Difference between revisions of "Istanbul Timeline"
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Agop's and Mehmet's cymbal production begins this year as Zilciler Kollektif Şti. (English: Cymbal maker Collective), initially using a stenciled, painted Zilciler logo on the cymbals.<font color=blue><sup>1</sup></font color=blue> [[file:Mehmet Tamdeğer.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mehmet Tamdeğer (left, with Elvin Jones)]]<br> | Agop's and Mehmet's cymbal production begins this year as Zilciler Kollektif Şti. (English: Cymbal maker Collective), initially using a stenciled, painted Zilciler logo on the cymbals.<font color=blue><sup>1</sup></font color=blue> [[file:Mehmet Tamdeğer.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mehmet Tamdeğer (left, with Elvin Jones)]]<br> | ||
<Gallery> | <Gallery> | ||
| − | file:Zilciler 1.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride | + | file:Zilciler 1.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride profile |
| − | file:Zilciler 2.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride | + | file:Zilciler 2.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride top |
| − | file:Zilciler 3.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride | + | file:Zilciler 3.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride company engraving |
| − | file:Zilciler 4.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride | + | file:Zilciler 4.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride model/size stamp |
| − | file:Zilciler 5.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride | + | file:Zilciler 5.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride bell undersize with signature |
| − | file:Zilciler 6.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride | + | file:Zilciler 6.jpg|Zilciler Heavy Ride bottom |
</Gallery><br> | </Gallery><br> | ||
'''1982:''' Zilciler starts importing cymbals to the U.S.A.. Around this time, the name is changed to "Istanbul". Drummer Mel Lewis becomes the company's first endorser.<font color=blue><sup>1</sup></font color=blue> | '''1982:''' Zilciler starts importing cymbals to the U.S.A.. Around this time, the name is changed to "Istanbul". Drummer Mel Lewis becomes the company's first endorser.<font color=blue><sup>1</sup></font color=blue> | ||
Revision as of 01:57, 7 December 2025
1941: Agop Tomurcuk, is born in Istanbul, Turkey.1
1950: At age 9, Agop starts working as an apprentice at the K. Zildjian factory in Istanbul.1
1977: After 27 years, Agop becomes well-skilled in the cymbal-making process and becomes a master cymbal smith.1
The K. Zildjian facility ceases operation this year, moving to Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada, then under ownership by Zildjian, which later becomes the Sabian factory.2
1980: Agop becomes partners with his friend Mehmet Tamdeğer, and starts a partnership for cymbal production.2 Mehmet learned his art from Mikhail Zilcan, the grandson of Kerope Zilcan, after whom the Zildjian K series is named. In the 1950s, he works in the K. Zilcan factory in Istanbul. At the age of nine, he starts to work for Mikhail Zilcan, grandson of Kerope Zilcan.3
Agop's and Mehmet's cymbal production begins this year as Zilciler Kollektif Şti. (English: Cymbal maker Collective), initially using a stenciled, painted Zilciler logo on the cymbals.1
Zilciler Heavy Ride profile
Zilciler Heavy Ride top
Zilciler Heavy Ride company engraving
Zilciler Heavy Ride model/size stamp
Zilciler Heavy Ride bell undersize with signature
Zilciler Heavy Ride bottom
1982: Zilciler starts importing cymbals to the U.S.A.. Around this time, the name is changed to "Istanbul". Drummer Mel Lewis becomes the company's first endorser.1
(Mehmet Istanbul states that Istanbul cymbals didn't reach American shores until 1984.)3
1984: Sarkis Tomurcuk, Agop's eldest son, joins the company. He works alongside the 9 or 10 others employees to learn the cymbal-making process.1
1986: Arman Tomurcuk, Agop's younger son, starts working with Istanbul as well.1
1992: In 1992, Arman completes his education in England and returns to Istanbul. In 1993, he attends the Musikmesse trade show, and helps to expand the company’s distribution to 30 countries worldwide.1
1996: Agop Tomurcuk passes away. Sarkis (now the chief cymbal-smith), and Arman leave the company, forming Istanbul Zilciler, today known as "Istanbul Agop".1
Sources:
1 istanbulcymbals.com (retrieved December 6, 2025)
2 Canadian K timeline(retrieved December 6, 2025)
3 istanbulmehmet.com (retrieved December 6, 2025)
