How OLD Are My Cymbals? - How to Date Vintage Zildjians

In this video, we'll look at how to date vintage Avedis Zildjian cymbals. I have five vintage cymbals in my collection - a 20" Ride, a 21" Ride, and 3x 18" crashes - so we'll look at the available research and seen what's what.
SOURCE: black.net.nz/av...
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
1: Donate via Paypal: paypal.me/guit...
2: Buy Merch: bit.ly/Guitolog...
3: Send in Viewer Mail. (Contact Me for details at [e-mail] )
4: Purchase an ad! (Rate sheets available upon request at email above.)
5: Buy something from a sponsor and tell them I sent you.
6: Stand in the middle of the street naked screaming "LONG LIVE THE GUITOLOGIST!" Then when the cops arrive, tell them about my channel.

[@zenstat2]

Thanks for mentioning my site. I get asked about writing a book but so far I've decided to work on a new venture cymbal wiki because lets me also include sound and video files. I agree with all your identifications. That 21" might be a Rock Ride but I would need a bit more info to be sure. That starts with the weight, but also includes bell size. The new style for the wiki will include model based info and an easier way to identify cymbals. So far the Paiste portal is the most developed, but the research for all things Zildjian is well advanced. It just isn't all online yet. I've also corrected a few misconceptions in the comments below.

[@lilbigmanrecords1708]

wow the guy from the video how cool

[@tomwahl7838]

I've done work at Zildjian in Norwell Mass. Cool place. They have drum sets in the lobby from famous drummers. Got a tour of the manufacturing plant also.

[@TheGuitologist]

What did you do?

[@tomwahl7838]

@@TheGuitologist I built their office cubicles.

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Great video thanks the GUITOOLOGIST. Also importantly, thank you, Mr. Black, for your research and data on Avedis Zildjian cymbals. The drumming community is very appreciative.

[@eswabidimusic]

Thanks! Really helped me sort out a few gems 🙏🚀

[@shytweedabone2663]

That opening is the best yet!!

[@monode953]

Cheers man, I did it! Brad added the old film effect and music which just pushes it to another level! :o) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWeweqVnqtmBmpI

[@bugsbunny3488]

A brilliant and informative lesson on cymbals I wouldn't have expected.But than again,your full of surprises 😀👍

[@dontonnoconfagioli]

Nice video. Fascinating. And the tone from those cymbals is excellent. Thanks.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

This is a subject I never thought about before, but find fascinating now that I know a bit from this video, and some brief research. Turkey apparently used an Arabic writing until 1928, when they changed to a Latin based script, which may have effected their stamped logo over the years? Bells are very cool - I've long been interested in bells, and cymbals are sort of like flattened bells (?) - their sound contrasts beautifully with drums, occupying a totally different sonic space. Percussion is so basic to music, who didn't drum on their knees while listening to music when they were younger (I still do)? Having a conga or bongo drum(s) is an inexpensive (unless you buy premium) way to get your percussion rocks off! I'm one of those people who always notices when there is a good drummer, which there aren't many of - most play enough to keep the rhythm, but only a few go beyond that, and are melodically inclined, like Ginger Baker and Mitch Michell - two of my favorite drummers from back in the day. The drummer for Procul Harum was a favorite too (BJ Wilson?), he was nicknamed "the octopus", because he sits low in his kit, surrounded by a pleorthea of drums and cymbals, some arrayed around the upper level. You would see his long arms all over the place, while his body was sunk down behind the kit, like the tentacles of an octopus. Good drummers are a treat to hear - I dig them anyways, and it can only help make you a better musician, so rock on......!

[@timmewolff]

X-ray

[@TheTrashologist]

Trans stamp = the new version of the Tramp stamp

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

I once knew a drummer that had toured with Rare Earth back in the day. We were trying to put together a little country band to do bar gigs..never came together..The guy would sometimes sit up all night cleaning and polishing his cymbals..he was proud of his Ziljans. And babied them .he had a ton of 'em!!

[@danmacmillan5114]

Might help to do a pencil scratch impression on some of those that are hard to see. They sound great regardless!

[@ronnie5129]

Thanks for this video, i just found out due to you that, my Zildjian cymbals i have are from the late 1960's and early 70's, you rock,

[@billwhitlatch961]

Thanks!

[@TheGuitologist]

Welcome!

[@usedguitarstring]

I really enjoyed this and I do not play drums! Fantastic job sir!

[@wlb-85]

Good to know you've found John Bonham's cymbal set.

[@dustinthiessen]

Bonham was a Paiste man...

[@klascojoe]

I think it was 1974 when the guy who had these symbols father brought him a used Slingerland kit. And it was a pretty well worn kit Those cymbals are the ones that were with that kit. So you’re probably right because the kit looked a good 10 years old to me.

[@TheGuitologist]

Thank you Sig. So you're saying you know the cymbals to have been at least from before 1974, and likely 10 years before that? Good to know!

[@MrSmithvideo]

Hey Brad hope ya good. Quick tip to test a cymbal without finger damage. Take some old sticks and put one through the hole to hang the cymbal (Tip first from the underside).. then hit as normal with the other stick. It can now be held at arms length to not deafen as well.

[@hellodrjeckyl]

Oh man. At 3:04 some of those logos look like something I would have drawn on my school desks in my teens.

[@BustedJunkStudio]

Back then a drummer I worked with wanted Zildjan cymbals that barely had any mark on them at all. He claimed that a deep mark effected the sound of the cymbal. I don't know if he was into one of those rock & roll superstitions or what. You know how particular some rockers can get with their superstitious beliefs, but this guy was a true believer. I could not hear any difference but I'm just a guitarist and thus too ignorant to understand.

[@gorlagOv]

The drum journey has been pretty good.

[@TheGuitologist]

Glad you're digging it. I'm having fun with it.

[@philippes1987]

Hi Brad. Completely out of subject but...I assume you are getting a visit from Gordon soon? Hoping to see a video of the Boaz One meetup. I discovered this guitar because of your channel. Will be the proud owner of a Boaz One soon (I hope😆)

[@TheGuitologist]

I have spoken to Gordon about this and that is his plan as far as I know. Just waiting for a follow up from him.

[@philippes1987]

@@TheGuitologist Thanks for the update, rock on.

[@alexhicks5889]

I appreciate your adherence to the "outdated" practice of source citing. Maybe "with it" people should take heed.

[@rocketsauce5067]

If you decide to polish off the patina a good polish that will make them look new is Bar Keepers Friend.It comes in powder and liquid.

[@TheGuitologist]

I prefer not to.

[@FishnMusician]

Hi Brad, Not to change the subject but I've found some really nice drum stuff over the last few years. No nice cymbals, but stopped a guy from throwing it into the the the dump. Rogers silverburst Fulerton, CA, circa 1968, Bass Drum, two toms, Got another set at the SPCA store here in Aiken, Pearl Wood grain, two Bass drums, but a model they had where they had the to toms and snare that were made like roto toms. And a set of roto toms. And a Sonor bass pedal marked marked made in East Germany. 200 dollars...

[@TheGuitologist]

nice score on the Rogers!

[@FishnMusician]

I think I saw where you were selling some stuff, is the A0-35 conversion for sale?

[@jonnybeck6723]

In the '70's I had a K Zildjian ride hand hammered monster...

[@dan061990]

The one with inc would be mid 70’s. They did use ink before, but not in that font.

[@doctorwacky5680]

Hey Brad, I had a symbol just like the second one. It keyholed just as bad as yours did. But I love that sound

[@Soundgear4]

Any idea what 70's thin stamp 14" hihat and 20" ride cymbal are worth?

[@Wade6242]

Fine sounding cymbals, very nice

[@Apitome1]

???? I know its off subject But do you know where I could obtain a schematic for a digitech CF7 chorus pedal. By the way I have found barkeepers friend cleans cymbals really well. Thanks Brad always entertaining

[@zombywoof1015]

The internet would be a good place to start. At the very least you can find contact info for DigiTech.

[@Apitome1]

@@zombywoof1015 Thanks man. I have tried both. Digitech I thought was Harman's . Unfortunately, Harman's policy regarding schematics and tech documents has changed in recent years. They no longer have access to them to distribute, Something bout pedal being to old. And I cant find anything myself on internet.

[@johnhawkinshawkins1284]

If you have the time, where can I sell my 26" Avedis mid-1950s ride?

[@tomlehr861]

I have a stamped 22 in possibly 70s era

[@TheFULLMETALCHEF]

Looks like a lot of inconsistencies in the lathing and rings…does this mean they may have been hand hammered?

[@TheFULLMETALCHEF]

@@keithschneidly3922 Do you mean just his? Zildjian has a video on manufacturing and it’s all machines

[@richreid7098]

You can date your cymbals but they seem kind of old for you.

[@cantyouhearmeknocking1961]

Make graphite stencils of them!

[@74dartman13]

With some cleaning and polishing, they'll sound even better. I used to polish mine a lot, back in the day. Now I have an electronic set. I really miss the real cymbals!👍😎🎸🎶

[@SCRATCHBALLZ]

I just got one-handed to me for free. And I have no clue what the f*** it is. But it sounds significantly better than my sabian b8 ride. Not brighter, but better. Its darker, buts SUPER CLEAN with a nice wash ive never ever known in person

[@carldybowski4338]

Awesome video

[@Customwinder1]

Wrights Copper Clean is good for cleaning cymbals as well as Barkeepers Friend .

[@ytwhite5930]

Try pouring ammonia over them then rinsing immediately...makes em look like new without scrubbing off ink stamps.(my 10" splash had"paper thin" stamped on it).

[@Customwinder1]

@@ytwhite5930 good idea there mate . I'll try that sometime. 👍

[@123drphilgood]

My wive says you shouldn’t date cymbals. Unless you’re going down the “I’m married to a roller coaster” route. Haha

[@aroundthefur]

Never seen anyone get so razzed over these old avedis cymbals. I went through literally 7 of those vintage 18" avedis crashes in the mid 2000s because they are b20, you could get them for like 70 bucks a pop so just crack one/replace. They always sounded "alright". Definitely not the best sounding cymbals, but good to smash live.

[@john-cm8yn]

Heck yeah man. Now I got some stuff to unload on the next drummer who thinks he knows everything.

[@joebikeguy6669]

A cheap way to clean cymbals is to cut a lemon in half, sprinkle baking soda on the cymbal and rub, rub, rub.

[@deselby260]

Don't you just count the rings?

[@alanduncan1980]

Trans stamp means transition stamp.

[@yaki_font]

You could probably flip them into a tama superstar and some A customs

[@georgerobartes5989]

The Hijri , Islam or Arabic calendar was based on the birthday of Muhammad and phases of the moon . So it's also called the Lunar calender which some farmers still use to sow crops , whether Muslim or not . This year is 1443 in their calendar and our numerals are based on Arabic numerals using the number of angles included in forming the number . I.e. 1 has 1 angle 2 (Z) has 2 angles 3 ( written like a zig zag) has 3 , 4 has 4 (when written with an open top , basically a cross ) and so on . The Muslim clock is way behind compared to the Gregorian . There is no record of Christ's birth but by the time Muhammad was born there were local registry offices and strict records kept . Most of the script will be the day of the Lunar month made . Each day having a special name relating to the month , and just for fun it reads backwards . You Americans always get the date wrong by writing month , day year , instead of in order of importance day , month year . So this will add to your confusion ! A year is close enough so just nock off 578 for the Arabic year . So a cymbal made in 1936 will be dated 1358 . As far as I know Turkish made ammunition follows Gregory's date system since NATO membership. This is how the system was explained to me anyway . You should be able to find Arabic calendars for any year on line now .

[@orionwarren4244]

Zildjians: How old and what are they worth? Who gives a shit...strike them once and you'll know why!

[@morgunstyles7253]

Turn your cymbals so your not playing on the stamp

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Sweet! Well, I stand corrected for the most part. I knew that one was from the 70's, judging by the ink on there, but that's really cool the rest are from the 60's. Very, very cool! Congrats, dude! \m/(>_

[@richreid7098]

Very interesting.

[@thecrippledrummer]

None of these are hand hammered.

[@78precision63]

Pretty sure all Avedis "A" Zildjians are lathed.

[@zenstat2]

Not the Earth Ride. Released in 1979 and unlathed as well as unhammered. Just pressed into shape on the hydraulic pressing machine. It also has an uncommon stamp. It's all on my site. I tried to give a link but apparently KZbin does not like links.

[@simonbroke-smith7783]

😁👍

[@lancelucifer4851]

I regularly clean my cymbols with metal cleaner and steel wool, so some of those may be worn off from clean freaks like me.

[@TheGuitologist]

I prefer the patina. I get it from coin collecting. It's a no-no to polish coins.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

In many ways Brad this vid was pointless but A for effort!

[@jeremybender401]

Tony Pia... kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqTKgqZ8gJx1mqM

[@NickRedstar]

I know you like the patina but I’d pull the Brasso and go to town

[@footnotedrummer]

Your final 18" is indeed a 70s. Not only did you confirm via the stamp, but prior to the 70s... I'm fairly confident that Zildjian wasn't stamping the cymbal models and styles with black ink. I've never seen a 60s or pre 60s era with these stamps, and I've seen/owned some mint ones. In fact... I have a 50s era 22" Zildjian ride and I've had it since the early 80s. Other than a stamp... no markings and it's pretty mint. It does have key-holing, but I've never had any issue with key-holed cymbals, and I've been playing metal and punk for almost 40 years. I've never had even one propagate or become a failure point.

[@zenstat2]

Your confidence is misplaced, although it is a common internet misconception. There was model and weight class ink used since the beginning (1929). It's all on documented on my site. What did change around 1982 was the style of ink, and they began putting the diameter under the model ink. So that MEDIUM CRASH ink is in the pre 1982 style.