[Patknives]

Ok, so I've been going though a phase where I've been buying older zildjian A and K's on ebay and craigslist. I'm starting to think "aged" cymbals sound better that new ones.
My question to you guys is, does any one out there know of any websites to reference when a particular zildjian was made. I know there are books out there, but some one has to have a site on this sort of thing.....right?

[bouncingstick]

hmm..that was a good one. i didnt know it either. but, maybe we can ask by email to the site, zildjian website..inver try it b4 though..;p

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[CJDG]

Not sure about that...
Some of the 70s zildjians had an outlined logo
The 80's cymbals were a solid black logo and the choices were still limited but this is around the time of the family feud between the two brothers. Zildjian started making all kinds of different cymbals and the Sabian company had been formed by Robert Zildjian. They too started with all kinds of different lines of cymbals.

Basically what you are looking at here is that A's and K's can be no older than about 30 years or so. I don't know when each line was introduced but that should give you a rough estimate. As far as dating a cymbal according to design I doubt there is really a way to distinguish an A zildjian made ten years ago compared to one made twenty years ago.... I could be wrong though.

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[phillywillis]

So you actually are enjoying the sound of your used cymbals? I have been hesitant to purchase used cymbals, especially thinner ones because even though you may play it correctly, the last guy could have worn it to its wits end and then you go and hit it and CRACK!

But maybe I am just being WAY too skeptical. So are the ones you have been buying used the Zildjian A and K lines?

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[Patknives]

To be completely honest, the sound is better but it depends from cymbal to cymbal. The best advise I can give you is to talk to the seller as much as possible. If I think the cymbal I'm buying has been abused in any way, I just don''t buy it. If you talk to the seller about his playing and his experience with the cymbal, you can tell how it was treated. I think its a drummer thing, but I haven't found another drummer thats selling his gear that I thought lies or makes some stuff up about himself or his gear he's selling. Is turns into drummer talk about drums. I've been lucky to by from some old blues cats and weekend players, so these cymbals haven't been beat up on. K's are really hard to find, but A's are everywhere.

[drummerboypbc]

Hey Patknives, if you do find anyway to date your cymbals be sure to let me know. I have a 22 inch Zildjian Medium Ride, no A or K or anything, and I've been offered 300+ dollars for it cause it sounds so good. I just have no idea how old it is since it came with my old set (bought used).

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