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PRODUCT CLOSE-UP
Amedia Kommagene Series Cymbals
Commagene is the name of an ancient civilization that existed from 163 BC to 72 AD in a region of Europe that now comprises south-central Turkey. Amedia, whose factory is based in Turkey, with a U.S. offi ce in New Jersey, recently designed a line of cymbals to pay tribute to the historic kingdom, calling it Kommagene to refl ect the Turkish spelling. These new cymbals are distinctly old-
world in appearance, featuring fl at profi les, unhammered bells, light and wide lathing, hand-hammered bows, and a proprietary aged fi nish, but they’re built for modern strength and stability. We were sent a set that included 15" hi-hats, an 18" crash, a 22" ride, and a 20" fl at ride. Let’s check them out.
28 Modern Drummer January 2016
Dark-fi nish cymbals with appropriately dark yet cutting tones.
15" Hi-Hats Kommagene hi-hats were fi rmer and heavier than I expected, given that most vintage or vintage-style pairs I’ve played have been very light and papery. These have a medium-thin top and a medium bottom with high, round bells and relatively fl at profi les, which translated into a crisp foot chick, low-pitched and metallic splashes, and chunky, clean stick articulation. The fi nish helped to tamp sustain, so these hi-hats didn’t get overly washy when played partially or fully open. On a low-volume gig in a rather cavernous room, they ended up having a bit too much presence. (I probably should’ve opted for a pair of the aforementioned light, thin vintage hats for that particular gig.)
Black cherry
But they produced strong, musical, and expressive tones that were dark yet evenly balanced, and they blended well with the other cymbals in the series. Think more Jack DeJohnette than Papa Jo Jones.
18" Crash Like the hi-hats, the Kommagene 18" crash had a fi rmer feel than I expected, given its relatively light weight, with a controlled sustain, which would come in handy in lighter situations where you don’t want accents to obliterate the band with excessive wash. You could lay into it pretty heavily and get back down to a very soft pianissimo dynamic almost immediately. The crash tone was evenly balanced and slightly shimmery. It wasn’t overly dark, so it
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