The Value Of Logos On Used Cymbals

[Nick S.]

Greetings,

I own a set of Zildjian Cymbals I purchased new in 1994. They've never been polished and still look very good. The protective coating applied at the factory is finally starting to break down and a few small spots on each cymbal are starting to oxidize and turn green. I've applied Zildjian cymbal polish to those areas in an effort to prevent the bronze from corroding, which has resulted in an uneven appearance (the recently polished areas are now brighter than the rest of the cymbal). I'm tempted to thoroughly polish them to restore an even luster to each cymbal. Of course, if I do this, I'll dissolve the original logos. I'm wondering if this will effect the resale value, since I'm considering trading them in or selling them on eBay in order to partially finance the purchase of a brand new set of cymbals. Do any of you forum members have opinions concerning the value logos may add to used cymbals?

Thanks,
Nick

[nhzoso]

Greetings,

I own a set of Zildjian Cymbals I purchased new in 1994. They've never been polished and still look very good. The protective coating applied at the factory is finally starting to break down and a few small spots on each cymbal are starting to oxidize and turn green. I've applied Zildjian cymbal polish to those areas in an effort to prevent the bronze from corroding, which has resulted in an uneven appearance (the recently polished areas are now brighter than the rest of the cymbal). I'm tempted to thoroughly polish them to restore an even luster to each cymbal. Of course, if I do this, I'll dissolve the original logos. I'm wondering if this will effect the resale value, since I'm considering trading them in or selling them on eBay in order to partially finance the purchase of a brand new set of cymbals. Do any of you forum members have opinions concerning the value logos may add to used cymbals?

Thanks,
Nick

Probably be better to list them the way they are and state that they need a cleaning if the buyer wants to do it. Some guys like them with all the patina.

[Garvin]

I don't imagine that there's all that much potential resale value in a set of cymbals from 1994 to begin with. Maybe a couple hundred bucks at best if you are talking about some A or Z customs. They will probably fetch the same price whether they are clean or dirty. Looks don't affect the sound as much as keyholing or cracks.

[Raven Drums]

I for one hate logos on my cymbals. Nothing beats very shiny pies that open up completely after the film is removed. If they truely wanted to advertise on your cymbals, they would put them on to stay. Zildjians are authentic not by the inked logos, but by the stamping on them. As long as that has not been etched out, your good. By the way, if you or anyone else has to have logos on their cymbals, they can be sent in and they will restamp the logos.

[ULTIMATEDRUMMER]

1 to prove the company name
2 it will change the sound
- I leave em alonew they will probably sound better and let the costumer do whatever.

[fourstringdrums]

1 to prove the company name
2 it will change the sound
- I leave em alonew they will probably sound better and let the costumer do whatever.

The cymbal will be engraved with the logo anyway so the stamp logo doesn't matter when it comes to a factory cymbal like Zildjian or Sabian. A hand hammered cymbal like Bosphorus, they aren't engraved so you'd have a harder time proving the brand.

Logos don't affect the sound, although the protective coating may a bit, but it is probably subtle for most ears.

[Raven Drums]

Actually, the coating on the cymbals really do choke them. If you remove it, the cymbal will really open up for you, you would be surprised how great the difference is, especially on Zildjian cymbals.

[Nick S.]

Thanks for the information everyone, I appreciate your insights. Since I don't have any immediate plans to sell them, I think I'll pick the dirtiest one (an 18" A Zildjian thin crash) and give it a thorough polishing. I've always suspected that because the protective factory coating has done such a good job keeping the cymbals clean over the years (they've never developed a patina), it must also effect the sound in some way. I'll let you know what I discover.

Thanks again,
Nick

[Rickk]

Nick,
Have you tried Groove Juice spray, I use it on my Zildjians and the Logos remain and the cymbals clean up really well.

Rick

[Cymbalrider]

Go ahead and polish them it will make everyone happy. I have been polishing my cymbals for a while and the logos are still there. BTW: the new Armand Zildjians don't have that protective coating which is supposed to allow them to sound better and age normally.

[Skitch]

I don't imagine that there's all that much potential resale value in a set of cymbals from 1994 to begin with. Maybe a couple hundred bucks at best if you are talking about some A or Z customs. They will probably fetch the same price whether they are clean or dirty. Looks don't affect the sound as much as keyholing or cracks.

I wouldn't say that about the resale value, myself. I am getting into what I can find used because the cymbals sound better and they are a better deal idf you get what you want.
I do clean my cymbals and that is the way I like for them to be! My 20" K Heavy Ride sounds great when clean!

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[remoking]

I for one hate logos on my cymbals. Nothing beats very shiny pies that open up completely after the film is removed. If they truely wanted to advertise on your cymbals, they would put them on to stay. Zildjians are authentic not by the inked logos, but by the stamping on them. As long as that has not been etched out, your good. By the way, if you or anyone else has to have logos on their cymbals, they can be sent in and they will restamp the logos.

Are you sure they will re-stamp the logo? I thought I read somewhere on the Zidljian website that they do not re-stamp logos?

[thumper]

I know that Sabian offers a "re-inking" kit for restoring logo stamps...no need to send your pies out for touching up!
As for protective (brilliant) finishes on cymbals, I by far prefer the traditional type. I find that bright shiny cymbals only attract fingerprints, grime and other buildup that really mar the appearance. (IMO! Some people really like the patina that these cymbals accumulate over time-no offense meant.)
All of my cymbals have traditional finish...to remove excess dirt, etc, I just apply a coat of Pledge furniture polish and they look like new again. Pledge removes most stick marks, and gives a really nice mellow shine as well. The lemon oil is non abrasive, and the citrus component removes oxidation buildup....without harming logos!

[FullerBrushMan]

Are you sure they will re-stamp the logo? I thought I read somewhere on the Zidljian website that they do not re-stamp logos?

You are correct. Zildjian will not re-ink your logo's. They state this on their website.

I myself don't really care for ink logo's on cymbals and I especially don't like the K on the top of my Zildjians.... K seems like an un-attractive letter to me ...K - Mart.....
Plymouth K - Car.... "K" indergarten.... There are much sexier letters in the alphabet than the stupid letter K.... I also never liked KUSTOM amps... don't they know how to spell Custom eh?

I was about to remove all the "K" inking from my Zildjians when my wife informed me that she thought the "K" logo looked cool! ....so the "K" stays!

[rmandelbaum]

I actually prefer them without the ink logo, I also know that the "clean them or not" is a big debate. It is personal preference, I like my cymbals clean, I do feel they cut through the band a little better because they are brighter. I do agree with the statement that if you are going to sell them you might let the new owner decide what they like.


Also be careful with Groove Juice, it took the glaze off of my kitchen tiles counter top.

[thumper]

I personally like the inked logos on cymbals. IMO, apart from their professional appearance, it helps identify exactly what type they are. I really like how my 14" Hand Hammered Sound Control Crash has the signature of the guy who did the hammering inside the bell. Likewise, Virgil Donati's signature on my 14" Saturation crash is pleasing to my eye (even if it is a mass produced logo). It's a matter of opinion, that's all.