Zildjian Cymbals...The Incredible Family History

[@411LED]

To this day Avedis Zildjian is the greatest and firmest hand I ever shook way back in 1976...

[@eddieavakian]

Very cool. I'm sure he was a fascinating meet!

[@dnews9519]

This is absolutely fascinating history. I wonder if there are many examples of their cymbals from four centuries ago still around?

[@eddieavakian]

It’s been a wild ride for the Zildjians for sure. From what I understand, the cymbals from way back then, were not branded but I’m sure a cymbal from Turkey 300 or 400 years old is likely to be theirs. Of course they were nothing like the drum set cymbals we have today. They were much smaller and thicker. I actually tried to find an image of one for this video but came up empty on that.

[@FRANCODALMONEGODRUMS]

Amazing video!! Especially at 7:51!! I am very happy and proud that you liked my video and put a piece of it in yours!! Thank you!!

[@eddieavakian]

Hi Franco. Yes! I love your videos and I’m a fan of your playing. Not only did I play a section of the video but I let the audio play for a while into my speaking section. I’m sure you heard that. I’m glad that you liked it all and that your happy that I used some of your footage!

[@evilblumonkee959]

Only cymbals I’ve ever wanted. Got my 1st Zildjian hats at 17yrs old & I felt like the cat that got the cream. So many ppl today shun them & give them shade but they’re the only brand for me. Plus, the logo just looks amazing on ANYTHING!

[@eddieavakian]

My first set of cymbals were Zildjian's as well. I got them in 1978 and still have them today. The 24 inch heavy ride is a beast of a cymbal and cuts thru everything.

[@ramencurry6672]

I only use Zildgians too. Compared to other cymbal companies out there they may sound boring. However, in a song mix, they just blend in without getting attention and serve the music. So it’s perfect for me.

[@dressedtosmellgood]

Every drummer i know loves zildjian ks and as. Theyre the king for good reason

[@DrummerDanny76]

Zildjian, my all time favorite cymbals !!!

[@georgitomov5405]

Very nice summed up documentary! Thanks for that!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Georgi

[@Ebut191]

The Zildjian story is just incredible and actually quite inspiring when you consider the depth of history and tradition behind part of your instrument (kit). Even the hammered stamps of the 20th century are an intriguing journey on their own. My own A's are somewhat interesting (to me anyway)! I bought a 16" crash in 1975 to go with my crappy no name ride and hats. Then a 2002 22" China some years later, which was promptly band from the cabaret gig I had. I swapped the China for a gorgeous 20" A Zildjian Flat Ride and bought a couple more A Thin and Paper Thin (14" & 16") crashes ... both sweeet! I hate logos! One day, when cleaning them off I noticed "Made in C ada" on the the Flat Ride and the new Crashes. I had no idea why they were made in Canada, neither did any of the Sydney Australia drum shops. I did some comparisons and they sounded different! All had a lovely shimmering crystal like top end and the smoothest and even decays. Pure Luck! So playing an LA period Camco kit in Natural Maple with these Canadian A Zildjians felt absolutely wonderful. Playing that kit inspired the saying: "Drumming ... It's Better Than Breathing"

[@eddieavakian]

That’s so cool that you inadvertently acquired a Canadian A! I have to admit I laughed out loud when I read about the China getting banned from your gig. 🤣

[@paulnieftjr4461]

Eddie, great video on the zildjian family history. The tradition and history of cymbals is fascinating. Thank you for both your zildjian and Istanbul cymbal videos.

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Paul. Fascinating indeed. I’d like to round these videos off w a Sabian segment to give Robert some praise for his contribution. I’m starting to peck away at that one.

[@brandashusband]

Thank you ... GREAT history lesson ... !!!

[@MumboJumbo45]

Fascinating, thank you

[@blackasthesky]

Great to see that someone is telling these stories.

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you! So much info is scattered around the internet and I got the idea to try and bring a lot of together in one place. I’m happy to see that people like you are finding it worth watching.

[@Formula-602]

That was great!…Big cymbal nut here..so…really enjoyed that…Thanks!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Blair! I appreciate you taking the time to check it out and for your complements. It means a lot!

[@Leonnoelmusic]

Thanks for taking the time and making the video You did a good job man!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you so much for acknowledging the effort. I really enjoyed the research and making this video.

[@markgreco1962]

Thank you.

[@TimBatkin]

Thank you for this fascinating walk through the Zildjian history. Very good.

[@eddieavakian]

Thanks Tim. I appreciate you reaching out with your positive comments.

[@Voyteck_Drummer]

i’ve kinda knew the story but it fascinates me, so it’s was a pleasure to watch your take on it. Awesome!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you so much!

[@yvanmessier5764]

Again a very very good video Eddie I really enjoyed it

[@eddieavakian]

@@yvanmessier5764 thank you so much!

[@Rogersdrumvideos]

Phenomenal video. Cleared a lot of things up for me. Thank you

[@eddieavakian]

It’s a complicated history. The one thing that I was not able to learn was the family name before it was Zildjian. It doesn’t really matter but I’m curious and there is no information on that. I emailed Paul Francis at Zildjian. I doubt he’ll respond but I you never know.

[@JohnJohnson-rc6ci]

Thank you Eddie. Great history, great cymbals. Shalom.

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you John!

[@silent_spitfire]

real life lore, love it. thanks for making this!

[@eddieavakian]

Thanks! It’s seriously a crazy history and I had a fun time making this video. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I’m particularly fond of the Zildjian A Custom cymbals!!! They are the most beautiful cymbals ever!!!!!

[@drumdotpizza]

Such a great video! Love the lineage... I always wondered what the connection between Zildjian and Zilcan was. Thank so much for sharing this!!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Joel. I love your content man! Keep up the good work over there!

[@janusnicolajsen7103]

I love the Zildjian history, but i got a little more information this time with the family tree and the zilcan company. Thanks for making this video🤘

[@eddieavakian]

Thanks for checking it! I appreciate it.

[@MegaDrummerD]

Thanks!! Great history. I own some 60's 70's and 80's Avedis Zildjian cymbals. They sound fantastic!!

[@eddieavakian]

Very cool! I have a pair of 70s new beat hats and a 70s 22 inch ride that I bought new when I was 15 years old. I’d love to acquire some old Ks as well but those are going for insane prices right now.

[@MegaDrummerD]

Awesome! I acquired a set when young, my ride is 1970 20" When I got hooked on Drums in the 80's I hand picked my crashes in stores that no longer exist

[@eddieavakian]

@@MegaDrummerD that’s the thing these days. W cymbals you really need to play them and this online thing is tricky.

[@MegaDrummerD]

I feel blessed and lucky to have what I've picked. Thanks again for a great video. Drum On!!

[@sandythedrummer]

Very Informative!Zildjian should hire you!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Sandy!

[@alonzovillarreal4666]

Thank you for the awesome history!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you for checking it out Alonzo!

[@peterdavidian4359]

great video, the history is fascinating. Love your work. Have played Zildjian's for over 50 years.

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Peter! I was really inspired to tell this story. I am glad you enjoyed it. FYI - I still have and play all of my Zildjian's that I purchased brand new in the late 70s. At that time I was too young to appreciate the history like I do now.

[@peterdavidian4359]

@@eddieavakian Cheers Eddie. My Kerope 24" ride is still my favourite

[@777kerokeropi4]

drummer or not. you gotta admit the history of zildjian is interesting as heck

[@eddieavakian]

It sure is!

[@dcallesa]

love your videos, thanks for posting.

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Diego! I appreciate your positive input and feedback!

[@DanielMcBrain]

Thanks for making this video!

[@eddieavakian]

Thanks for checking it out Daniel. FYI I did a short video on the history of Istanbul and working on one now for Sabian in case you’re interested. ✌️

[@jerrysmith2509]

Excellent video sir.

[@eddieavakian]

I appreciate the positive feedback. Thanks do much for checking it out Jerry! ✌️

[@hiriwarikihana1283]

Great watch! Question when Aram resumed control of the company but then fled after the assassination attempt, you mentioned that keropes son and daughters then took over during this time. How and at what point did Aram then take back control to evetually hand the company down to Avedis the 3rd?

[@eddieavakian]

Hi Hiriwa, I understood that Aram made some cymbals in Bucharest as late as 1926 and that's approximately the year he returned. Those cymbals weren't very good and so it was clear that, despite being in control of company, he didn't really have the knowledge to make the cymbals. This is further demonstrated by the fact that the Avedis cymbals in the US were different than the ones from Turkey. I have heard, but can not confirm, that what Aram knew he learned from Mikhail, but even Mikhail supposedly said that even he did not know the entire process until he learned it from Viktoria in 1936. Its a fascinating history, but as you'd expect, there are discrepancies as the history is told from various perspectives. Thanks for watching!

[@hiriwarikihana1283]

@@eddieavakian ah i see man very impressive research i must say! 👏

[@whirlwendpersonal5990]

Well done Eddie. Lots of great information here!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching the video and for your feedback.

[@earldrum]

Excellent video Eddie! I look forward to the Sabian side of the story!

[@eddieavakian]

Thanks Earl!

[@tjg1989]

Love these cymbals

[@wsws1000-p9n]

Wow what a great history lesson!

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Wendy

[@SpruzVideo]

Great vid mate

[@eddieavakian]

Thanks man. I appreciate it. Fascinating family and history.

[@antonypereira3853]

Brilliant I was wondering for forty years what was that Z ment!

[@Catinthehackmatrix]

So they didnt have bronze cymbals before the 15 th century? What alloys were china using at that time or pre- b.c.? I never heard Kerope pronounced that way. That Aram story is really shocking, a crusader, warrior in the Zildjian family. I just read on the zildjian website they have a copper,tin, and Silver mix, i thought that was just the older lines 70 years ago.. When did brass come into cymbal making, i have a thick meinl brass ride that aint too bad.

[@eddieavakian]

Hi Ping. I’m not an expert on ancient cymbal making but bronze has been found to exist pre BC. I’m not certain on the B-20 formula tho. From what I understand it was really more about the invention of the process of heating and rolling that made Zildjian unique for his time. This process made it possible for cymbals to be maker thinner and with more tin, which has the more brilliant sounding property but prone to cracking. Whether a similar process was discovered previously or not I can not say, but the Zildjian family is one that made it thru to the current day so they’re credited as such. From my understanding the name Kerope can be pronounced the way I did in the video (more formal) or the way your probably used to hearing it, without the E sound at the end. Being that it’s a proper name that has existed for hundreds of years and pronounced in many languages, I’m sure other pronunciations exist as well. Thanks for watching Ping!

[@giovanniperin]

Thanks for sharing really informative

[@eddieavakian]

My pleasure. Thank you for checking it out Giovanni!

[@themikefasano]

Well done! Very informative. Thank you! 👊🥁

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you Mike!

[@catalaxiaxxi9227]

Im waiting now for Istanbul agop and Istanbul mehmet cymbals story!!

[@eddieavakian]

I’m a big fan of Agop Cymbals. Here is a recent video I posted. Hope you like it. Thank you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXnEYZedgauJiKM

[@cleantones]

Went to the 400th anniversary event last night. Great time! Clips to come on my channel.

[@eddieavakian]

Sweet man! Can’t wait to see it! Just subbed your channel

[@vandavis000]

I used to have a 14 inch power tone snare drum in same blue finish but sold it. It was a 1960s model. 😢

[@eddieavakian]

Ouch! Yeah My silver sparkle PT is my favorite snare and I have 14 snares. It works in almost every situation for me and records like champion. You should pick another one up!

[@Assimilator702]

Next video should be how Craigie and Debbie are running Zildjian into the ground.

[@eddieavakian]

Yeah well I’m making my next one on Robert Zlidjian and Sabian. I don’t play Sabian myself but I have the utmost respect for the guy.

[@Assimilator702]

@eddieavakian I find Sabian superior for my tastes. Once Zildjian fired Paul Francis, I lost all respect for the company. Sabian has the sounds I've been looking for but never quite found with Zildjian. One thing to note is that he New Brunswick factory from the beginning had all the craftsmen from Turkey since it was easier to get work visas I'm Canada than it was in the US. So whether we're talking the Canada factory before 1981 or after the BEST craftsmenand the most difficult cymbals to manufacture between Zildjian and Sabian were always in Canada and not in the US. Great presentation. Can't wait until the next one!

[@eddieavakian]

@@Assimilator702 I’m still in the planning stage. A friend of mine is a Sabian artist so I’m thinking the plan is to have him demo his favorite cymbals while I deliver the history of Sabian. then to move into describing their various lines of cymbals and the people behind them. If your a Sabian guy, I welcome any ideas of what you think I should include outside of the obvious. What are your thoughts on Paul’s new cymbals? I haven’t played any yet but I really want to check them out.

[@Assimilator702]

@eddieavakian Paul's craftsmanship is impeccable. If I ever want a traditional jazz style ride I'll have Paul make me one which is thr bulk of the types of cymbals he's been making. But if you have a reference of what you want Paul can make it no problem by simply describing what you want out of the cymbal. I believe Paul Francis is truly the "lost" Zildjian son that Armand didn't have since he passed so much knowledge to Paul. From the Zildjian knowledge base I truly believe Mark Love and Paul Francis are two of the most important people in the cymbal industry.

[@eddieavakian]

@@Assimilator702 good stuff Joe! Looking toward to playing some of his stuff.

[@georgecolligan9381]

Ironic that this video is using virtual drums for the background music- pretty sure it’s the Toontrack jazz virtual instrument for part of it

[@eddieavakian]

Not sure what you are referring to as a "Toontrack". I don't know what this. I took full jazz tune stems and removed some of the instruments. In some case I removed them all, leaving just drums. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@Funkybassuk]

I want the rest of the story.

[@Helmet13th]

Z custom forever )))

[@bryserpentine2006]

Yeah 👍👍👍 I can't believe they're Back 🤘🤘🤘

[@PowderMill]

Go Hye Musicians! ❤🇦🇲🇺🇸 Thank you for this great video! RMB

[@sumandl]

Well explained... I can see ny your last name, that u're armenian. Keep it up 🫶

[@eddieavakian]

Thank you!

[@Revener666]

If only they made good sounding cymbals.......

[@eddieavakian]

When I started playing in the 70s there weren’t alot of choices and I only played Zildjians. Today We are lucky today to have so many great options.

[@sgt524]

Cousin !

[@kaybhee6]

from 1st,,, to kerope... is iy 200 years,,,,, numbers dont add up...maybe

[@eddieavakian]

There wasn't much documented in between those years w/respect to business innovation and even some names were lost in the records. After Avedis 1st came Ahkam, then there is no information until Kerope's father Hoca Artin (AKA Haroutian). I didn't say this in the video but Avedis 1st's father was named Kerope as well. It can get confusing and I tried to keep it to the main characters who were significant and directly involved in the Zildjian company we know today.

[@elta81]

Being an Armenian yourself, you should have been able to pronounce names correctly and call events by their proper names. It was the century's first genocide, not a massacre, Eddie!

[@brianelmore1696]

Overrated & Over priced cymbals

[@eddieavakian]

It’s a very interesting family history though. We are lucky to have the options of cymbal makers that we have today. It wasn’t always the case.

[@Ebut191]

And your learned recommendation is ...?