Jim Gordon has Passed On...

@bdp24 

When you got Jim’s old kit, were there any Zildjians laying up there? Always wondered if he used a mix of A’s and K’s. Guessing mainly Avedis. I’m a major cymbal fan as well. :) 

@atlantadrumguy:

The new owner of the building didn’t list any cymbals, and didn’t mention any when I picked up the drums. Gordon sure had some good sounding ones; I think I read he played A. Zildjians.

Have you had any Turkish Zildjians K’s? A lot of the BeBop Jazz guys played them in the 1950’s and 60’s. I bought a couple, but the ones I got didn’t sound so good. The Turkish K’s were completely hand made (in huts with dirt floors), and vary wildly in sound quality.

I have a bunch of the current (USA) K’s, which I like a lot. And I have a bunch of the original Paiste 601’s (1960’s and 70’s), including a coupla Flat Rides (18" and 20") and pairs of Sound Edge hi-hats (14"). I have a 20" Bosphorus Traditional ride cymbal, which is Turkish K-like (Bosphorus are made in Turkey). Very thin, so you can crash it as well as ride. It makes a great "click" when played with the tip of the stick, which I love.

^ 

That sounds right, with Jim using Avedis most likely. 
 

I have some vintage K Zildjians (the old Turkish ones) and a bunch old A’s (50s to 60s). I have a sweet 20” old K with a few rivets that sounds like Elvin. I have a 22” around 2400 grams. I’ve used the 20” more as a rivet crash-ride. The 22 is costly so I tend to be reluctant to bring it out as much. I have some 15” old K hats which are cool, and the top cymbal is slightly undersized. 
 

But when I play jazz, I actually use a different set. I use a thin 24” old A, a 22” Spizzichino and a K Con Zildjian. 

Yeah, old K's cost serious money. The good thing about buying one unheard is that you can always sell it for what you paid. We should make a list of good sounding recorded drums and cymbals. I'm gonna be thinking about that.

Here is my 22” old K in action. Done with an old iPhone. Courtesy of my basement. 
 

https://youtu.be/Pq51_qWL8Eg?feature=shared