Are these good cymbals? Is it a good deal?

[mugglesport]

I went drum shopping today (see thread in drum forum) and found some used cymbals that sounded pretty good to me. I am looking for cymbals to be used for jazz.

The first is a 20" Zildjian Ride. I know nothing about it (weight, etc.) but it sounded pretty nice...had pretty good definition, moderate wash, and a pretty good crash. There is a very very faded "hollow" or "outline" Zildjian logo printed on the bottom of the cymbal.

The second is a mis-matched pair of 14" hats. The top is a K "14" Hi Hat Top" (no other series name or anything) and the bottom has no markings other than the standard Zildjian engraved stamp near the edge. In fact, I don't even know if this is technically a bottom hat. I found three similar hi hats (individual cymbals, not pairs) and this was the heaviest of the three. The two together actually sounded pretty good to my untrained ears.

So anyway, the shop wants $6/inch for their bronze....so $168 for the hats and $120 for the ride. I could probably talk them down to $260 or so for the whole deal.

Is this a good deal or should I keep looking? I'm having them hold the cymbals for me. I don't really know what to look for...I mean, the cymbals sound good to me when I'm playing, but I don't know if that means they'd sound good from 30 feet away.

I also played a 20" Bosphorus Masters (new...too pricy) that really sounded more like a crash (maybe it was, the woman working there isn't a drummer...just the owner's wife). It sounded really nice though. In comparison, the 20" Zildjian was much thicker and heavier and took a lot more muscle to crash.

EDIT: There was also another 20" ride there that had an interesting engraving/stamp. It said "Constantinople" (I think) at the bottom of the engraving...curved like a smiley face) and had a moon & star thing at the top of the whole stamp with "Made In USA" wrapped around it.

[caddywumpus]

Yeah, I think if you like these cymbals, it's a good deal. Not a screaming deal, but about par for the course for used Zildjian prices. You could probably sell them for your money back if you find that you don't like them, or if you find something you like more...

[mugglesport]

Thanks.

I figure they are better than ZBT/B8 and as good as current day A's for less cash. Then after a while I can graduate up to the K Customs I really want.

[harryconway]

If the cymbals suit your taste, get 'em. Decent price. I paid $218 for my Istanbul Mehmet Turk 15" hats and $162 for my Mehmet Turk 20" ride. And I'll agree, better way to go that B8/ZBT/BVD/etc...

[cancerman]

There was also another 20" ride there that had an interesting engraving/stamp. It said "Constantinople" (I think) at the bottom of the engraving...curved like a smiley face) and had a moon & star thing at the top of the whole stamp with "Made In USA" wrapped around it.

Its a series of K Zildjians. excellent jazz ride.

[mugglesport]

Its a series of K Zildjians. excellent jazz ride.

Thanks. There is some fairly serious key holing going on in that cymbal in particular, though.

[mugglesport]

OK, so maybe the Keyholing isn't THAT serious. I drew this diagram based on memory, but I think it is pretty close. The dashed line represents where I think the original hole was, but it has now "widened out" more than really "keyholed." There aren't any cracks that I could notice around the hole and the edge of the cymbal seemed to be in really good shape.

Is this, then a better buy than the other ride I found? (The outline logo one?) Both are at the same store for the same price. I liked both, though this with the keyholing/whatever was more washy with a little less definition/ping. It also has a good crash. Another guy shopping in the store (the only other person there) said he thought it was too washy, but he seemed like he played more classic rock, etc. than jazz.

[harryconway]

Is this, then a better buy than the other ride I found? (The outline logo one?) Both are at the same store for the same price. I liked both, though this with the keyholing/whatever was more washy with a little less definition/ping. It also has a good crash. Another guy shopping in the store (the only other person there) said he thought it was too washy, but he seemed like he played more classic rock, etc. than jazz.
If the store is selling both cymbals for the same price.......I think you answered your own question. Buy the cymbal "you" like better!

[mugglesport]

If the store is selling both cymbals for the same price.......I think you answered your own question. Buy the cymbal "you" like better!

Don't bring rationality into this question!!!

But yeah, I like both. I think I dismissed the one with the moon & cresent stamp only because of A: the keyholing (does that look all that bad, by the way?) and B: the other dude's opinion. He apparently is in that shop all the time and is a self-proclaimed collector. That doesn't mean he knows anything, though.

By the way, the stamp on the far right of the link below (the one titled "Zildjian Constantinople") looks like the stamp on the latter cymbal (I think!):

http://www.vintagecymbalguide.com/zildjian_stamps.html


Or this:
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~goisu/music/inst/a_constantinople/stamp.jpg

[harryconway]

You like both, but do you love either? If the answer is no, I'd buy the one that's not damaged. Easier to re-sell, for when you do find that cymbal you love. Like trying to sell a car that leaks or burns oil. "but it only leaks/burns a little"...a justification hurdle you have to pitch/overcome to every potential customer. Sometimes it takes years to find "just the right" ride cymbal. Which is why there are so many "used" ride cymbals on the market. I play by a different sort of game, thinking of the hat/ride as a combo.....and I have two combos. By switching out one combo for another gives the whole kit a different personality. And somewhere down the line, don't be surprised when you own 2 or 3 different rides. I've still got 2 rides cymbals, in the back of my mind, that I'd love to own, someday.

[Vintagedrummer]

I don't know your location but I use eBay most of the time. Bought a new Zil A 18" crash/ride for 80 bucks. Bought a 20" Zildjian A ride for 100 bucks in nearly new condition. Both prices were the total cost. Look around. Good luck!

Peace