This is a surprise. Who is looking for these larger K constantinople's? They are quite thick, so wouldn't have the 'bop' appeal of the large K istanbul's. And they're too big for hats. And there aren't that many symphony orchestras looking for vintage cymbals (are there?) So who is looking to pay the big bucks?

Classical percussionists.

There's probably dozens out there waiting to pounce on the estates of some of the older retired cymbal players whenever their estates comes up for sale. And it may be that the cymbal players themselves who buy them, or they may actually have the orchestra itself buy them for their percussion section.

Orchestral players in the major symphony orchestras have money. And the symphony orchestras even more so.

This pair of 15" Constantinople K's. These were played only duringthe first few years after being made and then were stored in a closet for over 60years. One cymbal bears the signature of Billy Gladstone written in pencil and is an exact match of a known signature that I found from him. Except for a light patina and under a thin layer of dust, theyre perfect. Even the leather straps look new.

[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/drumaholic/ebaycymbals1/Const_pair.jpg[/img]

These are 1930's vintage.

The signatures from this pair are the largest and most ornate of any signatures I've ever seen. They even extend right into the body of the cymbal itself, which is unheard of. I guess somebody just got crazy with the quill pen that day.

[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/drumaholic/ebaycymbals/websize/sig%20pr.jpg[/img]

And by the way....these are not the name of the artisan who made these cymbals as many people apparently think they are.

Those leather straps don't look like they're from the 30's; probably fairly new replacements. I remember using some straps that looked just like that in the 80's.

Fountain pen, huh? I figured it couldn't be sharpies due to the age. Amazing that fountain pen would mark so well and could last that long.

Is there demand for other concert cymbals? I have a pair of 22" Zildjian Z-Mac cymbals, don't know date but pre-serial number. I figured they'de be hard to sell since most bands/orchestras would be using what they already have, or else buying new. Haven't tried them yet to see how they would work as drumset rides.

Only the old ones like these. They can order modern types any time.

I'll bite. If not the name of the maker, what is the meaning of this writing in the center? What language (turkish?)

K. Zildjian & Sons. Possibly in Latin.

If it is saying the same thing on each cymbal, then the script should be the same on all cymbals, right? You've owned or seen hundreds of K cymbals - do they all really have the same script in them?

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I have a 17" K Constantinople...it is heavy, but mot so heavy that it can't be used as a ride. It's a tad pingy, but amazingly it still has a lotta spread to its sound.

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