[3yanlis1bos]

Zildjian's original craftsmanship actually lives on in Istanbul. Mehmet Tamdeger, who began apprenticing at age nine under Mikhail Zilcan (grandson of Kerope Zilcan, of K series fame) and master smith Kirkor Kucukyan, continued the traditional techniques from the 1950s K. Zilcan factory in Istanbul.

What's fascinating is that Tamdeger and master smith Agop Tomurcuk preserved these methods by founding "Istanbul" cymbals. Initially exporting to the US under "Zildjiler" before switching to "Istanbul" in 1984, each cymbal was personally signed by both masters. After Agop's unexpected death in 1996, Mehmet continued under "Istanbul Mehmet", maintaining the 17th-century hand-crafting methods with the philosophy "Machines don't have ears."

The cymbals they make are particularly sought after by jazz drummers for what's known as the "old K sound" - referring to the original K Zildjians made in its place of birth.

Here is one for sale:

https://soundsanatolian.com/products/istanbul-mehmet-22-mika...

[PeeMcGee]

I thought I was true Zildjian head but had no idea they shared common ties with Istanbul (the brand). This is super fascinating, thanks for sharing.

[DontchaKnowit]

That is shockingly inexpensive

[zild3d]

yep drums and cymbals are very expensive. Beginner cymbals are ~$300 for a pack (hi hat, crash, ride). Intermediate/pro cymbals are easily $400-500 a piece

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ZP4PK--zildjian-plan...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K0731--zildjian-k-sw...

[DontchaKnowit]

I said inexpensive

[getlawgdon]

What's inexpensive about it? Why do you think it should cost more? This is a very typical cost for a single component of an instrument that can get very costly.

[cide1]

Cymbals arent cheap per se, but relative to other instruments they are. A professional saxophone is on the order of $7000 to $20,000. A professional violin can easily be $50,000 and sought after violin's as high as $20 million. Zildjian cymbals for a few hundred dollars are one of the few places a random beginner can consider buying the same instrument used by world level talent.

[zild3d]

1 cymbal isn't the instrument though. You're buying a drum set (5 drums typically), a handful of cymbals, stands, etc.

It's also generally accessible to get the same <guitars, bass guitars, keyboards> used by professional musicians. "Concert instruments" less so yes

[DontchaKnowit]

Its a very high end cymbal hand made, I would expect like at least 600 for a 20" ride. 400 is standard cost for a mass made 20"

I guess not shockingly inexpensive, but seems like a prerty damn good deal