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 1810361
Zildjian 21'' A Ultra Hammered China
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Loud-er effects designed to explode with penetrating sound, this all-new...
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Article number 1820017
Zildjian El Sonido Multi Crash Ride
Played by hand or with sticks. Developed with Percussionist Marc Quinones of the Allman Brothers Band, the 17"...
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Article number 1820835
Zildjian 21" K Crash/Ride - Brilliant
Full-bodied, quick, short, dark sound.
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Article number 1810954
Zildjian 19" K Custom Hybrid Trash Smash
Designed in conjunction with Akira Jimbo, the 19” K Custom Hybrid Trash Smash is ideal for both crashing and...
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Article number 1850348
Zildjian LV348 Low Volume Cymbal Pack
L80 Low Volume Cymbal Series Pack. Incl. 13" Hi-hat, 14" Crash and 18" Crash/Ride Cymbal. Up to 80% quieter...
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Article number 1810610
Zildjian 10" Oriental China Trash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents.
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Article number 1810611
Zildjian 11" Oriental Trash Splash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents.
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Article number 1810612
Zildjian 12" Oriental China Trash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents. Authentic "trashy" Chinese sound.
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Article number 1810614
Zildjian 14" Oriental China Trash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents. Authentic "trashy" Chinese sound.
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Article number 1810616
Zildjian 16" Oriental China Trash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents. Authentic "trashy" Chinese sound.
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Article number 1810620
Zildjian 20" Oriental China Trash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents. Authentic "trashy" Chinese sound.
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Article number 189ZAT43
Zildjian 400th Alchemy Tee - Large
400th Anniversary Alchemy Limited Edition T-shirt. Large.
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Article number 189SN400
Zildjian 400th Anniversary Ltd Snare Drum
14"x 6.5" limited edition 400th anniversary Zildjian alloy snare drum
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Article number 1810609
Zildjian 9" Oriental Trash Splash
Exotic, "trashy" special effects sounds for short, sharp accents.
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Article number 1899930
Zildjian A0801R Rock Pack
This explosive collection features the iconic A Zildjian Cymbals which are part of the world’s most popular...
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Article number 1810113
Zildjian 12" A New Beat Hi-hat
The legendary New Beat HiHats, now available in a smaller, 12" size.
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Article number 1810130
Zildjian 13" A New Beat Hihat
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Solid Beat.
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Article number 1810264
Zildjian 14" A Fast Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Strong musical attack with a very fast decay.
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Article number 1810150
Zildjian 14" A Quick Beat Hihat
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Short, tight, funky beat.
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Article number 1810452
Zildjian 14" Stadium Medium Pair
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists.
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Article number 1810124
Zildjian 14" A Mastersound Hihat - Top only
Top only! Mastersound HiHat delivers the fast, clean "chick" sound of the Mastersound design in the bright,...
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Article number 1810134
Zildjian 14" A New Beat Hihat - Top only
The Hi-hats that changed it all - A perfect combination of stick and solid "chick" - Top only!"
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Article number 1810136
Zildjian 15" A New Beat Hihat
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Solid Beat.
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Article number 1810137
Zildjian 15" A New Beat Hihat - Top only
The Hi-hats that changed it all - A perfect combination of stick and solid "chick" - Top Only!