Difference between revisions of "Istanbul Agop Epoch Signature 22.5" Ride"

Latest revision as of 08:32, 9 February 2026

NOTE: 22.5" is the correct size, although the cymbal states 22".

Fortunately, Return To Forever drummer Lenny While brought more than words to the table when designing his signature Epoch ride. White brought the original 22" ride that jazz legend Tony Williams used to stretch out on the classic Miles Davis track "Nelerin." Lenny also had with him two replicas of Tony's ride that were manufactured by an American company. Lenny liked those cymbals and used them on many gigs, but he wanted something a little closer to the original. So the drummer began working with Turkish company Istanbul Agop to build some proto types.

After many months of test runs, Lenny was finally satisfied with the model that has become his signature 22" Epoch ride. Let's see how it fares in the testing room.

I've been fortunate to have played three Tony-replica prototypes. And thanks to meeting Miles protege Wallace Roney (who was given the original Nefertiti by Williams), I've played the one and only. Although I tell a little nerdy at the time, I recorded myself riding the revered cymbal and look some photos. The recording and photos proved valuable references for this review.

When I lifted Lenny's Epoch cymbal from its crate, a familiar puzzlement set in: Although the ride had some flex, it was heavier than you'd imagine. (I remember having the same reaction when I touched Tony's ride.) In contrast, the Epoch seems much flatter than the original. The Epoch bell is also significantly smaller which would limit full-crash potential. The body is extensively hand hammered, resulting in a very cratered surface. The lathing is cursory. The craftsman look a quick pass on the top and bottom, scratching away some of the crust to create shiny expanses against blotchy brown patches.

The edges of the Epoch have a downward flange that's sometimes found on old Turkish cymbals like the Nefertiti. That dipping "hook" deepens the cymbal's flat profile, thus raising the fundamental pitch somewhat while adding a little trash to the tone. (Think of the outer flange on a China cymbal.)

I first played the Epoch with a stick in the 7A-8A range. Then I asked a student to play it with a 5B. The 5B proved to be the preferred stick for this cymbal. This bigger stick brings out a cleaner ping with more dark "Tony-like" undertones. When I interrupted a rapid jazz ride pattern with push crashes coming down on the fiat of the cymbal with the stick almost parallel the cymbal erupted quickly with short, dark, guttural rasps that didn't clutter the ride pattern with unnecessary splash. This was a crowning characteristic of the original Nefertiti.

For my final lest, I envisioned the classic Tony/Miles record Live At The Plugged Nickel and rode a galloping 8th-nole figure followed by five consecutive shanks: "Caw, Caw, Caw, Caw, Caw!" This experiment proved that Lenny White's patience had paid off. A good portion of Tony Williams sound lives on in this cymbal.

Crashing the Epoch doesn't give you a typical fast "Whoosh," nor does the bell scream out, "Let's mambo!" But Tony's lip and-shank tone is in your blood, you'll appreciate the extra weight, the many sweet spots, and the stability of this ride. (It won't wobble off the stand!)

Lenny told me that of the initial batch of twenty-five cymbals, he rejected only two. That says that the manufacturing is consistent. I grew to really like this cymbal, so I thought about shelling out some cash to keep it. That wouldn't be possible, I was told. This particular test model was none other than Lenny's "LA ride," to be kept safe at the Istanbul Agop California outlet.

List price is $789."

Review written by T. Bruce Whittet ("Istanbul Agop Lenny White Signature Cymbal", Modern Drummer, July 2008, pg. 37)

Artist/song where it can be heard:

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 [https://youtu.be/Vc_qsJfrHzE?si=die0k1JrF_o8X8DP Epoch Signature 22.5" Ride] <br>
 '''Istanbul Agop's Description:''' [[Istanbul Agop Ride#Epoch Signature|<<< - >>>]]<br>
-'''Review:''' <br>
+'''Review:''' "Manufacturing a cymbal "to order" is a challenge loaded with notions of sound, feel, pitch, and presence. Plus, one man's thick is another's thin, one's dark is another's bright, and so on.
-:Review written by<br>
+Fortunately, Return To Forever drummer Lenny While brought more than words to the table when designing his signature Epoch ride. White brought the original 22" ride that jazz legend Tony Williams used to stretch out on the classic Miles Davis track "Nelerin." Lenny also had with him two replicas of Tony's ride that were manufactured by an American company. Lenny liked those cymbals and used them on many gigs, but he wanted something a little closer to the original. So the drummer began working with Turkish company Istanbul Agop to build some proto types.
+After many months of test runs, Lenny was finally satisfied with the model that has become his signature 22" Epoch ride. Let's see how it fares in the testing room.
+I've been fortunate to have played three Tony-replica prototypes. And thanks to meeting Miles protege Wallace Roney (who was given the original Nefertiti by Williams), I've played the one and only. Although I tell a little nerdy at the time, I recorded myself riding the revered cymbal and look some photos. The recording and photos proved valuable references for this review.
+When I lifted Lenny's Epoch cymbal from its crate, a familiar puzzlement set in: Although the ride had some flex, it was heavier than you'd imagine. (I remember having the same reaction when I touched Tony's ride.) In contrast, the Epoch seems much flatter than the original. The Epoch bell is also significantly smaller which would limit full-crash potential. The body is extensively hand hammered, resulting in a very cratered surface. The lathing is cursory. The craftsman look a quick pass on the top and bottom, scratching away some of the crust to create shiny expanses against blotchy brown patches.
+The edges of the Epoch have a downward flange that's sometimes found on old Turkish cymbals like the Nefertiti. That dipping "hook" deepens the cymbal's flat profile, thus raising the fundamental pitch somewhat while adding a little trash to the tone. (Think of the outer flange on a China cymbal.)
+I first played the Epoch with a stick in the 7A-8A range. Then I asked a student to play it with a 5B. The 5B proved to be the preferred stick for this cymbal. This bigger stick brings out a cleaner ping with more dark "Tony-like" undertones. When I interrupted a rapid jazz ride pattern with push crashes coming down on the fiat of the cymbal with the stick almost parallel the cymbal erupted quickly with short, dark, guttural rasps that didn't clutter the ride pattern with unnecessary splash. This was a crowning characteristic of the original Nefertiti.
+For my final lest, I envisioned the classic Tony/Miles record <i>Live At The Plugged Nickel</i> and rode a galloping 8th-nole figure followed by five consecutive shanks: "Caw, Caw, Caw, Caw, Caw!" This experiment proved that Lenny White's patience had paid off. A good portion of Tony Williams sound lives on in this cymbal.
+Crashing the Epoch doesn't give you a typical fast "Whoosh," nor does the bell scream out, "Let's mambo!" But Tony's lip and-shank tone is in your blood, you'll appreciate the extra weight, the many sweet spots, and the stability of this ride. (It won't wobble off the stand!)
+Lenny told me that of the initial batch of twenty-five cymbals, he rejected only two. That says that the manufacturing is consistent. I grew to really like this cymbal, so I thought about shelling out some cash to keep it. That wouldn't be possible, I was told. This particular test model was none other than Lenny's "LA ride," to be kept safe at the Istanbul Agop California outlet.
+List price is $789." <br>
+:Review written by T. Bruce Whittet ("Istanbul Agop Lenny White Signature Cymbal", Modern Drummer, July 2008, pg. 37)<br>
 '''Artist/song where it can be heard:'''

Difference between revisions of "Istanbul Agop Epoch Signature 22.5" Ride"

Latest revision as of 08:32, 9 February 2026

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