Reviews
"Not only does this cymbal have an aesthetically pleasing look, but its dry character gives it a very distinct sound. With this cymbal being so thin, I couldn't help but question if it would serve as a good fit as a crash/ride. Istanbul Agop's website describes this line as having "mellow crashability," and I would agree. The dryness prevents it from fully opening up like a traditional crash cymbal, but it is definitely still crashable - maybe just not to the extent of another dry Agop series like the Epoch Series. But, don't worry about the thin weight, it gives plenty of stick definition. The hammering gives it a dark and trashy tone with a very quick decay. This cymbal would do incredibly well in a small to medium venue. Funk, Jazz, and Jazz Fusion are a few genres that come to mind when thinking of where this cymbal would fit best in a musical context." - Braden Cox
"Another delicate and dry cymbal, but with more wash and finesse. These have your most expansive range of uses. Great for jazz, and if you like a darker and more defined ride sound. With lots of stick definition and controlled sustain, these cymbals sing. A great crash that decays quickly makes them great for live settings and recording." - Nick Cesarz
"You’ll notice that all the cymbals in the Istanbul Agop Signature have a darker appearance. This appearance is typical of dry cymbals, and these are some of the driest cymbals you’ll find in Istanbul Agop’s lineup. However, I found them to be quite warm as well, giving you a fantastic blend of the two qualities. You’ll find much drier cymbals from other brands, whereas these are a bit more universal in their use. The cymbals are hand-hammered, so they’re highly responsive to dynamic playing. The lightest touches will bring out the purest tones, which is an incredible quality." - Brett Clur
"Being so light and thin, the hats are endowed with an intoxicating degree of warmth and responsiveness. Closed, they give a deep, tangy note which is sheathed in gentle brightness. Opened up, the note broadens then dissolves into a smooth, fuzzy wash that had me hunting for hidden rivets. And stepping them kept us occupied for hours - literally. It's as though the sound they make is as soft and pliable as the hats themselves. The hats are exquisite - physically slight but beautifully voiced and hugely playable." - Adam Jones
"If you like a ride with a strong bell and a lot of ping, you're in the wrong place here. The Signature ride cymbals have a good stick definition, but there is always a very present portion of wash mixed in, which can also lead to crash-like sounds when played more vigorously. Struck at the edge, a relatively short, hissing, dark crash sound is heard. The bell sounds very subdued. The ride cymbals are also fun in a jazz context, but due to the overall very deep pitch, they could lack some presence in a musical context." - Christoph Behm
"The reason we now have a model that's the Agop Signature with green logos is that was Agop's favorite color. So Arman and Sarkis' dad loved green and thought it looked nice on the cymbals, so that's how he liked to make them. After he passed away, they made that Agop Signature series cymbal from a collection of notes he had from cymbal construction, like "How to Make the Perfect Jazz Cymbal" based on feedback from a lot of drummers he had worked with through the years, some of whom are endorsers, some of whom are just really great drummers who visited the factory. Lots of guys, jazz musicians, would pass through Istanbul all the time and they would often stop and visit the factory, check out some cymbals, buy some cymbals, offer feedback. Agop always meticulously kept record of this stuff, and he would keep the records around. After he died, his sons made the Agop Signature Series from his notebooks, and as a tribute to their father gave the series his name along with the green ink." - Scott Liken
