Avedis Zildjian Company

Avedis Zildjian Company
Private
Industry Cymbal manufacturer
Founded Constantinople, Ottoman Empire (1623)
Founder Avedis Zildjian
Headquarters Norwell, Massachusetts, United States
Key people
Avedis Zildjian, Founder
Armand Zildjian
Craigie Zildjian, Current CEO
Debbie Zildjian
Products Cymbals, Drum sticks
Owners Craigie Zildjian, Current CEO
Debbie Zildjian
Website Official website

The Avedis Zildjian Company, simply known as Zildjian /ˈzɪlən/,[1] is an American cymbal manufacturer based in Norwell, Massachusetts. The company was founded in Constantinople by Armenian Avedis Zildjian in the 17th century, during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. At nearly 400 years old, Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world. Zildjian also sells drum-related accessories, such as drum sticks and cymbal carriers. It is the largest cymbal manufacturer in the world.[2][3][4][5][6]

On December 20, 2010, it was announced that Avedis Zildjian Company had merged with Vic Firth, Inc.[7] According to the announcement, both companies will continue to run autonomously.[7]

History

Beginnings

The first Zildjian cymbals were created in 1618 by Avedis Zildjian, an alchemist who was looking for a way to turn base metal into gold; he created an alloy combining tin, copper, and silver into a sheet of metal that could make musical sounds without shattering. Avedis was given the name of Zildjian (Zilciyân) by the Sultan Osman II[8] (from the Turkish word zil – cymbal, dji – maker-seller, ian – a common suffix used in Armenian last names which means 'son of') and began an industry in 1623, the details of whose main product remained secret for generations. It became family tradition that only the company's heirs would know the manufacturing process.

The Zildjian Company moved from manufacturing noisemakers that frightened the enemies of the Ottoman Empire to manufacturing its cymbals as musical instruments in the 19th century.[9]

1900s

Avedis Zildjian III in front of Zildjian Quincy Factory

Around 1928, Avedis III, his brother Puzant and his uncle, Aram Zildjian began manufacturing cymbals in Quincy, Massachusetts, and the Avedis Zildjian Co. was formed on September 19, 1929, the month before the Great Depression began, in competition with the K. Zildjian company in Turkey. Avedis made many innovations in cymbals that are still around today; he was the first to develop drum-set cymbals and gave cymbals names such as ride, crash, splash, and hi-hat.

Avedis III's son Armand Zildjian, also known as the "Father of Artist Relations," also began hand-selecting cymbals for all the top drummers. It was his close personal relationships with the top drummers and percussionists of the day on which Zildjian still bases its Artist Relations Department. In 1968, the K. Zildjian Co. and all European trademarks were bought back on behalf of the Avedis Zildjian Co. Also in 1968, Avedis split production into two separate operations, opening the Azco factory in Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada.

From 1968 to 1970, the Azco factory produced Zilco cymbals. There were two types of Zilco: one was a thin rolling produced without any hammering, which cut costs. At about this time in the Azco factory, the modern process for pressing cymbals into shape came about. Before this it was done by bumping with the Quincy drop hammer.

In 1970, Zildjian needed all their production capabilities at Azco for their regular Zildjian line, so the factory in Quincy (the then location of Zildjian) would send up castings to be finished into cymbals at Azco.

In 1975, Zildjian began making K. Zildjian cymbals at the Azco plant. This was an interesting time for the Zildjian clan because it was the first time that K. Zildjian Istanbul and the Avedis Zildjian Company had worked together to make the same Zildjian cymbals after years of competing with each other. These were made until 1979. Within four years (1980), all K Cymbals were being made in the Norwell USA plant, because the Ks demanded far more oversight. Armand worked with friends, the great Elvin Jones and Tony Williams to relaunch the K Series.

In early 1977, Armand Zildjian was appointed President of the Avedis Zildjian Company by his father. Soon after, Robert Zildjian split from the company amidst conflict with his brother, Armand. Shortly thereafter, in 1981, Robert started making Sabian cymbals in the Meductic Azco factory.

After taking over in 1981, Armand was awarded a number of honors from his 50-year career.

Recent history

In keeping with tradition, Armand passed the Zildjian Secret Alloy to his daughters, Craigie and Debbie (14th generation), both of whom continue to run the family business from the current factory in Norwell, Massachusetts.

Other than cymbals, the Avedis Zildjian Company produces products such as drum sticks and other drum accessories. The Artist Series drum sticks allow these endorsers to personalize their drum sticks, and these sticks are sold to the public.

Current cymbal products

Armand Zildjian "Beautiful Baby" Ride Cymbal
[Zildjian A Custom Cymbal]
Zildjian A Custom
22" Ping Ride Cymbal
Zildjian A 18-inch China Low cymbal

Sheet bronze cymbal lines

Zildjian's sheet bronze cymbals are made out of identical bronze discs, which are shaped, hammered, and lathed to their direct specifications. These cymbals have a higher pitch than their cast bronze counterparts and produce a more consistent sound.

Cast bronze cymbal lines

All of Zildjian's cast bronze cymbals contains 80% copper and 20% tin with traces of silver in its alloy.

Other

Discontinued cymbal products

Sheet bronze cymbal lines

Cast bronze cymbal lines

List of Zildjian players

Other:

Scott Travis and Nicko McBrain of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden respectively, use Zildjians very occasionally, in addition to keeping their Paiste endorsements.

Sister companies

See also

References

  1. "Pronunciation of zildjian". howjsay.com. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  2. Robert Kreitner, Carlene M. Cassidy (2011). Management (12th ed. ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage. p. 35. ISBN 9781111221362. Company, based in Norwell, Massachusetts, is the largest cymbal maker in the world and the oldest continuously family-run business in the United States.
  3. Lamb, Charles W. (2002). The Subject is Marketing (2nd Canadian ed. ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Nelson Thomson Learning. p. 26. ISBN 9780176169558. Avedis Zildjian of Norwell, Massachusetts, can trace its history back to 1623 in Constantinople. It is the world's largest maker of cymbals for drummers and musicians.
  4. Newsweek, Volume 71, Issues 1-9, 1968, p. 71 "As the only producer of cymbals in the U.S., the Zildjian company dominates a world market rapidly expanding with the proliferation of per- cussionary rock 'n' roll bands."
  5. The Music Trades, Volume 135, Issues 1-6, p. 90 "Maintaining its position as the world's largest cymbal producer, the Avedis Zildjian Company has announced an exciting joint venture with Barcus-Berry, Inc."
  6. "Robert Zildjian Dead: Founder Of Sabian Cymbal Company Dies At 89". The Huffington Post. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Vic Firth Company and Avedis Zildjian Company Announce Merger". VicFirth.com. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  8. "Zildjian Historical Timeline". Avedis Zildjian Company. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  9. "Zildjian Bios-Avedis Zildjian I". zildjian.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  10. "Welcome!". gen-16.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.

External links

Coordinates: 42°9′42.30″N 70°53′11.15″W / 42.1617500°N 70.8864306°W