My thoughts on the Armands

[Keeper John]

Gigged with my new Armands last night with my 60’s rock music band.
These are the 21”16”18”14”hats.

Zildjian says they are “thin and stiff” and evoke the sounds of the sixties. I would agree.
Something about them is distinctively different than my hollow logo Zildjians or 50’s Zildjians that I have.
They have a shimmering tonal spectrum that cuts through the mix.
I found this pleasant shimmering quality to be somewhat “Paiste like”.

I particularly liked the ride and hats. The 18 I instantly liked the 16 maybe needs to grow on me. Overall they blend really well together.

They will stay on my stands and get used regularly. Really enjoyed playing them last night.
(My previous usual set up is Bosphorus 22 ride and 14 hats, Sabian HHX 16 and 18 crashes. I love these as well but I think the Armands fit the mix of the 60’s music better.

Anyone else have experience with the Armands?
Did Zildjian set out to create a “Paiste like” set of cymbals when they made these?

 

[K.O.]

I don't have any Armands yet but would like to get some eventually (I'm more of a "used" cymbal kind of guy so I'll have to bide my time). Most of them that I have heard have sounded very nice to me. They have reminded me of some of my 60's A's. Too my ear the Armands sound the way that all new A's should (but don't). I've not really noticed any Paiste like qualities myself but since I only have 2-3 Paistes I'm not sure if I'd recognize those qualities even if they are there.

 

[Cymbalist]

I think the Armands are great...I had a 21" that I though was OK, until I heard it on a live recording and there it sounded as close to Jimmy Cobb's "Kind of Blue" ride as anything I've ever heard...Bought another 21" at Dale's Drums Zldjian Day several weeks ago that was absolutely "perfect"...Totally balanced with not a bad overtone to be herad...So good, in fact, I could not walk away from it, even though I already had one at home, so now I own two! Paul Francis jokingly threatened to take it off the market and keep it for himself at one point! Listen to as many as you can, howver when selecting, as there is some sonic variation within the series..They are not all "great", frankly, but when you find the right one...Wow!

 

[RyanR]

If I had to go with new Zildjians, those would be it.... I just think it's such a irony that they have to sort of reinvent what they used to make as their "normal" line. They're just nothing like those old 60's A's, IMHO. Whatever happened to those *amazing* Zildjian & Cie "vintage" series they had a few years ago?

-Ryan

 

[Nasus]

If I had to go with new Zildjians, those would be it.... I just think it's such a irony that they have to sort of reinvent what they used to make as their "normal" line. They're just nothing like those old 60's A's, IMHO. Whatever happened to those *amazing* Zildjian & Cie "vintage" series they had a few years ago?

-Ryan

I have the 19 inch beautiful baby ride, with 3 rivets, and it is really good; can be used as a crash as well.

 

[DSDrummer]

Plus one on the 19" Armand "Beautiful Baby" with rivets.

 

[chicagojzz]

I have a 20" ride, a 16" crash with two rivets, and a set of 13" hi hats that I picked up earlier this year. Love the ride and the hats, but I am ambivalent on the 16" crash (I have a 17 A Custom crash, also with two rivets, that has much more character and much better projection than the Armand).

That being said, the ride, in particular, is a gem - I stopped carrying a Paiste flat ride with me, since the Armand ride has enough definition and enough of that glassy sound of the Paiste that I don't really need the specialized sound of the flat. The 13" hats have a nice "buttery" chik that works well in small group settings when you need the sound, but don't want to call too much attention to it.

Major thumbs up on these guys.

 

[kplante]

After 20 years of playing a 22" rock ride I descided I wanted a more versital ride. I happened across a 20" Armand on CL for $80. Figured I couldn't lose. If I didn't like it I couls flip it for a profit. So far I'm really liking it. Nice controlled wash. Crashable when needed. Very nice. I want to try a 21 just because after all these years I feel I need a big ride. I'd also like to find a nice 18" med thin. I've got a great Silken 16" that sounds between an A and K. It needs a nice 18" friend.

 

[lossforgain]

I'm expecting an 18" in the mail shortly. Glad to hear you loved yours, John. Hope I have the same experience.

 

[Drumstyx7a]

Most of my arsenal is Paiste ... a couple of Zildjians thrown in. But I've always tested the Armands when I've been around them and I do like what I hear. If I decided to go with more Zildjians I'd probably stay with the Armands.



Robb

 

[Cannons]

I like some of the Armands I've heard - the 13" hats are very nice sounding cymbals. If I were buying new Z's, I'd go with the Armands. That being said, the only new Zildjians I've liked recently are the Zildjian & Cie vintage series. I wish they were still in production.

 

[Coelacanth]

I guess I'm more trying to develop my own unique sound "style" with a blend of funky modern & vintage cymbals. If I want a vintage sound, I'll buy vintage cymbals on the cheap, not pay high prices on "nouveau vintage" cymbals. Then again, I'm driven by the almighty dollar--and lack of it in my bank!

 

[lossforgain]

The Armand 18 I have coming is costing me the same as some vintage 18s I've bought.

 

[Bun Carlos]

I use Armands when we play the Sgt. Pepper album. 20,18,14's. They sound great.

 

[lossforgain]

SOOOOO...not to hijack here,
but it turns out the 18" Armand I bought isn't an Armand at all but a 50s A with some awesome lathe and hammer marks. Sounds GREAT too!

 

[K.O.]

SOOOOO...not to hijack here,
but it turns out the 18" Armand I bought isn't an Armand at all but a 50s A with some awesome lathe and hammer marks. Sounds GREAT too!

Lucky score...but how did they mess that up?

The Armand 18 I have coming is costing me the same as some vintage 18s I've bought.

Turns out there's a valid reason you paid the same price as for a vintage 18"...that's what it was .

 

[jrfrond]

I use Armands when we play the Sgt. Pepper album. 20,18,14's. They sound great.

Yeah Bun, together with the Legacy series, you can't get much more nouveau-vintage than that! BTW- please tell Tom Moringello I said "hi".

I concur: the Armand's sound and feel "right" to me, like the A. Zildjian's I started with in 1970. I can'tsay enogh about them.

 

[stevesmithfan]

I have the Armand 14" H-H/18" Thin Crash/19" Beautiful Baby with 3 rivets. They sound great, I'm especially fond of the 14" Hi Hats.

 

[gezz]

I have a 16" med thin, 18" Thin Crash and the 21" Ride ALL Armands.. i like them but not as much as my 2oo2's.