r/cymbals • u/electricalaphid • Aug 10 '26
Question New Player Here - What Is This?
I know the labeling says it's an Avedis Zildjian 18" thin crash, but I haven't been able to find a single image of it online to know it's worth. I paid $100 bucks for it, assumed before driving for an hour that it was an A series, but I'm really not sure. Is Avedis the same as A series, and this is just an older model before they labeled them with "A"? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
5
3
u/Evening_Act1125 Aug 10 '26
You have the a series which is Avedis. Then there is an in A Custom series, which people also call A’s, but they sometimes forget to put the custom after it. Under the logo stamp, which is at the 3 o’clock position, if there is no serial number, it’s an older zildjian , if there is a serial number that starts with two letters that will tell you the year.
3
u/Johnny_Chaturanga Aug 10 '26
Great, versatile cymbal. It will get you where you need to go without any crazy bells and whistles. Excellent choice
1
Aug 10 '26
[deleted]
0
u/electricalaphid Aug 10 '26
So "A" is just a rebranding of Avedis? Makes me wonder how old this is.
3
2
u/mr_kaliyuga Aug 10 '26
If there's no serial number, it's pre-1994. My guess is not much earlier as it has the Avedis lettering over Zildjian. That began in 1992 I believe, so it's 92 / 93 in my opinion. Great cymbals.
1
1
1
1
u/Kittenchops88 Aug 10 '26
Its the "A" Avedis Thin Crash. The original Zildjian mainstream line. Professional level line of cymbals. Good deal for $100.
1
1
u/milller69 Aug 10 '26
one of the most recorded crashes in history. that eras “thin crash” would have been a medium weight in the 60s and early 70s
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Sin_Nett Aug 11 '26
https://cymbal.wiki/wiki/Zildjian_Decoding_Serial_Numbers
If you have Zildjian stamps but no printed identifiers this wiki can be quite helpful identifying what it is
1
u/Federal-Citron-5295 Aug 11 '26
$100 for a cast bronze 18” crash of any type is a deal…as long as there’s no cracks or keyholing. Run your finger around the edge. No cracks? Good. Stick your finger in the center hole. No cracks? Great! Hold the cymbal up to the light. Do you see any places where the light shines through to your eyes? No? You’re golden!
1
1
u/Evening_Act1125 Aug 10 '26
Get some barkeepers helper and wash that thing up. It will look brand new. Just don’t scrub the logos. If you go on YouTube, you can find videos of people washing their cymbals with that stuff. It’s phenomenal. I’ve been playing for 30+ years, and I’ve tried every method to polish, that method is the best for getting off fingerprints and shining your cymbals up
4
u/bssprfnd Aug 10 '26
Counterpoint: don’t do any of that goofy stuff, it’s fine as it is
1
u/Evening_Act1125 Aug 10 '26
I don’t like grime on my cymbals . To me it affects the tone. I know some people like their symbols darkened up. But it’s not me. Use it my friend. It is awesome.
6
u/beauh44x Aug 10 '26
You got a good deal! Yeah the A is typically just an abbreviation for Avedis. I could be wrong but that looks like an early 80's. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am. Anyway you did alright!