So it's basically a re-issue of a 20" A. Zildjian & Cie Vintage from the early 2000's? The new one seems to be more muted and controlled than the original, which I honestly thought the opposite would be true.
I love Joe and Take Five (we all do), but this is a lot of fuss over a very generic sounding, middle of the road medium ride. There are 1000's out there that sound as similar as what Paul Francis made. The cymbals are fairly close, just as 2-20" Medium rides would be from the A. Zildjian line. Joe's cymbal has had 60+ years to age. Can't really re-create that. The thing that makes that cymbal special is Joe's touch and the time and place it was recorded. Take Five was an international hit and is recognized instantly by many people. Is it really about the actual cymbal, or how it was played, and how it's remembered?
Also, the video doesn't tell us if those cymbals are going to be for sale or not? Is it just a one off for John Riley and/or the Memphis Drum Shop? I hope Zildjian doesn't mass produce it and charge $600+ for a medium ride that can be had for $60 on Craigslist that sounds nearly identical.