Istanbul Agop Cymbals

Istanbul has long been regarded as the capital of the cymbal making world, with hand-crafted cymbal traditions dating back to the 16th century. Agop Tomurcuk founded Istanbul Agop in the late 1970s to keep the art of hand-hammered Turkish cymbals alive at a time when mechanised production was rapidly taking over. Today, Istanbul Agop embraces these ancient techniques while pushing forward with progressive ideas in sound, design and manufacturing.

Popular Istanbul Agop Cymbal Ranges:

• Traditional – Fully lathed cymbals delivering warm, rich, musical tones inspired by classic Turkish cymbal making.

• 30th Anniversary – Hand-sculpted bells, deep hammering and a pre-aged finish create warm, complex and highly expressive vintage-style cymbals.

• Agop Signature Series – The final creation of company founder Agop Tomurcuk, these handcrafted cymbals possess a nuanced, smoky character that jazz musicians especially treasure.

• Turk – Raw, unlathed cymbals with a dry, dark, earthy tone and minimal overtone wash.

• Sultan Series – Partially lathed cymbals combining warm stick definition with a controlled, darker wash.

• Special Edition Jazz – Deeply hand-hammered, smoky, buttery cymbals crafted for small group jazz and expressive, nuanced playing.

Xist: 

• Xist – Modern sounding B20 cymbals combining traditional craftsmanship with efficient manufacturing for bright, focused, versatile tones.

• Xist Power – Higher volume, brighter and more aggressive versions of the Xist Series, ideal for rock and metal.

• Xist iON– Cymbals with strategically placed holes for faster response, reduced sustain and a modern, trashy character.

• Xist Dark iON – Laser-cut cymbals with a dark, dry and gritty response, offering fast attack and trashy texture.

• Xist Dry Dark – Sandblasted, minimally lathed cymbals with an earthy, raw, dry sound and quick decay.

Signature Lines:

• Mantra Cindy Blackman Series – Designed for high-energy rock and funk with powerful projection while retaining Cindy’s dark, crisp jazz voice.

• Om Cindy Blackman Series – Warm, dry, vintage-inspired cymbals capturing the character of classic jazz with an aged patina finish.

• Idris Muhammad Signature Series – Features an unlathed bottom and thick bell for dynamic, soulful jazz-funk tones inspired by Idris himself.

• Joey Waronker Signature Series – Warm, atmospheric, studio friendly cymbals with a controlled wash that blend seamlessly into modern mixes.

• Epoch Lenny White Signature Series – Vintage-inspired jazz and jazz-rock cymbals with rich complexity and expressive dynamics.

• Mel Lewis Signature Series – Faithful recreations of Mel’s beloved old K cymbals, offering a buttery, smoky classic jazz sound.

• Aaron Sterling Signature Series – A refined crash/ride pairing with shimmering highs and warm undertones for modern studio versatility.

• Clap Stack Signature Series – Designed with Trevor Lawrence Jr. to create realistic acoustic hand-clap textures with quick, snappy decay.

Marching & Orchestral Ranges:

• Xist Marching Series – Durable, projecting cymbals built for the demands of marching ensembles, parades and field performances.

• 30th Anniversary Band & Orchestral – Handcrafted, expressive cymbals offering refined control, warmth and dynamic nuance for ensemble performance.