RE-CREATING cymbals by hand-hammering - Page 2

Jax · 4th December 2006, 10:41 PM

The link to Johan's site is bringing up some weird real estate site for me. Anybody else able to get through?

**toolskid** · 4th December 2006, 10:44 PM

I think he's in the middle of updating his site right now!

What you're getting is the default '404 not found' page for his webspace provider

Johan VDS · 8th December 2006, 02:07 PM

Here's a Tony Williams-style 22" Complex "Nefertiti" Ride weighing 2425 grams.

SOUNDFILE

**toolskid** · 8th December 2006, 02:32 PM

I have been a Zildjian endorser for many years now, (my credits include many well-known artists, live/tv and studio- see CV section of my website if interested) and I've enjoyed support (tour and breakages etc..) and a combination of free and very cheap cymbals. I've taken my endorsement very seriously, always playing Z live and on telly + always giving a credit on albums I play on.

I just don't feel that the product that's available from the Big Z is able to perform as I require it to and so I've come to a somewhat unusual arrangement with Mr Johan VDS.

I will no longer be playing Zildjian cymbals, I will be playing a full set of his amazing creations at all my studio and live/tv dates from now on!

Unusually perhaps I will disclose the full terms of my deal with him here:

1. no discount - Johan's prices are so incredibly low for the massive amount of work he puts in, I couldn't ask for any reduction!!

2. no freebies - see above

3. no tour support - see above

I'm labouring this point, as I feel strongly that I'm doing the right thing giving up my financially benefical cymbal situation to play pies that are of just such astounding quality! I feel this is more of an 'endorsement' than my previous situation!

I'm no super high profile drummer, but I do work regularly in areas that get decent exposure and I hope I can help more people to experience these inspirational cymbals!

My endorsement list will now proudly read: Tamburo Drums, Johan Custom Cymbals, Trick pedals, Aquarian drumheads

All the very best to you all!

Emre

(DC) · 12th December 2006, 04:39 AM

Wow... this is a lot of amazing work. I'm gonna send a couple guys to you... this is awesome!

Johan VDS · 21st December 2006, 09:00 PM

Here's a 20" Light Complex Bright ride 1740 grams, hammered from a Ufip.

SOUNDCLIP

And an 18" Dark Crash, hammered from a Sabian AA El Sabor.

SOUNDCLIP

gfx · 7th January 2007, 11:11 PM

Just a quick post ,

Have just recorded toolskid's set of these cymbals with him bashing the skins and all I can say is wow.

best set of cymbals ive ever recorded.

Truly amazing sound.

gfx

Johan VDS · 10th January 2007, 09:59 AM

Thanks, Gfx, glad you like them !

Totally out of the blue a fellow member of this forum presented me with a great on-line Christmas present.... a website for my cymbals!!!

Johan Custom Cymbals

So I uploaded some new creations to it. You can mail me for prices (I'm not sure if mentioning prices is allowed here).

Amongst the new cymbals:

A 7" Splash, hammered from a B20 bronze disc.

SOUNDFILE

A 14" China.

SOUNDFILE

A 15" Dark Thin Crash.

SOUNDFILE

An 18" Dark Crashride.

SOUNDFILE

Jax · 10th January 2007, 10:35 AM

Very nice website upgrade!

Johan,

I know of a drumshop that might be interested in distributing your cymbals here in the US. If you're interested, I'll ask the owner. It would rock to get your cymbals heard and played on a wider scale in the states.

- Jax

Jax · 10th January 2007, 10:39 AM

Also, wondering if you do heavier rides? The rides sound great, but I'd be looking for a rock ride with alot of stick definition and deep ping, mild wash, with your style of overtones. Most of the rides I've heard on your site appear made for lighter playing.

**toolskid** · 10th January 2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax

Also, wondering if you do heavier rides? The rides sound great, but I'd be looking for a rock ride with alot of stick definition and deep ping, mild wash, with your style of overtones. Most of the rides I've heard on your site appear made for lighter playing.

He DEFINITELY makes a lot of heavier cymbals, I was lucky enough to visit Johan a little while ago and he had LOADS of heavy rides. They sound FREEEKIN great too!! I picked up one of his lighter heavy rides for myself actually as I'm a weedy hitter ;)!!!

Johan VDS · 10th January 2007, 02:46 PM

No problem for heavy cymbals, there's not a lot of them on my website but I can make them if you want.
Or you can send me a cymbal yourself to have it hammered.

Here's a fairly heavy 22" ride though:

SOUNDFILE

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolskid

I'm a weedy hitter ;)!!!

Don't you believe this guy...

Jax · 11th January 2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johan VDS

Here's a fairly heavy 22" ride though:

I like 'em Heavier! Lower pitch, stronger bell! Got those?

cosmos · 11th January 2007, 10:37 PM

Johan, i PM you .

Johan VDS · 12th January 2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax

I like 'em Heavier! Lower pitch, stronger bell! Got those?

Perhaps THIS one ?

But I'm using fairly light sticks for the recordings.

Jax · 12th January 2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johan VDS

Perhaps THIS one ?

But I'm using fairly light sticks for the recordings.

That is very good!

May I ask what chain you use for recording? Mic, preamp, converter... just so I know what effect it might have on what I'm hearing.

Thanks!

p.s. - I'll PM you about the price and availability.

Johan VDS · 13th January 2007, 04:08 PM

A ridiculously simple Realistic mic plugged into the soundcard of my PC. No eq or effects added.

Nu-tra · 14th January 2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johan VDS

A ridiculously simple Realistic mic plugged into the soundcard of my PC. No eq or effects added.

haha I was thinking oh those cymbals sound killer! I was thinking you had some crazy high end recording set up.

I love the way the cymbals sound.

Johan VDS · 22nd January 2007, 07:13 PM

20" Light Trashy Ride, 1715 grams, price 380 euro :

SOUNDFILE

17" Dark Fast Crash, 1070 grams, price 295 euro :

SOUNDFILE

20" Complex Ride 1900 grams, price 380 euro :

SOUNDFILE

17" Dark Crash (works as a light ride too) 1265 grams, price 295 euro :

SOUNDFILE

Johan VDS · 3rd February 2007, 11:23 AM

14" Medium Light Hihats, 856/940 grams, price is 380 euro.

SOUNDFILE

12" Hihats, price is 310 euro.

SOUNDFILE

Johan VDS · 28th April 2007, 09:49 AM

For reasons beyond my understanding, I haven't been able to access this forum for a long time (each time I tried, I was automatically redirected to a porn site, I'm not kidding).

Since then, quite a number of new cymbals can be seen and heard on my WEBSITE, just thought I'd let you guys now....

Also check out some of the more recent "before and after" clips...

Johan VDS · 17th September 2007, 01:56 PM

Here is an old 22" Avedis I've just finished re-creating. It was sent to me by a drummer from the USA.

Originally the cymbal was a 1940's transtamp at 2649gr, sounding fairly aggressive IMO and everything but clicky. The idea was to make it lighter, more jazzy and darker but with a better stick definition.
The finish had to be a regular type of lathing, not a patina finish or banded lathing like some of my other work.
I've totally re-hammered and re-shaped it and lathed it down to 2330 grams.

Here's a before and after soundclip....

It now looks like this:

Johan VDS · 19th September 2007, 10:03 PM

A French drummer sent me this Paiste 2002 20" Ride and asked me to re-create it into a (lighter) jazzy ride. The sound he had in mind was somewhere in between a regular jazzride and a flatride.

So (amongst others) I decided to considerably downsize the cup. As Paiste 2002 is made from B8, a soft alloy, dramatically downsizing the cup is possible, given enough hammering. It also involves hammering the rest of the cymbal, but that was necessary anyway to alter the sound of the cymbal towards a jazzy sound.

Here is the BEFORE AND AFTER CLIP

BEFORE AND AFTER pictures:

Johan VDS · 29th September 2007, 05:33 PM

Clips (and a few pics) of cymbals which I made from cracked cymbals are HERE

Johan VDS · 5th October 2007, 01:36 PM

Just re-created an Istanbul Agop Sig 22", here's a BEFORE AND AFTER clip.

drumzealot · 5th October 2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johan VDS

Here is an old 22" Avedis I've just finished re-creating. It was sent to me by a drummer from the USA.

Originally the cymbal was a 1940's transtamp at 2649gr, sounding fairly aggressive IMO and everything but clicky. The idea was to make it lighter, more jazzy and darker but with a better stick definition.
The finish had to be a regular type of lathing, not a patina finish or banded lathing like some of my other work.
I've totally re-hammered and re-shaped it and lathed it down to 2330 grams.

Here's a before and after soundclip....

On the one hand, cymbals have to be assessed in person.
On the other hand, this sounds friggin AMAZING!! Holy Spicoli!

I may be in Belgium this May. Could I visit your shop and purchase andor/ order a few cymbals?

Johan VDS · 5th October 2007, 07:37 PM

You're welcome. You can also bring some you want to have modified.

drumzealot · 9th October 2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumzealot

On the one hand, cymbals have to be assessed in person.
On the other hand, this sounds friggin AMAZING!! Holy Spicoli!

I may be in Belgium this May. Could I visit your shop and purchase andor/ order a few cymbals?

Is this ride for sale? If so what is the price? (I live the USA)

Johan VDS · 9th October 2007, 11:44 PM

PM sent

Jax · 10th October 2007, 06:34 AM

This thread is TOO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

4th December 2006, 10:44 PM	#32
toolskid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: london Posts: 2,113	I think he's in the middle of updating his site right now! What you're getting is the default '404 not found' page for his webspace provider __________________ Emre Ramazanoglu http://www.emremusic.com the wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision the whole universe. The fool, however, will just lie down on some seaweed and roll around until he's completely draped in it. Then he'll stand up and go "Hey, I'm vine man"

8th December 2006, 02:07 PM	#33
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	Here's a Tony Williams-style 22" Complex "Nefertiti" Ride weighing 2425 grams. SOUNDFILE __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

8th December 2006, 02:32 PM	#34
toolskid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: london Posts: 2,113	I have been a Zildjian endorser for many years now, (my credits include many well-known artists, live/tv and studio- see CV section of my website if interested) and I've enjoyed support (tour and breakages etc..) and a combination of free and very cheap cymbals. I've taken my endorsement very seriously, always playing Z live and on telly + always giving a credit on albums I play on. I just don't feel that the product that's available from the Big Z is able to perform as I require it to and so I've come to a somewhat unusual arrangement with Mr Johan VDS. I will no longer be playing Zildjian cymbals, I will be playing a full set of his amazing creations at all my studio and live/tv dates from now on! Unusually perhaps I will disclose the full terms of my deal with him here: 1. no discount - Johan's prices are so incredibly low for the massive amount of work he puts in, I couldn't ask for any reduction!! 2. no freebies - see above 3. no tour support - see above I'm labouring this point, as I feel strongly that I'm doing the right thing giving up my financially benefical cymbal situation to play pies that are of just such astounding quality! I feel this is more of an 'endorsement' than my previous situation! I'm no super high profile drummer, but I do work regularly in areas that get decent exposure and I hope I can help more people to experience these inspirational cymbals! My endorsement list will now proudly read: Tamburo Drums, Johan Custom Cymbals, Trick pedals, Aquarian drumheads All the very best to you all! Emre __________________ Emre Ramazanoglu http://www.emremusic.com the wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision the whole universe. The fool, however, will just lie down on some seaweed and roll around until he's completely draped in it. Then he'll stand up and go "Hey, I'm vine man"

12th December 2006, 04:39 AM	#35
(DC) Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 368	Wow... this is a lot of amazing work. I'm gonna send a couple guys to you... this is awesome! __________________ Dante Castro Audio Engineer / Producer

21st December 2006, 09:00 PM	#36
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	Here's a 20" Light Complex Bright ride 1740 grams, hammered from a Ufip. SOUNDCLIP And an 18" Dark Crash, hammered from a Sabian AA El Sabor. SOUNDCLIP __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

4th December 2006, 10:41 PM	#31
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,551	The link to Johan's site is bringing up some weird real estate site for me. Anybody else able to get through?

7th January 2007, 11:11 PM	#37
gfx Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 305	Just a quick post , Have just recorded toolskid's set of these cymbals with him bashing the skins and all I can say is wow. best set of cymbals ive ever recorded. Truly amazing sound. gfx

10th January 2007, 09:59 AM	#38
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	Thanks, Gfx, glad you like them ! Totally out of the blue a fellow member of this forum presented me with a great on-line Christmas present.... a website for my cymbals!!! Johan Custom Cymbals So I uploaded some new creations to it. You can mail me for prices (I'm not sure if mentioning prices is allowed here). Amongst the new cymbals: A 7" Splash, hammered from a B20 bronze disc. SOUNDFILE A 14" China. SOUNDFILE A 15" Dark Thin Crash. SOUNDFILE An 18" Dark Crashride. SOUNDFILE __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

10th January 2007, 10:35 AM	#39
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,551	Very nice website upgrade! Johan, I know of a drumshop that might be interested in distributing your cymbals here in the US. If you're interested, I'll ask the owner. It would rock to get your cymbals heard and played on a wider scale in the states. - Jax

10th January 2007, 10:39 AM	#40
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,551	Also, wondering if you do heavier rides? The rides sound great, but I'd be looking for a rock ride with alot of stick definition and deep ping, mild wash, with your style of overtones. Most of the rides I've heard on your site appear made for lighter playing.

11th January 2007, 10:37 PM	#44
cosmos Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Red Sea, IL. Posts: 628	Johan, i PM you . __________________ The Red Sea.

13th January 2007, 04:08 PM	#47
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	A ridiculously simple Realistic mic plugged into the soundcard of my PC. No eq or effects added. __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

22nd January 2007, 07:13 PM	#49
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	20" Light Trashy Ride, 1715 grams, price 380 euro : SOUNDFILE 17" Dark Fast Crash, 1070 grams, price 295 euro : SOUNDFILE 20" Complex Ride 1900 grams, price 380 euro : SOUNDFILE 17" Dark Crash (works as a light ride too) 1265 grams, price 295 euro : SOUNDFILE __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

3rd February 2007, 11:23 AM	#50
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	14" Medium Light Hihats, 856/940 grams, price is 380 euro. SOUNDFILE 12" Hihats, price is 310 euro. SOUNDFILE __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

28th April 2007, 09:49 AM	#51
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	For reasons beyond my understanding, I haven't been able to access this forum for a long time (each time I tried, I was automatically redirected to a porn site, I'm not kidding). Since then, quite a number of new cymbals can be seen and heard on my WEBSITE, just thought I'd let you guys now.... Also check out some of the more recent "before and after" clips... __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

17th September 2007, 01:56 PM	#52
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	Here is an old 22" Avedis I've just finished re-creating. It was sent to me by a drummer from the USA. Originally the cymbal was a 1940's transtamp at 2649gr, sounding fairly aggressive IMO and everything but clicky. The idea was to make it lighter, more jazzy and darker but with a better stick definition. The finish had to be a regular type of lathing, not a patina finish or banded lathing like some of my other work. I've totally re-hammered and re-shaped it and lathed it down to 2330 grams. Here's a before and after soundclip.... It now looks like this: __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

19th September 2007, 10:03 PM	#53
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	A French drummer sent me this Paiste 2002 20" Ride and asked me to re-create it into a (lighter) jazzy ride. The sound he had in mind was somewhere in between a regular jazzride and a flatride. So (amongst others) I decided to considerably downsize the cup. As Paiste 2002 is made from B8, a soft alloy, dramatically downsizing the cup is possible, given enough hammering. It also involves hammering the rest of the cymbal, but that was necessary anyway to alter the sound of the cymbal towards a jazzy sound. Here is the BEFORE AND AFTER CLIP BEFORE AND AFTER pictures: __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

29th September 2007, 05:33 PM	#54
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	Clips (and a few pics) of cymbals which I made from cracked cymbals are HERE __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

5th October 2007, 01:36 PM	#55
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	Just re-created an Istanbul Agop Sig 22", here's a BEFORE AND AFTER clip. __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

5th October 2007, 07:37 PM	#57
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	You're welcome. You can also bring some you want to have modified. __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

9th October 2007, 11:44 PM	#59
Johan VDS Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium, bruges Posts: 44	PM sent __________________ JOHAN Cymbal Re-Creation and Custom Cymbals

10th October 2007, 06:34 AM	#60
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,551	This thread is TOO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

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