Istanbul cymbals
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Macrakis (Talk | contribs)
clarify that these are brand names, not any cymbals made in Istanbul; remove puffery
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Istanbul is the name of two brands of cymbals, Istanbul Agop and Istanbul Mehmet, made in Istanbul using traditional cymbal making methods.
Istanbul brand symbols are not the same as Avedis Zildjian Company's 'Istanbul' cymbals. Zildjian K Istanbul cymbals, for example, are simply Zildjian K series cymbals made in Turkey. The term "Istanbul" is used to distinguish them from other Zildjian K series cymbals, which were made in Canada. Cymbals have been made in Istanbul for centuries, and there are many other traditional cymbal works there currently, including Masterwork, Anatolian, Turkish and Bosphorus. Byzance (a subsidiary of Meinl Percussion) is located in Samsun, Turkey.
History
The Istanbul brand name was adopted by a cymbal works established by two cymbalsmiths, Mehmet Tamdeger and Agop Tomurcuk. These cymbals were first exported to the USA in 1984, first under the name "Zildjiler", and soon afterwards as "Istanbul". Both craftsmen signed each cymbal. Some of these cymbals are now collectors' items. Following Agop's death in 1997, Mehmet assumed control of this factory, and the cymbals it makes are now sold as Istanbul Mehmet. The other cymbal works, since established by surviving members of Agop's family, produces Istanbul Agop.
Mehmet claims to have learnt his art from Mikhail Zilcan (sometimes spelled Zildjian), the grandson of Kerope Zilcan after whom the Zildjian K series is named. In the 1950s, he worked in the K. Zildjian factory in Istanbul.
Some but not all of the current ranges of Istanbul Agop and Istanbul Mehmet overlap. Both have lines called Traditional, Turk and Sultan, and within these lines many but not all models are in common. Both also have models and whole series of cymbals not duplicated in the other's catalog at present.
They continue to be well received by drummers seeking the sound of traditional handmade cymbals.