Zultan Cymbals is a German-based brand known for offering high-quality, professional-grade cymbals at an attractive price point. The company was established in the year 2000 with the goal of providing drummers with the craftsmanship and sound of traditional Turkish cymbals without the high cost of major brands.

Core Philosophy and Manufacturing

Zultan’s fundamental principle is to combine traditional craftsmanship with accessible pricing.

• Handmade in Turkey: Most Zultan cymbals are handmade in Turkey using age-old manufacturing techniques, including traditional casting and hand-hammering. This process is crucial to achieving the complex, rich sonic characteristics associated with Turkish-style cymbals.
• Premium Bronze Alloy: The majority of their professional series cymbals are crafted from B20 bronze (80% copper and 20% tin). Some unique series, like the CS and AEON, also feature the less common, and very durable, B25 bronze (75% copper and 25% tin).
• Direct Sales Model: A significant factor in their attractive pricing is the brand’s close relationship with the German retailer Thomann, often resulting in a streamlined distribution model that cuts out layers of traditional markups.

Sound and Series Variety

Zultan offers a broad catalog of cymbal series designed to cover virtually every musical style, from subtle jazz to heavy rock.

• Versatile Sound Profile: While generally considered to be of a Turkish tradition, which often implies warm, earthy, and complex tones, Zultan’s extensive range includes cymbals that are bright, dry, loud, or mellow.
• Notable Series:
  • Caz Series: Known for a thinner profile, warm, mellow, and responsive sounds ideal for jazz, blues, and acoustic genres.
  • Q Series: Features an extravagant look with partially milled and untreated areas, delivering a full, deep sound with great dynamic range.
  • Dark Matter/Raw Series: Offer very dark, dry, and fast-decaying tones, popular for funk, hip-hop, and gospel.
  • F5 Series: Zultan’s loudest series, designed for rock and metal drummers who need maximum volume and cut.

Reputation

The brand is highly regarded in the drumming community for its value proposition. Drummers frequently praise Zultan for delivering « pro-quality » sound and traditional hand-hammering that rivals more established, expensive brands. They are often viewed as an excellent alternative for drummers looking to upgrade from entry-level cymbals without the budget of major industry competitors.