Ajaha

AJAHA Cymbals is a cymbal company, or cymbalmaker, which/who produced cymbals perhaps as early as the 1910s through the 1970s. Telltale identifying mark is the signature "X.E. Ajaha" on the underside of the cymbal bell. The last produced vintage of Ajaha cymbals was done by Tosco-Italy, in the 1970s as a stencil brand supplied to Gretsch drums. However, Ajahas were distributed by Gretsch as early as 1941.

As to whether Ajaha was initially a Turkish maker, or a European (possibly Italian) maker who had apprenticed in a Turkish workshop (perhaps even the K Zildjian workshop in Istanbul) is open to debate. It's difficulty compounded by the relative rarity of such cymbals still in existence.

The lack of concrete information on these cymbals may also be the result of the fact that, as the only identifying mark was an ink signature (as opposed to an embossed stamp) many Ajahas may still exist as "no-names," where the ink was long ago polished off, or simply wore off. Also, the varied quality of those which are definitely identifiable does not particularly add much impetus for many to investigate further. Lastly, in keeping with the very unfortunate tradition of not discussing the past (if there is no direct marketable gain to be had from it), Sabian (Tosco), UFIP (Italy), and Gretsch all likely have more information on Ajaha than they are willing to disclose.

Too obscure for almost any musicians (and most collectors) to even care about, these cymbals today seem to have very little market value. Ajaha the company, and the cymbalsmith, remains an enigma.