To "age" your Zildjians? Do you really mean how to add patina, or do you need to know the age of your cymbals? For more patina: use them.
I myself have three Zildjians made in Turkey. Well aged by now, after use abt 20 years, but when I bought them in the early 90's they were unused, as good as new.
True or not, was I told that Paiste had held a stock of old Zildjians for comparison for their own products, then "forgotten" them, and finally sold out these Zildjians. Some obviously ended up in Finland.
Spots from the vocalist's sweat from an exceptionally wild gig doesn't add to their beauty, but surely brings back good memories.
I've tried to find out the age of these "made in Turkey" -Zildjians.
Does anyone know when Zildjian's production moved from Turkey to USA?
Historical Zildjian heritage in Turkey I hear dates back to the 17th century.
Also, does anyone know the value of these vintage Ziljian's?
Want to know for curiosity, but ain't selling, though sometimes I'd really need the cash.
When I bought them the price was equal to any other new quality cymbal's, so I gather the pricy vintages would have to be larger rides.
The Turkish-made Zildjians I have are 18, 16 and 17 inch.
The now 17" though was originally 18", but had an accident with the cymbal-stand slowly sliding while playing, and toward the edge of the drummer's stage till stand and cymbal toppled over. Hit the concrete floor edge first (missed the bass player's foot by an inch; would have had the effect of an axe If it had hit) and cracked, bent horizontally some 5mm from the edge.
A friend with access to a metal-workshop managed to cut off a centimeter of the 18" (with a tool that nibbles through the metal, and doesn't bend the cymbal) and smoothened the edges, hence a 17" Zildjian.
The sound didn't really change at all. Still gives its personal "whooshy" soft crash-sound if you hit it with the end of the stick around the middle of the back. Though also playing it hard for more than 10 years after the accident it's still in good working shape.
Great thanks to the quality of vintage Zildjians, and greatest thanks to Lauri, a then architecture-student who saved my best Zildjian.
The hole in these Turkish-made by the way, is smaller than in modern ones. Slimmer T-shaped Tama bolts are ok, but the fatter ones get stuck.
Gosschhh... baby crawl2
BBL
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