At the age of nine Mehmet Tamdeðer start to work for Mikhail Zilcan, grandson of Kerope Zildcan. Mikhail Zilcan and Kirkor Küçükyan taught them every aspect of this ancient Turkish art. Based on a history that stems back to the early 17th century.

When Mehmet Tamdeðer and Agop Tomurcuk founded the Ýstanbul Cymbal Company in the early 1980's, they had over three decades of cymbal making experience. Mehmet and Agop named their company after the city that has been home to the epitome of high quality cymbals for many, many years: Ýstanbul.

After Agop Tomurcuk's unexpected death in July 1996, Mehmet decided to continue the production of cymbals under his own name Ýstanbul Mehmet. A lot has changed since then, but his belief in the richness and the character of a handmade cymbal will always remain. Machines don't have ears. That's why we contiue to make our cymbals according to the ancient tradition - with an open eye towards the music that's being made now, and in the future.