Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals Samatya Cymbal Set "XL", 20"R, 16"Cr, 14"HH+18"Cr+Bag

These cymbals are really good!
Ive been playing drums now for a little more then 3 years and I know that isnt too long. But in those 3 years Ive been looking for a set of good cymbals because my drum kit only had a crap 18" crash/ride cymbal from pearl.

I first found out about meinl cymbals (the HCS series in my case: I looked them up on youtube for sound samples, asked people if they have ever played on them and their opinion and other stuff.) Eventually if found out that, yes they are very cheap.. and after that, yes, they sound like crap. So i was quite disappointed and didnt buy them. (of course)

Then about a year later I saved some money (about 580 euros) and thought that it would be a good time get some new good cymbals. So, I went to music store again (of course, best place to buy instruments in my opinion) and started looking for cymbals again. I was looking for a Zildjian set first, but then I found out that they were a little above my budget. So I looked further, then I saw this deal for Istanbul Samatya cymbals (which are these cymbals yes). I looked up a few sound samples, asked people about their opinion and finally when I was completely satisfied with what I had heard, I ordered them.

Now for the good part. They freakin ROCKED! These cymbals are really amazing for the prize. Especially now that musicstore has this good deal, they a really good for what they cost. And I can use them for anything. I play jazz, rock, punk, metal, blues, reggae and pop music and they just sound amazing. Nice warm and soft when playing jazz but they can also be very sharp and short when playing rock or metal. They are very strong and can take a good hit so you dont have to hold back like with a very thin crash. Ive had a few gigs with my band since I bought these beauties and ive had a lot of drummer come up to me and asked about these cymbals.

So, what is the sound like:
14" hi-hat: A warm and long sustaining sound with the hats wide open and a sharp and short sound with the hats closed firmly. The bell is very bright and definitely present. and with the hats half opened a great powerful blasting rock sound!!

16" crash: This is just my favorite crash cymbal, its sharp, not too short sustain but definitely not a too long sustain. It has a bright, clear sounding bell. Powerful when hit fully, yet delicate when stroke softly in ballads or jazz. I just love the sound when hitting it together with a rim shot.

18" crash: this is a great 2nd crash. Its really good to go crazy on this one while hitting the accent crashes on the 16". It is very strong and can handle a lot! (Also usable as a 2nd ride for a warmer, greater sound then the 20" ride.)

20" ride: This ride is very special for me because Im very picky on ride cymbals, I like them to have great contrast between the cymbal and the bell, high toned, cold sound and loud enough to hear very clearly when playing with a band without having to put all the power in your stroke and killing your arm. This cymbal has even improved my demands, it has a very bright bell which, when hit with the side of the stick, has an enormous volume. And the tone is also great. When stroke in the center of the cymbal near the bell it produces a high rocky tone while striking it more to the outer space on the cymbal it produces a warm, long sustaining fizzing sound which is great for jazz. And when hitting it fully on the side it gives an enormous blast of low pitched sound that sustains very long!

So my final opinion on these cymbals.
Absolutely recommended! To the beginning drummer with a low budget or the professional drummer who just want a pair of good cymbals. Istanbul has really done a great job on these. They look beautiful and you can clearly see the hand hammering.

Btw, watch this video about how these cymbals are made, youll respect the cymbals and its makers more after youve seen how they handcraft these cymbals. Plus its just a really cool video to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y

In my opinion the best choice for "value for money...."
The 14" hi-hat is Full, crisp, open and dry stick sound.
16" and 18" crash are Bright, fast and full bodied sound.
20" is modern, brilliant, warm sound.

I brought these cymbals for my self in my band, im a pop-punk/rock drummer and i needd them to be great and unique.

The 16" Crash is great sounding tone with a slight dark hint on the tones

The 18" Crash goes on longer than the 16" and also have similar tone quality.

20" Ride sounds epically awesome nice and pingy but also has a nice ride wash when crashing it.

14" Hi hats pretty sweet , similar to zildjian As bright with the nice hit and also great open hihat.

they have a good sound, good look and they are cheap.
is the best set of cymbals that you can buy with 400€
i have a pro-drummer friend, and he wants a set of this cymbals.
they are really good

At the risk of sounding overly excited:

they simply sound amazing and the value of the set is tremendous!

I was on the market for a new cymbal setup, so for the price a factory set made sense.
there were several options i considered Instabul Samatya, Istanbul Xist and Sabian XXplosion.

I played on both the Xist and the XXplosions.

the XXplosions are unusable unless everything is at 200% force. great sounding cymbals, but no room for dynamics whatsoever.

having found a dealer for the Xist in the UK, I went for a test. i found the cymbals looking good, albeit in the classic finish (not brilliant). Nice Click and controllable wash in the hats, lovely response and range in the 16" crash, as where the 18" was obviously for the wider and louder sound. the ride was addictive in riding, although the ping wasnt too pronounced.

Because of the brilliant 30 money back garantuee, i wasnt too nervous make the step of buying "unheard".
When they arrived i was simply astounded with the sound and finish (but there is one little nick in the edge of the ride).
the hats are just superb. loads of control, easily washed, loud enough click, good control at low volume, but also nice and crisp half and full open, and even as an effect it can cut nicely.

The ride is a good balance between weight and response. the alloy and hammering allow the ride to respond clear even at jazz-type volumes, yet the weight doesnt keep it from being crashed every now and then. the only downside is the cup ping. it is not too big a cup, and therefore not too loud a ping. (but my last ride had LOADS, so maybe im spoiled).

The crashes are proper istanbuls. not too heavy, clear ping when riding, and a slight mystic or dark undertone when crashing. they are warm and smooth, but never lack the power of delivery when its needed.

the best compliment i got was a pro drummer friend who wanted to borrow my hats and ride for a gig. he preferred them over his Ks. that is saying a lot!