When it comes to making cymbals, we are referred to as the “Gold Standard”. Which is ironic because in 1618, alchemist Avedis Zildjian was trying to make gold. Instead, he accidently formulated what's arguably the best cymbal material on the planet. Today at Zildjian, we still use that same secret alloy in every cast cymbal we craft. Avedis’ spirit of experimentation and discovery lives on in our factory; it continually drives us each day to create the highest quality instruments we can, so you can continually create, experiment and discover your own sound.
ZILDJIAN LITERALLY MEANS"CYMBAL MAKER"
In 1623, the Sultan granted Avedis the family name "Zildjian," which literally means "cymbal smith". After leaving the palace and starting his own foundry, he spent years perfecting his cymbal making techniques. His process of combining copper, tin and silver is still a closely guarded family secret, and the casting it produces possess an extraordinary musical quality and tone. Our skilled craftsmen combine old world cymbal-making artistry with modern technology, and a dash of cutting-edge innovation to transform Avedis’ alloy into boundless varieties of superior-sounding cymbals for every genre of music.
AT THE FOREFRONT
Through every major innovation in music we have worked with our diverse community of artists to create the sounds needed to meet the demands of the day, and establish the trends of the future. From the Sultan’s famed Jannisary bands, to the classical sounds of Mozart, to Jazz, Swing, Rock, Pop, Punk, Hip Hop, and EDM, we have listened and responded to the requests for sounds drummers were hearing in their head. We literally invented the cymbal vocabulary – Rides, Crashes, Effects were terms Avedis Zildjian III developed to help artists describe what they were looking for. Our deep partnerships and continued collaborations with today’s leading artists means that you will always be in front of new trends in recorded and live music, and maybe even the start of your own musical revolution.
"THEY GOT THE DANCIN'DEVILS IN 'EM"
That’s what they used to say about great Ride Cymbals. And only "great" makes the cut. In our factory, everything we do has always been done in service of sound and aesthetic quality. A minimum of 15 people craft every Zildjian alloy cymbal. Certain series that replicate vintage sounds, including Kerope and K Constantinople cymbals, are meticulously handcrafted in small batches of 50–60 using a 14-step process. An expert team, whose combined cymbal testing experience is nearly 100 years, hits each cymbal to ensure it sonically fits within a certain range of sound, but at the same time, is unique enough to accommodate drummers' individual tastes. It’s not until a cymbal passes through “testing” that it is deemed a “Zildjian”. Only then will it be printed with a logo ….or as we say, “it gets a Zildjian kiss”.
PAST AND FUTURE
Since our company’s start in Turkey in 1623, our factories today strive to make cymbals, drumsticks, mallets and alternative implements that are among the highest quality, most consistent you'll ever play. Our growing family of iconic brands now includes Vic Firth and Balter Mallets and we are honored to be the guardians of their legacies, while continuing to push forward the boundaries of design and performance. Whether playing in your basement, concert stage, studio, or marching field, we want to be part of your musical expression and that special moment you find and share your voice. We’ve been on this sound journey for 400 years, and you can trust us when we say, we’re just warming up. We’re excited about the future, and hope you’ll come along with us for the “Ride”.