Talk to me about the versatility of Bosphorus

[dxtr]

So here we are again!

I finished up my set of Sabians and I get offered a chance to get bosphorus!

I've always really dug Bosphorus but the price and the fact that my shop doesn't carry them always made them more of a wish then anything else. Every time I've played a Bosphorus my brain has melted at the tone but they have always been touted as a "jazz" cymbal. But I've read that people use them in all kinds of genres.

I have been given an opportunity to get some at a good price but I don't know a whole lot about the versatility of the cymbals.

I play mainly in a cover band right now doing a little bit of everything. 90's rock, funk, R&B, Soul, classic rock, dance pop and so on.

Do they have a line that would suit such a gig? Or has anyone here found a good combo of lines that work well.

To give you an idea of what I generally look for heres a basic outline of what I look for from cymbals.

I like my hats a medium weight generally
thinner crashes that open up easily
a ride with a good stick definition
and a ride with a great wash and crash

Theres a lot of lines from them and I just don't know where to start researching.

dxtr

 

[noahJT]

As far as the boutique Turkish cymbal makers go...Bosphorus...Istanbul Agop...Istanbul Mehmet....I would say that Bosphorus is the most "general purpose."

Agop and Mehmet generally have flatter cymbals with small, flat bells...resulting in a softer, smokier, "jazz" sound.

Bosphorus to me is like modern old As...they work for everything. Very versatile. Little more bow on cymbals...more pronounced bells...a more contemporary application of old school cymbal making. Check out the Hammer, Gold, Master, Traditional, and Samba series. I spent at least an hour at the Bosphorus NAMM booth soaking up all the sounds to make a decent 'sound bank' in my head. Don't listen to the "oh these are for jazz and low volume applications" descriptions on the website! Those series could work with anything!

 

[Buxom]

I picked up a brand new Bosphorus Gold Series 22" Ride for $160.

Completely opened up my playing. I really can't put into words how good this cymbal is. If you ever see one, try it out.

It's thick, it has a fat bell, and it goes with just about anything, any style of playing, any intensity of your hits, whatever you need to do. I personally play hardcore punk (both guitar and drums)

 

[RickP]

The Bosphoros Gold series would be perfect for your Gigs Kyron. Daniel Glass was a big fan of this series when he endorsed Bosphoros and his cymbals sounded great when he was with Bosphoros.

 

[[email protected]]

the turks are worth a look too

 

[lossforgain]

I don't know if it's possible to talk about the versatility of Bosphorus as a whole, because they do have several different lines. It's going to be up to you what sounds you like best. I am a fan of many of their cymbals, but some I wouldn't buy because they aren't right for what I do, or they aren't "that sound" I hear in my head that I want.

I've tried the Traditional series and it wasn't for me. Those are definitely the most "old A" like of the brand, but I have to disagree with noahJT that the whole brand is comparable to old As. The Bos stuff I have now is mostly not like old As. I have three sets of hats currently: 13" Master series, 14" New Orleans mediums, and just bought 15" Fat Hats from a forum member. They are each quite different. You would definitely be happiest with the New Orleans, but I had to special order them in these weights (about 1000/1250 grams). They are very musical and work for everything. Perfect for rock/pop stuff that I play so much of. Turks are great too but many are too thin to be useful to you if you're not doing jazz stuff.

That's what you have to realize is that Bos is marketing to mostly jazzy players and a lot of the weights are low. The thinner cymbals are more common, but the medium and heavier stuff can really sound great if you can get ahold of it.

 

[noahJT]

Oh I don't think that the cymbal themselves are similar. I just think that, like how old As can be applied to many different styles, so can Bosphorus-es. I don't think they're as pidgeonholed to jazz music as people make them out to be. Not the greatest comparison on my part!

in short...what I was trying to say...they work for everything and aren't just for jazz! (except the master vintage series!).

 

[dmacc]

I don't know if it's possible to talk about the versatility of Bosphorus as a whole, because they do have several different lines. It's going to be up to you what sounds you like best. I am a fan of many of their cymbals, but some I wouldn't buy because they aren't right for what I do, or they aren't "that sound" I hear in my head that I want.

I've tried the Traditional series and it wasn't for me. Those are definitely the most "old A" like of the brand, but I have to disagree with noahJT that the whole brand is comparable to old As. The Bos stuff I have now is mostly not like old As. I have three sets of hats currently: 13" Master series, 14" New Orleans mediums, and just bought 15" Fat Hats from a forum member. They are each quite different. You would definitely be happiest with the New Orleans, but I had to special order them in these weights (about 1000/1250 grams). They are very musical and work for everything. Perfect for rock/pop stuff that I play so much of. Turks are great too but many are too thin to be useful to you if you're not doing jazz stuff.

That's what you have to realize is that Bos is marketing to mostly jazzy players and a lot of the weights are low. The thinner cymbals are more common, but the medium and heavier stuff can really sound great if you can get ahold of it.

I share the same view as this.

I own a full set of Master Vintage and New Orleans. Meaning 14" hats (both series) , 20" & 22" rides (both series), 18" Crash (both series) and a 16" New Orleans crash.

From my experience, there's nothing the New Orleans can't do.

To me the Master Vintages would not be in that same category though, they are almost 1 trick ponies (quiet, lounge, jazz, etc...).

 

[slinginit]

The Masters and Masters Vintage are all extra thin with smaller bells so leave them with the jazzers.

The Traditional series has mediums which are quite musical. Based on your hi-hat needs, the New Orleans hats would kill, but also the Traditional Crisps or possibly the Traditional Brights. FWIW, the brighter or heavier Bosphorus models' weight is about what the medium or "regular" pair of Zildjian Ks would weigh. I like my New Orleans hats, but have been tempted to trade them for a pair of Traditional Dark hats.

Other series to check would be Black Pearl which have a new spin on the unlathed Turk idea, and also the Versa Series which are 1/2 lathed, 1/2 unlathed. They're beefier cymbals with more sonic body than the jazz cymbals.

Of course, the Gold series has been mentioned as they were designed for rock. The were discontinued for lack of sales so you can find them on the cheap. However, I think Bosphorus would do well to introduce some heavy rides into their Traditional line to grab more rock guys.

 

[AtlantaDrumGuy]

Depends on the line within Bosphorus. I'd try Traditionals and pay attention to the weight range. If you're looking for that classic sound, skip these new makers and go to the source...Zildjian. But it sounds like you're mainly looking for a versatile type of cymbal, and not necessarily a classic sound.

 

[dxtr]

Lets try this again!

I have been playing classic sounds the last while. Mainly Sabian AA's and they are a really nice clean standard sounding cymbal. I have always been drawn more to different sounds. I like to have a little of everything in my setup so I'm always good to go for most gigs.

I may look into some heavier weights for a set of hats and a ride in the traditional line. Maybe something darker and trashier for crashes and a more complex crash ride.

keep the opinions coming though! everything helps!!

 

[lossforgain]

Darker and trashier = less cut in the mix. If you are used to AAs, these may not please you right away. As I stated above, I have one really dark thin Bosphorus 18 that just doesn't work in a lot of situations because it blends in too well. I do think you're on the right track looking for heavier weights in the hats and ride (although Bos "heavy" is just everyone else's "medium").

 

[duanedrum]

I LOVE Bosphorus cymbals and have been endorsing them for the past 6+ years. I play a wide variety of musical styles here in Nashville and my Traditional Series cymbals always fit whatever I'm playing/recording.
I constantly get compliments from producers & engineers as well as other musicians about the "sound" of my cymbals. You just have to keep in mind that everyone "hears" cymbals differently and you need to build your palette of sound to fit what you hear. Bosphorus are very versatile cymbals!

I'm doing a clinic for Bosphorus at Cymbal House on Saturday, April 20th. They're giving away a 16" Traditional Series crash cymbal after the clinic. Cymbal House is in Covington, Kentucky.

 

[royal ace]

What more do you need to know?

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[Marc M]

I live in atlanta,and I know a fellow that picked out a set at the distrbution center which is in the atl metro area,and have owned a few myself.

The gold ride is nice,more of a rock cymbal tham jazz,but really nice.

I have owned cymbals from the traditional,ferit and antique which was a sub series.

The guy that had the set picked from the center had Trad series cymbals and they were on the med/heavy side and he played rock,I got to play them with his band and they were really nice,plenty of cut and musical. I have a med weight 18 trad crash and it works well for rock and blues,and even the heavier models have some old turkish trash in the sound,my crash has a dirty organic sound when struck,but still has a nice high musical high end shimmer.

I think musical cymbals work anywhere and the Bos cymbals fit that criteria,the main thing is that there is a good amount of variation in them,but if you can audition enough of them I think you can find a set that suits your needs.

 

[duanedrum]

Exactly, well stated !!!

I think musical cymbals work anywhere and the Bos cymbals fit that criteria,the main thing is that there is a good amount of variation in them,but if you can audition enough of them I think you can find a set that suits your needs.

 

[samsdrum]

I have a couple Traditionals (18"crash and 22" Ride) and I really like their sound. Maybe the most "generic" if you will in the Bosphorus lineup next to the Gold series. My ride is fairly thin with good, not overpowering, stick definition and a decent bell. I bought it mainly because it can be crashed so easily. I only play three cymbals so I like to be able to "crash" my ride and this cymbal does it superbly. My other cymbals are Paiste GB's so these are night and day from that set. I pair them with an older 17" K Crash and they work well together.