All companies have their history, the Zildjian history starts in 1623
Avedis Zildjian I (the first) was an Armenian alchemist in the city of Constantinople in the early seventeenth century. While attempting to create gold by combining base metals, he discovered an alloy of copper, tin, and traces of silver with unique sound qualities. In 1618, Avedis used his secret alloy to create cymbals of spectacular clarity and power. The sound of the instruments was so extraordinary that the Sultan invited Avedis to live at court (Topkapi Palace) to make cymbals for the Sultan's elite Janissary Bands. As Avedis' reputation grew, the Sultan gave him the name ""Zildjian"" in Armenian (Zilciyan in Turkish), a word meaning ""son of cymbal maker.""
In 1623, Avedis was granted permission to leave the palace in order to start his own business in a suburb of Constantinople named Psamatia. That same business is now nearly four centuries old and has been passed down to Zildjian heirs for fifteen generations. Relocating to America in 1929, Avedis III moved the Zildjian factory to Quincy, MA and then to its current location in Norwell, MA for Zildjian's 350th Anniversary. The business passed to Avedis' son, Armand in 1977 and then to Armand's daughter, Craigie, in 1999. Currently, Craigie and her sister Debbie continue the family tradition in what is recognized as the oldest family-owned business in America.
Brand families from Zildjian
All products from Zildjian
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Article number 1810044
Zildjian 19" A Armand "Beautiful Baby" Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Bright and musical "vintage" A Sound.
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Article number 1810782
Zildjian 19" Classic Orchestral Selection Medium Single
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists.
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Article number 1810233
Zildjian 19" A Medium Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Bright.
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Article number 1810473
Zildjian 19" Stadium Medium Heavy Pair
Designed to have the sound and power of a 20" pair, yet provide performers with a lighter, smaller cymbal that...
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Article number 1810226
Zildjian 19" A Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Fast, bright, lively.
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Article number 1810769
Zildjian 20" Classic Orchestral Selection Medium Heavy Pair
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists. Heavier in weight to...
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Article number 1810767
Zildjian 20" Classic Orchestral Selection Medium Light Pair
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists. These special cymbals...
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Article number 1810421
Zildjian 20" Classic Orchestral Selection Suspended
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists.
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Article number 1810024
Zildjian 20" A Crash Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Good ride definition.
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Article number 1810234
Zildjian 20" A Medium Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Bright.
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Article number 1810034
Zildjian 20" A Medium Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Superb all-around ride.
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Article number 1810042
Zildjian 20" A Ping Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. High-end, clear definition.
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Article number 1810080
Zildjian 20" A Rock Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Strong ride beat.
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Article number 1810497
Zildjian 20" Stadium Medium Heavy Pair
Extra weight for added volume. Smooth, bright and penetrating.
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Article number 1810485
Zildjian 20" Stadium Series Medium Pair
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists.
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Article number 1810429
Zildjian 20" Symphonic French Pair
Light weight with a fast attack and few sustaining characteristics. A bright, splashy, shimmering sound that...
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Article number 1810492
Zildjian 20" Symphonic Germanic Pair
Also known as Wagnerian cymbals. The heaviest symphonic cymbals with maximum sustaining qualities. Dark,...
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Article number 1810449
Zildjian 20" Symphonic Viennese Pair
All purpose. Mid-range pitch. Full orchestra sound with good sustain. A balanced combination of overtones for...
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Article number 1820079
Zildjian 21" A Sweet Ride - Brilliant
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Beautiful, all-purpose ride with medium overtones.
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Article number 1810036
Zildjian 22" A Medium Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Superb all-around ride.
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Article number 1810315
Zildjian 22" A Swish Knocker
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Unique stick definition for funky ride beat with roaring overtones and...
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Article number 1810082
Zildjian 23" A Sweet Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Beautiful, all-purpose ride with medium overtones.
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Article number 1810037
Zildjian 24" A Medium Ride
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Superb all-around ride.
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Article number 184LE40015
Zildjian 15" 400th Anniversary Vault Crash
Limited Edition 400th anniversary collector item cymbal from Zildjian Family's Private Vault - Only 4pc in...