Turkish Cymbals Ad Astra China-Ride – Earthy Depth

The Ad Astra series by Turkish Cymbals takes its name from the Latin motto "Ad astra per aspera" – "Through hardship to the stars." It is the result of over 20 years of stage, touring and studio experience of Turkish drummer and cymbal designer Özgür Can Öney, who worked alongside the master craftsmen of the Turkish Cymbals workshop in Istanbul to develop a series that combines large, dark sounds with controlled, texture-rich performance. Visually, these cymbals are reminiscent of an Ottoman shield – dark finish from the furnace process, natural unlathed surface, and a strikingly large bell.

Sound Character: Earthy, Dark and Long-Sustaining

The Ad Astra China-Ride in 20" is a cymbal with a rare sonic personality. The intense forging process creates a shallow curve in the rim that produces an earthy, slightly washy sound with dark, long-sustaining resonance. Drummers describe this character as a deep, resonant "Ahhh…" – a sound that slowly opens up and fills the room. This characteristic sustain makes it ideal for dramatic swells and pronounced accents meant to linger. At the same time this China cymbal can also be played as a ride cymbal – from earthy Rock grooves to finely accented Jazz.

Applications: Rock, Jazz, Fusion and Experimental Playing

The Ad Astra China-Ride speaks to drummers seeking a unique, dark sonic character that no conventional China cymbal can offer. In Rock it produces massive, cinematic crash moments. In Jazz and Fusion the ride function delivers an unusually warm, open tone with organic character. In experimental and progressive music styles the China-Ride is a creative tool for drummers looking to expand their sonic palette beyond classic cymbal types. The wide tonal range – from powerful Rock to finely accented Jazz – makes it a rare all-rounder with an unmistakable identity.

Craftsmanship from Istanbul – At the Best Price

Every Ad Astra cymbal is crafted at the Turkish Cymbals workshop in Istanbul following a tradition that reaches back centuries. The secret B20 bronze alloy – 80% copper, 20% tin – is hand-cast, heated in traditional furnaces, and hammered thousands of times by master craftsmen. Only the bell is lathed – the rest of the surface deliberately remains raw and untreated. This gives each cymbal its organic, natural character that cannot be replicated in any factory. We at Cymballand are proud, as the official partner of Turkish Cymbals, to bring this craftsmanship directly to you – without intermediaries, at the best price.