What is the primary finish on the Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash?

The cymbal features a unique design with concentric circles of traditional lathing and unlathed, hand-hammered marks. This combination creates a distinctive visual appearance and influences the acoustic properties of the bronze.

How does the concentric lathing affect the sound?

The unlathed bands help to control the overtones and dampen excessive wash. This results in a more focused, controlled tone compared to a fully lathed cymbal, which might have more unruly sustain.

Is the Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash suitable for jazz?

Yes, it is considered ideal for jazz and fusion drumming. Its expressive dynamic range and balanced frequencies allow it to blend well in acoustic and low-to-medium volume settings.

What is the typical price range for this cymbal?

The Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash typically retails in the range of approximately £370. This reflects its status as a professional-grade, hand-hammered instrument.

How does this cymbal handle different playing volumes?

It offers wide dynamic capabilities, meaning it responds accurately to both light touches and heavy strikes. This allow drummers to play expressively across various volume levels.

What size is this specific Sultan model?

This specific model has a diameter of 18 inches. This size is often considered a standard for a main crash cymbal, offering a balance between quick response and full resonance.

Is this cymbal hand-hammered?

Yes, Istanbul Agop cymbals are renowned for their traditional hand-hammering process. You can see the visible hand-hammering marks within the unlathed concentric circles on the Sultan series.

Can the 18" Sultan Crash be used for rock music?

While it is excellent for jazz and fusion, its full-sounding crash makes it versatile enough for many drumming styles. However, it may lack the extreme volume and projection required for very heavy metal or hard rock.

How does it compare to the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash?

The 19" Lenny White Epoch is a signature model designed for a specific dry, vintage character. The 18" Sultan is generally more balanced and versatile for a broader range of genres.

Is this cymbal a good choice for recording?

Yes, because of its controlled tone and balanced frequency range, it is often preferred by recording engineers. It provides a full crash sound without producing unwanted harmonic 'bleed' or excessive sustain.

Does the Sultan Crash have a high or low pitch?

It offers a great balance of frequencies rather than being strictly high or low pitched. The 18-inch size and Sultan lathing provide a complex, mid-range character that fits well in most mixes.

What other brands offer similar professional cymbals?

Alternative professional options include the Meinl Byzance series, the Masterwork Iris series, or the UFIP Class and Bionic series. However, the Sultan's specific concentric lathing remains a unique feature of the Istanbul Agop line.

Gear article

Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash Cymbal

The Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash is a premium professional cymbal distinguished by its concentric lathed and unlathed surfaces. Hand-hammered in Turkey, it is designed to provide a controlled, full-bodied tone with a wide dynamic range suitable for diverse musical settings.

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Overview

The Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash is a specialised percussion instrument that blends traditional Turkish cymbal-making techniques with a specific aesthetic and sonic architecture. It is defined by its unique surface treatment, which features alternating bands of lathing and raw, hand-hammered marks. This design is not merely decorative; it serves to control overtones and focus the frequency response of the cymbal.

Design and Key Features

The primary characteristic of the Sultan series is the concentric circle design. By leaving portions of the cymbal unlathed, the manufacturer introduces more control over the sustain and wash. The combination of hand-hammering and these distinct finish zones allows for a cymbal that reacts quickly to strikes while maintaining a disciplined decay. The 18-inch diameter provides a significant surface area for a full, resonant sound without the excessive volume often found in heavier, fully lathed crashes.

Sound Character and Performance

The Sultan Crash is noted for its wide dynamic capabilities. It offers a full-sounding crash that balances high, mid, and low frequencies, avoiding the harshness associated with mass-produced cymbals. Because of the specific lathing pattern, the tone is often described as controlled and expressive. This allows the drummer to move from soft, delicate accents to powerful crashes with predictable results, ensuring the cymbal does not overpower the rest of the ensemble.

Applications

Due to its balanced frequency response and controlled sustain, the 18" Sultan Crash is highly versatile. It is particularly well-suited for genres that require nuance and dynamic sensitivity, such as jazz, fusion, and studio recording. However, its full body ensures it can also perform well in broader pop and rock contexts where a sophisticated, rather than aggressive, crash sound is required.

Market Comparisons

Within the professional market, the Istanbul Agop Sultan series competes with other hand-crafted Turkish and boutique cymbals. While models like the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash offer a more signature dry sound, the Sultan provides a more all-purpose frequency balance. Compared to thinner, drier alternatives like the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash, the Sultan 18" maintains a more traditional 'full' crash profile while still offering the control desired by professional jazz and fusion drummers.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary finish on the Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash?: The cymbal features a unique design with concentric circles of traditional lathing and unlathed, hand-hammered marks. This combination creates a distinctive visual appearance and influences the acoustic properties of the bronze.
How does the concentric lathing affect the sound?: The unlathed bands help to control the overtones and dampen excessive wash. This results in a more focused, controlled tone compared to a fully lathed cymbal, which might have more unruly sustain.
Is the Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash suitable for jazz?: Yes, it is considered ideal for jazz and fusion drumming. Its expressive dynamic range and balanced frequencies allow it to blend well in acoustic and low-to-medium volume settings.
What is the typical price range for this cymbal?: The Istanbul Agop 18" Sultan Crash typically retails in the range of approximately £370. This reflects its status as a professional-grade, hand-hammered instrument.
How does this cymbal handle different playing volumes?: It offers wide dynamic capabilities, meaning it responds accurately to both light touches and heavy strikes. This allow drummers to play expressively across various volume levels.
What size is this specific Sultan model?: This specific model has a diameter of 18 inches. This size is often considered a standard for a main crash cymbal, offering a balance between quick response and full resonance.
Is this cymbal hand-hammered?: Yes, Istanbul Agop cymbals are renowned for their traditional hand-hammering process. You can see the visible hand-hammering marks within the unlathed concentric circles on the Sultan series.
Can the 18" Sultan Crash be used for rock music?: While it is excellent for jazz and fusion, its full-sounding crash makes it versatile enough for many drumming styles. However, it may lack the extreme volume and projection required for very heavy metal or hard rock.
How does it compare to the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash?: The 19" Lenny White Epoch is a signature model designed for a specific dry, vintage character. The 18" Sultan is generally more balanced and versatile for a broader range of genres.
Is this cymbal a good choice for recording?: Yes, because of its controlled tone and balanced frequency range, it is often preferred by recording engineers. It provides a full crash sound without producing unwanted harmonic 'bleed' or excessive sustain.
Does the Sultan Crash have a high or low pitch?: It offers a great balance of frequencies rather than being strictly high or low pitched. The 18-inch size and Sultan lathing provide a complex, mid-range character that fits well in most mixes.
What other brands offer similar professional cymbals?: Alternative professional options include the Meinl Byzance series, the Masterwork Iris series, or the UFIP Class and Bionic series. However, the Sultan's specific concentric lathing remains a unique feature of the Istanbul Agop line.