Founded in 1981, the Canadian company Sabian is the fledgling among the world’s four leading cymbal manufacturers, predated by earlier 20th-century European innovators Paiste and Meinl and venerable 17th-century cymbal godfather Zildjian.
Robert Zildjian founded Sabian after the death of his father, Avedis Zildjian III. When another son, Armand Zildjian, was awarded control of the family-named company, a rift developed between the brothers. Robert Zildjian was eventually awarded the New Brunswick-based factory that had produced the classic K Zildjian line, originally developed by Kerope Zildjian in Turkey during the 19th century. (The K ride cymbal became a historical, standard piece of jazz equipment.) Robert named his new company using the first two letters in each of his three children’s names (Sally, Bill and Andy).
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