Istanbul Agop Xist - cymbal series

According to Istanbul Agop's official website, the Xist series cymbals we are talking about in this review are "the most modern variety of traditional Turkish cymbals." When using the word "modern", the company means a thin groove on both sides of the plates. The processing is still done by hand, but the pattern seems to be more elaborate than on the rest of the company's products. Whether you're aiming for a bright, spacious, light or funky sound, the new Xist models bring classic Turkish sound with a modern twist. Another modern element is forging, which is done by a special adjustable machine, some kind of plate equivalent of a sewing machine. The specialist controls the force and speed of the blows of the automatic hammer. This processing makes the sound of Xist cymbals more focused. Thus, we can agree with Istanbul Agop's statement that Xist cymbals (which come in two finishes - traditional Natural and polished Brilliant) can still be considered "hand-finished".

Ride 24″

This is a fairly powerful ride, weighing just over 3kg. You can play it delicately and still have a great effect, but the ride sounded best when I applied it with enough force. The metal is heavy, so sticks should be no thinner than model 5A. Ride has a modern sound whether you're playing a steady-tempo rhythm or trying to create something more complex. The sound comes out tight and interesting. Despite its size, the Xist 24" ride can be tamed quickly and confidently. It sounds clean and even. It's a pleasure to play, I really enjoyed it and produced exactly the sound I wanted.

Crash 22″

It's a fairly subtle crash, but easy to play in a variety of situations. If you hit lightly, you get a warm sound that is suitable for easy losses. If I turned up the pressure, it would explode like you would hear on classic rock and jazz records with a single overhead mic. The crash can hardly be called short, the sound will fade away one or two measures. The loud, fast game is lost. Finely crafted grooves give the crash a crisp sound no matter what or where you hit it. It is also worth noting the high sound quality of the crash on the recording.

Hi-hats 15″

The popularity of large hi-hats seems quite reasonable, but as the size approaches 16”, it becomes more difficult to achieve an articulate sound when played quickly. This fifteen-inch hat provides a nice midrange. It is suitable for big bands and bands with a hard rock bent. (I'd like to try playing a lower weight hat like this.) As an experiment, I placed tape pieces on opposite ends of the top cymbal to dry out the sound a bit, and instead of being bright and clear, I got a dirtier sound. When the head of the stick was closer to the cup, it produced a great funky sound in the style of R&B legend James Gadson.

Hi-hat 10″ Brilliant Ion

It was fun to play on it, you will not say anything. Loud, dirty, but surprisingly clear sounding. It is made to give digital sound - like an eight-bit sample. I think he does a good job of this. This hat is suitable for any genre, especially if it is used as an additional one. But even if it will be the main one along with the Xist 22” and 24” cymbals, it will still give an excellent sound and confirm the high class of the manufacturer. The small size of the cymbals will allow you to achieve a lot: articulate sound, good volume, clear tone, long sustain.

Conclusion

The different cymbal models in the Xist series have a lot in common, but they will sound great with any drum kit. They can be used in any genre and you should definitely get to know them better. However, keep in mind that the 24” model will require a fairly large case. By the way, such a case can also be purchased from Istanbul Agop.