Hihat Cymbal Comparison (Istanbul Agop, Zildjian, Bosphorus)

Here is another comparison video, this time 4 different Hihat cymbals with Ahmad Jamal's "New Rumba" from the album "Chamber Music Of The New Jazz"
Let me know in the comments which pair do you like the most!
Istanbul Agop 14" Mel Lewis hihats: 822g/968g
Bosphorus 14" Jeff Hamilton Hammer Series hihats: 802g/1190g
Vintage 14" Zildjian Avedis hihats: 811g/1234g
Zildjian 14" Avedis New Beat hihats: 1126g/1364g
I do not own the rights for the music in this video.

[@twincrows3362]

For me the vintage zildjian sounds the best

[@SetchOnDrums]

I share your opinion, those sound really good even with the huge crack (or maybe because of the crack)

[@seppoinnanen5577]

So grown into Agops that my favorites would be Mel Lewises

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yes, Agop cymbals are amazing!

[@bobbyddrums1566]

i like the hats with the hole best good stuff

[@SetchOnDrums]

Yes, they sound really nice! thanks for the comments!

[@joedessauer]

Nice Squale! ;)

[@SetchOnDrums]

Haha, good eyes! Thanks, love my Squale Montauk, it withstands all the paradiddles!

[@cookq]

The vintage Zildjian to my ears sounds best overall for this, although the bosphorus sounds like has higher brass alloy content and would be my choice for rock n' roll

[@boomerguy9935]

Finally! Here is someone who knows how to demonstrate hi hats musically without beating them to death in a closed position or with the edge of the stick. Thank you! As an owner of vintage Zildjian Avedis (pre-A Series) that I bought new in 1966 which are VERY light, I am biased towards this sound. The Bosphorus Jeff Hamilton model gets my vote because they sound exactly like my vintage Zildjian's, but I like them all! Even though the weight of my vintage Zildjian's seem to be inverted at 710/685 grams, top/bottom, the bottom sounds deeper because of the shallower bell. They work best with light touches of brushes and wood tip sticks. Nylon tips make them sound piercing. They started out as rock cymbals in my garage band and took a beating. Now, they play light acoustic jazz and they still look like the day I bought them but with patina. I will probably have them buried with me.

[@SetchOnDrums]

Thank you for your comment! Do you have a video of those hihat cymbals, I would love to hear them!

[@boomerguy9935]

@@SetchOnDrums No, unfortunately, I do not. I'm an "analog guy in a digital world", as Joe Walsh says in his song. I had an opportunity to listen to the Jeff Hamilton series of Bosphorus hi hats in a drum shop a few years ago and I was amazed at how much they sound like my old Avedis hi hats. Even at very low volumes with brushes or sticks - or just the "chick" - they sound extremely musical. They remind me of the old black & white movies with jazz drums in the background playing at a whisper. When I bought them, I didn't know anything about them other than they were Zildjian's. I was extremely fortunate to be in the right music shop at the right time. I was only 16 years old at the time.

[@SetchOnDrums]

@@boomerguy9935 Yes, the Jeff Hamilton hihats capture that 50’s jazz era. It’s amazing that you still have those cymbals!

[@boomerguy9935]

@@SetchOnDrums Since I've switched over to darker ride and crash cymbals, I am looking for an extra set of hi hats like my light weight Avedis 14" ones that are slightly darker and just as sensitive to the touch for low volume playing. I'm thinking maybe the Bosphorus 1600 Era or Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis hi hats, but I can't find any in the local stores to try out.

[@SetchOnDrums]

@@boomerguy9935 I haven’t had a chance to play the Bosphorus 1600 hihats, but I’m sure they sound amazing. I used to own the Agop Mel Lewis hats which were nice but a little too bright for my liking. Now I have a pair of Signature Agop hats that I’m in love with. They sound dark but crisp, very musical cymbals. I had never thought about buying those before I accidentally tried a pair and immediately decided to buy them. I can make a video of the Signature Agop hats if you want to hear them! I also like the traditional jazz series hihats, but those are not dark either. I assume the 30th anniversary hihat cymbals would be dark and complex but haven’t tried them myself. Good luck finding a pair, I know it’s hard when you can’t try them and hear them at your local store