Istanbul Mehmet Traditional Cymbal

Istanbul Mehmet cymbals carry a rich heritage rooted in the traditional handcrafting techniques of Turkish cymbal making. The brand was co-founded by Mehmet Tamdeğer, who learned the art of cymbal smithing as an apprentice under the K. Zildjian family in Istanbul. Following the closure of the original K. Zildjian factory in Turkey, Mehmet partnered with Agop Tomurcuk to form Istanbul Cymbals in 1980.

After Agop's passing, the company split into two separate entities: Istanbul Mehmet and Istanbul Agop. Today, Istanbul Mehmet remains a family-owned company, dedicated to preserving the ancient methods of hand-hammering and hand-lathing. Each cymbal is produced in their workshop in Istanbul, Turkey, using secret B20 bronze alloys, ensuring a unique and high-quality sound that is sought after by professional drummers worldwide.