4 Istanbul Agop Cymbals' Comparison (Traditional, SE Jazz, Agop Signature) Part 1

Here are the 4 cymbals played in the video:
Istanbul Agop 22” Traditional Dark Ride: 2433g
Istanbul Agop 21” Agop Signature Ride: 1935g
Istanbul Agop 20” Special Edition Jazz Ride: 1914g
Istanbul Agop 20” Traditional China Pang: 1492g
They all sound amazing I think, but am curious to hear your opinion!
I do not own the rights of the music used in the video!

[@boomerguy9935]

Wonderful video. The pop-up details really help. the light drumming allows me to hear the cymbals, as well as the soft background music. Perfect demonstration. Thank you!

[@michal.k.7728]

Istanbul Agop 21” Agop Signature Ride: 1935g , it sounds not too much and not too little which makes you listen to the cymbal. Good drumming man thanks for sharing that.

[@SetchOnDrums]

I like your observation! Thank you!

[@jamesbowman4285]

This is a great comparison video. Nice playing! Dig the way the 22 Traditional sounds here.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you! Yes, I agree, the Traditional ride sounds very nice on every recording.

[@joshlinn7559]

Great comparison and great playing! I actually picked up a 22" traditional dark ride last month, in part because it sounds so good in this video. Love the balance between that rich wash and that stick definition.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you! I agree! It’s a great cymbal, one that does the job in any situation.

[@joshlinn7559]

@@SetchOnDrums Any experience with the Agop Signature Crash in a jazz context?

[@SetchOnDrums]

@@joshlinn7559 No, unfortunately I have't had the chance to play any of the crashes from the signature series.

[@Ds_Drums]

That was one of my favorites too. I bet you will get years of fun out of that one. Happy playing.

[@SetchOnDrums]

@@Ds_Drums thanks, yes for sure!

[@hawkrider88]

Great video, great sound and great playing. We'll take a few more please!

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank You! I am planning to record more of these, I got some new Istanbul Agop cymbals that I want to showcase!

[@tubemenow2007]

I like the sound of the Agop Signature Ride. All are nice.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yeah, that's an amazing cymbal. Thanks for watching!

[@paulnieftjr4461]

Nice video, i liked them all. Very had to choose.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yes they all sound amazing!

[@eddieavakian]

Agop is killing it. They’re cymbals are the best out there in my opinion. I liked the 22 traditional myself but I also love the signature. You need to add the 30th anniversary to your collection. That’s another great one. Thanks for the video brother

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you for watching! Yes, all of their cymbals are amazing. The traditional dark ride just sounds so good, blends really well with the music. I love the 30th anniversary series, not too long ago I recorded another video with 4 new Istanbul Agop cymbals that includes a 22” 30th Anniversary ride. You can listen to it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYPNgn6Bi8ZjedE

[@stevendunton5520]

Special Edition! I dig it so much, I ordered one earlier today. Cheers bro. Dig your playing

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you! Yeah, they all sound great! Enjoy yours!

[@gt3065]

istanbul makes such nice stuff they all sound good, but your playing was the best sounding part.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you! I really appreciate your comments!

[@RogierRJDonker]

Such a nice swing and dynamic playing.👍

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you!

[@sezyum]

Excellent video & playing, thanks. BUT. WHY PLASTIC TIPS WITH SWING???

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you! I know, plastic tips are controversial. I personally like the brighter sound on the darker cymbals, plus I hate how wooden tips get worn out so quickly leaving me with not much clarity on the cymbals. I do have to say though that there are only a few models with nylon tips that sound good on cymbals, most of them are too harsh for my ears.

[@sezyum]

@@SetchOnDrums legit! i was a little bit selfish by asking. it's all about your feelings about music while looking for own sound.. by the way it affects good your playing too. i'm gonna try your brighter sound / darker cymbal approach. from istanbul with love.

[@boomerguy9935]

I used to play plastic tips in all forms years ago when I played brighter cymbals. Now that I'm older and player mellower music with enhanced definition at low volumes, I only play wooden tips and these vary in size and shape of the tips. My hands are small, so I prefer 16" long hickory sticks in different brands and models. My sticks, along with cymbals, will vary according to the venue I play - size, acoustic surroundings, type of audience, etc. Back at the house when I am practicing, I occasionally try out my old plastic tips and immediately cringe. I'm not saying that you're wrong, just that my tastes have definitely changed over the decades. Great playing!

[@JulianFernandez]

SE Jazz does it for me in a combo setup. thanks for sharing.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thanks for watching! That’s the ride I bring if I only need one cymbal for a trio/quartet gig or a session.

[@faizwongchanel]

Nicee.. I feel the Rain in different moment every ride i wish i had 2 of them 😍

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yes, they all sound amazing!

[@mezdrums]

Great playing man

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you!

[@timleamy3442]

I like the Dark!

[@IggorDrummer]

Sounds awesome!

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you!

[@onceovereasy1529]

All these pies work well..each with it's own voice. I prefer the slightly heavier ones (2300-2400 grams) as it provides slightly more stick def. Great playin' and great post...thank you and cheers from Vegas!

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you for your comment and thank you for watching!

[@CyrilViXP]

Traditional dark ride sounds nice. I also like Istanbul Agop Special Edition Jazz Ride, but on this video it sounds a little bit loud

[@elithepitbulldog2209]

I keep coming back to the 30th anniversary 20,22,24,and a 26👍 Next are the Trad jazz series. Can’t go wrong with those

[@SetchOnDrums]

Still have to try the Traditional jazz series, but I can tell from the videos that they sound amazing. And the 30th anniversary cymbals are just 🤩

[@oskarfield8696]

I like the SE

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yeah. If I had to choose just one I would most likely choose that one too! Thanks for watching!

[@justinalexander1056]

21 agop signature

[@Encounterpart]

20 Jazz and then 21 Sig.

[@maplesolid]

1. Signature Ride, 2. Trad. Dark Ride

[@Gk2003m]

In terms of that track, the Traditional sounds best. It complements all the other instruments while still being clear and still having sustain. The other three cymbals are too obvious.

[@SetchOnDrums]

I agree! I was even surprised how well the Traditional ride sounded! For live gigs I love the SE jazz ride, but imo it doesn’t sound good with the track!

[@IggorDrummer]

And the Hats? Which is It?

[@SetchOnDrums]

The hihats are 14” vintage Zildjian A’s

[@timleamy3442]

Wish this comparison included the Turk!

[@SetchOnDrums]

I haven't had the chance to play one of those, but hopefully soon I can add one to my collection!

[@wolfjr1717]

The green signature. Yum. Bright but with a hint of trash. And great stick action. Pang, no thanks.

[@kondko]

Nice playing!. Didn't you have a 30th anniversary? Would personally swap the SE to a 21 inch. And the 20 signature to a 22 signature MEDIUM ride. And the newer traditional jazz line are a bit lighter and thinner than the traditional darks, so I think those would be better for combo music. But in the end, all great! Thanks for the comparison!!

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yes, I did have a 20" and a 22" 30th Anniversary rides, I don't have them anymore unfortunately, I really miss the 20" ride with the rivets I put in it. I haven't had the chance to listen to the new Traditional Jazz line, but heard great things about those cymbals all over the internet, I do like the 22" Agop Signature medium rides, I just don't have one in my collection right now. Thanks for watching, I appreciate your feedback!

[@krupadrum]

Nylon tipped sticks 😔 let's have wood.. 👌

[@SetchOnDrums]

Noted!

[@policeluber6720]

Oh no plastic tips ! Never my man ! U must live in upstate ny

[@SetchOnDrums]

Can’t stand when the wooden tip gets worn out after a few days and it sounds awful on the cymbal. Nylon tips give me the clarity I need. But I see your point, they can alter the sound of the cymbals, sometimes even too much.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Do drummers play with plastic tips in upstate ny? 😃 I lived there for a while before moving to the city.

[@sojake3712]

Can't stand jazz

[@carlosalvarenga8435]

Tuff shit