Turkish Cymbals Ad Astra Crash – Warm Darkness

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: Warm, Dark and Controlled

The Ad Astra Crash in 18" is no ordinary crash cymbal – it is an instrument with depth and character. Thanks to the natural, unlathed surface of the Ad Astra series it develops a warm, dark sound with a fast response and a funky, controlled sustain. It does not sound shrill or overwhelming – it is round, organic and musical. The large, lathed bell provides a clear contrast to the dark playing surface: snappy, defined and assertive. With lighter strokes in particular, this cymbal responds with a fine articulation that many crash cymbals of this size simply cannot offer.

Applications: Rock, Funk, Fusion and Nuanced Playing

The Ad Astra Crash is an excellent centrepiece crash for drummers who prefer a warm, distinctive sound over an aggressive, bright crash. In Rock, Funk and Fusion it delivers powerful yet controlled accents. In a studio context it impresses with its nuanced response to different playing techniques – its character shifts depending on stick weight and strike position. In combination with the 22" Ad Astra Ride and the 20" Crash-Ride it forms a harmonically matched cymbal system with a unified tonal 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.