Istanbul Mehmet
Istanbul Mehmet
Also known as: Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals
UnclaimedIstanbul Mehmet is a Turkish cymbal manufacturer based in Esenyurt, Istanbul, producing handcrafted cymbals rooted in a tradition of Turkish cymbal-making that dates back centuries. The company was co-founded by master cymbalsmiths Mehmet Tamdeger and Agop Tomurcuk, who had each trained in the craft from childhood — Mehmet having apprenticed under Mikhail Zilcan, grandson of the legendary Kerop...
$109.45 - $142.00
in Splash Cymbals Rank
Istanbul Mehmet is a Turkish cymbal manufacturer based in Esenyurt, Istanbul, producing handcrafted cymbals rooted in a tradition of Turkish cymbal-making that dates back centuries. The company was co-founded by master cymbalsmiths Mehmet Tamdeger and Agop Tomurcuk, who had each trained in the craft from childhood — Mehmet having apprenticed under Mikhail Zilcan, grandson of the legendary Kerope Zilcan, and Agop having risen to chief cymbalsmith at the only cymbal factory in Turkey before it ceased Turkish production in 1977. Together they established their cymbal works in 1980 under the name Zilciler ("Cymbal Makers"), soon rebranding as Istanbul, and began exporting to the United States by the early 1980s. After Agop Tomurcuk's passing in 1996, his sons departed to form Istanbul Agop, and the original company continued under the name Istanbul Mehmet.
The company offers an extensive catalog organized into Heritage, Custom, and Modern families. Heritage lines include the Traditional, Nostalgia, Mehmet Legend, Legend Dark, and Black Sea series, while Custom offerings feature the Sultan, Turk, Empire, and Sahra series. The Modern range encompasses the Radiant, Session, Hamer, X Series, and Murathan lines, among others. Istanbul Mehmet also produces signature cymbals, including Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez's line — known for its brushed finish and raw bell — and Carmine Appice's Realistic Rock series, designed for power and projection. The brand's first high-profile endorser was jazz legend Mel Lewis, who upon hearing the cymbals at the 1982 NAMM Show reportedly declared "They're back!" — a reference to the sound of the classic hand-hammered Turkish cymbals he had long championed. Other artists associated with the brand include John JR Robinson and Erik Smith.
Istanbul Mehmet has 4 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Hi-hat Cymbals, Splash Cymbals, and Crash Cymbals. Their gear is featured by 2 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock and Metal. Notable users include Vinny Appice and Simon Carminati.
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