This series captures the classic “A” sound of the 1960’s and include 20 and 21-inch Rides, 16 and 18-inch Medium Thin and Thin Crashes, 13 and 14-inch HiHats and a 10-inch Splash. All are available in a Traditional finish.

The new Armand Series is part of the “A Zildjian” range of cymbals, but offers its own unique characteristics. New shaping techniques create a slightly lower profile than the current A Zildjians and help to offer a special warm and smooth blend of overtones. Lighter weight specifications promote a faster cymbal response with special lower pitched overtones without loss of projection potential, and a tighter lathe pattern on the top of each model results in a unique feel.

Armand Rides
The 20 and 21-inch Armand Rides are medium-thin in weight and offer a sweet shimmering quality of overtones without loss of control or Ride articulation and feature a larger sized cup for excellent bell access. The existing 19-inch Armand Ride features a three-rivet cluster and Armand’s signature and “Beautiful Baby” laser etched into the cymbal.

Armand Medium Thin Crashes
The 16 and 18-inch Armand Medium Thin Crashes contain a robust body of overtones while cutting easily through with a bright and fast response. The 16 and 18-inch Armand Thin Crashes are extra fast, bright and shimmering with a warm full blend of overtones. Perfect for bright and clear accents, the paper-thin weight 10-inch Armand Splash will complement any set-up.

Armand HiHats
Featuring a medium-thin weight top and a medium weight bottom, the 13 and 14-inch Armand HiHats have a fast response and an articulate cymbal sound with a warm “chick” and are versatile enough for almost any style of music.

Zildjian says the new Armand Series resurrect the sounds of the 60\'s with these new models. Many drummers of groundbreaking bands used A Zildjian cymbals to make their mark. You can hear Zildjian’s sound in recordings The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and The Rolling Stones.

Armand Zildjian
Born in Milton, Massachusetts in 1921, Armand was the first Zildjian to be born and raised in America. In the European tradition, Armand was immersed in the family business at a very early age. As an eight year old, Armand witnessed his uncle Aram’s historic visit to America. With Aram’s help, the business was relocated from Constantinople to Massachusetts in 1929 just months before the Great Depression.

Armand, himself an amateur musician, always felt fortunate to have been born into a musical tradition. By the time he was fourteen, he had been taught the Zildjian secret process of melting alloys and was skilled in every phase of the manufacturing operation. His father, Avedis III, insisted that Armand work Saturdays, school vacations and summers, but Armand never resented the long hours he worked. “My Father came from the old country”, said Armand, “and that’s just how it was. And, I’m thankful that I was brought up that way.”

In the years to come, Armand developed close friendships with Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Shelly Manne, Elvin Jones and all the great drummers of the day. Armand then passed along what he had learned from that generation of legendary drummers to help the next generation of drummers find their signatory sounds.

After the War, Armand assumed full responsibility for manufacturing. This allowed him the freedom to experiment and develop new sounds, something he continued to do for the rest of his life. Armand enjoyed his role in R & D, which came naturally to him. In his words, “You have to follow the music and listen to the people who are playing it and learn from them. Then you have to make your product go where they are going.”

During his 65-year career, Armand was awarded a number of honors. In 1988, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music. In 1994, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. He was also one of the few manufacturers to be honored at the “Rock Walk” on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, and in 2002 was presented with the Modern Drummer Editor’s Achievement Award. Despite all these accolades, Armand (like his father before him) remained a very humble man, who was commonly described as unpretentious.

Armand’s daughter and company CEO, Craigie, strongly agrees that Armand used his charismatic personality and legendary humor to put people at ease. And, although he was considered to be the world’s foremost authority on cymbals, he was very approachable. People felt comfortable coming to him to discuss their cymbal needs. Armand was so approachable because he believed that Zildjian’s mission was to remain stewards of a 380 year-old tradition of serving drummers and percussionists around the world.

Armand Zildjian passed away December 26, 2002 at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 81.