HOLY GRAIL Vintage Zildjian 24” TRANS STAMP 1940s RIDE CRASH 2940 g Amazing CYMBAL! End Of The Road A!

This is is one of the rarest, most incredible Zildjians I’ve ever seen:  an 80-year-old 1940s Vintage Zildjian Trans Stamp 24” Ride or 2-foot Crash. Not “Pre-Aged”.

Just aged.

This massive Hand Hammered 24” is from the first two decades of ZILDJIAN U.S.A. - literally just after they closed the Massachusetts confectionary and brought the art of cymbal-making to America.
A piece of American business and musical instrument history.
At a THIN 2940 grams it rides AND crashes like a dream - it’s big, dark, warm and also naturally mellowed with a sweet stick attack - compliments of the last 8 decades.

This is a Steve Jordan or Brian Blade piece - something that’s is buttery warm, unique, steeped in history, and drenched with the vibe. Forged a few years out of The Great Depression, it’s sonic gold. I recorded with this beauty last night and the engineer commented on how particularly mic-friendly and perfect it was.

The 1940s Zildjian alloy is soft and warm and pliable and buttery. The metal from this era is a whole different thing. It’s aged and very malleable. Modern cymbals are rigid and stiff compared to the way this feels. Very fine lathing and a wavy, Hand Hammered surface. You can see where the EAK drew its inspiration.

The stick attack is a perfect elixir of smoky and smooth. Being a massive 24”, you can draw myriad tones from its generous playing field. And for a 2-foot cymbal - this thing feels like it plays itself.  It’s medium-low in a pinch and very mellow.

This can definitely be a straight-up Main Ride.Or of course a Left Side Crash Ride. Hell, you can even use mallets at the edges to draw out a magnificent Dark swelling Crash.

Whatever you decide this 24” is inspired, inspiring, and to be played and for the price of a modern Kerope, you can have a storied cymbal from the days Gene Krupa asked Avedis Zildjian to “make cymbals larger for our music.” Literally.

 This is a special piece. A signature to build around and explore…for a long time. This is the end of the road for dark, mellow and sweet sounding.