Review: 18" Bosphorus Traditional Series Medium Crash

[spirit]

18" Bosphorus Traditional Series Medium Crash (1510g)

I wasn't even looking for anything when I got this cymbal a couple of months ago. I had gone to Denmark St to get a couple of music theory books that had been recommended to me, and I thought I may as well have a look at the music shops since I was down there. At one point I wandered into Tom's Drum Shop, and saw a couple of things with piqued my interest. One was a range of cymbals I'd never seen before - Paiste Twenty. As I'm not made of gold, I avoided them. I also saw a small collection of Bosphorus cymbals. I hit this crash. I was in trouble now.

"How much is this cymbal?"

"£120."

"I'll need to think about whether I can afford that."

"I'll see what I can do... I can make it £115 if that helps."

"Sold!"

I fell in love with this cymbal at first hit, because it sounds to me like a crash should. It speaks quickly, exploding with simmering brightness, but with a slightly darker wash underneath. The initial hit recedes quite quickly, but not to the extent of a 'fast' crash, and it sustains for some time. The bell sound is woody with the tip of the stick, and slightly more metallic, even 'clangy' with the shoulder.

It works well as a versatile, all round crash, and I'd imagine would serve as a decent crash/ride, or LSR in an all acoustic situation, as it rides pretty well up to a point, beyond which the wash overtakes the stick, which is hardly a surprise, given it's a crash.

I forgot dynamics. Given it's a Medium weight, it may be more suitable for quiet gigs to use Thin crashes, or shank the ride, but you can make it respond with your finger, if you hit it hard enough, and it's not difficult to make it come alive under sticks. From anything even slightly loud, and let's face it, we're talking pretty loud when were using a drum kit, to hard or punk rock, this crash can cut it. It may fall a bit short for some very loud situations, where a more piercing sound is required, but that's why you get Rock sizes and ranges.

Pros: Excellent, versatile crash for almost all situations
Cons: Perhaps not 'glassy' enough for some people a la A Custom or Sabian

I shall add a couple of pics to this later, to add to the review. If anyone has any particular questions, or thinks there's anything I missed, feel free to say so.

[the_pure_drummer]

Nice review man..

Bill can you make a thread and put all these reveiws in it by link?

[ian1988]

I can vouch that is indeed one of the msot versatile crashes. I've got a Istanbul Agop in the same weight and size and series. One of the best crashes ive used! The overtones these hand hammered cymbals produce just cant be found in mass production line cymbals.. ie Sabian AA, AAX, Zildjian A and A customs. Imo they sound like hitting gongs in comparison to my Crash.

Yeah it doesnt take much to get these then to respond. Gives of a nice natural shimmer when its tapped on..

And they are LOUD mo-fo's... I use mine mainly for crash riding as its a fairly dark cymbal and doesnt really penetrate. Gives of that nice "Wall of sound" kinda effect to it.

You are fairly spot on in terms of the riding the cymbal!