Ringo's Cymbals- a timeline

[GiantBeater]

Whelp, here it goes! I have been collecting the best photos I can find of Ringo's cymbals used in the Beatles and beyond. Shout out to my friend @Sabaselingrato for helping with this research. Let's start at the beginning...

Late 50's:
I believe he is using an 18" Zyn with rivets and a 20" Paiste Stambul.

18" Zyn (or Kamala) w/ rivets & 20" Stambul comparison. We will also see that Ringo used this 20" big bell cymbal on Please Please Me & With the Beatles albums!

Feb 1963: Recording Please Please Me

My bet is that Ringo is using: 1960 14" A Zildjian Hats - 20" Stambul - 18" ??? Possibly like the super zyn seen below with a flat profile & 1 rivet. He possibly took out the rivet before the tapes rolled. The cymbal on the record sounds dry and smooth B20. The 20" on the song please please me (specifically the ending crashes) sound remarkably like a classic Paiste shimmery cymbal rather than an Ajax cymbal- though both brands are ns12 with the big bells. I have audio from the Right channel of the ending of the song that I can post as well, and Ringo crashes with his left on PPM as seen on ed Sullivan show Feb. 1964. Ringo most likely bought his 14" A Zildjian hi hats new before the please please me recordings, it still sounds like them contrary to what I have read.

it could also be this cymbal seen later in 1963

 

[paulwells73]

Great research - thanks!

 

[premierplayer]

Great research - thanks!

Ditto, thanks for your efforts.

 

[Ludwigboy]

Whelp, here it goes! I have been collecting the best photos I can find of Ringo's cymbals used in the Beatles and beyond. Let's start at the beginning...

Late 50's:
I believe he is using an 18" Zyn with rivets and a 20" Paiste Stambul.


View attachment 525529
18" Zyn (or Kamala) w/ rivets & 20" Stambul comparison. We will also see that Ringo used this 20" big bell cymbal on Please Please Me & With the Beatles albums!


View attachment 525532 View attachment 525537

Feb 1963: Recording Please Please Me

My bet is that Ringo is using: 1960 14" A Zildjian Hats - 20" Stambul - 18" ??? Possibly like the super zyn seen below with a flat profile & 1 rivet. He possibly took out the rivet before the tapes rolled. The cymbal on the record sounds dry and smooth B20. The 20" on the song please please me (specifically the ending crashes) sound remarkably like a classic Paiste shimmery cymbal rather than an Ajax cymbal- though both brands are ns12 with the big bells. I have audio from the Right channel of the ending of the song that I can post as well, and Ringo crashes with his left on PPM as seen on ed Sullivan show Feb. 1964. Ringo most likely bought his 14" A Zildjian hi hats new before the please please me recordings, it still sounds like them contrary to what I have read.

View attachment 525536 View attachment 525540

View attachment 525538 View attachment 525539
it could also be this cymbal seen later in 1963

View attachment 525541

Yes, great job, GiantBeater.....thanks for sharing!

 

[GiantBeater]

Continuing with Ringo's cymbals in '62/ 1963.

At the cavern club 1962/63. Looks like the same cymbals used on PPM album recordings in early '63. Zildjian Hats, Stambul big bell 20" and maybe a super zyn with 1 rivet. (taken out for the recording of PPM album) Ringo seemed to have used the same cymbal set up until October '63 when he transitioned into using the cymbals we see on Ed Sullivan Show feb. '64. more on that later...

Here is an exception to his crash ride cymbal. This 18" has more rivets and he only seemingly used it for a short time, but he may have used it on some of the early BBC broadcasts. It it interesting to note that this cymbal is possibly the first Riveted cymbal used with the beatles. It Could be a KRUT is my thought. There are a couple more photos of this elusive cymbal but I think it is different than the other examples I have posted around the recording of PPM through when they started wearing the suits.

Whelp, here it goes! I have been collecting the best photos I can find of Ringo's cymbals used in the Beatles and beyond. Let's start at the beginning...

Late 50's:
I believe he is using an 18" Zyn with rivets and a 20" Paiste Stambul.


View attachment 525529
18" Zyn (or Kamala) w/ rivets & 20" Stambul comparison. We will also see that Ringo used this 20" big bell cymbal on Please Please Me & With the Beatles albums!


View attachment 525532 View attachment 525537

Feb 1963: Recording Please Please Me

My bet is that Ringo is using: 1960 14" A Zildjian Hats - 20" Stambul - 18" ??? Possibly like the super zyn seen below with a flat profile & 1 rivet. He possibly took out the rivet before the tapes rolled. The cymbal on the record sounds dry and smooth B20. The 20" on the song please please me (specifically the ending crashes) sound remarkably like a classic Paiste shimmery cymbal rather than an Ajax cymbal- though both brands are ns12 with the big bells. I have audio from the Right channel of the ending of the song that I can post as well, and Ringo crashes with his left on PPM as seen on ed Sullivan show Feb. 1964. Ringo most likely bought his 14" A Zildjian hi hats new before the please please me recordings, it still sounds like them contrary to what I have read.

View attachment 525536 View attachment 525540

View attachment 525538 View attachment 525539
it could also be this cymbal seen later in 1963

View attachment 525541

 

[GiantBeater]

more photos of this elusive 18" with more rivets and the 20" with the big bell.
November 4th, 1963 Royal Variety Performance- a different 18" with 4 rivet holes.

I believe Ringo received his first slightly heavier 18" Zildjian crash/ride ( seen on Ed Sullivan show '64) at the tail end of 1963 before they came to America. This ^ could be it in this photo, note he is still using his big bell 20" as late as October 1963! This cymbal will change right after this Ready, Steady, Go! concert on 4 October 1963 but return for the recording of With the Beatles sessions November '63. More on that soon..

I think you can almost see the Stambul stamp in this photo

 

[ThomFloor]

Nice work...are we sure of the hi hats??

 

[GiantBeater]

Continuing with 1963, Here are some more shots of Ringo's set up toward the end of recording, "With the Beatles."

September 12th, 1963. Recording 'Hold Me Tight', 'Don’t Bother Me', 'Little Child', 'I Wanna Be Your Man'.

Clearly you can see the deep lathing in this 18" compared to other photos posted below!

Big bell Stambul 20" most likely

Mysterious new looking 20" cymbal added but it does not sound like this cymbal (looks zildjian to me) was actually used on a recording. In fact, Ringo rarely hits anything other than his hats on With the Beatles

October 4th 1963:

Looks like the same ride used on please please me.

My demonstration of Ringo's cymbals will focus on studio shots, but when necessary, I will post live concert photos as Ringo eventually started getting his Zildjian's while on tours or right before a tour.

The cymbal visible looks like the cymbal Ringo would bring to American Feb 1964, and include in his set up through the recording and filming of A Hard Day's Night- April 1964. It does not have the profile/ giant bell of the stambu/Ludwig Paiste/ajax 20". More on what Ringo brought to America in Feb 1964 to follow...

Mid December 1963- Zildjian 18" and 20" Kamala with homemade rivets I believe

As we phase out of the 1963 cymbals, there is one more addition to his cymbal set up. My friend Sabas sent me this photo of the Beatles performing a BBC performance on December 21st 1963, most likely singing This Boy.

In Conclusion... Based on the photo evidence, Ringo used at least four different 18" crash/rides even before the Beatles made it to America, as well as at least 2 different 20" cymbals. IMHO he was using a combination of Super Zyn, Paiste Stambul, possibly KRUT, possibly Kamala, and his trusty Zildjian hats used for the rest of his Beatles career. I believe he got his first Zildjian 18" in December 1963 and bought it used, since it was so patina'd already. More on that next..

1962/63
1. The Please Please Me/ With The Beatles 18" crash/ride. Unknown make- possibly Super Zyn 18" w/ 2 rivet holes- One rivet installed, but taken out during the Please Please Me sessions. This cymbal was used for a long time, more than a year.
2. 18" Used live briefly in 1963- Unknown 18" crash/ride with 8 rivets, none installed
3. Royal Command Performance Nov 1963 18" crash/ride- Might be a Krut or similar with 4 rivet holes. Used Live only, and a Live BBC broadcast.
4. 18" Z possibly- December 1963- Looks to me that he bought a used Zildjian 18" crash/ride, the same he would bring to America and use through a Hard Day's Night album
1. 20" Stambul or possibly Ajax but I will bet it's a Stambul.
2. 20" Kamala or Zyn with lampshade profile and 2-4 rivets installed crudely by Mal Evans most likely. Seems to me a rivet or two fell out by the time they made it to America.

 

[type85]

Amazing work and pictures!!
Here's some info on the "NS12" Stambuls (one of Paiste's longest running lines ~1932 to 1970, B8 from 1971 to 1977- morphed into the 505):

Paiste Stambul - Cymbal

www.cymbal.wiki

 

[GiantBeater]

Jan '64 & Feb. 1964- Ed Sullivan Show/ 1st US visit era cymbals.

still a couple shots from late '63

Jan '64 in Paris. Note the deep lathe line in the bell- I will reference back to this...

Feb 1964-Ed Sullivan Show rehearsals. I see the umbrella shaped 20" with rivets

1st US concert- Washington DC

 

[GiantBeater]

Continuing with the early 1964, I present to you the only photos I have proving his 14" hi hats were Zildjian's, probably from 1960.

Comparing his lampshade 20" w/ rivets to a similar zyn. I also own a Kamala cymbal that is similar.

In fact, you can hear these cymbals when Sounds Incorporated opened for the Beatles in July '64. Check the hyperlink below, I believe he is using Ringo's kit minus the jazz fest, which you see off to the side. Notice the trashier darker 20" that he hits on his left is probably this cymbal--the hats sound remarkably Ringo as well...
https://youtu.be/e-rYxuUx8ug?t=609
t

 

[GiantBeater]

more photos of this elusive 18" with more rivets and the 20" with the big bell.
November 4th, 1963 Royal Variety Performance- a different 18" with 4 rivet holes.


View attachment 526313 View attachment 526312 View attachment 525883

View attachment 525884
View attachment 525886
I believe Ringo received his first slightly heavier 18" Zildjian crash/ride ( seen on Ed Sullivan show '64) at the tail end of 1963 before they came to America. This ^ could be it in this photo, note he is still using his big bell 20" as late as October 1963! This cymbal will change right after this Ready, Steady, Go! concert on 4 October 1963 but return for the recording of With the Beatles sessions November '63. More on that soon..
View attachment 525887 View attachment 525890
I think you can almost see the Stambul stamp in this photo

adding a couple more.

 

[JDA]

holy salami that's when "that guy" sits in on your drums. Like BR or something)
pretty impressive for 1964

those drums never had that many notes played on them in their life) geezus he's bashing it up

 

[Jazzhead]

What a thread, thanks. I think his riveted 18” cymbal was a Super Zyn, not Zyn.

 

[ThomFloor]

Amazing research. thanks.

 

[GiantBeater]

Looks like the 20" Lampshade profile Kamala or Zyn for the Miami Ed Sullivan Show

Side note- nice hole fix in the calfskin snare head



Moving onto Feb/March/April 1964. The story stays the same. He is using what he brought to America

Recording If I fell, Tell Me Why

This is significant because it's one of the few couple of songs where Ringo really uses his cymbals on A Hard Day's Night album. Looks like the same setup as the first trip to America.

March 17- 1964. Filming a Hard Day's Night+ Ready Steady Go! Appearance

March 31- 1964. BBC session? typical looking 18" Zildjian crash/ride

 

[Ludwigboy]

Continuing with the early 1964, I present to you the only photos I have proving his 14" hi hats were Zildjian's, probably from 1960.

View attachment 526314 View attachment 526315
View attachment 526316
Comparing his lampshade 20" w/ rivets to a similar zyn. I also own a Kamala cymbal that is similar.
View attachment 526317
In fact, you can hear these cymbals when Sounds Incorporated opened for the Beatles in July '64. Check the hyperlink below, I believe he is using Ringo's kit minus the jazz fest, which you see off to the side. Notice the trashier darker 20" that he hits on his left is probably this cymbal--the hats sound remarkably Ringo as well...

t View attachment 526320

Continuing with the early 1964, I present to you the only photos I have proving his 14" hi hats were Zildjian's, probably from 1960.

View attachment 526314 View attachment 526315
View attachment 526316
Comparing his lampshade 20" w/ rivets to a similar zyn. I also own a Kamala cymbal that is similar.
View attachment 526317
In fact, you can hear these cymbals when Sounds Incorporated opened for the Beatles in July '64. Check the hyperlink below, I believe he is using Ringo's kit minus the jazz fest, which you see off to the side. Notice the trashier darker 20" that he hits on his left is probably this cymbal--the hats sound remarkably Ringo as well...

t View attachment 526320

Great research and lots of photos to look at and compare ....I wonder if @zenstat would mind commenting about the stamps on the Zildjian hi hats as he has done great work in the research of Zildjian cymbals stamps and timelines (thanks in advance, Steve ) ....I think they are only the closeup photos I have ever seen of those stamps.
Thanks for your work and time thus far, GiantBeater!

 

[JDA]

@GiantBeater in post #11 the Kamala advert- if clicked on- goes to the australian youtube (Instead of expanding) could you separate that ad out- I'd like to read it in detail/ thanks
ps. maybe a repost of -just the ad- or something/ thxs
(or what/who's (and year) catalog is that from/maybe I could find it at drumarchive

 

[JDA]

musical interlude a day in the life if you were a Beatle.

and this one i never watched..

midway 17:12 switches from Pete to Ringo lot of early pics

 

[jptrickster]

That Trixon/Vox Croc wrap is the shnizzle!
Great pics and info GB. Nobody does it better.