Agop NAMM 09

[Steamer]

Got the full story today on what's in store at NAMM 09 in regards to Agop. My lips are sealed for a week but let's just say there's a huge amount of new stuff to hit the market this year from my favorite maker of Turkish B20 handmade beauities. Besides some new artist related Signature rides and additions to the Lenny White Epoch Series there is some interesting other line related stuff that will be unveiled next weekend.

The really BIG news is the new very high profile endorser with their own custom line of cymbals who will be at the Agop booth at NAMM. Many will be truly surprised about who changed camps and from whom switching to Agop. I sure was but that's all I can say at the moment :}

More news later....

[tbmills]

you tease. 20

[Steamer]

Okay enough teasing since Agop decided to drop the ball on their website ahead of NAMM 09.

Here's all the news including the new product line and the Matt Chamberlain and Joey Waronker Signature rides and the additions to the Lenny White Epoch line.

Cindy Blackman is the new high profile endorser introducing her own complete line of Signature cymbals called "Om". This explains why I saw all her Zildjians for sale on Ebay a few months back :}

More detailed info can be found here on the Agop website :

http://www.istanbulcymbals.com/news.php

[mofle]

Finally official business! I have read that she has played agops for a while, though a Zil. enorser. Can't wait to try the new line of cymbals.

[sshu]

Wow. Cool news. Love Cindy's stuff, particularly the albums she's put out under her name.

I'm anxious to learn more about the new cymbals. Thanks for the tip!

Steve

[Tom Sawyer]

Interesting news indeed. I hope that by having high profile endorsees like Cyndy, Agop gets more visibility, I'd love to see them in stores over here...

[Steamer]

From what I gather her "Om" series will be based on the 06/25th alloy with the secret Agop patina process giving the cymbals a pre-aged tonal character and their darker visual color :


Cindy Blackman has joined the Istanbul Agop artist roster.
We are very pleased to announce that Cindy Blackman has joined the Istanbul Agop artist roster. We will debut Cindy's new signature line, titled "Om," at NAMM 2009 in Anaheim, California. Cindy's "Om" series includes 15" Hi Hats, 16 and 18" crashes as well a 20" crash and 22" ride. This series truly captures the sound of Jazz, and features a dark finishing process we pioneered with our 25th Anniversary Ride. Be sure to stop by if you're attending the show or stay tuned here for more details on this and many other exciting additions for 2009!
The other exciting additions for 2009 includes Crash and Hi-hat additions to Lenny White Epoch Cymbals,Matt Chamberlain Signature Ride,Joey Waronker Signature Ride and the XIST Series B20 Cymbals. XIST Series are pro level cymbals which offers outstanding price/quality ratio comparing to its rivals in the market.Check out the details about these products below.

Cindy Blackman OM Series
The Cindy Blackman OM Series was designed in conjunction with Cindy to capture the vibier, more dynamic cymbal sounds from the golden era of Jazz. The 22” ride has a clear, slightly metallic stick due to the unique blue/black finishing and intense hammering, and features a dry, trashy crash sound. The 15” Hi Hats are low, dark and sloshy, with a clear chick and a dark and mellow wash. Crashes are paper thin, with an explosive attack and a quick decay. The 20” makes a dynamic, yet powerful and versatile left side or crash/ride.

OM RIDE

22”

OM CRASH

16”
18”
20”

OM HI-HAT

15”


My guess is they will look like either my 25th or 06 rides in visual appearence when unveiled at NAMM. For sure we'll all know more when we will see more promo related material and photos from the Agop booth of them at the NAMM show:

[Steamer]

More related promo stuff :

Joey Waronker Signature Ride

Designed to stand out both in the studio and live, Joey’s Signature ride employs lighter, more even hammering, a medium weight and finer lathing to achieve a clear and focused stick sound. When crashed, the attack is glassy and focused with an even and balanced decay. 24”


Matt Chamberlain Signature Ride

The exaggerated, umbrella like profile, malleability and larger hammering give this ride a quality as unique as its namesake. Clean, focused sticking with a complex yet mellow wash combine with a unique and exotic crash. Great for all musical applications with space, where the unique qualities of this ride can really enhance the music as either a main ride, a crash, an effect, or all. 23”


Lenny White Signature Epoch
The Istanbul Agop Lenny White Signature "Epoch" Ride was developed in collaboration with Lenny, and heavily inspired by a ride which was given to Wallace Roney by the late, great Tony Williams that Lenny used to play while working with Wallace. The Epoch Crashes feature a deep, warm, but not overly complex crash with a quick decay due to their flatter profile. The Hi Hats are heavy and dark, yet easily controlled and have a very clear and pronounced chick.

EPOCH CRASH

17” 19” 18" 20"


EPOCH HI-HAT 14”

[drumhead61]

More related promo stuff :

Joey Waronker Signature Ride

Designed to stand out both in the studio and live, Joey’s Signature ride employs lighter, more even hammering, a medium weight and finer lathing to achieve a clear and focused stick sound. When crashed, the attack is glassy and focused with an even and balanced decay. 24”


Matt Chamberlain Signature Ride

The exaggerated, umbrella like profile, malleability and larger hammering give this ride a quality as unique as its namesake. Clean, focused sticking with a complex yet mellow wash combine with a unique and exotic crash. Great for all musical applications with space, where the unique qualities of this ride can really enhance the music as either a main ride, a crash, an effect, or all. 23”


Lenny White Signature Epoch
The Istanbul Agop Lenny White Signature "Epoch" Ride was developed in collaboration with Lenny, and heavily inspired by a ride which was given to Wallace Roney by the late, great Tony Williams that Lenny used to play while working with Wallace. The Epoch Crashes feature a deep, warm, but not overly complex crash with a quick decay due to their flatter profile. The Hi Hats are heavy and dark, yet easily controlled and have a very clear and pronounced chick.

EPOCH CRASH

17” 19” 18" 20"


EPOCH HI-HAT 14”

Great stuff...thanks for the info Stan...Happy New Year to ya
JIM

[BattleArmor]

Cool to here about Cindy Blackman. I agree though, this will give Istanbul some more exposure, which they definately deserve. I play Sabian's, but I will agrue any day of the week that Istanbul makes some of the finest cymbals out there.

Can't wait for Namm.

[Steamer]

Great stuff...thanks for the info Stan...Happy New Year to ya
JIM

You're welcome Jim.

If I get any tidbits {photos,blogs etc..} at NAMM from Noel at Heartbeat Percussion from the Agop booth i'll be sure to pass them along to the members here :}

[Drummer Karl]

That really leaves me speechless. I`m so much looking forward to hearing these new products Agop created with these artists! Especially I`m excited about Cindy Blackman`s new signature line since I love to listen to her music.

Thanks for the information Stan, that`s truly amazing to read!!

Karl

[Steamer]

That really leaves me speechless. I`m so much looking forward to hearing these new products Agop created with these artists! Especially I`m excited about Cindy Blackman`s new signature line since I love to listen to her music.

Thanks for the information Stan, that`s truly amazing to read!!

Karl

Thanks Karl and the Cindy switch over to Agop is a great move and boost to Agop's overall international profile as a few have already mentioned. First Lenny White now Cindy Blackman.

I'm excited to hear her new Signature pies in the flesh too buddy :}

[Ainulindale]

great post's Stan!
that's good news for Istanbul and Cindy Blackman, Istanbul could'nt have asked for a better endorser - Blackman's got some incredible chops, the best part is the new 'Om' line up sounds well designed, with good sizes - big and thin - like good ol washy 'jazz' cymbals should be!
keep us posted Stan, this is intriguing news...

[Steamer]

great post's Stan!
that's good news for Istanbul and Cindy Blackman, Istanbul could'nt have asked for a better endorser - Blackman's got some incredible chops, the best part is the new 'Om' line up sounds well designed, with good sizes - big and thin - like good ol washy 'jazz' cymbals should be!
keep us posted Stan, this is intriguing news...

Thanks Ainulindale and will do....

[RobertM]

Stan,

Let us all know what those Om cymbals sound like. As you know, I've been on the hunt for 15" Agop hats for a while now (Tony is continually sold out of his stock), but now I'm really, really interested in Cindy's 15" Om hats!

I just wrote to Tony to ask him when he intends to get those babies in stock and put up sound files!

Robert

[Steamer]

Stan,

Let us all know what those Om cymbals sound like. As you know, I've been on the hunt for 15" Agop hats for a while now (Tony is continually sold out of his stock), but now I'm really, really interested in Cindy's 15" Om hats!

I just wrote to Tony to ask him when he intends to get those babies in stock and put up sound files!

Robert

Won't be till sometime in April i've been told till I hear them in the flesh Robert as well as the other new Matt and Joey signature rides and the additions to the Lenny Epoch line { REALLY want to hear those too! }.

What I find interesting Robert is a few years back several prototype additions to the 25th/08 alloy series were shown at the Hollywood drum show including the 15" hats, crashes etc.. but nothing came from it in the way of production model cymbals. Now I hear from Noel at Heartbeat yesterday that a whole series has been made with the 25th/06 alloy/patina process specifically for Cindy Blackman by Agop. So here they are after all:}

Pretty cool since these cymbals with the special 25th/06 alloy/process sound very mysterious, dark and complex combined with a certain brittle trashy quality. The original rides with this alloy and process have a very defined silvery stick click to their sound quality. Great to see this whole series coming out based on the original 20.5" 25th Aniversary ride and 22" 06 Limited Edition Collectors' Series ride indeed.

I'll pass along any comments I hear from Noel at Heartbeat when he meets Cindy and test them out in the flesh at the Agop NAMM booth next week. For me i'll have to wait a few months...

[RobertM]

Won't be till sometime in April i've been told till I hear them in the flesh Robert as well as the other new Matt and Joey signature rides and the additions to the Lenny Epoch line { REALLY want to hear those too! }.

What I find interesting Robert is a few years back several prototype additions to the 25th/08 alloy series were shown at the Hollywood drum show including the 15" hats, crashes etc.. but nothing came from it in the way of production model cymbals. Now I hear from Noel at Heartbeat yesterday that a whole series has been made with the 25th/06 alloy/patina process specifically for Cindy Blackman by Agop. So here they are after all:}

Pretty cool since these cymbals with the special 25th/06 alloy/process sound very mysterious, dark and complex combined with a certain brittle trashy quality. The original rides with this alloy and process have a very defined silvery stick click to their sound quality. Great to see this whole series coming out based on the original 20.5" 25th Aniversary ride and 22" 06 Limited Edition Collectors' Series ride indeed.

I'll pass along any comments I hear from Noel at Heartbeat when he meets Cindy and test them out in the flesh at the Agop NAMM booth next week. For me i'll have to wait a few months...

Thanks, Stan. I appreciate this great feedback. I'll be eager to hear the cymbals, but I'll have to wait too. Tony said he's already got them on order, but it will take a couple of months before they come in. Aagh. So long to wait just to hear them! I hope Agop makes a video of somewhat from NAMM so that we all can at least get a taste of what they sound like!

Thanks again for the news!

[oops]

Cindy Blackman eh?

That's some big news. Can't wait to see what sounds come out.

I haven't really checked out the Agop line, maybe this'll be an opportunity.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Got the new Drum Magazine today. Full page ad of Cindy.

[Steamer]

Cindy Blackman eh?

That's some big news. Can't wait to see what sounds come out.

I haven't really checked out the Agop line, maybe this'll be an opportunity.

I'd say considering what's coming out this year combined with what's already in their cymbal stable it would be a good time to check out Agop indeed.

[Latin Groover]

Ahh this is great. AGOP is really moving forward with all these signiture cymbals. I can't wait to hear the 22" Cindy Blackman ride. Another lump of money to go eh Stan, espicially if they are to be based of the 25th Aniversary rides.

[Latin Groover]

This explains why I saw all her Zildjians for sale on Ebay a few months back :}

I recently just saw a set of her Kravitz Sonor's on eBay too. Clearing out her garage?

What I find interesting Robert is a few years back several prototype additions to the 25th/08 alloy series were shown at the Hollywood drum show including the 15" hats, crashes etc.. but nothing came from it in the way of production model cymbals. Now I hear from Noel at Heartbeat yesterday that a whole series has been made with the 25th/06 alloy/patina process specifically for Cindy Blackman by Agop. So here they are after all:}

Working behind Zildjian's back?..

[Steamer]

Working behind Zildjian's back?..


Nope. Apparantly should heard the cymbals with the 06/25th process some time ago maybe the ones at the Holywood drum show I mentioned {?} and was really knocked out with their sound and when she pulled the plug on Zildjian many months back she was in talks with Agop to make a whole series of cymbals based on them as far as I understand the story.

[Latin Groover]

Nope. Apparantly should heard the cymbals with the 06/25th process some time ago maybe the ones at the Holywood drum show I mentioned {?} and was really knocked out with their sound and when she pulled the plug on Zildjian many months back she was in talks with Agop to make a whole series of cymbals based on them as far as I understand the story.

Hmm well it seems to me that as soon as she heard them, she was formulating a plan of change. That's like meeting a new woman when you're married then planning the divorce...But this time she chose the right woman..or man..cymbals, whatever.

[stasz]

Seeing cindy blackman on the agop roster is a switch that I most definitely wasn't expecting. I always thought that her echoing of Tony Williams' drum and cymbal endorsements with gretsch and zildjian was like the ultimate act of flattery by imitation, or at least that it to replicate Tony's playing best you need HIS drums. I guess it goes to show you that if it sounds good nothing else matters.

[Ainulindale]

Hmm well it seems to me that as soon as she heard them, she was formulating a plan of change. That's like meeting a new woman when you're married then planning the divorce...But this time she chose the right woman..or man..cymbals, whatever.

...probably exactly maybe... ;-)

[Steamer]

...probably exactly maybe... ;-)

Some things just take time to find the 'right fit" :}

Looks like Cindy has discovered he perfect match in Agop.

Apparently Lenny White was instrumental in regards to making the introduction in what we see in this current happy {cymbal} relationship.

[Steamer]

Hot new pics of some of new Agops for NAMM 09 courtesy of the Drum Club Shop in Istanbul, Turkey :

22" Cindy Blackman OM ride
15" Cindy Blackmam OM high hats
19" Lenny White Epoch crash
14" Lenny White Epoch hats
24" Joey Waronker Signature ride
23" Matt Chamberlain Signature ride

[Tom Sawyer]

Wooow! Those Om's look so good. I would love to lay my hands on some of those. Thanks for the pictures.

[Ainulindale]

Some things just take time to find the 'right fit" :}

Looks like Cindy has discovered he perfect match in Agop.

Apparently Lenny White was instrumental in regards to making the introduction in what we see in this current happy {cymbal} relationship.

good to know even the pro's struggle finding the perfect sound :-)

and thanks for the great pics Stan! those 'Om' series cymbals look incredible, some sound bytes soon?...

[sshu]

Those cymbals look great!

Maybe I'm slow or missed something ... what does "Om" stand for? Any public motivation for that branding?

Steve

[Steamer]

Sound files courtesy of the Drum Club Shop Istanbul, Turkey.

Cindy Blackman 22" OM ride :

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=wHgz2n

Cindy Blackman 15" Om hats:

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=W6kfBR

23" Matt Chamberlain Signature ride:

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=oKsCFO


Don't know what "Om" stands for at this point for inquiring minds about the Cindy line.

[Ainulindale]

hey Stan, just listened to the Om's and i'm impressed, i love how you get such a washy, trashy, dirty sound from them and the cymbals never get out of control, i'd say Istanbul has a winner here!

[Steamer]

hey Stan, just listened to the Om's and i'm impressed, i love how you get such a washy, trashy, dirty sound from them and the cymbals never get out of control, i'd say Istanbul has a winner here!


Yes I dug it's sound too Ainulindale . Reminds me of my 22" 06 2385g jazz bell version in many ways but a little different in sound character. Looks similar too but with some combined wider and smaller but deeper more spread out hand hammering marks compared to the more intergrated and smooth transition between the hand hammered surface marks on the top of the earlier 22" 06 ride. I suspect the Om has more post lathing hammering than the 06 too from eyeballing it.

I plan a direct comparison between the two when the first batch comes in sometime in late April or early May at the local Agop distributors location.



Direct comparison photos to see what i'm getting at including similar bell size but differences in top hand hammering etc...

[mbettis]

Om, now where the Hell did I put that 22 I was using yesterday?

Agop was probably the best cymbal booth at the show. Big, with a nice layout. They made it easy to try everything. They had some real killers. The Om's were great, and the 23" Chamberlain ride sounded very cool. A couple of bad-ass 26's. It was all very, very nice.

Later,
Matt

[guidrummer]

Steamer, you will have to add a room onto your house to store all your Agops because I'm sure you've got your eyes on some of these.

That 22" OM sounds like a great jazz ride. Is it a different alloy than B20?

I can't wait for cymbalsonly to get some of these so that we can hear his sound files.

[Steamer]

Thanks for the mini review mbettis! Cindy we be at the Agop booth today I was told.


Guidrummer i've been told it's some kind of process that goes into the metal that gives the 06, 25th and now the Om cymbals their distinctive sound and appearence. Agop is not telling exactly how it's done and any changes or additions to their B20 formula to achieve the results.

Love my 22" 06 jazz bell ride and 20.5" 25th so some direct comparisons are in order down the road before adding some new Agop goodies to the family:}

[TenPastTen]

Those cymbals look great!

Maybe I'm slow or missed something ... what does "Om" stand for? Any public motivation for that branding?

Steve

I found this on Wikipedia.

"Om, often Aum, is a sacred syllable of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Om is reputed to be the resonant vibrational tone of the non-dualistic universe as a whole. In Buddhism, Om corresponds to the crown chakra and white light."


Sounds mystical......

[Steamer]

Sound file for the 20" Om added today courtesy of the Drum Club Shop Istanbul, Turkey:


http://www.supload.com/listen?s=tACJvy

[Ainulindale]

"Om, often Aum, is a sacred syllable of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Om is reputed to be the resonant vibrational tone of the non-dualistic universe as a whole. In Buddhism, Om corresponds to the crown chakra and white light."

that's cool, that they would really research a name like that, it gives the line up some character...
...beyond the great sound!

[Steamer]

Several pics of the new cymbal goodies and such at the Agop booth from NAMM 09 up now at the Heartbeat Percussion website:

http://www.heartbeatpercussion.com/NAMM2009.html


Click on each image on the left side for high res larger images to view.

Enjoy!

[Latin Groover]

Stan I haven't seen anything about the new AGOP logo, other than its appearance in this pic.

http://www.heartbeatpercussion.com/images/Xist-3_000.jpg

[Steamer]

Stan I haven't seen anything about the new AGOP logo, other than its appearance in this pic.

http://www.heartbeatpercussion.com/images/Xist-3_000.jpg

I asked about that Latin Groover and here's what I got in response. The new logo is going on all the new pies only in the form of the smaller stamp pressed into each pie replacing the old stamp. You will still see the larger "ISTANBUL AGOP Handmade cymbals from Turkey" ink logo for the coming year for cymbals given the new stamp.

[Latin Groover]

Soundfiles of the OM's are up on cymbalsonly now.

http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/agop/agop.htm

The new logo is going on all the new pies only in the form of the smaller stamp pressed into each pie replacing the old stamp. You will still see the larger "ISTANBUL AGOP Handmade cymbals from Turkey" ink logo for the coming year for cymbals given the new stamp.

Ahh so it's replacing the engraved stamp, not the big logo..Good, because you knew my thoughts on that idea!

[Steamer]

Soundfiles of the OM's are up on cymbalsonly now.

http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/agop/agop.htm



Ahh so it's replacing the engraved stamp, not the big logo..Good, because you knew my thoughts on that idea!


Checked those out earlier today and thanks for posting the link.The sound files are pretty cool of the whole OM series Latin Groover. A few more months till I get a chance to lay a stick on any of them in the flesh.

I knew the logo news would make you happy.... :}