

I [COLOR=MediumTurquoise]LOVE[/COLOR] this line. I've had several of these in the thin and medium weights. Outstanding. Sincerely. They are actually a bit darker than one would imagine. Mine are very very smooth. I've still got a set of 15 inch hats in a light and medium weight. oooooohhhhh so sweeeeeet.

I had a 22" heavy ride that I bought in the 80's and played for over 20 years, it was a great ride.

i use the 505 medium hats. great pair for Ringo esque washy sounds

Cool. Thanks for the feedback. I couldn't find any info on the Paiste website (maybe not patient enough to spend the time) to see why the seires was discontinued (progress, I suppose). Keeping an eye on some 505 hats on fleabay. I currently use an old set of Z-hats from the late '70's (heavy bottom, medium top), which I find are fairly versatile. Just love that Paiste stuff, though. We'll see.

505's were the evolution of the Stambul 65 line from what I understand.....everyone I've tried seemed pleasing to my ears....good bang for the buck if you can't afford 2002s

Yeah, I see the '02's are pretty much gold-plated, price-wise (but worth it), these days. I'm on my 2nd 17" 2002 crash (since '80; not bad - 2 in 29 years) and about a year ago, I picked up a 16 incher, used. I love the 2002 series; so crispy. But I think it's also fun to discover different sounds via the other series, too.

Today, there are way too many choices, for me. Perplexing, even. However, how cool is it to go on the Paiste and Zildgy sites and click-around in their "sound rooms"? Just glad I don't need to replace cymbals too often. Does anyone know if Paiste has a loan-manager?:

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Mmmm...I dunno about the relationship between the Stambul 65's and 505's. Stylistically they aren't the same...different hammering patterns, different profiles. The Stambul 65's had a 602-like pattern...the 505's not so much.

yes, the question of the millenium (insert your favorite discontinued model here):

"Why did XXX ever stop making the ___________ ? those were good cymbals !"

Indeed...the best B8's Zildjian ever made were probably the first-run Amirs...long gone.

Meinl recently discontinued their Candela and Amun lines...some of the best mass-produced (& hand-hammered) B8's ever made.

And once can certainly make a good argument that 404's and 505's are far, far superior to some of the lines Paiste chose to replace them (I'd make that argument). Then they also stopped making 802's a few years ago (which were pretty good, too)...leaving the only choices now in that range to the PST5's or the Alphas. :(???

Yeah, go for those 505's....they are likely worth whatever the final bid will be.

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I have a set of 5o5's including sound edge hats, heavy and medium rides, mediums and crashes. Great cymbals. I also have a set of 2oo2's with many of the same cymbals size/models. The 5o5's are very close in sound....a little less refined, less hammering but very good in a band setting. If I was recording I would choose the 2oo2's but the 5o5's are pretty d*mn nice especially when you look at the price.