First Vintage Cymbal

[wsabol]

So I just bought an early 1960's 18" A Zildjian Crash Ride, 1385 g. I might be way too excited. I LOVE vintage cymbals, and this is my first one. Time to see if those soundfiles sound like the actual cymbal, haha.

Anyway, the soundfile (attached) sounds pretty damn good for an A... I can't wait to try it out when it gets here.

Just thought I'd share my excitement with all of you guys.

[uniin]

i've got one of these too, along with 14" a new beat hats, and a 20" swish/pang


my 18 crash ride is a bit heavier though.

[caddywumpus]

Back then, they weren't referred to as "crash/rides". They were simply cymbals. It was a better time...

Yes, I have 4 of those older 18" As as well. 2 from 1950s, 1 from the 60s, and one from the early 70s. Around the time they started putting the Zildjian logo ink on them, the quality took a steep nose dive. Vintage As are the BEST!

[Mr.L]

Not a big fan of new Zildjian, but I love old ones.
This one sounds splendid.

[wsabol]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I too don't like the new Zildjian's very much, Mr. L. They just don't sounds like their Turkish competitors.

Wow caddy, you are lucky to have 4 of them. of course I prefer the old K's, but this A sounds great and the price happened to be right. I know there will be more added to the collection.

[Pollyanna]

Very nice! Good stick definition, a crash with character and good bell. If you don't mind me asking, where'dja get it and how much did it cost?

I'm pretty rapt in my 2010 20" Zild A, though. As a comparison, I think your vintage cymbal is a bit darker and a lot drier than the new A mediums. A less loud bell too (the bell on mine is a bit too fierce for my liking when played with the stick shaft, it's weakest aspect IMO).

What don't you like about the new Zilds?

[uniin]

Very nice! Good stick definition, a crash with character and good bell. If you don't mind me asking, where'dja get it and how much did it cost?

What don't you like about the new Zilds?

a friend of mine bought it from a music store with a kit second hand... he doesn't know anything about it and i got my 14" a new beat hats, 18" crash/ride, 20"swish + a tama fibrestar with imperial star snare for $500.

i don't like essentially everything about new zillys, the sound particularly. they just sound so clangy and horrible as compaired to turk cymbals like bospherus.

[cornelius]

That's a great find - enjoy it!

I've been into old A's for a long time. I have a 22" "Medium" and 22" "Thin Dance" - I guess they're both from the 60s - amazing cymbals - they sound nothing like any current A - the Sweet Ride or Armands can't even compare. I also have a 50's 22" that's really dark and a 20" "Thin Ride" that's nice too.

[wsabol]

I got it at classicvintagedrums.com. excellent site, btw

i don't like essentially everything about new zillys, the sound particularly. they just sound so clangy and horrible as compaired to turk cymbals like bospherus.

I can't agree more with this. As far as dark turkish cymbals goes, Zildjian is not cutting it they way they used to. All their cymbal lines are machine made in part or in whole, and the sound is just not attractive anymore in comparison to Bosporus and Istanbul. However, in the rock arena, they are doing great. I really really like using K customs for rock as weird as that is. The A Customs are also excellent for louder, more cutting rock situations.