How A Zildjian Cymbal Is Made -

#MadeInZUSA is a compilation of our Zildjian “How Its Made” Series on Instagram which takes you through each step of our cymbal making process.
The Cymbal Making Process:
Part 1: 0:11 - The process begins with Zildjian castings being created in the Avedis Varteresian Melting Room, where only 4 factory employees and the owners of the company are allowed inside due to their knowledge of the “Zildjian Secret.” Once the castings have cooled down, the castings are weighed, sorted and then brought over to the ovens.
Part 2: 0:32 - The castings are heated in a 1400 degree oven to prepare for rolling.
Part 3: 1:10 - Immediately after coming out of the oven, the casting are rolled flat. This process of heating and rolling is repeated 5-6 times, until the castings are thin and malleable enough for the next steps of the process.
Part 4: 2:14 - Once the castings are thin enough, they are cupped with the proper bell shape and hole.
Part 5: 2:38 - The cymbals are then cut into a perfect circle, based on the desired diameter of the specific model being created. Once a cymbal is cut to the proper size, any extra metal edging that is cut off is then chopped up into smaller pieces and added back to the original melting process.
Part 6: 2:56 - Hammering is the first step in the process that really begins to change the sound of the cymbal. There are various ways to hammer a cymbal. Rotary hammers roll specific hammer designs into the cymbal such as on an A or A Custom cymbal, while impact hammers use a greater force to hammer cymbals such as a K Cluster Crashes or a Crash of Doom. Each unique hammering pattern contributes to the wide range of Zildjian sounds.
Part 7: 3:57 - After Hammering, the cymbals are shaped to the proper taper using specifically designed die presses for each cymbal. The cymbals are bent backwards first before pressing the cymbals into shape in order to make it easier to form the curvature of the cymbal. The machine that presses the cymbal into shape uses 80-90 tons of pressure per cymbal!
Part 8: 4:23 - Lathing a cymbal is the process of taking layers of metal carefully off the cymbal with proper tooling while the cymbal is being spun, to remove the dry oxidized layer of metal and to get the cymbal to a specific weight range. Each cymbal that is lathed has a designated weight spec range allowing for slight variations in the sounds of each cymbal produced. Once lathed, the cymbal’s beautiful natural finish is revealed and the desired sound of the cymbal is achieved. All of the extra shavings that come off of the cymbal during this process are then collected and added back to the original melt.
Part 9: 5:29- At this point of the process the edge of the cymbal is still very sharp from being cut and lathed so the edge needs to be smoothed with proper tooling.
Part 10: 5:58 - Now it is time for the finishing processes. If the cymbal has a brilliant finish such as an A Custom cymbal, it is buffed. If the cymbal does not have a brilliant finish it receives a light polyurethane solution coating to prevent tarnishing during transit from our factory to stores around the world. This coating is super thin so it won’t affect the sound of the cymbals.
Part 11: 6:56 - After coating/finishing the cymbals are then stamped with the Zildjian Logo as well as the model/size of the cymbal. The cymbals are also laser engraved with the Zildjian Trademark and a unique serial number.
Part 12: 7:47 - All of our cymbals are tested by ear by one of our official cymbal testers before being shipped out the door! Mr Leon Chiappini has been the Head Cymbal Tester for 57 years and Jeff Westhaver has been an Official Cymbal Tester for 29 years! Since 1962 all cymbals have been tested for sound quality and checked cosmetically for any problems before being officially named a “Zildjian Cymbal.” Leon started selecting cymbals for artists in the 1960s by ear and matching up hi hats and crashes by selecting by weight and pitch, which was how the testing process all began! Cymbals then started to be categorized by specific models based on weight and sound specifications. Today if a cymbal does not meet the standard sound or cosmetic quality once inspected and listened to by one of our cymbal testers, then the cymbal is rejected and melted down again to be recrafted into a new cymbal. All of our cymbal testers have their ears checked each year and they always pass with flying colors due to the fact that they are properly exercising their ears with listening to fluctuating pitches each day.
Part 13: 8:53 After all of the cymbal processes are complete, the cymbals are packaged and shipped all over the world!
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FOLLOW ZILDJIAN:
➤Website: www.zildjian.com
➤Facebook: / zildjian
➤Instagram: / zildjiancompany
➤Twitter: / zildjiancompany

[@frankiebluethgen4291]

love the thought that every zildjian cymbal ive ever played has been hit a few times by that old guy. makes em feel special

[@onesyphorus]

I understand this comment but I can't understand why I'm laughing so hard

[@jbro2780]

Nick does Quad drumming you know jokes exist right?

[@IBitePrettyHardSH]

Thank you for not putting music over this!

[@narutohood]

omg ibite lives! happy to see your comment under here, man :)

[@arischristianr.3490]

ASMR

[@chkid9053]

Omg your alive

[@TyDie85]

Or narrating!

[@raycorona2229]

How refreshing was that right! I said the same thing.

[@davidzachmeyer1957]

No music, no narration. Just a bunch of folks working hard to make a great product.

[@ChristianNelsonn]

Here's an interesting fact; Zildjian is actually written as Zilciyan ("c" is pronounced similar to "j") in Turkish. In the Ottoman Empire, notable Armenian subjects' last names were based on their vocation with the suffix "-yan" or "-ian" added, meaning "son of" in Armenian. Zilci literally means "bell maker" or "cymbal maker" in Turkish. The name was given to Avedis Zildjian personally by the Ottoman Emperor Osman II the Young along with permission to set up his own shop in Constantinople. The Zildjian family made cymbals for the Ottoman military and the public for nearly 300 years before they moved to the US in the 1910s.

[@oobernoober7617]

If you understand the reference this was what was playing in my head: Istanbul was Cobstantinople and Istanbul was Constantinople

[@kevvdogg1331]

Fun fact: No one asked

[@buraktepe6683]

They use too much machinery. In istanbul still handmade.

[@trevorclark7985]

the part where the grinding literally walks up the C major scale is awesome, 5:08

[@FlickrFriedGizzard]

Those octaves, tho!

[@isthischannelstillalive9062]

That’s impressive!

[@adroit57]

its a little off

[@garrettmillerdrums]

Came here to say this, so happy to see others heard it too. Beautiful stuff. I want one of those raw, precut, unlathed MFers....

[@marcsebastianacusar9044]

C Major with a #4 and a b7(?)

[@joeplem5329]

I hope these guys get freaking paid well cause that doesn't look like an easy job.

[@soullessSiIence]

Almost anything based on mere repetition is easy to do, give it a try. Doing surgery... Now that's hard.

[@MichaelDBauer]

No it doesn't. Especially the guys who are in the furnaces. Wow!

[@js4187]

@@soullessSiIence so try deadlifting 100lbs , 20 times a minute . is that hard ? its repetitive . which surgeries are hard ? most that ive seen look easy . once you have the knowledge , looks pretty simple . i think youre just wanting to be an argumentative ass . just a dick .

[@Zildawolf]

Despair it becomes easier physically but wil eventually become painfully repetitive

[@mixaly41]

Look how people works at turkish factories)

[@spacevspitch4028]

Damn. Cymbal tester at the end is the real MVP!

[@faperito2389]

Thought the same!! He's the human, musical touch, can't not have him.

[@eyeofbass]

KIBanshee9 love that guy, because he loves his work. The real deal.

[@MarkyPaligs]

He needs some recognition. The guy 's been working half his life to making these. He's a true drum God.

[@biodrummindieseler]

They should show him picking out one that he doesn't like and telling us why. His tinnitus must be so bad by now, how do we know that he can hear even half of the frequencies coming out of those cymbals?

[@onlyrick]

@@MarkyPaligs - Half his life, makes him 112. I plan to retire before then!

[@spaz6996]

Part 2 - Zildjian cymbals selling retail for $400 to $900 each. Part 3 - friends not believing you when you inform them your kit is worth $10000+. But $1000 without the cymbals.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Spaz 'n' Megz you can make a $300 Craigslist kit sound great, but if you want decent used jazz cymbals you’re looking at 600 bucks more. Always at least double the price in bronze. Same cymbals new probably $1200 or 4x dr price.

[@theepworthepiscopalspike8260]

I found brass cymbals to be appropriate for jazz and Studio work, brass rides make excellent Rock crashes, 18 inch brass China's are also good for rock, brass splashes are useless, brass hi-hats are useless unless you're using them for crashes, they make great fast crashes for jazz and Studio

[@kofiali8080]

@@theepworthepiscopalspike8260 that's Nice

[@onixtheone]

Technically the metal is the cheapest component, it’s the tools, machinery, and American labor that brings the price up that high

[@IRLguy777]

​@@RyanAlexanderBloom Lots of online instrument stores have their own private cymbal brands now that are much cheaper than the big brands nowadays. The bad ones will sound like Wuhan clones, but the good ones are mostly on par with the pro-level name brands in terms of sound. Even for jazz you can find a nice affordable set if you are willing to part with brand recognition.

[@chrisbarrett4588]

To all of you who make it possible to make amazing music, thank you for each drop of sweat, each minute of your day, and your amazing attention to detail. Since the first cymbal, I have purchased Zildjian, and I have always been amazed. Without your efforts, I would not be able to pursue my passion!

[@alansmollen]

As a bassist, the ring of a Zildjian makes swinging fun!

[@technerdbird]

thanks zildjian marketing team

[@malanis2190]

Ok now I know why they cost so much, never complaining again

[@Steffentrommelt]

The magic man - 56 years testing cymbals!

[@sideparting6845]

But with all that testing, does he hear anything above 10kHz any more??

[@prmduarte]

Side Parting Does he hear anything at all???

[@d0uchebaggie]

A workplace where if you drop the product your working on, it sounds like slapstick comedy.

[@steveafanador6441]

LMFAO 😂

[@rhythm-t3023]

I am a hardcore fan of Zildjian Cymbals I love the sound of those cymbals. I would love to be part of the Zildjian family.

[@lukeslayer]

That cymbol testers work ethic is simply sublime, I hope he gets well taken care of financially and instrument wise. What a great bloke.

[@Eternal_Satyr]

"I've been testing [cymbals] for 56 years." "Wow, you must really love your job." "What?! I can't hear you! You'll have to speak up!"

[@richardwarren1718]

I SAID, "YOU MUST REALLY LOVE YOUR JOB".

[@e-tube3155]

@@richardwarren1718 wait what?

[@stonerdrums]

I've been playing and collecting vintage Zildjian cymbals for 30+ years. Have well over 200 Zildjian. The best in my book.

[@lukecarodrums]

stonerdrums holy crap!! I’d love to see and hear em in person

[@drewbocop]

What's your address? For reasons

[@chadcreamer8146]

So you've spent like 4 billion on cymbals

[@terryasheim9038]

I have a hand hammered 16" K Zildjian made in Constantinople from the 1920's that I've owned for over 30 years that still has the most amazing sound.

[@SaltWaterDrums]

The envy is real

[@knoel8329]

5:11 Lmao the cymbal plays some scales while being lathed

[@ibanezza6341]

Love the fact that somebody cares enough to play, not just test, every cymbal that comes out of that factory. I love my 20 inch Zildjian ride

[@dublove984]

I've been an Ironworker and a drummer. Just wanna say this is so darn respectable. Very cool! I didn't know this much work went into cymbals!!!

[@BBT609]

A Zildjian ASMR lol. Love the work that goes into these cymbals. I love buying these cymbals cause I know the history behind the company and how great they sound. Never a dull moment with these guys! Leon is one heck of a cymbal tester. 56 years and not looking at retirement anytime soon. That man LOVES his job.

[@wat3rdog25]

We definitely need a focus on trade schools in high school. I would of loved to have known I could have gone the route of a machinist to make awesome pieces like these. Beautiful work. I love my trade I'm in now but how cool.

[@LastBastion9999]

Leon Chiappini looks like a guy who has loved his job every day he's worked. He may be my new spirit animal.

[@MasterVDrumming]

Love how they have a drumstick in their back pocket

[@nickjohnson410]

A jerk neighbor of mine threw out a pair of Zildjian high hats, and my Dad found them in the trash and gave them to me. I'm not a drummer (I'm a guitararist) but I still have those hats and will never get rid of them because they are such beautiful pieces of art and design. Thank you Zildjian for making amazing musical art pieces and keeping the bar high in a world plagued by increasingly cheap mediocrity... Thank You Thank You!

[@dronepro7316]

Nick Johnson I can’t believe anyone would throw them out. I’d donate them to a school music section.

[@leopardcubpupkryky6940]

Lucky You.

[@faizalzamharir]

I hope my neighbour also like that

[@technerdbird]

zildjian trash lids are cheap mediocrity... #paistegang

[@Gioalford]

This whole process is outstandingly beautiful

[@funnyclip6363]

56 years as a tester..... fantastic

[@frankalfar]

There are so many fascinating sounds in making the cymbal itself. This was was very cool.

[@jimbeaux89]

Dude how sweet it would be to work for zildjian and testing these bad boys. You get to play on these for a living. I’ve always wondered how these were made. Thanks for the video! Very informative!

[@Dumbell-Dad]

I loved watching every second of this. I feel like I would love to work at a place like this, where the product produced goes on to create something beautiful. I've always been a Zildjian player, and I always will be.

[@JorgeGeorgeD]

This is where you go when you get promoted at Domino's.

[@jgn_nyepongin_pemerintah_trus]

No. That is pizzahut

[@nikhiljoshi2961]

Little Caesars as well

[@chisnsid]

I adore my A-Customs - I dreamt of having these as a kid, and over the years bought one here and there to eventually complete my set :) I even had the pleasure of buying some brand new, a couple of crashes, a ride and my hi-Hats- (a-custom master sounds) and they are all stunning - keep it up Zildjian!

[@tympanum59]

I'have been lucky enough to see this process in person..amazing company..........PROUD TO PLAY ZILDJIANS

[@James.ceta14]

So how much does it cost to just show up and get a tour of the factory ?

[@retrotune4565]

5:10 that cymbal just hit the whole note scale 😂

[@sebar4123]

7:50 This guy has the best job ever!

[@longfade]

I love the absolute absence of anything resembling craftsmanship.

[@artistdrumsx6526]

So glad you guys made an updated video of this.

[@brianbaker2759]

In about 1984 I bought my first drum kit, when my disapproving parents were away on vacation. Went into Washington DC and bought an old Rogers jazz kit with 18" bass drum. Came with a bunch of old Zildjian cymbals, including a sizzle ride and a 24" ride. I was young and stupid, thought the 24" ride must've been an orchestra cymbal mistakenly put with the kit, because it had such a strange (to my ears) set of overtones. So I sold it. Oh, what I would give to have that old huge ride back again!

[@ARDrummer]

Very cool upload! Crazy to think about how cymbals start out :)

[@shiningarmor2838]

The best cymbals still come from Turkey, where Zildjian was based for a long time.

[@patrickgroll2046]

I have heard that too. Why is it? Better alloys available there? Better craftsmanship? I can sometimes distinguish a really great cymbal sound but not very often.

[@DuckyDrummer]

@@patrickgroll2046 they take the time needed to shape the cymbal by hand and each cymbal has a dedicated craftsman who works on it instead of sending a bunch of metal through a bunch of expensive machines

[@buraktepe6683]

Coz in usa its not handmade anymore.

[@xiomarazamoraesquer6730]

What a privilege to work at avedis Zildjian, It is my favorite brand of dishes, A big greeting to all.

[@user-tr8kr1jd2o]

The stamping of the cymbal is perhaps the most satisfying thing in the world

[@gerryryan2302]

One of the best how it’s made videos ..and to be honest I never even thought the demand would be so great to keep a large factory going ..well done guys great stuff

[@DamianS1893]

I love my new Zildjian S Series Rock Cymbals... These Cymbals Sound Excellent. Well worth the money too

[@JRCme1]

I need to keep buying cymbals to keep these guys going!

[@orkycathcart6397]

I JUST HAPPENED TO STUMBLE UPON THE ZILDJIAN SITE SHOWING HOW THIER CYMBALS ARE MADE , WOW , NOW THIS OUGHTA BE COOL !!!!!!! BE BACK WHEN IT'S OVER !!!!

[@SALTYDATTO]

We all need to be a little like Leon Chiappini. That man truly loves what he does. Outstanding video! Thank you for not putting silly music over it.

[@MrRock-mt9sv]

Fantastic! Thank You for Posting this.

[@paullarnce2167]

How incredible! Thank you very much for posting this.

[@drumchaser6712]

One-day ago I was in a pawn shop. I needed to sell some brass cheap cymbals. 95.00 was the most they were worth. It was really all I could get. Drum set cymbals. I noticed a pair of 14" new beat hi hats. The owner gave me 35.00 cash and the zildjian hi hats. My search for the new beats was 1970s Co. I can't believe how much I love these hi hats. Finally my luck has changed. Bar keepers friend made them look brand new.

[@johnkanellidis5913]

love that they are man made and not a bunch of robots spitting these out

[@felixsaysfelixes2499]

This is so beautiful! I love Zildjian cymbals!

[@Assimilator702]

I'd love to see cymbals being buffed to a brilliant finish. Also a demo of all the different heads used to hammer the K lines. And why does the lathe that Paul was using have the auto arm attachment while some lathes are 100% human operated? What's the reasoning behind automating half of the process vs lathing 100% by hand?

[@rjlong89]

Right on right on. This is why theyre the best

[@TexasRose50]

Love learning and watching things being made. This is top of the list.

[@gibbypeen5826]

imagine testing cymbals for 56 years! holy crap!

[@kayegillanders8819]

Great job guys. Keep up the good work xx

[@scottturner8159]

Thank you for all the work you do by putting your hard work into making one of the best cymbals ever and bringing out the best sound in metal love everyone of you all that bleed sweat and make the music sound so beautiful and joyful your hard work doesn’t go unappreciated I’ve been playing with zildjian since I first started playing drums still my fav cymbals period

[@fullbeard]

Mesmerizing to watch

[@st7650]

Wow I always thought these were made in turkey. Thanks for the wonderful post and update

[@426Hemiroadrunner]

I own several of your cymbals. They are the best in the industry.

[@Mk7.5Ronin]

I just bought a 19 K sweet crash and I love it. You guys are doing a great job 👍🏼

[@mariodrumz8228]

Great Cymbals, Great Video! 🤘🏼📀🥁📀🤘🏼

[@DrumCoversbyBill]

So cool to see how my A Customs are made. Thanks for sharing!

[@Salodrums]

Prato incrível!

[@skatterbrainz]

I never knew shovels were used so much in the making of cymbals

[@manuelturchetto1653]

Darth loves this dark side of force.

[@Muipha]

hahaha I love that guys enthusiasm while testing them out

[@LLeeAsphodel]

Very great process of building cymbals. They can always make new cymbals with style 👍

[@osman_drummer6633]

Amazing production line and craftsmanship. I remember my very first ZBT+ set 20 yrs ago!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Too my ears, Zildjian has, overall, some of the best and unique sounding cymbals in the industry...Paiste, Meinl, Avanti, et al have some nice ones too but...The Entire K line of Zildjian is unbeatable for cut through, sustain, sweet spots and durability...

[@liv-og9tc]

These cymbals are my all time favorite. Thank you guys for making such revolutionary and awesome cymbals for us drummers

[@andrews.]

I love cool stuff like this being made in the USA. What beautiful work you guys make.

[@merendobereglidditz9304]

Love, love, love those A Customs.

[@annalyneleazar2511]

The best cymbals for me..... Perfect sounds

[@stevewittbrodt]

I loved the tones the cymbals produced as he was latheing. Going up the scale. Very musical

[@pantherplatform]

The hi hat solo at 8:45 was awesome at 2x speed.

[@jimw6659]

Beautiful!

[@incubrian]

thanks for not adding music!! so cool to hear the real sounds going on!!

[@DemonizedTX]

You can hear the sound of the cymbal as it changes throughout the manufacturing process. Brilliantly edited video.

[@Oct8pus]

Hands down, my favorite cymbal brand

[@guilhermesigo]

Love! Love! Much Love!

[@alfrededdingsii9098]

Mesmerizing

[@elviscastro5160]

Muito legal ver o processo de fabricação

[@paprikasabe]

These videos are just amazing

[@josemarino4270]

Now when I play them and I can appreciate that it is not only me making music. It is amazing the amount of work that going into making a single cymbal. Thank you for showing this!

[@metallicasnake]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@pablodellamaggiora]

Wonderful, never seen before how do they make them!

[@dragg57]

4:22 most satisfying video

[@souninguem6622]

O trabalho a mão é insano show!, Eu não sabia q era assim A e o tiozinho é fera tambm!!👏👏

[@brianmoore48]

Beautiful

[@georgedavey9702]

Looking good guys!!

[@brunoalessandroardito8739]

Beautiful.

[@noiseman1986]

how can you smooththe edge of a cymbal when the machine has a mad wobble of at least a few mm 5:30

[@Strellock]

They finalize them with a hand held blade (v shape, edge can't escape, it follows the cymbal) and also sand them by hand; the wobble makes no difference, definitely not at that speed. 5:47 see that handheld cutting tool 5:53 see the sandpaper

[@Sonicspeed3000]

What a humble job! Also the video is perfectly made

[@richardwarren1718]

Reminds me of making lead fishing weights with my dad. The sound of that "kur-plunk" when it hit the waters of Lake St. Clair was music to your ears. Not this complicated but as satisfying as listening to a cool record.

[@bogdanchirva]

That speaks a lot for Zildjian old mans been working there since the 1960s he loves the cymbals and the job ❤️

[@nicky4917]

Amazing, very well made!

[@leocomerford]

Interesting! It's not that long ago that Zildjian was still very secretive about its manufacturing process, if I recall correctly.

[@spaz6996]

Istanbul made still are...

[@FanaticDrummer]

Its not far from how Sabians artisans do it for their Artisan or custom artist cymbals. After all Sabian took ALL of Zildjians original artisans in the company separation so they know the entirety of the process. So theres nothing Zildjian does that is that secretive that another company cant replicate today. Its just different machineries but essentially its all accessible in their patents. If its not a patent, its not secret.

[@stoplookingatmeplease1230]

They showed the process directly from the cymbal "pucks" , the secret process was already done

[@drummerboy6358]

Talk about hard work! Must be such a Magical Experience working there..

[@joecooper8527]

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL