Zildjian Cymbals

The World's Leading Maker of Cymbals, Drumsticks, and Mallets.

The Zildjian Company has been synonymous with setting the standard for the development and manufacture of high performance musical instruments since 1623. As the world's leading maker of cymbals, drumsticks, and percussion mallets, Zildjian products are sold across the globe, under the Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter brands, and are the standard to which all other cymbals, drumsticks and mallets are measured. From the beginner to the world’s greatest rock stars, jazz performers and concert percussionists, amateurs and pros alike choose Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter products to allow them to experience and share the joy of music.

Headquartered in Norwell, Massachusetts with offices in Newport, ME, Los Angeles, CA, London, UK, and Singapore, Zildjian products are sold globally through distributors and via a network of dealers. All Zildjian instruments are made in the USA at their cymbal factory in Norwell, MA and drumstick/mallet factory in Newport, ME.

Limitless Musical Expression

For 400 years, Zildjian has singularly focused on your limitless musical expression, by creating instruments with infinite sound capabilities. It's been Zildjian's commitment to create the sounds that excite your imagination, and the tools that unleash your playing potential, that has kept Zildjian at the forefront of music across continents, across genres, and across centuries. From Avedis Zildjian's first strike of the anvil at the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire's palace, to the 15th generation of Zildjian Family members today, Zildjian's pursuit to create the best and most relevant instruments and tools continues. From Zildjian's factory floors, to Zildjian's global Artist family, wherever you are on your musical journey, Zildjian hopes to inspire you, and help you take your sound to the next level...and beyond.

THE GOLD STANDARD

When it comes to making cymbals, Zildjian is referred to as the “Gold Standard”. Which is ironic because in 1618, alchemist Avedis Zildjian was trying to make gold. Instead, he accidently formulated what's arguably the best cymbal material on the planet. Today at Zildjian, they still use that same secret alloy in every cast cymbal they craft. Avedis’ spirit of experimentation and discovery lives on in Zildjian's factory; it continually drives Zildjian each day to create the highest quality instruments they can, so you can continually create, experiment and discover your own sound.

ZILDJIAN LITERALLY MEANS"CYMBAL MAKER"

In 1623, the Sultan granted Avedis the family name "Zildjian," which literally means "cymbal smith". After leaving the palace and starting his own foundry, he spent years perfecting his cymbal making techniques. His process of combining copper, tin and silver is still a closely guarded family secret, and the casting it produces possess an extraordinary musical quality and tone. Zildjian's skilled craftsmen combine old world cymbal-making artistry with modern technology, and a dash of cutting-edge innovation to transform Avedis’ alloy into boundless varieties of superior-sounding cymbals for every genre of music.

AT THE FOREFRONT

Through every major innovation in music Zildjian has worked with their diverse community of artists to create the sounds needed to meet the demands of the day, and establish the trends of the future. From the Sultan’s famed Jannisary bands, to the classical sounds of Mozart, to Jazz, Swing, Rock, Pop, Punk, Hip Hop, and EDM, Zildjian has listened and responded to the requests for sounds drummers were hearing in their head. Zildjian literally invented the cymbal vocabulary – Rides, Crashes, Effects were terms Avedis Zildjian III developed to help artists describe what they were looking for. Zildjian's deep partnerships and continued collaborations with today’s leading artists means that you will always be in front of new trends in recorded and live music, and maybe even the start of your own musical revolution.

"THEY GOT THE DANCIN'DEVILS IN 'EM"

That’s what they used to say about great Ride Cymbals. And only "great" makes the cut. In Zildjian's factory, everything Zildjian does has always been done in service of sound and aesthetic quality. A minimum of 15 people craft every Zildjian alloy cymbal. Certain series that replicate vintage sounds, including Kerope and K Constantinople cymbals, are meticulously handcrafted in small batches of 50–60 using a 14-step process. An expert team, whose combined cymbal testing experience is nearly 100 years, hits each cymbal to ensure it sonically fits within a certain range of sound, but at the same time, is unique enough to accommodate drummers' individual tastes. It’s not until a cymbal passes through “testing” that it is deemed a “Zildjian”. Only then will it be printed with a logo ….or as Zildjian says, “it gets a Zildjian kiss”.

PAST AND FUTURE

Since Zildjian's company’s start in Turkey in 1623, Zildjian factories today strive to make cymbals, drumsticks, mallets and alternative implements that are among the highest quality, most consistent you'll ever play. Zildjian's growing family of iconic brands now includes Vic Firth and Balter Mallets and they are honored to be the guardians of their legacies, while continuing to push forward the boundaries of design and performance. Whether playing in your basement, concert stage, studio, or marching field, Zildjian wants to be part of your musical expression and that special moment you find and share your voice. Zildjian has been on this sound journey for 400 years, and you can trust them when they say, they're just warming up. Zildjian is excited about the future, and hopes you’ll come along with them for the “Ride”.

For 60 years, Vic Firth has focused on developing and manufacturing your perfect pair, becoming the world's most popular drumsticks, mallets, alternative implements, and accessories offering the best durability, feel, and sound options across the widest variety of genres and style.

For some of the highest quality drumsticks on the market, check out Bananas At Large's Vic Firth selection! Try them out at either of our two Bay Area locations.

Vic Firth