The 'oldest' cymbal in your collection (you've owned the longest)

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I've owned my 14" Zildjian A New Beats the longest. got them circa 1978/79.
2nd would be my A 20" Deep Ride from 1982
 
13" K/Z hats since 1991. I have since bought a 13" K bottom hat to swap out with the Z bottom. That 13" K/Z sound will always sound great to me though.
 
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Since a few have also posted the oldest cymbals in their collection, not just the ones they've owned the longest, I guess I'll post my little ones.

First a little history:

c4.jpg


A little closer look. Note the cymbals on the Bass Drum.
C2.jpg


And here they are mounted on my wall:
C3.jpg


I don't know anymore about them other than the pic dating them back to 1911-12. They were found in an old uncle's attic with wooden handles on them. Since I'm the drummer of the family, and I now live in Laud, they sent them my way to "return them home"

There are no markings anywhere on them.
I took them to a PASIC a few years ago to ask the experts about them. Nobody could give me anything definitive about them. Someone though the profile matched an old Italian style cymbal.

They're pretty heavy and not very pleasing to the ear. No good drum set use so on the wall they shall remain.
 
Mine is a 18" A Zildjian from the 1950s, about 1600 grams. It came with my first kit... a 1950s Premier Elite (with metric heads).

The bell is rather angular. I've likely destroyed any vintage value by adding four light rivets. It's not quite my favorite cymbal... neat to play now and again, but not very versatile.

I think my favorite cymbal is the one that came with my next kit (when I was 17 and enamored with a double bass heavy metal set-up) was a 1970s 16" A Zildjian thin crash, made in Canada. I love that cymbal... it's not super loud, but it's been nicely played in and is super responsive to a light touch.
 
idrum4fun said:
My absolute favorite cymbal setup starts with my original 1970 14" New Beat hats and 16" A thin crash. My main ride, a 20" Sabian AA, was purchased in the mid-80's and has been my ride of choice ever since. I added the 17" Zildjian Paper-thin crash (weight is closer to a thin) back in the very early 90's, but it's a 70's cymbal. I've got quite a few other Zildjian A cymbals, but my main set always makes me smile! Nothing beats vintage pies!

Also forgot to mention my Zildjian 8" paper-thin splash, which is also original with the New Beats and 16" crash. I had many BR style kits over the years and used that splash with all of them!

-Mark
Click to expand...
Buddy Rich setups are THE drumset configuration for me, too. Unlike you, though, I've never been able to make the flat cymbal setup feel comfortable. Of course, in the early days of drumming, there were NO cymbal tilters at all, so the early guys had to make do with those straight stands - which made the cymbals rock back and forth for a long time in a lovely, entrancing way. When I was a kid, I always stared transfixed watching guys on TV hitting those cymbals.

GeeDeeEmm
 
22" K ride purchased in 1975

I was surprised to find the only item I've had longer is a LP cowbell from 1973
 
The two cymbals that I've had the longest (vs the oldest) are a Sabian 20" Duo Ride, and a 22" Ed Thigpen Crystal Bell Ride. They were both probably purchased around 1996-98 - can't remember exactly what year. I think the Duo was purchased first, followed by the Thigpen (which, if I remember right, replaced a B8 ride). I don't really play the Duo very much any more and only use the Thigpen occasionally but they were the first two "real" cymbals I bought, so they're not going anywhere anytime soon.
 
I purchased a Paiste 22" China Type (with my first drum kit) in near-abouts Sep '78 for $80.
Looking through my old receipts I see that I bought my 14" 2002 SE hi-hats on Oct 14, 1978 for $136.
 
13" Zildjian Quickbeats - bought used in 1985 for £50.
Were my only hihats for about 20 years, a lot lighter than more recent models. Great for that Stewart Copeland sound

Mick
 
I have a 20" A Zildjian block stamp, polished top, been my favorite cymbal since I got it in 1984. Works for anything.... jazz to rock. Try as I might, I can't get away from that cymbal.

Also have a few old stamp K's, and various 1950's A Zildjians, a really old 22" china made in China.

Oldest cymbals I bought new are a pair of brilliant New Beats from 1977.

Come to think of it, I've only kept about 7 cymbals that I bought new.
 
Either my 14” Zildjian New Beats or 20” Zildjian Rock Ride...all purchased around 1977 and are keepers!
 
in 1975 Dad got me my first Zildjian used with my used 63 Slingies. It was a 19" with the typical key holing it think originally an early 60's. It also came with a paper thin 13" Libra. My favorite cymbal. Still have it and the keyhole was never an issue.
 
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