Istanbul Agop 15″ Cindy Blackman-Santana Mantra Hi-Hats

Agop Tomurcuk was born in Istanbul in 1941 and began learning the art of cymbal making at just nine years old. After becoming a master cymbal-smith and the chief craftsman at Turkey’s only cymbal factory, he continued the tradition independently when the factory closed its cymbal production in 1977. In 1980, Agop partnered with his friend Mehmet Tamdeğer to establish Zilciler Kollektif Şti., later known as Istanbul Cymbals. The company began exporting internationally and made its U.S. debut at the 1982 NAMM Show, where legendary drummer Mel Lewis praised the return of traditional hand-hammered Turkish cymbals and became its first endorser. Agop’s sons Sarkis and Arman joined the company in 1984 and 1986, respectively, helping expand the business and build relationships with many renowned drummers, while international distribution grew to 30 countries. Following Agop’s tragic death in 1996, Sarkis and Arman left the old factory and established Istanbul Zilciler in 1997, developing the Istanbul Agop brand. They continued to preserve traditional Turkish cymbal-making techniques while introducing innovative sounds and designs, including the Alchemy Series in 1998 for modern and higher-volume music. The company expanded internationally with a Los Angeles office in 2004 and celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special Ride cymbal in 2005. By 2022, Istanbul Agop had become a globally recognized cymbal maker, offering a diverse and innovative range of instruments while remaining deeply rooted in the traditional craftsmanship established by Agop Tomurcuk.