What is the primary material used in the Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash?

The cymbal is crafted from a top-quality B20 bronze alloy, which consists of 80% copper and 20% tin. This material is known for its durability and rich, musical overtones.

Where is this cymbal manufactured?

It is handmade in Turkey by master cymbal makers using traditional techniques. Istanbul Agop maintains a heritage of artisanal craftsmanship in their Turkish foundry.

What is the typical price range for this model?

The Typical price range for the Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash is approximately GBP 424.

How does the 'Heavy' weight affect the sound compared to a 'Thin' crash?

The heavy weight produces a louder, more forceful, and thunderous tone with increased projection. It offers a more robust attack and a higher volume ceiling than thinner models.

Is the cymbal lathed or unlathed?

The Istanbul Agop Traditional Heavy Crash is fully lathed on both the top and bottom sides. This lathing process helps produce a well-balanced and versatile range of tones.

Which drumming styles best suit this cymbal?

Due to its robust and thunderous nature, it suits a broad variety of styles, particularly those requiring more volume and power. It is ideal for rock, metal, and live performances where projection is key.

What is the diameter of this specific model?

This specific model has a diameter of 19 inches, providing a large surface area for a full, deep sound.

How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash?

The Istanbul Agop Heavy Crash is much more forceful and thunderous, whereas the Meinl Extra Dry Thin is designed for a shorter, trashier, and quieter response. The Agop is better suited for high-volume settings.

Can this cymbal be used for subtle jazz playing?

While versatile, its heavy weight makes it more 'forceful' and 'thunderous.' Drummers seeking a very sensitive, low-volume response might prefer a lighter model like the Istanbul Agop Lenny White Epoch Crash.

Does this cymbal have a specific finish?

It features a stunning traditional finish resulting from the full lathing process. It has a classic, professional appearance consistent with the Istanbul Agop Traditional series.

Is this cymbal hand-hammered?

Yes, as part of the Istanbul Agop handmade heritage, these cymbals are crafted by master cymbal makers using traditional hammering techniques. This contributes to their unique, non-uniform tonal character.

How does it differ from the UFIP Bionic series?

While both are professional cymbals, the Istanbul Agop Traditional Heavy Crash focuses on the 'fabled tone' of Turkish heritage and B20 bronze. The Bionic series often utilizes different casting methods (Rotocasting) specific to the Italian manufacturer UFIP.

Gear article

Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash

The Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash is a professional-grade cymbal handcrafted in Turkey from B20 bronze. It combines traditional manufacturing techniques with a heavier weight profile to deliver a robust and forceful crash sound suitable for high-volume applications.

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Overview

The Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash represents the integration of historic Turkish cymbal-making heritage into modern percussion requirements. As part of the Traditional Series, this cymbal is constructed from high-quality B20 bronze alloy and is hand-hammered and lathed by master smiths. The 19-inch diameter combined with a heavy weight designation results in a cymbal that provides significant volume and projection while maintaining the musicality associated with Turkish craftsmanship.

Design and Construction

This cymbal features a fully lathed surface on both the top and bottom sides, a process that helps to balance the frequency response and provide a versatile range of overtones. The B20 bronze—a mixture of 80% copper and 20% tin—is the industry standard for professional cymbals due to its durability and sonic complexity. The heavy weight profile ensures that the cymbal can withstand forceful playing styles without losing its structural integrity or sonic clarity.

Sound Character

The sound of the 19" Traditional Heavy Crash is described as robust, well-rounded, and thunderous. Unlike thinner crashes that may wash out or peak early, this heavy model offers a potent attack with a significant volume ceiling. The 19-inch size provides a lower fundamental pitch than smaller crashes, while the heavy weight adds brightness and 'cut' to help the sound penetrate through dense guitar-heavy mixes or loud stage environments.

Market Comparison

Within the professional market, the Istanbul Agop Traditional Heavy Crash occupies a distinct space compared to thinner alternatives. While the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash offers a trashy, short decay suited for jazz and studio work, the Agop Heavy Crash is built for power and sustain. It serves a different purpose than speciality items like the Istanbul Agop Lenny White Epoch Crash, focusing more on a general-purpose, forceful crash application rather than a specific artist-signature tonal palette. Compared to entry-level options like the Gear4Music Low Volume packs or Meinl HCS series, the Agop provides a significantly more complex harmonic structure and higher volume output.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary material used in the Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash?: The cymbal is crafted from a top-quality B20 bronze alloy, which consists of 80% copper and 20% tin. This material is known for its durability and rich, musical overtones.
Where is this cymbal manufactured?: It is handmade in Turkey by master cymbal makers using traditional techniques. Istanbul Agop maintains a heritage of artisanal craftsmanship in their Turkish foundry.
What is the typical price range for this model?: The Typical price range for the Istanbul Agop 19" Traditional Heavy Crash is approximately GBP 424.
How does the 'Heavy' weight affect the sound compared to a 'Thin' crash?: The heavy weight produces a louder, more forceful, and thunderous tone with increased projection. It offers a more robust attack and a higher volume ceiling than thinner models.
Is the cymbal lathed or unlathed?: The Istanbul Agop Traditional Heavy Crash is fully lathed on both the top and bottom sides. This lathing process helps produce a well-balanced and versatile range of tones.
Which drumming styles best suit this cymbal?: Due to its robust and thunderous nature, it suits a broad variety of styles, particularly those requiring more volume and power. It is ideal for rock, metal, and live performances where projection is key.
What is the diameter of this specific model?: This specific model has a diameter of 19 inches, providing a large surface area for a full, deep sound.
How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash?: The Istanbul Agop Heavy Crash is much more forceful and thunderous, whereas the Meinl Extra Dry Thin is designed for a shorter, trashier, and quieter response. The Agop is better suited for high-volume settings.
Can this cymbal be used for subtle jazz playing?: While versatile, its heavy weight makes it more 'forceful' and 'thunderous.' Drummers seeking a very sensitive, low-volume response might prefer a lighter model like the Istanbul Agop Lenny White Epoch Crash.
Does this cymbal have a specific finish?: It features a stunning traditional finish resulting from the full lathing process. It has a classic, professional appearance consistent with the Istanbul Agop Traditional series.
Is this cymbal hand-hammered?: Yes, as part of the Istanbul Agop handmade heritage, these cymbals are crafted by master cymbal makers using traditional hammering techniques. This contributes to their unique, non-uniform tonal character.
How does it differ from the UFIP Bionic series?: While both are professional cymbals, the Istanbul Agop Traditional Heavy Crash focuses on the 'fabled tone' of Turkish heritage and B20 bronze. The Bionic series often utilizes different casting methods (Rotocasting) specific to the Italian manufacturer UFIP.

Sources

Last updated: 2026-10-09