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Cymbals  

It’s impossible to think of a Beatles performance without envisioning Ringo “painting” his hi-hats with his trademark swing technique, transitioning to the bell of his ride cymbal during a song’s “middle eight”, or dropping a perfectly placed crash after a uniquely syncopated fill. His technique and creative choices around cymbal playing and selection are as much a part of his musical legacy as his drums. However, identifying each of Ringo’s cymbals and pinpointing when they were used is a daunting task and, for history’s sake, cannot be left to speculation. 

Headway has been made to document the Beatles-era cymbals that remain in Ringo’s possession.  He has verified others, and those can provide first hand accounts. Forensic photo analysis has aided in confirming and identifying other cymbals by their shapes, stamps, and other markings, including the photograph's time. A broad spectrum of cymbals was used by Ringo, including Ajax, Paiste, Super Zyn, Zildjian & Zyn.

Ringo's verified cymbals

Verified Cymbals

To start the journey of learning about the cymbals that Ringo used is more complicated than the typical answer that he used all Zildjian 14-inch hi-hats with 18 & 20-inch crash/ride cymbals

Let's step back to 1959/60 when Ringo used his Ajax Edgware drum kit with Rory Storm & The Hurricanes.

 

20" Paiste Stambul or Ajax

18" Zyn Sizzle (4 rivets removed)

14" Hi Hats

Cracked 18" Zildjian A crash ride
Cracked 18" Zildjian A crash ride bottom

1963

 

20" Paiste Stambul

18" Zyn Sizzle (4 rivets removed)

14" Hi Hats

Ringo's 18" Zildjian A crash ride top
Ringo's 18" Zildjian A crash ride bottom

1964

 

20" Paiste Stambul

20" Zyn 4 rivet Sizzle

20" Zildjian A

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride 

14" Zildjian A Hi Hats

1965

 

20" Zildjian A Crash Ride (2)

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride (2)

14" Zildjian A Hi Hats

1966

 

20" Zildjian A (2)

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride (2)

20" Zyn Sizzle w/ 5 rivets

 

14" Zildjian A Hi Hats

20 inch Zyn sizzle 5 rivets

1967

 

20" Zyn Sizzle w/ 5 rivets

20" Super Zyn

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride (2)

14" Zildjian A Hi Hats

1968

 

20" Zildjian A Crash Ride

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride

14" Zildjian A Hi Hats

1969

 

20" Paiste Formula 602 Medium Ride

20" Zyn 5 rivet Sizzle

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride

14" Zildjian A top, Paiste Sound Edge bottom Hi Hats

10" Zildjian A Splash

1970

 

20" Paiste Formula 602 Medium Ride

20" Zyn 5 rivet Sizzle

18" Zildjian A Crash Ride

14" Zildjian A Hi Hats

10" Zildjian A Splash

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