Turkish Cymbals Ad Astra Bell – Melodic Precision

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: Clear, Defined and Melodic

The Ad Astra Bell cymbals are available in three sizes – 6", 8" and 10" – offering a complete spectrum of high, mid and low pitches. These harmonically matched resonances open up entirely new creative possibilities: used individually they deliver a precise, clear bell tone with an elegantly dark-tinged character – typical of the Ad Astra series. Played as a trio they produce melodic and percussive rhythmic patterns ideal for complex sonic textures in a drum setup. One customer from our community summed it up perfectly: "Superb cymbals – they blend beautifully with the other sizes and work wonderfully as a set."

Applications: Creative Accents, Fusion, World Music and Percussion

Ad Astra Bells are versatile tools for drummers and percussionists who think beyond the ordinary. As an alternative ride voice they can drive the rhythm just as effectively as a classic ride cymbal – but with a completely different, darker character. In Fusion, Progressive Rock and World Music they create melodic anchor points that give the groove structure. Percussionists value the Bell cymbals as a versatile effect instrument in acoustic setups – light, precise and tonally complex.

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.