What is the primary function of the Dream Cymbals Bliss 20" Ride?

It is a multi-functional cymbal designed to serve as both a ride and a crash. Its design allows for precise stick articulation as a ride and explosive power when crashed.

How does the micro-lathed surface affect the sound?

The micro-lathing on the cymbal surface helps to deliver focused drum tones. It refines the resonance and provides a clear tonality with a balanced, minimum sustain.

What kind of stick response can be expected from this cymbal?

The Bliss 20" Ride is known for providing an explosive and precise stick articulation. This ensures that individual hits remain audible even through the cymbal's natural dark wash.

Is the bell sound on the Bliss 20" Ride distinct?

Yes, the cymbal features an open bell design. This allows for a unique sound with many tonal possibilities, distinct from the main bow of the cymbal.

What is the general tonal character of the Bliss series?

The Bliss series is described as producing a natural, dark cymbal sound. It focuses on warmth and vintage-style complexity rather than bright, modern ping.

Can this cymbal help reduce the amount of drum hardware needed?

Yes, because it functions effectively as both a crash and a ride, it can replace two separate cymbals. This makes it a great choice for space-saving and reducing gear weight.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Dream Cymbals Bliss Series 20" Ride is typically priced around £269. This places it in the mid-to-high range of professional cymbal offerings.

How does the sustain of this ride compare to others?

The cymbal is designed with a balanced amount of minimum sustain. This means it has enough resonance to feel alive, but is controlled enough to avoid excessive ringing.

Is this cymbal suitable for beginners or professionals?

It is marketed as a quality addition for any drummer, suggesting it suits both professionals seeking specific tones and students looking for a high-quality upgrade.

How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?

While the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry 19" is very focused and short in decay, the Dream Bliss 20" is more resonant. The Bliss offers a more traditional 'dark' sound compared to the 'raw' sound of the Extra Dry.

What size is the Dream Bliss Ride in this specific model?

This specific model is a 20-inch cymbal. This size is a standard for ride cymbals, offering a good balance between pitch and playability.

Who is the manufacturer of this cymbal?

The cymbal is manufactured by Dream Cymbals, a company known for their expertise in hand-crafted, high-quality percussion instruments.

Gear article

Dream Cymbals Bliss Series 20" Ride

The Dream Cymbals Bliss Series 20" Ride is a hand-crafted cymbal designed to function as both a ride and a crash. Known for its micro-lathed surface and explosive stick articulation, it offers a natural, dark tonality suited for a wide variety of musical genres.

See live prices

Overview and Construction

The Dream Cymbals Bliss Series 20" Ride is a versatile percussion instrument designed by the cymbal specialists at Dream. The Bliss series is characterised by its traditional manufacturing processes, resulting in a cymbal that focuses on warmth and responsiveness. A defining feature of this model is its micro-lathed surface, which is carefully applied to the cymbal face to refine the overtones and deliver focused drum tones.

Technically, the 20" Ride is built to provide an open bell sound that expands the tonal possibilities for the player. The construction allows for a clear tonality paired with a balanced amount of resonance and a controlled, minimum sustain, ensuring the cymbal does not become overwhelmed by its own wash during performance.

Sonic Character

The sonic profile of the Bliss 20" Ride is described as naturally dark. It balances this darkness with precise stick articulation, allowing for clarity even when played at higher volumes. Unlike heavier rides that may feel stiff, the Bliss series is noted for an explosive response, making it equally effective when used as a large crash cymbal. The micro-lathing helps in focusing the sound, preventing the 'bleeding' of frequencies and keeping the overall output articulated and musical.

Versatility and Application

One of the primary advantages of this specific 20" model is its multi-functional nature. Because it performs effectively as both a ride and a crash, it is frequently chosen by drummers looking to minimise their hardware footprint. This space-saving quality makes it an ideal addition for gigging kits where portability is a priority. The cymbal's ability to transition from a precise rhythmic tool to a powerful crash allows it to fit into various musical contexts, from jazz to indie rock.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to other professional cymbals, the Dream Bliss 20" Ride occupies a unique niche. While the Meinl Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash offers a much drier and shorter decay, the Dream Bliss provides more resonance and a more traditional dark wash. In contrast to the Masterwork Iris 21 Ride, the Dream Bliss is generally more crashable due to its specific lathing and weight distribution. For those considering smaller hi-hat pairings, such as the UFIP Bionic 13" or Paiste Giant Beat 14", the Bliss 20" serves as a complementary low-end foundation due to its dark and natural character.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary function of the Dream Cymbals Bliss 20" Ride?: It is a multi-functional cymbal designed to serve as both a ride and a crash. Its design allows for precise stick articulation as a ride and explosive power when crashed.
How does the micro-lathed surface affect the sound?: The micro-lathing on the cymbal surface helps to deliver focused drum tones. It refines the resonance and provides a clear tonality with a balanced, minimum sustain.
What kind of stick response can be expected from this cymbal?: The Bliss 20" Ride is known for providing an explosive and precise stick articulation. This ensures that individual hits remain audible even through the cymbal's natural dark wash.
Is the bell sound on the Bliss 20" Ride distinct?: Yes, the cymbal features an open bell design. This allows for a unique sound with many tonal possibilities, distinct from the main bow of the cymbal.
What is the general tonal character of the Bliss series?: The Bliss series is described as producing a natural, dark cymbal sound. It focuses on warmth and vintage-style complexity rather than bright, modern ping.
Can this cymbal help reduce the amount of drum hardware needed?: Yes, because it functions effectively as both a crash and a ride, it can replace two separate cymbals. This makes it a great choice for space-saving and reducing gear weight.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Dream Cymbals Bliss Series 20" Ride is typically priced around £269. This places it in the mid-to-high range of professional cymbal offerings.
How does the sustain of this ride compare to others?: The cymbal is designed with a balanced amount of minimum sustain. This means it has enough resonance to feel alive, but is controlled enough to avoid excessive ringing.
Is this cymbal suitable for beginners or professionals?: It is marketed as a quality addition for any drummer, suggesting it suits both professionals seeking specific tones and students looking for a high-quality upgrade.
How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?: While the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry 19" is very focused and short in decay, the Dream Bliss 20" is more resonant. The Bliss offers a more traditional 'dark' sound compared to the 'raw' sound of the Extra Dry.
What size is the Dream Bliss Ride in this specific model?: This specific model is a 20-inch cymbal. This size is a standard for ride cymbals, offering a good balance between pitch and playability.
Who is the manufacturer of this cymbal?: The cymbal is manufactured by Dream Cymbals, a company known for their expertise in hand-crafted, high-quality percussion instruments.