Visiting Istanbul Mehmet Cymbal Factory
Today I got to live one of my dreams and visit a cymbal factory, and what’s more, one in the spiritual home of modern cymbals – Istanbul! The long trek from my cosy hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district to a drab industrial estate an hour to the west was immediately justified when I was greeted by some grubby young teenagers who assured my signed questioning that I had, at last, arrived at the Istanbul Mehmet Cymbal factory. You’ve just got to …
… good choice.
A few glasses of Turkish tea and my own personal guide to the Istanbul Mehmet cymbal vault kept me busy for a good three hours. While I must admit I had previously not been taken by the relatively new entrants to the cymbal market, having an opportunity to thoroughly examine and test the complete range gave me an appreciation of some of the fine cymbals they have on offer. I am pleased to say that I found many more cymbals worthy of adoption than I could afford, or justify, to purchase, nonetheless, I left with a little more than token purchase. After the dizzying highs of a dream come true I was given the royal tour of the factory.
The roller that turns obtuse little alloy nuggets into the basic cymbal plater.
The cymbal press that shapes the all important cymbal bell.
Into the fire, magic happens here.
The furnace holds a number of cymbals at a time. After this they are plugged into water. This process alters the structure of the metal.
That characteristic and essential hole is vigorously punched.
The edges of the cymbals are trimmed to ensure a true circular shape.
The unlathed cymbals await lathing, hammering and polishing.
Here the craftsmen lathe, hammer and polish the cymbals to give them there distinct sounds. The finished products are tested for quality before being stamped with the company logo and branding. Then some crazy foreign snaps them up and has to lug them all the way home to their country of origin.
Just in case you want to know, I purchased:
- 13″ Xperience X-metal Hi-hats
- 16″ Xperience X-metal China
- 6″ Turk Splash
- 6″ Hand & Stick Splash (for Lauren)
Of course, you can imagine buying at the factory in Turkey means great value. The above haul cost me less than buying one piece from a retail outlet in Australia. Plus they threw in a cymbal bag and a bunch of stickers!
January 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Ooh a dream come true. Now, where is the drum factory?
January 6th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Dude, nice blog.
I always like stories of visiting ‘Authentic’ cymbal factories etc. Great pics, writing and of course purchase. 
My mate Joel uses Istambul Cymbals. Cheers.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
AWESOME!
January 7th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
AWESOME!!! that wouldve been crazy cool, good photo essay too btw!!
March 17th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Hi,
I’m gonna visit Istambul and I would like to know the adress factory. Is it possible?
Thanks!
March 17th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Their web site (http://www.istanbulmehmet.com/) has the following address details:
Evren Oto Sanayi Sitesi 5. Blok No:10 Hoşdere Yolu Esenyurt – İstanbul / TURKEY
Tel : (+90) 212 672 16 01 – 672 65 22
Faks : (+90) 212 672 65 11
I caught a taxi from the Istanbul airport to the factory (which wasn’t exactly cheap) but on return they were able to drop me off at a local bus stop so I could make my way back into Istanbul central. You should contact them before you visit to let them know you’re coming, ask them about public transport (if you need it) and remember to bring wads of Turkish money with when you visit; they don’t take credit card and their exchange rate is terrible. It’s definitely a full day’s activity, requires some effort and expense but is well worth it. Good luck!
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
all of a sudden i want to hang out in istanbul for a week or two. do they have displays of all their cymbal lines at the factory so i can hear them? is it a lot cheaper to buy them there?
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 am
Hey Paul great blog! Im 13 an traveling the world for a year. Our last stop is istanbul, im so exited. Im on a budget for my cymbals and i was wondering how much your cost?
JACKSON
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Hey Paul sounds like it was great! Im 13 and traveling the world for a year and our last stop is Istanbul. I want to buy cymbals but i would like to know how much yours were.
Thank you,
Jackson
October 21st, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Hey mate,
I’m a drummer from australia as well and would love to go to the factory in istanbul. you say it’s way cheaper over there…but how much? Like how much was the china or hats in AUD?
Thanks for any help
Alex
October 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
It’s definitely cheaper to buy at the factory, I think I spent a bit under USD 500 for what I bought. Of course, flying there could really dent the budget, but what an experience!
June 14th, 2010 at 5:02 am
Hi Paul great blog !!!!
I am off to Europe in two weeks time and I will be going to istambul as the last stop of my holyday. I want to get some cymbals too and I was wondering If I call them to let them know I am coming do they speak engish? because I can’t speak Turkish at all
cheers
Mark
June 15th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Hope this doesn’t come too late. You should find sufficient contact details from amongst the previous comments on this posting. I just googled the manufacturer’s and called them up when I arrived in Istanbul. Enjoy your trip!
June 17th, 2010 at 3:18 am
Thanks Paul I think I want to get some hi hats crash and ride from the Mehmet factory I am liking the sound of the Radient series, there’s a good video on youtube with a guy playng the traditional and radient series and a few others too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ghxr6_YLYY&feature=related
Btw did you have to haggle for the price you got?
is haggling a normal buying process in Turkey?
Thanks again!
June 17th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I didn’t haggle for price as they seemed quite well priced, couldn’t hurt to try in a respectful manner. It is important to take plenty of local currency with, once you’re there cymbal fever takes over!
I’ve been really happy with the Xperience X-Metal hats & China I bought. It makes a big difference being able to test every shape size & particular more than one of the same model, no two cymbals are ever the same.
Getting to an from there took a bit of planning. There is a bus that takes you most of the way there, however as it’s in an industrial estate you’ll need to catch Taxi for the last few minutes. The factory itself has no big signs out the front, my taxi driver took a couple of goes to find it, but don’t let that put you off. Just take their contact details with you, they speak English perfectly well. They were able to help me figure out public transport also.
Also worth trying to visit the Agop & Bosphorus factories if you have the time and pocket money
Enjoy!
June 17th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Thanks Again Paul for your valuable info! I will post some images and or video of my cymbal experience when I get back! we are leaving next Saturday! Bosforus Agop factory! I wish..,.. I dont think my feoncey would allow more than one day at cymbal factories
is there anything else I should not miss during my stay in Istambul?
June 19th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Sounds great! Definitely go to the Grand Bazaar, it’s amazing.