Hi Tommy, welcome to the forum...cool cymbal!

Man, I don't know what that ebay seller is smoking. $4100? 4 ever made? While they're certainly not common, you see these old flat tops for sale at least a few times a year. I don't know where he came up with that insane price, but they usually sell for around $150-$250, depending on size. And he spelled Armand's name wrong. Also strange that he would include emails from Zildjian that admit there is no documentation about the cymbal.

The folks over at Zildjian are notorious for not knowing their own stamp timeline or history. They probably just didn't really care to keep track of it all, as they're more interested in selling new products (can't blame them).

-Bill

Thanks for the reply Bill,

This definitely gives me some perspective.

In this case, Ill continue playing this cymbal as it sounds good, and despite not common as you said, its still common enough to enjoy performing with it Cool Dude

I thought that if they were that worthy and rare, it would have been best to put them aside and sell them when needed :-)

Ill surely spend the time reading posts in this forum,

People have cool stuff here, and its great to learn about drumming heritage :-)

Cheers,

Tommy

Hi Bill,

Just FYI - I did some verifications, and I didn't see any cymbal with that shape nor stamp for sale.

If you or anyone reading this post can point me to some adds that sell that kind of cymbal it would be great.

I plan to correspond some people at Zildjian to figure that out and to verify if the rarity of that cymbal is true.

10x

T

Hi Tommy, I don't see any for sale at the moment. They usually come around 2-3 times a year on ebay.

Here's a thread about them from a couple of years ago...you could ask JDA what he paid for his: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=13754

Your stamp is '60s. Actually, I think every one of these I've seen has had a '60s stamp.

Thanks,

Bill

Thanks a lot Bill,

I pinged JDA to ask how much he paid for it. (there are no images in the post, and the link in the old post is broken - I thought maybe there would be pictures there...)

Currently, there is only 1 cymbal as such on e-bay (it's the same one I mentioned in my 1st post)

By the way - I re-measured my cymbal and its 19"-20" - not 18" (not that it matters much though :->).

Just to be on the "safe" side, I bought a K custom ride to replace that one.

Still, I don't want to risk and damage it :-)

I also have hats and 2 crashes from the 60's - but they are not as rare as this mega-bell ride, so I wont replace these :-)

Thanks again for the help on that,

Tommy

The first and only time they appear in a Zildjian catalog is 1969.

BIG BELL CYMBALS:

(Also called "FLAT-TOP" Cymbals) Available in sizes eighteen to twenty-two inches in diameter. This is a radically new top ride with an extra large cup (bell) that is almost as wide as it's flattened bow. This oversized cup area powerfully projects an excititng and highly desirable new cymbal sound for Latin-American, Rock music and special rhythm effects. It also provides additional playing surface for more flexible control and pin-point definition without sacrifice to excellent straight ride sounds.

FYI

Nice!

Thanks for the info orangemi!

In the catalog, they describe perfectly the usage for this cymbal - I use it as a 'three in one' cymbal - the bell sounds like a 'ping' ride, the top surface as a "wash ride" - and its a very loud and short crash for a crash cymbal :-)

I realized that the stamp is from the 60's according to the sites out there.

Thanks again, it's very helpful!

Tommy

I had one of these come with my first used Rogers kit long ago. Huge flat top bell. I forget the exact cymbal size (was a teen) but at least 20" and was heavy. Never saw another like it but not like I've been looking. Anyway thanks for the info I always wondered what it was.

FFR428,

Mine is actually really thin - So I'm not sure if its the same one you had - but for sure it has the same shape as you said.

Thanks for sharing :-)