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rescuing a block stamp Z

Posts: 8 Threads: 2

I haven't posted here in ages, but I thought I'd share pix and a sound file for a cymbal I grabbed yesterday. On a lark, I made my biennial stop at a local music store, and found a hollow block stamp Zildjian in rough shape, with a crack around 1/3 of the bell. It's 22" in diameter, and weighs in around 2100g. It looks to me like something heavy got dropped on it at some point.

[img]http://www.malletjazz.com/cymbals/22z_2010/22z_2010_001.jpg[/img]

N

[img]http://www.malletjazz.com/cymbals/22z_2010/22z_2010_004.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.malletjazz.com/cymbals/22z_2010/22z_2010_007.jpg[/img]

The price was low enough for me to take a chance on it. I've tried to keep the repairs as minimal and unobtrusive as possible. I drilled the ends of the two cracks I found, and started with two bolts, and gradually worked my way up to four, which I think is enough, as I no longer hear any extraneous buzzing/rattling:

[img]http://www.malletjazz.com/cymbals/22z_2010/22z_2100_013.jpg[/img]

...and while I'm not a big fan of sound files, here's a quick one I threw together:

http://www.malletjazz.com/cymbals/22z_2010/22z_2100_101.mp3

:) I think I'll keep it - baby it, use it for special gigs, etc.

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

great work on saving that. that looks to be one special cymbal. that era,that size and weight are awesome. i bought the same in a 20 awhile back with the same issue. mine sounds great but i'm afraid to play it. i havent done any repairs on it yet. so you just drilled a hole large enough for the bolts to go through and added washers for stability?

mike

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 8 Threads: 2

Thanks!

Yes, the holes for the bolts are just large enough for them to pass through comfortably. I wanted to remove as little metal as possible.

This is the first cymbal I've worked on in this manner. I've never had anyone else explain their logic behind the use of bolts, but from what I can tell they keep the metal on either side of the crack from vibrating in such a way as to cause the crack to grow. I started with the two inner bolts, but I heard some serious buzzing when I played the cymbal. When I touched my finger to the metal between one bolt and the end of the crack, a lot of the buzzing disappeared, so I put a third bolt in, and then ended up repeating the process for the same reason with the fourth bolt.

The bell sound has been damped a bit, of course, but IMO it's a small price to pay if this helps keep the cymbal "alive" and useful.

EDIT: here's a photo from underneath, after I put the third bolt in:

[img]http://www.malletjazz.com/cymbals/22z_2010/22z_2010_011.jpg[/img]

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 508 Threads: 61

Gotta love those 22" block stamp cymbals.Aint it amazing how they 'wobble'? I have 3 of em.In fact Im gonna put one on Kansas City Craigslist tomorrow cause I dont need it anymore.But mine weighs-in at 2605g. If anybody is interested in it here they can PM me.

Didnt mean to take over the post.I just got carried away.

THAT IS ONE HECK OF A REPAIR.I bet it still sounds decent,dosent it?

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 8 Threads: 2

From redneckdrum

Gotta love those 22" block stamp cymbals.Aint it amazing how they 'wobble'?

Lotsa wobble in this one. :)

THAT IS ONE HECK OF A REPAIR.I bet it still sounds decent,dosent it?

"Decent" is an understatement. ;)

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

i got inspired and worked on mine today. basically did the same thing that you did to yours from what i can tell. the repair worked out fine. but mine does not sound good now at all. it did sound great before. i was just afraid to play it. kinda bummed but i had to at least try. not sure what step to take with it now...

mike

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 8 Threads: 2

I'm sorry to hear that, Mike.

This is the first cymbal on which I've tried such repairs. Maybe it's just "beginner's luck" for me that my ride turned out well?

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
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