Consumer ProductsFact 2 of 10
The leading manufacturer of cymbals, Avedis Zildjian, traces its origin back to Istanbul in 1623 (it is now in Norwood, Massachusetts). Tiny, high-pitched cymbals known as "crotales" are worn by dancers on their fingers. Crotales' popular name, "zils," comes from the manufacturer. The ingredients for Zildjian's bronze cymbals are mostly copper, plus some tin and silver, but the exact amounts are a centuries-old family secret. Full-size cymbals are part of the percussion sections of the world's leading orchestras. A little-known use of copper is in classical guitars. According to David Starobin, head of the classical guitar department at the Manhattan School of Music, the bass strings are wrapped in silver plated copper.
