Paiste Zilko

Zilko

Zilko logo

Zilko logo

Introduction: 1935

Discontinued: 1969*
Pending further investigation.*

Alloy: Brass MS63 - Nickel Silver

Quality: economy or general, mid-level cymbal

Background: The official Paiste '09 timeline states they were discontinued in 1960, but we found them on a Dallas-Arbiter price list in 1966.
They were first introduced using MS63 (brass alloy) from 1935-1948, when being made in Estonia.
Once Paiste relocated to Germany, they made the change to using NS12 (Nickel-silver alloy) and they started using the name Zilko Standard until around 1960 (see pic below).
We do know that these cymbals were not considered, top-of-the-line, rather they were intended as an economy or general, mid-level cymbal.
We do not exactly know what Paiste originally offered, however here's what we do know and includes the following types and sizes:

PAISTE '52 CATALOG:
Thin & Medium:
9" through 14" (Jazz type cymbals)
"Charleston" (hi-hats in pairs):
9" through 13" *Note: Hi hat cymbals were referred to as "Charleston" cymbals
Marching "Chinese style" (in pairs):
14" through 18" and 20"

ARBITER Ltd. '66 PRICE LIST: No weight designated: 11" through 16", 18", and 20"

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  Pre war Zilko logo

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  Pre war brass zilko

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  Zilko "be bop" cymbals

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  Zilko china

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  NS12 Zilko 14"

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  1950 catalog

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  1950 catalog

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  1952 Catalog

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  1952 Catalog

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  1958 catalog

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  1958 catalog

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  Dallas Arbiter Zilko logo

Standard

Zilko Standard logo circo 1960's

Introduction: 1957*

Discontinued: 1964*
(*) Pending further investigation.

Background:
Not to be confused with the "Ludwig Standard" line of cymbals, they were produced before the Ludwig's but the name could've been transferred: Ludwig Standard cymbals.
We have proof of its existence from the cover of the 1957 catalog, unfortunately, we do not have the inside pages to the '57 catalog, so we have no data on types and sizes offered on this series, early 1960s catalogs need to be found to answer these questions for sure. Paiste customer service confirmed they were made until around 1963 or so.
We do know Standards and Zilko Standards are the same cymbal, most likely a late 50's upgrade of the brass Zilko line, they likely came out in late '57 or 1958.
It's possible they were stamped "Standard" in Switzerland and "Zilko Standard" in Germany or the stamping could have changed in time: Standard at first, Zilko Standard later.
It's unclear on the stamping variations, but Paiste confirmed they are the same cymbal regardless of how the logo was applied.
It looks like they were only made in the Swiss factory for a short time and then production shifted to Germany only, either that or these were indeed the original Dixie and they changed the name in 1959, that could be why there are so few of them around.
The "Standard" was made from NS12 (Nickel Silver alloy), it's likely that they were the lower budget line at the time, as Stambul was the higher quality line.
We do know that the Standard series had 14" hi-hats and an 18", whether it was a crash or a ride, and a 16" crash, as part of their offering.

Alloy: Nickel Silver

Quality: Budget, student, entry level

Applications: Ideal for the beginner or student and are particularly useful in the grade school band, or small combo

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  1957 catalog

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  14" hi-hats

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  Standard 16" or 18"

Zilket

Dallas Arbiter Zilket logo

Introduction: 1965*

Discontinued: 1974*
Pending further investigation.*

Alloy: Nickel Silver - CuSn8

Background: The official Paiste '09 timeline doesn't even recognize this series. The only records we have are from the mid-1960's to the early 1970's and they were from distributor catalogs & price lists....nothing in a Paiste catalog, as of yet.
Due to the time frame, it's most likely that early versions of this cymbal line were made of NS12 (Nickel-silver alloy), then later: B8. Most of the conversion from NS12 to B8 took place somewhere from 1966 to 1970.
There is some thought that that the Zilket line came about as a replacement to the Zilko line, after it seemed to sit during the early part of the 1960's.
Until we gain access to catalogs from this earlier time frame, we are left to guess. We do know it was made for beginners, advanced students, schools and small combos.
The following types and sizes were available during this time frame:

DALLAS-ARBITER '69 & '71-'72 CATALOGS: No weight designated:
14" hi hats, 16", 18" and 20"

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  Dallas Arbiter 1971-72 catalog listing Zilkets

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  Zilket NS12 cymbal

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  18"

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  14" hi-hats

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Information from: Timeline from nf drums Germany Todd Little, Mark Carlson, Dan Garza
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