Turkish Cymbals John Blackwell Signature Series

The John Blackwell Signature series by Turkish Cymbals was created together with John Blackwell Jr. (1973–2017): the cymbals were developed to his specifications and wishes and made for him. From 2000, Blackwell drummed for Prince and The New Power Generation, on and off, for about twelve years; he also played with Patti LaBelle, Justin Timberlake, D'Angelo and Bootsy Collins. While still studying at Berklee College of Music, he was already on stage in Boston’s jazz clubs. Of Turkish Cymbals, he said: “I am happy to be part of Turkish Cymbals, the new best cymbal. You won't regret.”

B20 bronze with a raw bell

All the cymbals in the series are cast and hammered by hand from B20 bronze in Istanbul, and all of them have a raw, unlathed bell. The surfaces differ from model to model: the heavy Ride is lathed and brilliant-polished, the China is polished by hand and not lathed, the Crash Thin and Ride Jazz have a Traditional finish, and the Hi-Hat combines a brush-like top cymbal with a Traditional bottom. In terms of sound, the series ranges from the bright ping of the Ride and the sharp chick of the Hi-Hat to the short, explosive China and the warm, open Ride Jazz.

Musical styles and cymbals in the series

The series is made for funk, soul, R'n'B and jazz-fusion – with the Signature Ride for rock as well, and with the Ride Jazz for jazz, too. It includes the John Blackwell Signature Ride with a bright ping and a dark bell, the thin John Blackwell Signature Ride Jazz with an open wash and a long sustain, the John Blackwell Signature Hi-Hat with a sharp chick, the fast John Blackwell Signature Crash Thin and the explosive John Blackwell Signature China. You can also browse the models by type under ride cymbals, hi-hat cymbals, crash cymbals and china & effect cymbals. You’ll find more cymbals for funk and soul in the NJG series and the Rhythm & Soul series.

As the official Turkish Cymbals dealer in Germany, we have been advising you personally since 2015 – with genuine expertise and shipping directly from Berlin. Discover the John Blackwell Signature series in hand-hammered B20 bronze.