Turkish Cymbals Ad Astra Splash – Controlled 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: Dark, Direct and Dry

The Ad Astra Splash cymbals deliver a sound that is rare among splashes: dark, dry and controlled. No shrill highs, no exuberant wash – instead a direct, powerful response with subdued brilliance that makes its accent and disappears immediately. The short, dry sustain makes these splashes precise tools that underscore the groove at just the right moment rather than overwhelming it. The natural, unlathed surface of the Ad Astra series gives the sound an organic texture that highly polished splash cymbals simply cannot offer.

Applications: Studio Work, Funk, Rock and Hand Percussion

The Ad Astra Splashes are ideal for drummers who need precise effects in the studio or on stage without cluttering the mix. In Funk, Rock and Fusion they deliver pointed accents with real character. Since the three sizes 6", 8" and 10" each offer a different pitch – from very high through mid to low – they can also be stacked to create a trashier effect sound. Thanks to their light, thin construction, these cymbals are also an excellent choice for hand percussionists seeking an authentic, dark effect sound.

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.