GLOWING Warm Smooth ISTANBUL Mehmet 61st ANNIVERSARY Ride 21” 2114 g CLEAN! Incredible

It’s one of the nicest sounding cymbals I have. 

Have a listen!  

LIGHT, MELLOW, AIRY AND SMOOTH and in this case, with a hint of shimmer on top. This is Istanbul’s flagship series and it shows!  

I will say that, in all those 61 years Mehmet learned how to make a great MELLOW and smooth sounding cymbal. If you want that perfect balance of smooth, mellow and DARK, this particular 21” is a fantastic choice! 

As you can see there is beautiful craftsmanship on this 21”.  The plain of the cymbal has a gorgeous hand hammered wavy appearance-like a Vintage Zildjian of yore, hell, a Turkish Zildjian of 61 years ago.

As you can see the hand hammering and golden lathing is very Istanbul K ish

- and that’s not by accident. 

What's nice is the bell on this model is medium to medium small in size which reigns in the overtones a bit-complex but not all over the place trashy.

Weighing in at a gloriously THIN 2114 grams this Mehmet plays like a great Thin, Ultra Warm Ride. It's more of a mellow Light Crash Ride vibe. The tone is wonderfully smooth and exceptionally warm!! The stick attack is prominent but subtle-this beauty is mellow and has an overall medium to medium fast decay. The pitch is medium LOW.

Light and smooth with a very subtle, shimmering attack. Mellow. Very responsive. Light ride vibe.

Smaller bell gives it some control but still with that hand hammered organic complexity underneath!

Overall light and airy and more focused than some fully lathed Traditionals.

Amazing shape.  No issues.  Stunning golden hue.  A very hard to find cymbal that’s a Zildjian K assassin!  Much warmer than any K!