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 1810751
Zildjian 16" 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 1810417
Zildjian 16" Classic Orchestral Selection Suspended
Allows more projection for crescendos and produce a rich orchestra sound with a full combination of high and...
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Article number 1810444
Zildjian 16" Concert Stage Pair
A perfect blend of quick, responsive overtones over a wide sonic spectrum ideal for contemporary Concert Band...
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Article number 1810266
Zildjian 16" A Fast Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Strong musical attack and very fast decay.
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Article number 1810230
Zildjian 16" A Medium Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Bright.
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Article number 1810250
Zildjian 16" A Rock Crash
Highest-pitched. Hard and loud.
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Article number 1810223
Zildjian 16" A Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Fast, bright, lively.
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Article number 1810781
Zildjian 17" Classic Orchestral Selection Medium Pair
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists.
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Article number 1810231
Zildjian 17" A Medium Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Bright.
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Article number 1810224
Zildjian 17" A Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Fast, bright, lively.
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Article number 1810761
Zildjian 18" 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 1810759
Zildjian 18" 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 1810419
Zildjian 18" Classic Orchestral Selection Suspended
Allows more projection for crescendos and produce a rich orchestra sound with a full combination of high and...
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Article number 1810344
Zildjian 18" A China Low
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Strong "China" sound.
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Article number 1810454
Zildjian A18-Concert-Stage
A perfect blend of quick, responsive overtones over a wide sonic spectrum ideal for contemporary Concert Band...
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Article number 1810268
Zildjian 18" A Fast Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Strong musical attack and very fast decay.
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Article number 1810242
Zildjian 18" A Medium Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Higher-pitched.
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Article number 1810252
Zildjian 18" A Rock Crash
Highest-pitched. Hard, loud, crash.
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Article number 1810495
Zildjian 18" Stadium Medium Heavy Pair
Extra weight for added volume. Smooth, bright and penetrating.
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Article number 1810483
Zildjian 18" A Stadium Medium Pair
Specially designed in close association with the world's top drum corps specialists.
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Article number 1810427
Zildjian 18" 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 1810490
Zildjian 18" Symphonic Germanic Pair
Also known as Wagnerian cymbals. The heaviest symphonic cymbals with maximum sustaining qualities. Dark,...
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Article number 1810447
Zildjian 18" 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 1810225
Zildjian 18" A Thin Crash
Light, crisp, subtle, very colorful. Fast, bright, lively.