On drums...

While exchanging emails with Kel, he cajoled me into posting my thoughts on an awesome cymbal series that I've stumbled onto. Istanbul Agop cymbals are now producing a line of (mostly) machine hammered, B20, cymbals called the Xist line. They're one of the best deals out there IMHO. They compare very, very favorably to "The Big Three" and they definitely hold their own with the Agop (and Bosphorus and the Meinl Byzance) hand hammered cymbals.
A few months ago,I grabbed an entire set (used) for peanuts as a present for a neophyte drummer I know. Of all the cymbals we tried out and heard, the Xist were the ones that they gravitated towards. Initially, I was super skeptical. I was thinking I'd end up with an overly clangly set of trash can lids that would only be good for heavy rock playing. Boy was I ever wrong.
They remind me a lot of the 90s As I had but they are much warmer and more complex. The crashes, in particular, are shockingly good. Every time I try to replace them with "something better", I sit down and play them and am just amazed by how great they sound and how versatile they are.
Price-wise, they are incredibly reasonable. For anybody looking for a set of solid cymbals that are priced well, well below what they're worth, I'd say look into the Xist.

Just my .02

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Ron- A.K.A "The Frenetic Rah Rah Guy"

Sounds GREAT!!!


Tell me Ron - any ideas what the price would be for a standard pack (14hh,16cr,20rd)?!?

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Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

In the USA, price for 14hats, 16/18 crashes and 20 ride show up at $600.

http://www.cymbalsonly.com/cymbals/agop/agop.htm

Scroll to the bottom.

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Gregory

ca·joled:
1. To persuade by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language. 2. To elicit or obtain by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language

There are other meanings. Synonyms include wheedle, sweet-talk, inveigle, coax and cajole.

The word on the Xist is that they are the best entry level cymbals available. Something to think about if you take your cymbals into a club where unknown players may be using them. Sizes and configuration are limiting.

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Gregory

Greg, I thought they'd be "entry level" too. But I did some research before I bought them. The alloy is the same as the stuff used on their other lines. They simply machine hammer these to drastically cut costs. Which they supposedly do..by about 20% per cymbal. I have these side-by-side with Bosphorus splashes, and "regular" Agop crashes and rides. Although they are just a shade less complex, they fit in nicely. There really isn't anything entry-level about them IMHO...except for the price.

Goki,
The most cost effective option is to get the "Xist Box Set" (14 hats, 16 and 18 crashes, 20 ride). It runs about $600 USD. But they offer 17, 19 and 20" crashes and a 21", 22" and 24" rides as well. I found "street" prices for the additional models at http://www.cymbalhouse.com/IstanbulAgopXist2.php

These make a fantastic "beater" set and honestly I'd feel comfortable using them for everything but jazz. But I can't even play jazz anyway, so I'm covered!

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Ron- A.K.A "The Frenetic Rah Rah Guy"

What I said. ...although "jazz," from my point of view, is just a useful classification for cymbals that are meant to be savored.

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Gregory

We just got an Xist 15' Crash in for a customer who purchased the 14,16,18,20 Pack. Easily as good as any cymbals on our Cymbal rack.
We had 6 Xist packs instock, and one particular Ride we had was absolutely awesome, and they appear/sound more handmade than A Zils, AA+AAX Sabs.

I was told the 18 was added to the pack temporarily, and the pack will, in the near future, drop the 18, and stay the same price.
But, that was 6months ago


Cheers

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Jeff
Gots ta luv da Beech
Australia

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Jeff
Gots ta luv da Beech
Australia