Alchemy

Alchemy Cymbals are hand-made cymbals produced by Istanbul Agop, featuring a unique finishing process that creates a brighter look and distinct sound, ranging from beginner-friendly to professional lines.

Brand Overview

Alchemy Cymbals is a brand under Istanbul Agop, a renowned Turkish cymbal manufacturer established in 1980.

While both brands share the Istanbul Agop heritage and alloy formulations, Alchemy cymbals feature a different finishing process, resulting in a cutting, brighter tone compared to the more traditional jazz-oriented Istanbul Agop cymbals.

Alchemy has developed its own identity and caters to a variety of musical styles, particularly contemporary and rock genres.

Materials and Crafting

Alchemy cymbals are hand-cast from B20 bronze, a high-quality alloy of copper and tin known for its musical range and durability.

The manufacturing process includes specialized hand hammering and lathing techniques. Some models are lathed tightly and feature hand-shaped profiles, giving them a rich, full-bodied sound that is also bright and cutting . A distinct double lathing process is used exclusively for Alchemy cymbals, enhancing their projection and tonal complexity.

Product Lines

Alchemy offers several lines to serve different skill levels and sound preferences:

• ART Series: Machine-made, B8 bronze cymbals suitable for beginners or budget-conscious players.

• ProART and Higher Lines: Hand-hammered B20 bronze for semi-professional and professional drummers.

• Professional Series and Power X: Heavy, hand-crafted cymbals designed for high-volume and contemporary styles, offering cutting projection and complex tonal qualities.

• Specialty Designs: Some models, like "Sweet" and "Rock," focus on distinct tonal characteristics such as flatter bodies or higher profiles, optimizing either depth or attack.

Sound Characteristics

Alchemy cymbals are generally brighter, more cutting, and complex than traditional Istanbul Agop models, making them suitable for rock, pop, or contemporary settings, though they maintain the hand-crafted musical quality Turkish cymbals are known for.

The extensive hammering and lathing processes contribute to tonal variety, including “trashiness” in crashes, warm lows, and clear projection in hi-hats and rides.

Notable Endorsements

Alchemy / Istanbul Agop cymbals are endorsed and used by professional drummers across genres, from jazz to rock and indie music. Prominent drummers associated with the brand include Mel Lewis, Cindy Blackman, Lenny White, and Jimmy Chamberlin, among others.