Yeah, the "good" Amir's. The "Amir II's" were sold exclusively by Guitar Center if I'm not mistaken. And they were total crap (the II's that is). I remember taking a chance on an Amir II Rock Ride on ebay. I won it for cheap, and remember it sounding worse than a ZBT. At least with cheap "Rock Rides", you usually get plenty of ping and definition. This one was about as medium as a medium ride could get. It was so terrible, I listed it on ebay the same day I got it!

I always liked the Amir Power Hi Hats with the "bites" out of the bottom cymbal. Those were leftover from the Zildjian Impulse series, which were basically Zildjian's answer to Paiste RUDE's. It actually seems harder to find regular Amir Hi Hats and not the Power ones. As far as I know, the original Amir's were the first "Sheet Metal" cymbals to be marketed as "pro" level.

I have a pair of the 1st generation Amir HHs. They are a great thinner lighter pair of HQ Zildjian Hats! I was thinking about selling them and keeping the early 70s As that I have on Ebay right now, but got them out, played them a bit, and remembered why I like them so much. I "stole" mine off of Ebay last summer for about $50 inc shipping. Still grinning from that one!

John