Xilxo

Xilxo cymbals are high-quality, handcrafted Turkish cymbals made to finesse traditional Turkish sounds, offering distinctive tonal options for jazz, fusion, and other music styles.

Brand Background

Many Xilxo models are produced by Bosphorus to custom specifications set by Cymbal House owner Erce Gokhan.

The cymbals are noted for their thorough shaping, hammering, and lathed detailing, resulting in balanced focus, dry stick sound, and controlled shimmer.

Popular Series and Models

• West Coast Series: Aimed for jazz and small ensemble settings, these cymbals feature heavy hand hammering, a smaller bell, an amplified lathed underside, and two lathed stripes on the top edge. The result is a dry, focused stick tone with a natural shimmer and fast decay, suitable for both rides and crashes.

The 20” West Coast Flat Ride is a notable example, weighing 1772 g

• Jazz Series: Known for buttery fast response, these rides shimmer like light ripples and provide softer but rich crash and hat sounds, making them well-suited for jazz or intimate performance contexts.

• Dixieland Series: These models cater to traditional jazz rhythms and improvisation, providing vintage-style tonal characteristics without excessive wash or sustain.

• Cincinnati Series: This series celebrates Cincinnati’s music heritage with careful tonal focus on locality and historical inspiration.

• Used & Vintage Models: Xilxo also offers used options like the 24” Legend Turk Ride, designed for fusion, rock, or pop, featuring dry ping and a penetrating bell.

Sound Characteristics

Stick Definition: Focused, clear, and non-metallic, suitable for jazz articulation.

Shimmer & Wash: Gentle shimmer with controlled wash; crashability is fast and responsive.

Decay: Rapid decay helps prevent lingering overtones, allowing cymbals to blend well in ensemble settings.

Bell Sound: Smaller bells emphasize subtle articulation rather than overpowering tone, though riders relying on bell sounds may combine with another cymbal for versatility.