The Zultan Story
It all started without a name
Introducing any new product is a special event and we gave our first Zultan cymbals a special launch at the beginning of the third millennium. At the Musikmesse trade show in Frankfurt in the year 2000 founder Martin Hofmann and his Brother Johannes presented our first ever cymbals without a brand or product name.
Naked, you might say. To ensuring that nothing would prejudice the drummers who gave their opinions on sound and quality, we decided to keep the origin and maker of our cymbals a secret.
Thankfully, the response was positive across the board. Even disregarding their price point, these cymbals held their own in terms of finishing, quality and sound when compared to cymbals by renowned makers.
That was the first chapter of the Zultan story, written before our cymbals even had a brand name.
When planning the market debut and distribution strategy for our cymbals, we chose to forge our own, less worn path. When we decided 20 years ago to offer our cymbals only online, many thought the internet was a poor sales medium for cymbals. It was no surprise that many drummers were sceptical. But that spurred us on towards an approach that was radically new at the time: make cymbals audible on the internet.
Zultan was the first brand in Germany (and probably worldwide) to offer audio files of its cymbals as part of the product description content. This was before YouTube even existed. From that point on, we have continually extended our cymbal range. Currently this encompasses 12 different cymbal series as well as attractive accessories, with each and every product displaying consistently high level of product quality despite the exceedingly attractive pricing.
The first series was christened the Rock Beat series. As is typical for a debut release, the range was limited in terms of the breadth of its appeal. Consequently, the new cymbals weren’t able to satisfy all tastes. Louder cymbals such as the Q and F5 were added to the portfolio, named after nature’s fiercest storms. Over time, we extended our Rock Beat and CS series, incidentally one of the world’s only cymbals made using B25 bronze.
Our passion for making great cymbals drove our product portfolio forward – as did our curiosity and sense of adventure! We expanded our portfolio with top quality series like the dry, open feel of our Dune cymbals or the refined overtones of the Orchestral series. The know-how and expertise of local artisans and their experience with traditional manufacturing enables us to offer an enticingly diverse range of cymbals delivering sonic and aesthetic variety thanks to a multitude of different processing techniques and tools.
In 2020, we celebrated our 20th year making quality cymbals available to players on any budget with a special, handmade Anniversary set that showed our ongoing commitment to the traditions of artisanal workmanship. Needless to say, this limited-edition set sold out very quickly.
The Series
Zultan cymbals are made from high-quality bell bronze with an alloy ratio of 80% copper and 20% tin.
The only exception is the CS series, which contains 25% tin and possesses its own distinct sonic
characteristics. The sonic variance within any one series is very small.
The Rock Beat series was the first series of cymbals offered under the Zultan brand. (...) Show Cymbal Set
As the name “Aja” suggests, the cymbals of this series are the only Zultan cymbals produced in China. (...) Show Cymbal Set
The hand-hammered cymbals of the Zultan Q series are easily distinguishable from regular cymbals by their looks. (...) Show Cymbal Set
The F5 series was named after the classification system for the wind speed and destructive force of tornadoes. This series contains Zultan’s loudest cymbals, perfect for drummers who love to let it rip. (...) Show Cymbal Set
There are only a few cymbal makers who possess the ability to process B25 bronze in a way that results in cymbals equally as durable as B20 cymbals. (...) Show Cymbal Set
The Caz cymbals are somewhat thinner and lighter than traditional Turkish cymbals. They offer a rapid response and rich harmonic content yet their volume range is not overpowering. (...) Show Cymbal Set
The Zultan Dark Matter series was introduced in the autumn of 2013. The cymbals receive their extraordinary, dark look from submerging them in a special liquid, before the resulting layer is polished with bronze fragments. (...) Show Cymbal Set
The RAW series was introduced in 2016. Instead of being milled, these cymbals are left in their raw state after an elaborate hammering process, resulting in their extraordinary look. (...) Show Cymbal Set
The Heritage series was created to honour the legacy of genius cymbal makers of the past. Each cymbal is meticulously hand-crafted according to ancient traditions and meets the highest standards. (...) Show Cymbal Set
From the blazing hellfire of Istanbul to the stages of the World.
Casting
After melting the copper and tin, the “hot lava”
will be filled into small pots.
Squeezing Machine / Heating
The blanks will be squeezed and heated
repeatedly to get the right size and thickness.
Bell-Press
The press shapes the cymbal and presses
the bell into to center of the cymbal.
Drilling
The hole for the cymbal stand is drilled.
Hammering
This is the most critical part of creating a cymbal.
Depending on the size of the hammer, the number
of hammer marks and the position the hammer
hits the surface, the cymbal achieves its unique
character and sound.
Milling
In the milling process the cymbal will be
given its shape and look of the surface and
it can also be made thinner.
Polishing
The polishing protects the cymbal’s surface
from dust and dirt and provides a longer life.
Logo printing
The Logo is printed by hand on each cymbal.
