Bosphorus Cymbals- Edging Ahead with Turkish Roots

Bosphorus cymbals are one of few cymbals that are completely hand made today. Their alloys are made from ancient forumulas and their finished products set the mark by which other are compared.

If you haven't heard of Bosphorus then you're in for a treat. They have gained acclaim for their ability to reproduce classic jazz sounds BUT their range of models serve drummers from every genre. Let's review the company's history and some of the products they offer.

Bosphorus (Istanbul Bogazi) is the winding strait separating Europe and Asia running through Istanbul, Turkey. This is where Bophorus Cymbals are crafted in the manner that cymbalsmiths have created works of art for centuries.

Cymbal Models

	Masters Series- Designed to recreate the sound and atmosphere of old jazz, blues and big band recordings. They are much thinner than today’s heavier weighted cymbals, giving the edge a characteristic “ripple” when played. [hi hats, rides]
	Turk Series- An unlathed cymbal that has a dry sound. Overtones are colorful yet controlled for each model within the Turk Series. They are offered in heavy and light models to suit the needs of drummers in many situations. [hi hats, rides]
	Antique Series- Do the contrasting bands look familiar? (hint: Istanbul's Sultan Series). The Antique Series combines two lating patterns to give brilliance and rawness at the same time. The bottom side is not lathed at all. The result is a cymbal series rich in textures and unique in tones. [hi hats, rides, crashes, effects]
	Traditional Series- Can be considered the core of the Bosphorus lineup since this series has the widest range of sounds. They can be used in delicate symphonic situations and aggressive enough to be played in arena rock concerts. Their sounds can range from dark, delicate, and complex to bright, sharp, and penetrating. [hi hats, rides, crashes, effects]
	Gold Series- The 'gold' refers to a bright polished finish signifying this series' place in modern musical styles. In fact, the Gold Series have designed to provide the power and cutting sound needed for live settings. The rides have an “H” and “EH” model with bells that have been pitched to project over high volume amplified instruments. [hi hats, rides, crashes, effects]
	New Orleans Series- Given that Bosphorus does have a strong handle on jazz cymbals, it's only natural for them to come out with these N' Awlins models. They are made by hand-hammering then lathing in a continuous spiral from bell to outer edge. This method creates a warm sound with trashy overtones. [hi hats, rides, crashes]
	Artist Series- Bosphorus has teamed up with professional drummers to create series reflecting their unique styles. To date, there are two series to choose from: Hammer Series- developed by jazz great Jeff Hamilton, this series includes rides with rivets (or without) and a pair of lightweight hi hats. [hi hats, rides, crashes] Versa Series- developed by Ignacio Berroa for Latin, Jazz, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban genre in mind. [hi hats, rides, crashes, effects]

FINAL THOUGHTS: Bosphorus cymbals are gaining popularity and acclaim from drummers of all musical styles. Given that these are 100% hand made, expect to pay more than others. But with a 3-year warranty against cracking, splitting, chipping, or bending through normal play, the investment is a worthy one.

For a well-informed choice, be sure to check out information on other cymbal companies here.

Bosphorus Cymbals-

Keeping Ancient Traditions Fresh