It's one of the most common questions we get asked in store and on the phone: which cymbal brand is the best?
The honest answer is that there is no single best cymbal brand — but there are brands that are best for specific players, specific sounds, and specific musical contexts. Meinl, Zildjian, Paiste, and Istanbul Agop are four of the most respected names in cymbal making, and each of them has a distinct identity, a distinct sound philosophy, and a distinct range of players who swear by them.
This guide breaks down what each brand does, what they sound like, who plays them, and who they're best suited to — so you can make an informed decision rather than just buying the brand you've heard of.
A Note Before We Start
We stock all four of these brands and have no commercial reason to favour one over another. This guide is written from the perspective of experienced drummers who have played and sold these cymbals for years. We'll tell you what each brand does well, where they're less suited, and which players we'd recommend them to. If you want to talk through any of this in more detail, call us on 01507 526517 or visit our Horncastle showroom — we're happy to help you find the right cymbal for your playing.
Zildjian: The World's Most Famous Cymbal Brand
Zildjian is the oldest cymbal manufacturer in the world — founded in Constantinople in 1623, now based in Massachusetts. They have been making cymbals for over 400 years, and their name is on more drum kits, more stages, and more recordings than any other brand in history.
That heritage matters — but what matters more is what Zildjian cymbals actually sound like.
The Zildjian Sound
Zildjian's range covers an enormous spectrum, but the brand is best known for two distinct tonal families: the A series (bright, cutting, and versatile) and the K series (dark, complex, and musical). These two families represent two fundamentally different approaches to cymbal making, and understanding the difference between them is the key to understanding Zildjian.
The A Custom series is Zildjian's most popular range — brilliant-finish cymbals with a bright, cutting tone and excellent projection. The 14" A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hats (£476.10) are among the most widely used hi-hats in professional drumming, and the 22" A Custom Ride (£440.10) is a benchmark for bright, articulate ride playing. The A Custom range is the choice of rock, pop, and fusion drummers who want a cymbal that cuts through a mix without effort.
The K series is a different world entirely. Dark, warm, and complex, K cymbals are the choice of jazz drummers and players who want a more musical, nuanced sound. The 21" K Sweet Ride (£467.10) is one of the finest all-round rides we stock — warm, musical, and with a stick definition that rewards careful playing. The 20" K Custom Dark Ride (£431.10) is darker and more complex, ideal for players who want a ride that blends into the music rather than cutting through it. At the top of the K range, the 22" K Constantinople Medium Ride (£645.00) is one of the most revered ride cymbals in the world — handmade in Turkey, with a tonal complexity that is genuinely extraordinary.
Who Is Zildjian Best For?
Zildjian's breadth is both their greatest strength and their greatest challenge. The A Custom range is ideal for rock, pop, and fusion players who want bright, cutting cymbals with excellent projection. The K range is ideal for jazz and acoustic players who want dark, complex, musical cymbals. The challenge is knowing which family is right for you — and not defaulting to the A Custom simply because it's the most visible.
Best for: Rock, pop, and fusion drummers (A Custom); jazz and acoustic players (K series); drummers who want the widest possible range of options from a single brand.
Meinl: The Modern Standard for Handcrafted Cymbals
Meinl is a German company founded in 1951, and over the past two decades they have become arguably the most innovative cymbal brand in the world. Their Byzance range — handmade in Turkey from B20 bronze — is widely regarded as the finest handcrafted cymbal series available from a major manufacturer, and their artist roster includes some of the most influential drummers working today.
The Meinl Sound
Meinl's identity is built around the Byzance range — a family of handmade cymbals that covers an extraordinary range of tonal characters, from the bright and brilliant to the dark and complex. The Byzance range is not a single sound — it's a philosophy: handmade, hand-hammered, and voiced with a level of care and attention that is rare in mass-produced cymbals.
The Byzance Traditional series is the darkest and most complex — unlathed in places, heavily hand-hammered, and with a warm, musical character that rewards dynamic playing. The 14" Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats (£450.50) are among the finest hi-hats we stock at any price — warm, responsive, and with a musical complexity that is immediately apparent. The 18" Byzance Traditional Medium Thin Crash (£376.30) is equally impressive — fast, musical, and with a dark, complex wash.
The Byzance Vintage and Extra Dry sub-series push further into specialised territory — the Vintage range has a raw, aged character that sounds like a cymbal that has been played for decades, while the Extra Dry range is designed for players who want minimal sustain and maximum stick definition. The 18" Byzance Dual Crash (£365.70) is a standout — a unique cymbal that combines two different tonal characters in a single instrument.
Beyond Byzance, Meinl's Artist Concept Model range brings specific tonal requirements to life in collaboration with some of the world's finest drummers — cymbals voiced to exact specifications by players who have spent careers developing their sound.
Who Is Meinl Best For?
Meinl's Byzance range is the choice of players who want handcrafted quality, tonal complexity, and a modern approach to cymbal making. They're particularly strong for jazz, fusion, and studio work — but the breadth of the Byzance range means there is a Meinl cymbal for almost every playing style. If you want the finest handcrafted cymbals from a major manufacturer, Byzance is the benchmark.
Best for: Jazz, fusion, and studio players; drummers who want handcrafted quality with a modern sensibility; players who want the widest possible range of tonal characters within a single brand.
Paiste: Precision, Consistency, and Swiss Engineering
Paiste is a Swiss company with roots going back to 1906, and they represent a fundamentally different approach to cymbal making than either Zildjian or Meinl. Where Zildjian and Meinl celebrate the natural variation of handmade cymbals, Paiste is built around precision, consistency, and scientific control of the manufacturing process.
The Paiste Sound
Paiste cymbals are known for their clarity, projection, and consistency. They use their own proprietary bronze alloys — most notably CuSn8 (2002 alloy) — and their manufacturing process is designed to produce cymbals that sound as close to identical as possible within a given model. This is not a limitation — it's a deliberate design philosophy that makes Paiste cymbals the choice of players who need to know exactly what they're going to get.
The 2002 series is Paiste's most iconic range — bright, powerful, and with a full, open sound that projects effortlessly in large venues. The 22" 2002 Ride (£349.00) is one of the most recognisable ride sounds in rock music — full, powerful, and with a bell that cuts through anything. The 18" 2002 Thin Crash (£259.00) and 16" 2002 Thin Crash (£215.00) are equally impressive — fast, full, and with a powerful wash that fills a room.
The Giant Beat series is Paiste's vintage-inspired range — darker and warmer than the 2002, with a more complex, musical character. The 15" Giant Beat Hi-Hats (£379.00) are a favourite among jazz and fusion drummers who want Paiste's consistency with a warmer, more musical tone.
For players who want professional Paiste quality at a more accessible price, the PST 8 range delivers excellent performance. The 14" PST 8 Reflector Rock Hi-Hats (£143.00) are a brilliant choice for rock and metal drummers who want Paiste's characteristic clarity and projection without the flagship price.
Who Is Paiste Best For?
Paiste is the choice of players who value consistency, clarity, and projection above all else. They're particularly strong for rock, metal, and large-venue playing — styles where you need a cymbal that projects effortlessly and sounds the same every night. The 2002 range is one of the great rock cymbal series, and the Giant Beat is a superb option for jazz and fusion players who want Paiste's consistency with a warmer character.
Best for: Rock and metal drummers; large-venue players; anyone who values consistency and precision over the natural variation of handmade cymbals.
Istanbul Agop: The Purest Expression of Turkish Cymbal Making
Istanbul Agop is the smallest of the four brands in this guide — and arguably the most focused. Founded in Istanbul in 1981 by master craftsman Agop Tomurcuk, the brand has maintained an unwavering commitment to traditional Turkish cymbal-making methods: hand-hammering, hand-lathing, and the kind of individual attention to each cymbal that is simply not possible at the scale of Zildjian, Meinl, or Paiste.
The Istanbul Agop Sound
Istanbul Agop cymbals are known for their dark, warm, and complex tone. They have a lower fundamental pitch, a rich wash of overtones, and a musical character that sits beautifully in acoustic and jazz contexts. They respond to light playing in a way that larger-scale manufactured cymbals cannot replicate — brushes, mallets, and light stick work bring out a complexity and musicality that is genuinely extraordinary.
The Traditional series is the purest expression of this philosophy — raw, complex, and with a tonal character that takes time to fully appreciate. The Sultan series offers a more refined version of the same character, with a slightly more controlled wash and a more defined attack. The 20" Sultan Jazz Ride (£319.00) is one of the finest jazz rides we stock at any price point.
At the top of the range, the 30th Anniversary series represents the pinnacle of Istanbul Agop's craft — individually voiced, handpicked bronze, and made in very limited quantities. The 14" 30th Anniversary Hi-Hats (£499.00) and 22" 30th Anniversary Ride (£535.00) are among the finest cymbals we have ever stocked.
For players new to the brand, the Xist Traditional series is an excellent entry point — genuine Turkish character at a more accessible price, with the 14" Xist Traditional Hi-Hats (£308.00) being a particularly popular choice.
Who Is Istanbul Agop Best For?
Istanbul Agop is the choice of jazz drummers, acoustic players, and anyone who wants the purest expression of traditional Turkish cymbal making. They are not the right choice for rock or metal — they don't have the projection or the attack for high-volume playing. But for players who value tonal complexity, dynamic sensitivity, and musical character above all else, Istanbul Agop is in a class of its own.
Best for: Jazz and acoustic drummers; players who value tonal complexity and dynamic sensitivity; anyone who wants the finest handmade Turkish cymbals available.
Head-to-Head: Which Brand Is Right for You?
For rock, pop, and high-volume playing: Zildjian A Custom or Paiste 2002. Both project effortlessly and cut through a loud band. The A Custom is brighter and more cutting; the 2002 is fuller and more powerful. Try both if you can.
For jazz and acoustic playing: Istanbul Agop or Zildjian K. Istanbul Agop is the more focused choice — darker, more complex, and with a tonal character that is uniquely Turkish. The K series is more versatile and covers a wider range of jazz styles. If you play exclusively jazz and acoustic music, Istanbul Agop. If you play jazz but also need to cover other styles, K series.
For studio and fusion playing: Meinl Byzance. The breadth of the Byzance range — from the dark and complex Traditional to the dry and defined Extra Dry — makes it the most versatile choice for players who need to cover multiple tonal characters. The handcrafted quality is exceptional at every price point in the range.
For consistency and precision: Paiste. If you need to know exactly what you're going to get — night after night, venue after venue — Paiste's manufacturing precision is unmatched. The 2002 range in particular is a benchmark for consistent, reliable performance.
For the finest handmade cymbals regardless of price: Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary or Meinl Byzance Artist Concept Models. Both represent the absolute pinnacle of what handcrafted cymbal making can achieve.
Cymbal Brand FAQs
Which cymbal brand do professional drummers use most?
All four brands are used by world-class professional drummers. Zildjian and Meinl have the largest artist rosters, but Paiste and Istanbul Agop are equally well represented at the highest levels of professional drumming. The brand a professional uses reflects their personal sound preference, not a hierarchy of quality.
Are handmade cymbals better than machine-made cymbals?
Not necessarily better — different. Handmade cymbals (Istanbul Agop Traditional, Meinl Byzance) have more natural variation and tonal complexity. Machine-made cymbals (Paiste, entry-level Zildjian) have more consistency and predictability. The right choice depends on what you value in a cymbal.
What is the difference between B20 and B8 bronze?
B20 bronze (80% copper, 20% tin) is the traditional cymbal alloy used by Zildjian, Meinl Byzance, and Istanbul Agop. It produces a warm, complex tone with rich overtones. B8 bronze (92% copper, 8% tin) is used in entry-level cymbals and produces a brighter, more cutting tone with less complexity. Most professional cymbals use B20.
Can I mix cymbals from different brands?
Absolutely — and many professional drummers do. There is no rule that says your hi-hats, crashes, and ride have to come from the same brand. Many players use Zildjian hi-hats with a Meinl ride, or Istanbul Agop crashes with a Paiste ride. The key is finding the combination that works for your sound.
Where can I try cymbals from all four brands before buying?
We stock cymbals from Zildjian, Meinl, Paiste, and Istanbul Agop in our Horncastle showroom in Lincolnshire. Playing cymbals in person is the only way to truly understand their character — call us on 01507 526517 to check current stock before making the trip, or order online with UK next day delivery available.
Shop Cymbals at Into Music
We are an authorised dealer for Zildjian, Meinl, Paiste, and Istanbul Agop — stocking one of the largest ranges of cymbals available from a UK independent drum retailer. Whether you're looking for your first serious cymbal upgrade or the finest handmade instruments available, we can help you find the right cymbal for your playing.
Not sure which brand or series is right for you? Visit us in our Horncastle showroom or call us on 01507 526517 for expert advice, or order online with UK next day delivery available.