I have Bosphorus fever...

[fourstringdrums]

Well, some of you guys will probably shoot me for being so indecisive (or rather decisive), but I've decided that I'm going to pass on Saluda, and instead buy a set of Bosphorus from Cymbalsonly.com.

Why? I thought about it, and after mulling it over for a while, and playing the new Saluda crash I got in, I decided that I just need to hear the cymbal that I'm getting before I commit to it. The cymbal he sent me is great, and he made it pretty close to how I described what I wanted, but I realized that it's not what I'm hearing in my head. I know that Jamie will work like crazy to try and get me or anyone else what they're hearing in their head, but I just know that for me, I can't describe it that well, I'll know it when I hear it. I would hate to trade in my HHX's for a set that I'm not happy with, or one that I have to keep sending back because they're not what I'm looking for. No one wants to just settle.

So, I've decided to do what I should have done back in 2005 when I bought my HHX's, and that is browse Cymbalsonly.com and see if they have cymbals that match what I hear in my head. Luckily, they do. Here is what I will be getting. I already emailed Tony about it, I will call tomorrow if he doesn't call me first.

Bosphorus Turk Series

9" Splash 220g
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/09ks220a.mp3 (solid hit)

14" Light/Crisp Hi-hat 996/1211g
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/14kc9961211p.mp3 (performance)

17" Medium-Thin Crash 1412g
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/17kmt1412a.mp3 (solid hit)
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/17kmt1412p.mp3 (performance)

19" Thin Ride 1671g (to be used mainly as a crash but for light riding too)
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/19kt1671p.mp3 (performance)
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/19kt1671b.mp3 (bell)

20" Medium Ride 2437g
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/20km2437p.mp3 (performance)
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/20km2437b.mp3 (bell)

These cymbals are EXACTLY what I had in mind when I contacted Jamie and I'd rather get them knowing that this is what I'll receive rather than taking the chance on custom cymbals that may only come slightly close.

So now my HHX's will be up for sale, and as for the Saluda I don't know what I'm doing with that. If Jamie won't buy it back or send my trade cymbal back, I'll just sell it.

[Ozzy Biz]

I have it too, and I think Kung_F00 may as well....
Personally, I've fallen victim to the traditional series, but the turks are some seriously nice plates as well. Maybe I'll get a couple after I have enough Trads.

[fourstringdrums]

I have it too, and I think Kung_F00 may as well....
Personally, I've fallen victim to the traditional series, but the turks are some seriously nice plates as well. Maybe I'll get a couple after I have enough Trads.

I think this set will work great for funk/groove as well for jazz. To my ears it sounds pretty versatile. It was a bit tough to find what I was looking for even with Istanbul because there were alot of models that just didn't fit, mainly with the rides, and alot were sold out that I did like.

[Ozzy Biz]

To my ears, the traditionals I picked up seem to be pretty versatile, for rock, blues, groove, funk, whatever. I spent a while looking around at other brands and then through the bos catalogue until I found what I wanted. All I want at the moment is a lighter weight ride, bigger crash, and maybe a splash and a china. Sometime this year....

[fourstringdrums]

To my ears, the traditionals I picked up seem to be pretty versatile, for rock, blues, groove, funk, whatever. I spent a while looking around at other brands and then through the bos catalogue until I found what I wanted. All I want at the moment is a lighter weight ride, bigger crash, and maybe a splash and a china. Sometime this year....

I was looking for crashes on the dryer, trashier side, with the larger being great for light riding. I think it sounds similar to my 19" HHXtreme only alittle less explosive and there doesn't seem to be as much wash or build up when you ride on it or use the bell. The splash I wanted to be short, dry, and punchy. The hi-hats I wanted to be lighter because I find heavier hi-hats get in the way too much if played open. I like a dryer, hissy sort of sound, and I think these have it. As for the ride I wanted something again, drier, with nice tight stick definition, clear articulate bell, with a crash/accent sound all it's own.

[fusssion]

four...

hey...it is what it is.......it's not easy to describe what you hear in your head! :)

Jamie will take it back ....and send yours back I'm sure,...he'll make you happy regardless!

[fourstringdrums]

four...

hey...it is what it is.......it's not easy to describe what you hear in your head! :)

Jamie will take it back ....and send yours back I'm sure,...he'll make you happy regardless!

Yeah I have to send in $9 for return shipping and I'll get my china back.

I can tell he's not thrilled though, understandably. I still have my custom snare that I'm waiting on (4x13 Birch that will have more crack than a plumber, I'm sure) :)

[Drummer Karl]

Hey, congrats for finding the right cymbals. Turks in general are beautiful cymbals!!
Hey, and also nice to hear that you buy at cymbalsonly, a greeeeat store, isn`t it? =)
I discovered Istanbul (Agop) there, now I wanna buy a 14" Turk hat after I bought the Mel Lewis 21" Ride.
You`ve chosen some very very nice cymbals, the Turks are definitly sexy.

PS: Tell Tony nice greetings from me... ;-)

Karl

[fourstringdrums]

Hey, congrats for finding the right cymbals. Turks in general are beautiful cymbals!!
Hey, and also nice to hear that you buy at cymbalsonly, a greeeeat store, isn`t it? =)
I discovered Istanbul (Agop) there, now I wanna buy a 14" Turk hat after I bought the Mel Lewis 21" Ride.
You`ve chosen some very very nice cymbals, the Turks are definitly sexy.

PS: Tell Tony nice greetings from me... ;-)

Karl

I had this nice reply written out and then I got a database error... *lol*

Tony is a great guy, I talked to him for atleast a half hour. It was definately a pleasure. He says that we have similar tastes in cymbals, that what I picked is fairly close to what he uses in his personal setup. The cymbals I picked are very close to Sabian models I was interested in. 14" HH Duo Hats, 17" & 19" HHXtreme Crashes, 20" HH Raw Dry Ride. There is no Sabian model that even comes close to my 9" splash. I went back and listened to the Sabian samples that he has on the site of those models and they remarkably similar, only the Turks have even more musicality and dimensions, especially when it comes to the crashes. I really wish I could've gone back before I bought my HHX's and got these. After I bought my current setup, I felt like the Raw Dry Ride and Duo Hats were more what I wanted, but I couldn't go after them right then. I didn't find out about the Turks until even later and I also didn't know that the Turks were only $100 or so more than my Sabians.

[matt986]

you made a great choice. Bosphorus is a great company that really makes some awesome stuff. I have three crashes from them, 17" and 18" gold crashes and a 16" traditional (used as a splash cymbal) and I love every one. Not to mention they are incredibly durable.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I hope it wasn't my mentioning of Bosphorous on PM that pushed you this way Rob. I really liked your Saluda crash, it's a pity you're not sure about it. I did like that crash, but the Bosphorous cymbals should fulfill your requirement...

[fourstringdrums]

I hope it wasn't my mentioning of Bosphorous on PM that pushed you this way Rob. I really liked your Saluda crash, it's a pity you're not sure about it. I did like that crash, but the Bosphorous cymbals should fulfill your requirement...

Actually D I don't remember you mentioning Bosphorus! :)

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Hahahaha. I mentioned to you that I was in the future looking at a 19" Bosphorous or Agop crash... maybe subliminal eh?

[fourstringdrums]

Hahahaha. I mentioned to you that I was in the future looking at a 19" Bosphorous or Agop crash... maybe subliminal eh?

Possibly :) *lol*

Considering the price I really wish I had given them a look before.

[cantstandyourfunk]

Well, some of you guys will probably shoot me for being so indecisive (or rather decisive), but I've decided that I'm going to pass on Saluda, and instead buy a set of Bosphorus from Cymbalsonly.com.

Bosphorus Turk Series

20" Medium Ride 2437g
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/20km2437p.mp3 (performance)
http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/20km2437b.mp3 (bell)

.

The medium ride sounds quite close to my K Custom Medium Ride (22"), slightly more warm. The bell definition however, is not as much as I'd want. Nice sounds, in any case. Go trash those HHXs.

[cantstandyourfunk]

I' d seriously want those Light Hats, lol..

[fourstringdrums]

I' d seriously want those Light Hats, lol..

Too bad because they're mine! all mine!!!! *evil laugh*

:)

If you are interested, www.cymbalsonly.com (http://www.cymbalsonly.com) has another pair although they're slightly heavier 1031/1220g vs. mine which is 996/1211g. Here's a clip http://cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/Bos/sf/k/14kc10131220p.mp3

Tony can also order a similar pair in that weight that you want, but he told me that even at the same weight, they can vary slightly. It depends on alot of different factors.

[fourstringdrums]

The medium ride sounds quite close to my K Custom Medium Ride (22"), slightly more warm. The bell definition however, is not as much as I'd want. Nice sounds, in any case. Go trash those HHXs.

Really? I had a 22" K Custom Medium Ride and I thought it sounded nothing like the Bosphorus. It had alot more wash and build up.

[mind_drummer]

17" Medium-Thin Hi-hat 1412g

Seriously, you gonna get this 17" hi-hat !

Bosphorus is a great line but expensive too. Congrats and good luck with your project and investment.

[fourstringdrums]

17" Medium-Thin Hi-hat 1412g

Seriously, you gonna get this 17" hi-hat !

Bosphorus is a great line but expensive too. Congrats and good luck with your project and investment.

Bah crap, I put hi-hat. I meant to put crash :)

Actually I priced these cymbals out only to be alittle over $100 more than the Sabians I have now.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I'm impressed with the general quality of the Turkish made cymbals of late, not to mention the price is very attractive as well. I'm fairly sick of the marketing techniques of a certain company right now and it's good to see some real substance in cymbals such as the Bosphorous.

[Drummer Karl]

I had this nice reply written out and then I got a database error... *lol*

Tony is a great guy, I talked to him for atleast a half hour. It was definately a pleasure. He says that we have similar tastes in cymbals, that what I picked is fairly close to what he uses in his personal setup. [...] I really wish I could've gone back before I bought my HHX's and got these.

hahaha :-D
well, yes, Tony has very similar cymbal tastes, that is right. He seems always impressed and in love when he talks about Turks. He is definitly a very nice person, and he is honest! Not one of those cold business people who wanna sell their stuff...you know? He really does it with love.

oh yeah, and I know how you feel. Sometimes I also wish I`d have developed Istanbul and Bosphorus as great companies. Really awesome cymbals.

hey, have fun with your Bosphorus then! =)

Karl

[pmsknives]

I should have mine tomorrow:

http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/agop/sf/t/06tb414a.mp3

Mark

[fourstringdrums]

I should have mine tomorrow:

http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/agop/sf/t/06tb414a.mp3

Mark

Wow, beautiful! So that's just an Istanbul Agop 6" Bell?

[fourstringdrums]

I just got the shipment notification from Tony at C.O.. Scheduled arrival date for the cymbals is TOMORROW. Dang that's fast!

[pmsknives]

Yep...Just a bell...I also have a Antique 6" splash that I got last year...That was actually more than the bell..

As for SALUDA...I have a 22" Voodoo china...awesome sounding thing...

Mark

[kung_f00]

Oh snap, looks like I'm crashing the party a little late. Sorry to chime in so late in the conversation, but here's my $0.20. You can't go wrong with either Bosphorus or Cymbalsonly.com. Tony's the best, and Bosphorus cymbals are by far the best cymbals I've ever played on. They have a certain distinct voice that separates them from any other cymbal I've heard.

In terms of Saluda, in my personal experience I've never heard one cymbal from them that matches the sound in my head. I can appreciate that the cymbals are more-or-less personalized, and I have to give massive credit to Jamie: he busts his ass to get the you right cymbal you want.

Regarding your setup, that sounds absolutely picturesque. Although I did like your Sabian setup, I think the Turks will work out great for you. I've seen your videos and I've seen the styles you're into.. and I think of all the Bos lines you could have chosen, the Turks are probably the best. However, preference-wise I'd have gone with the Masters hats over the Turk hats.

Personally, I've started small with Bosphorus.. I have a set of Traditional 14" Heavy Hats and a 20" Med. Thin Ride. In the next month or so I'm looking to score some Gold 16 & 18 Fast Crashes, and hopefully when I'm done with college and have a job, I might be able to afford these pies a little more frequently!

ANYWAY ... fourstring! Welcome to Clan Bosphorus. :P

[pmsknives]

I'll have to shoot my kit for this forum...But my cymbals are:

HH-Paiste 14" Dimensions
Splashes - 10" Paiste 508/6" Bosphorus Traditional
Crashes - 18" Paragon/ 18" B8 Ride-Crash/16" Paragon/13" B8
Ride - 22" Paiste Dimension Wild Ride
China - 22" Saluda Voodoo
ON THE WAY 6" AGOP Bell...Here tomorrow according to the tracking #

Tony is a great guy...

Mark

[fourstringdrums]

However, preference-wise I'd have gone with the Masters hats over the Turk hats.

I just gave them a listen. Very nice, as all the cymbals are, but the turks just seem to have a dry hiss to them when opened that I really think is special.

Unfortunately my Gretch's will be here a day later because DHL didn't pick them up tonight like they were supposed to. As long as I get them this week and they don't lose them like they lost my PDP CX kit, I'll be happy. :)