Are Zildjian K Constantinoples worth the (ridiculous) price?

[AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken]

I've been checking out the K Constantinople lines b/c they have good sound. But man that price tag blows me away. To your mind, what are they worth? For example if you could get one for $250 would you pay it?

[RudimentalDrummer]

I've been checking out the K Constantinople lines b/c they have good sound. But man that price tag blows me away. To your mind, what are they worth? For example if you could get one for $250 would you pay it?

For USD250 (for a Constantinople Ride?)...I will grap it & run. Of course they are very Beautiful Sweet Sounding Cymbals. I own quite a number of Paiste Signature & New Signature Cymbals....and honestly I never dare to say...mine are superior to the Constantinoples...they are different in some manner...but both are superb within their own Brands....for Jazz.....Constantinoples for sure over my Paiste. They are Highly-Priced Cymbals, but not "Ridiculous Pricing"

They are worth their price (especially at USD250).....cause yours is not just another Zildjian, but a .... "Constantinople" from Zildjian...that already worth that value.

Good Cymbals are really not cheap at all. These are the Highest-End Cymbals from each Manufacturer..... If USD250 can make your heart feels good makes you happy - just go for it....why not?

PS What is Ridiculous Pricing then????? .."CARS IN SINGAPORE"..It's Madness.

[Les Ismore]

I've been checking out the K Constantinople lines b/c they have good sound. But man that price tag blows me away. To your mind, what are they worth? For example if you could get one for $250 would you pay it?

K cons get the most 'hands on attention' thats why their priced so high. People will buy anything (except the first run Sabian Jack Dejohnette cymbals, everyone hated them). If you want the ultimate vintage'ish K sound, they're the ones you buy.

Which cymbal (ride,crash,etc) are you talking about for $250?

[somedrummer]

Which cymbal (ride,crash,etc) are you talking about for $250?

I'd guess an 8" Splash.

Honestly, though, I don't believe that they are worth the price unless you believe in buying stuff because of the name on it. My new, custom made Saluda jazz ride sounds just as good as any Constantinople, and could probably be gotten for $175 retail. I'm not sure what I actually paid, as it was a trade in. But, in any case, Constantinoples are only worth the value you put on them.

[RudimentalDrummer]

I'd guess an 8" Splash.

Honestly, though, I don't believe that they are worth the price unless you believe in buying stuff because of the name on it. My new, custom made Saluda jazz ride sounds just as good as any Constantinople, and could probably be gotten for $175 retail. I'm not sure what I actually paid, as it was a trade in. But, in any case, Constantinoples are only worth the value you put on them.

What is this "Saluda" Brand of Cymbals.....Where is it Made In.....What's the History?...can you please tell me something about it. Guess you must have know something about it, before buying them. So far as I know....to get something that sounds like a K Con..is never cheap.

From Saluda Site:-

Saluda, pronounced, Suh-Loo-Da, formed in May, 1999. Our cymbal venture began in 1997 with ideas to offer drummers unique looking and sounding cymbals. We also wanted to offer purely hand crafted cymbal lines, like those made 50 plus years ago and then add a little modernization to them.

We went into cymbal crafting ignoring most obvious cymbal properties. This allowed us first-hand experience how to alter sound and get more sound out of a cymbal than normal. Our first design process was completed in October of 1999 and we released our first prototype in November of the same year. Our first, short-lived cymbal series, G ("General"), had a 125 cymbal run in December, 1999.

Today, we continue to experiment and design cymbals in B20 alloy, with different hammering and lathing designs/techniques. Our detail of the cymbal goes much deeper than just hammering and lathing, we modify sound grooves, bow shapes, thinness/thickness in key locations and tune our cymbals using various heating techniques. From alloy compositions to musical characteristics, durability, logos, and structural designs, we are always striving to improve our cymbals. We have already gone through and discontinued seven cymbal lines: G, XG, GH, SH, SS, Glory & Mist traditional alloys, to show such improvements.

All of our experimentations and cymbal crafting, with these discontinued alloys, allowed us to release more durable, more musical and better designed cymbals with our Voodoo, Voodoo Brilliant, Expressions, Mist Brilliant, Hybrid X, Hybrid Metal, Mist X, Earthworks and Diamond series. We offer all drummers any type of cymbals to suit any of their sound needs. We have a wide selection of cymbals ranging from darker, jazzier cymbals to brighter and very powerful cymbals. All cymbals are partially or fully made in South Carolina, USA.

Continuing with our quest to offer any sound a drummer can request, we now offer full custom cymbals in our b20 alloys: "You simply describe the sound you want for each cymbal and we will create your cymbal and customize it to get your required sounds". We take more time with each cymbal than probably any other cymbal company.

[somedrummer]

Exactly, Rudimental. They make watever you want. If you want exactly the sound of a K Constantinople flat ride, they could probably make you something very similar (within standard margins of error) for half the price of what you'd pay for a Constantinople.

[RudimentalDrummer]

Exactly, Rudimental. They make watever you want. If you want exactly the sound of a K Constantinople flat ride, they could probably make you something very similar (within standard margins of error) for half the price of what you'd pay for a Constantinople.

It is not clear here what they mean by their Cymbals are partially or fully made in South Carolina....nothing is written on their craftman at all.

We offer all drummers any type of cymbals to suit any of their sound needs. We have a wide selection of cymbals ranging from darker, jazzier cymbals to brighter and very powerful cymbals. All cymbals are partially or fully made in South Carolina, USA.

Yes, it's a good idea to customise Cymbals to our needs (in fact the best), but do they or can they really deliver & live up to that promise...if it's custom-made - how can it be cheap????

we now offer full custom cymbals in our b20 alloys: "You simply describe the sound you want for each cymbal and we will create your cymbal and customize it to get your required sounds". We take more time with each cymbal than probably any other cymbal company.

If that's the case - likewise so can our Bro Johan here be something like Saluda

[Drummer Karl]

What to say about the K Constantinoples? .....they are just unbelievable awesome, hand made, in every cymbal is the spirit of Zildjian`s professional cymbal hammerers, just a characteristic great sound. ;-)
hey, for 250 I`d definitly buy it...but what size is it?

Karl

[Stu_Strib]

For example if you could get one for $250 would you pay it?


That's what I paid for mine. Compared to other brands and models, for similar sound and quality, I would expect to pay $300 for 20" rides.

[Synthetik]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the award for "Most rediculous prices" has to fall between UFIP and Paiste signiture doesn't it?

[ANIMALBEATS]

Yes, £160 for a "16 crash, the decay on it is PERFECT. "22 rmed ride, sounds lovley.


G

[Synthetik]

I must add that Sabian Artesian rides are wallet-burners as well.

[somedrummer]

It is not clear here what they mean by their Cymbals are partially or fully made in South Carolina....nothing is written on their craftman at all.

We offer all drummers any type of cymbals to suit any of their sound needs. We have a wide selection of cymbals ranging from darker, jazzier cymbals to brighter and very powerful cymbals. All cymbals are partially or fully made in South Carolina, USA.

Yes, it's a good idea to customise Cymbals to our needs (in fact the best), but do they or can they really deliver & live up to that promise...if it's custom-made - how can it be cheap????

we now offer full custom cymbals in our b20 alloys: "You simply describe the sound you want for each cymbal and we will create your cymbal and customize it to get your required sounds". We take more time with each cymbal than probably any other cymbal company.

If that's the case - likewise so can our Bro Johan here be something like Saluda

You are very skeptical, I see. Well, I can assure you that Saluda is doing an excellent business, making great cymbals at low prices. Email Jamie if you want to know straight from the horses mouth, but they are really great.

[Garvin]

I bought a Constantinople years ago before I knew anything about cymbals. I found it at a used shop and traded in another old ride I had. I had no idea what I was buying until years later when folks started asking me how much I paid for it and if they could buy it from me. I love my Constantinople, I can't really defend the price tag for a new one, but you get what you pay for and nice things cost money.

[Rick_Strong]

I have a set of 14 Con HH`s
Personally I think they are great, Jazz and light rock I play.

Mind you,
When my wife got a look at the Visa Bill, I thought I was destined to live my
remaining years in my Bass Drum.

I dont think I would pay $250.00 for a splash, but Crash or Ride sounds good.

[gretsch223]

I love K Constantinoples...I don't own any because of the price, but the cymbal that I like the most is the 22" medium ride and that is $489. The most expensive cymbal I own is $345 22" K custom dry complex medium thin ride. I bought it for $300 because of a "connection" at my drum store. I don't really think that the 22" K constantinople is worth the $489....maybe more like $375 even though they are extremely high quality.

[joeybeats]

How about $270 for a new K Con Ride?

If you are willing to put a little time into the shopping experience, you can search the web, find really low prices, call up Musiciansfriend and have them match the price, no sales tax, and avoid shipping charges. (No sales tax because they have no stores. Also good to use instead of the actual store where you find the instrument because they have a good 45 day return policy.

I just picked up the following using a combo of 10% off coupons, 10% special found at the home page, a $25 off coupon received with an order, and matched prices:
14" HH k Cons, $285 (list $752, map $490);
22" Hi Bell Thin Ride Low, $270 (list $752, map $490), 18 k con crash, $190.46 (list $550, map $359.99).
I also picked up a new SKB roto x cymbal vault, delivered today from MF, for $70, MAP is $100. Some of this stuff is unquestionably less than MF paid for it. Again, use the 10% off coupons you get with emails, (join the site if you have to) and have them match the prices you find on the net. Be polite and they do it, no problem.

I am not sure if this will work for those in Europe, but in the US, good prices are available if you spend a bit of time searching. Lycos shopping, froogle, msn shoping, ask shopping, hit them all. Sometimes you have to look at the individual pages on the plain non-shopping sites, like google, and see what they are selling them for, as they do not always come up in the shopping engines. But, there are good deals to be had. I would never have bought these cymbals at the map price, but at the prices I did get, I can unload them at ebay instantly, without taking a hit. Good luck! Joey

Gretsch -- you can get that 22" you are dreaming about right now for $300, and $270 if you have a 10% off coupon. Add a "take an additional $25 of your order of $250" and you have that puppy for $245. That is strong. Have them match Fermatamusic.com which is where I got the awesome match for my 22" ride.

Rick -- You can get a 18" k con crash matched from the same place. $244.95 with a 10% off special or coupon, net is $220.46, a big savings from the MAP of $359.99 at MF.. Not bad.

[ROCKDRUMMERZERO]

Constantinoples are NOT HAND HAMMERED.

There, I feel better now.

[RudimentalDrummer]

Constantinoples are NOT HAND HAMMERED.

There, I feel better now.

Yes They Are Hand-Hammered.

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

well are they or aren't they??

i always thought they weren't. since regular k's aren't...

[gretsch223]

[QUOTE=joeybeats]How about $270 for a new K Con Ride?

Gretsch -- you can get that 22" you are dreaming about right now for $300, and $270 if you have a 10% off coupon. Add a "take an additional $25 of your order of $250" and you have that puppy for $245. That is strong. Have them match Fermatamusic.com which is where I got the awesome match for my 22" ride.


Wow! Where do you get the coupon and how do u get the other discounts off??!!!!

[ROCKDRUMMERZERO]

Erm, they most absolutely, definately are NOT hand hammered. Read theZildjian website FAQ below -


Zildjian Cymbals


Are Zildjian cymbals "Hand-Hammered"?
With the development of new technology, the hand hammering is not the most effective or efficient way to manufacture the highest quality, consistent cymbal. We now have the ability to accurately recreate hand hammering with computer-controlled machinery. A computer can be programmed to hammer a cymbal in a symmetrical pattern, as in the A and A Custom ranges, or randomly, as in the K and K Constantinople ranges. Symmetrically hammered cymbals have a high, bright cutting sound because the hammer rows are more organized and vibrations can easily travel across the body of the cymbal. Randomly hammered cymbals have a range of overtones and a darker sound because the sound vibrations have to travel through the many unorganized hammer marks. This new technology has allowed a consistency in cymbal sound that cannot be duplicated by human hands.

[Johan VDS]

No they are not hand-hammered.

Much more has been said about this here:
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15201

[RudimentalDrummer]

Erm, they most absolutely, definately are NOT hand hammered. Read theZildjian website FAQ below -


Zildjian Cymbals


Are Zildjian cymbals "Hand-Hammered"?
With the development of new technology, the hand hammering is not the most effective or efficient way to manufacture the highest quality, consistent cymbal. We now have the ability to accurately recreate hand hammering with computer-controlled machinery. A computer can be programmed to hammer a cymbal in a symmetrical pattern, as in the A and A Custom ranges, or randomly, as in the K and K Constantinople ranges. Symmetrically hammered cymbals have a high, bright cutting sound because the hammer rows are more organized and vibrations can easily travel across the body of the cymbal. Randomly hammered cymbals have a range of overtones and a darker sound because the sound vibrations have to travel through the many unorganized hammer marks. This new technology has allowed a consistency in cymbal sound that cannot be duplicated by human hands.

OK...you're right then...They are not Hand-Hammered.

By the way, just for my info. Do you all think that the Sabian Artisan is a Hand-Hammered Cymbals. They are thin, it wobbles and looking at the cymbals - it looks as if they are hammered alot too?..

[joeybeats]

[QUOTE=joeybeats]How about $270 for a new K Con Ride?

Gretsch -- you can get that 22" you are dreaming about right now for $300, and $270 if you have a 10% off coupon. Add a "take an additional $25 of your order of $250" and you have that puppy for $245. That is strong. Have them match Fermatamusic.com which is where I got the awesome match for my 22" ride.


Wow! Where do you get the coupon and how do u get the other discounts off??!!!!

Gretsch -- I got the $25 off if you spend $250 in an email. It was over last Thursday, I just looked. However, there are two things you can do. First, register at their site and you will get emails from them every few weeks. Or, just ask at the start of your phone conversation ... can I get 10% off, they sometimes say yes. In any event, the $300 is still an awesome price for a 22"k con. Do it! LOL Joey (I get worse with every day's practice now for a week, I suck at this, but love it.)
And not that I know if it makes any difference or otherwise justifies the huge price, but the site says they are hand lathed. Perhaps that adds $20 to their cost.

[RudimentalDrummer]

Exactly, Rudimental. They make watever you want. If you want exactly the sound of a K Constantinople flat ride, they could probably make you something very similar (within standard margins of error) for half the price of what you'd pay for a Constantinople.

Hey !...I just went into Saluda site...The Cymbals are not that cheap really too (The bosphorus are cheaper)....by the way there is no e-mail that I can contact someone there, I can't seems to find it. Do you have the e-mail address.????

[Chip]

The Cymbals are not that cheap really too (The bosphorus are cheaper).
Those are the list prices, though. The actual prices are less.

[ROCKDRUMMERZERO]

Rudi' I have no idea about Sabian Vault Artisans, although I think I remember reading the original line was HH, but read recently the current Vault ( not Artisan ) were machine made, not a Sabian user, so dunno'. Someone here must know ! RDZ.

[ROCKDRUMMERZERO]

Just wanted to add, I have used played Istanbul for years now, and really can find nothing to beat the HH crashes, I do have a soft spot for my 22" K Brilliant Heavy Ride, and 15" New-Beats however, so I am not averse to Zildjian products, just the hype ( and the inflated price ). I have bought many Istanbul cymbals from a friend in Istanbul, he auditions them at the factory for me, gets 'one off' customs made to my specification and ships to the UK, all for under 50% of the price of an 'off the shelf' K !

[Cymbalrider]

Oh goody another Anti-Zildjian thread, I live for these.. :)

Cymbals by the Avedis Zildjian Company are not bad cymbals, anything in the As-Ks is moderate to good in sound. However, are they worth the increasing price...NO. By no means are they worth the high amounts of $ they charge for "random or symmetric" hammering. At least SABIAN keeps the prices down. Bosphorus makes the best I'm convinced though. However, Bosphorus cymbals, like all other brands have their distinct tone. Instead of continuing on arguing about whether Zildjians are good or not, let's just say that if you currently own them, then good for you. But, just don't go out of your way and spend your savings on them. AND PLEASE, don't buy them just because they say Zildjian and you think they will be good, because you grew up around Zildjian like I did. You may be disappointed. Oh well, I'll let this turn back into another Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi arguement.

[LarksTongue]

i want to get one of these nice constantinoples, but also think the price is a bit prohibative. i've seen these listed at $450. that's practically as much as my drumset!

i've seen them listed on ebay for $250ish. would anyone here buy one without even hearing it? how could you fork over $250 for a cymbal without hearing it?

are there others, ziljian or other brands that come close to the sound of the constantinoples? manhattan ride?

[AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken]

Re: above - I didn't start this as an anti-Zildjian thread. I own a couple of Zildjian cymbals and I have no problem with them. I was just curious how people felt about the most expensive Zildjian cymbals available. Frankly the only cymbals I really don't like are Sabian and I'll freely admit that's for a mostly irrational reason - I think they have the ugliest finish and logos of any cymbals I've ever seen (except the Artisan rides which look amazing).

I would actually like to own a K Constantinople. I've heard some really amazing-sounding ones. But as the poster above says, the only way to get the $250 price range is to order online, and in addition to not being able to hear a wide selection and pick the one you like best, you're probably getting some seller's least-popular cymbal that they're unloading to the first willing buyer.

I'd like to believe you could walk into a brick & mortar with a printout of the online $250 price and get them to match, but having tried to get Sam Ash and Guitar Center to match a $5 discount on a $50 drum part and having endured the dirty looks, sighing, and general lack of professionalism this causes, I seriously doubt it would happen. Why do you think stores do price matching? Because it puts the burden of work on the customer.

[LarksTongue]

what makes the constantinoples so expensive anyways? is this marketing? is it really that much more difficult to manufacture than a medium ride of the same size? a medium 20" ride goes for under $200 brand new.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

what makes the constantinoples so expensive anyways? is this marketing? is it really that much more difficult to manufacture than a medium ride of the same size? a medium 20" ride goes for under $200 brand new.

Marketing. Dead on first time.

[Stu_Strib]

what makes the constantinoples so expensive anyways? is this marketing? is it really that much more difficult to manufacture than a medium ride of the same size? a medium 20" ride goes for under $200 brand new.

Well, a little bit of marketing, but mostly demand. There is no way I could use a Sabian AAX Stage ride, for example, with a small jazz combo.

[RudimentalDrummer]

I've just went to Yamaha School on Sunday (Distributor of Zildjian).....and am well pleased as I get the chance to see so.oo many Constantinople in stock...I took a stick and Ride it...Well..some range don't suit me...for some - It was so.ooo sweet...I look at the price - Prices went up ..it's now USD543.00 for a 22" Ride....Wow.www thatr's higher than my Paiste Signature Series.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Singapore K Cons 22" Ride are going for USD543 less 15% = USD461.00

Paiste 21" New Signature USD438

Sabian 22" Artisan USD500 less 35% = USD325.00

Bosphorus Master 22" USD250.00

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I bought Bosphorus, cause it's cheaper - but I would love to own a set of K Cons (if my budget is not restricted for now).....I love all the above 4 Brands & Range as I've tried them out before - but only owns Paiste & Bosphorus Set for now.....

Sabian is out for me - Not that Artisan are not nice - they sound good really - But somehow I don't like the Brand Name "Sabian"

Zildjian...is my No.1 prefered Brand Name..if I have the $$$ later I'll buy K Cons only - It's a priviledge to be able to own Zildjian K Constantinople ...at least to me.....maybe it's not rational to pay for that kind of price "If I compare Zildjian K Con strictly based on just Price & Sound alone - not that it doesn't sound good - but comparing it with the other 3 brands here which sound are equally good & close but different in it's own way "....but where Brand Name is concern......

Zildjian really has the Strongest Brand Name & History in the World where cymbal is concern....That is why I'll have to pay the high price for K Con if I intend to get one, that's is the Value..Zildjian Brand Name with Constantinople Range (1st-class cymbal) .....and it's actually a Beautiful Cymbal...with the nicest Logo among all other manufacturer.

To me - what pride & priviledge to say " I only play Zildjian K Constantinople, Paiste Signature etc" not any other Zildjian or Paiste Range... That alone is worth the value I pay to Zildjian/Paiste.....cause nobody would dare say "It's lousy sounding"...just "Wow.ww those are expensive cymbals"

[Ufipman!]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the award for "Most rediculous prices" has to fall between UFIP and Paiste signiture doesn't it?

You got that right brutha!!!!

[rendezvous_drummer]

They're reasonably priced at Tom Lee in Vancouver here. Marketing's the answer though. Great cymbals though.

[Steamer]

Well after recently joining the forum and checking out this and other older threads i'll add my 2 cents on the K Cons at least in regard to my recent purchase a 20" K Con light ride.

I'll put this older sweet sounding 20" ride up against anything out there currently available. Actually I did {without naming names} well shopping around and testing several possible rides over a week at different local stores with a critical ear and I still came home with this fantastic sounding cymbal at the end of the day. Great stick sound with no build or loss of stick sound during up tempo burning jazz ride patterns with a nice underlying spread with excellent pleasing overtones and quick full dark crash and a beautiful sound with mallets. Quite an interesting decent bell sound too.

Was it worth the price you bet IMHO based on performance regardless of the ongoing hammering debate on this older fine discontinued K Con series 20" jazz ride cymbal offered at a discount price at Tom Lee in Vancouver.

If it sounds great that all that matters to my ears. Since using it for gigs,sessions and recording so far it's certainly proved it's worth. Zildjian still makes good sounding cymbals regardless of some of the stuff i've seen floating around on the net at least in regard to this good find and my other recent purchases from this cymbal company.

[furbeedog@gmail.com]

I love the K Constantinoples, great sound. If you have the money then they're great, especially if you know someone at a local shop who can cut you a nice deal.