Name: Istanbul Agop 22" Mel Lewis Ride Cymbal
SKU: IMLR22
Price: 486.00 GBP
Availability: BackOrder

Istanbul Agop 22″ Mel Lewis Ride Cymbal

£486.00

The Istanbul Agop 22″ Mel Lewis Ride Cymbal delivers a dark, warm and buttery ride sound with beautifully woody stick definition. Rich, full and deeply musical, it offers a true classic voice that blends seamlessly into the music, capturing the feel and character of vintage jazz-era cymbals.

Key Features:

Size: 22″ – Balanced diameter for warmth, spread and musical control
Series: Mel Lewis Signature – Faithfully recreated from Mel’s original cymbals
Alloy: B20 bronze (80% copper, 20% tin)
Finish: Traditional – Warm, natural tone with classic response
Sound Profile: Dark, warm and buttery with rich musical wash
Stick Definition: Woody, clear and organic

Availability: Available to order

Estimated Delivery Date 01/03/2026

SKU: IMLR22

Description
Delivery & Returns
Warranty & 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

Description

Mel Lewis was Istanbul Agop’s first endorser, and following his passing in 1990, his personal cymbals were returned to the factory with the blessing of his family to serve as the exact models for this signature series. Every detail of each cymbal was studied and meticulously replicated by Istanbul Agop’s cymbal smiths, creating instruments that honour Mel’s legacy with authenticity and care.

Sound & Feel:

Dark, warm ride sound with a lush, buttery feel
Woody, organic stick definition
Classic voicing that blends naturally into the mix
Musical wash that remains controlled
Highly expressive across subtle dynamics

Built to Perform:

Cast B20 bronze construction for warmth and depth
Hand-finished to replicate Mel Lewis’ original cymbals
Traditional finish enhances vintage character
Designed as a faithful tribute to a jazz icon
Professional quality for studio and live performance

Ideal For:

Drummers seeking a true classic jazz ride sound
Jazz, big band, swing and traditional styles
Players who value warmth, feel and musicality
Situations where the ride should blend rather than dominate
Fans of vintage-inspired, iconic cymbal tones

Any items held at our warehouse and ordered before 12pm will be dispatched same-day. For any special order items, we will be in touch directly with tracking information. Delivery is free for most of the U.K. on all orders over £250 and others start from just £3.59. We offer 'Express Shipping' on all items meaning that, for most parts of the U.K., your order will be with you next working day. In some areas, such as the Highlands and Islands, delivery will be two days (this will be reflected in your estimated delivery date at checkout). Most items are shipped with DPD meaning you will be given a one hour delivery window on the day of delivery. Smaller items are sent First Class with Royal Mail. If you are in a hurry or need a more specific delivery date and time delivery upgrades such as Next Day before 10am, Next Day before 12pm and Saturday or Sunday delivery can be selected at checkout. Our DPD deliveries are carbon neutral and, where possible, we reuse packing to cut down on waste.

More Delivery & Return Information

At Drum Central we want you to be able to shop with confidence and are happy to offer a 2 year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee on all of our new products. (All products sold are considered new unless clearly stated. This includes ex display models.)

If within 30 days of receiving your purchase you decide it is not right for you providing it is returned in “as new” condition within its unopened original packing we will refund or exchange your item as desired. In cases where packaging has been opened we may be unable to offer a refund but in some cases will offer a refund that reflects the reduced resale value of the item.

We do our best to make sure every aspect of your Drum Central order goes smoothly but in the event that an item arrives either damaged or incorrect then notify us within 14 days and we will arrange a free collection so as to get the item swapped or replaced.

If your purchase develops a fault within the 2 year warranty period you can return it to us and we will repair or replace it. A fault is defined as a defect that you would not normally expect to occur through normal wear and tear and that has not been caused by improper use.