At the very beginning of the 17th century, an alchemist named Avedis created a special alloy of metals that produced noises, which were then not only used in creation of excellent music, but, for example, frightened enemies in battles.
The Ottoman Sultan Osman II christened Avedis the surname “Zildjian” (from the Turkish word zil – cymbal, dji – maker-seller, ian (yan) – a common suffix used in Armenian last names) in 1623.
Thus, the history of the Avedis Zildjian company goes back to that time. It took about three hundred years for the “Zildjian” to cross the Atlantic Ocean, make it to Massachusetts, United States, and become the name of the largest cymbal manufacturer, which is now producing more than 65 % of cymbals in the world.
Today, company’s logo can be immediately noticed on cymbals and other percussion instruments at various musical events.
For fifteen generations, the Zildjian family has continued to lead the company, and in 1999, for the first time, a woman became the president of the firm.
Being one of the oldest companies in the world as well as one of the oldest family businesses both in the world and in the United States, the Avedis Zildjian company doesn’t divulge the composition of the Zildjian Secret Alloy, which almost four centuries ago became known to Avedis Zildjian.
Links below will lead you to a tour of the company’s factory, as well as will allow you to see the list of famous artists who used cymbals of Zildjian company. zildjian.com ZILDJIAN’S HISTORICAL BACKGROUND About Zildjian
