What material is the Masterwork Resonant 12 Splash made from?

The cymbal is crafted from B20 bronze alloy, which is a blend of 80% copper and 20% tin. This material is considered the industry standard for professional-grade cymbals due to its rich tonal properties.

Where are Masterwork cymbals manufactured?

Masterwork cymbals are handcrafted in Turkey. They are produced using traditional Turkish methods, including hand-hammering and hand-lathing by skilled specialists.

What type of finish does the Resonant 12 Splash have?

It features a brilliant finish. This surface is hand-polished to a high-gloss shine, which helps enhance the brightness and shimmer of the cymbal's sound.

Is this cymbal suitable for rock music?

Yes, it is specifically designed for genres ranging from pop to rock. Its brilliant sound and 12-inch size provide enough projection to be heard clearly in louder musical environments.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Masterwork Resonant 12 Splash typically retails for approximately £116. This reflects its position as a handcrafted B20 instrument.

How does the size of a 12-inch splash affect its sound?

A 12-inch splash is larger than standard 8 or 10-inch splashes, providing a slightly lower pitch and more volume. It acts as a middle ground between a traditional splash and a very small crash cymbal.

What is the primary sonic characteristic of the Resonant series?

The series is known for a brilliant sound that retains warmth. This balance is achieved through the combination of B20 alloy and the hand-polished brilliant finish.

Are Masterwork cymbals machine-made or handmade?

Masterwork cymbals are meticulously handcrafted. The process includes melting, hammering, lathing, and finishing, all performed by specialists to ensure high quality.

How does the Resonant Splash compare to the Meinl HCS series?

The Resonant Splash is a professional B20 bronze cymbal, whereas the HCS series is typically made from brass for entry-level players. The Masterwork will offer a more complex, richer tone and better projection.

Does the brilliant finish affect the durability of the cymbal?

The finish itself is a surface treatment and does not negatively impact the structural integrity of the B20 bronze. However, like all brilliant cymbals, it may show fingerprints more easily than traditional finishes.

Can this cymbal be used for jazz?

While it is designed for pop and rock, its B20 construction and inherent warmth make it versatile enough for jazz fusion. However, traditional jazz drummers might find it brighter than a 'dark' or 'dry' cymbal.

What makes the Resonant series different from the Masterwork Iris series?

The Resonant series focuses on a brilliant, polished finish and bright projection. In contrast, other series like the Iris may offer different lathing or hammering patterns that result in different tonal textures.

Gear article

Masterwork Resonant 12 Splash

The Masterwork Resonant 12" Splash is a premium effects cymbal handcrafted in Turkey using traditional manufacturing techniques. Constructed from B20 bronze with a high-gloss brilliant finish, it is designed to provide a bright, fast response that retains underlying warmth for pop and rock applications.

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Overview and Construction

The Masterwork Resonant 12" Splash is an integral part of the Resonant Series, a line defined by its balance of modern projection and traditional craftsmanship. The cymbal is manufactured in Turkey, adhering to historic methods that involve melting, hand-hammering, and lathing. It is cast from B20 bronze, a high-grade alloy consisting of 80% copper and 20% tin, which is favoured for its wide frequency range and durability.

A defining characteristic of the Resonant series is its aesthetic and sonic finish. Each cymbal undergoes a meticulous hand-polishing process to achieve a high-gloss brilliant surface. This treatment is not merely cosmetic; it contributes to the cymbal's specific high-end response and quick decay.

Sound Character

The 12" Resonant Splash is engineered to deliver a brilliant, cutting sound that pierces through a mix without becoming overly harsh. While the brilliant finish enhances the high-frequency 'shimmer', the B20 alloy ensures the fundamental tone retains a degree of warmth. This combination results in a versatile effects cymbal that provides a crisp 'chick' sound when struck, followed by a fast decay that prevents it from interfering with other kit elements.

Applications and Suitability

Due to its 12-inch diameter, this splash offers more volume and sustain than smaller 8-inch or 10-inch alternatives, making it highly suitable for higher-volume genres. Key applications include:

Pop: Providing bright, clean accents that suit modern production styles.
Rock: Cutting through electric guitars and dense arrangements.
Fusion: Offering a sensitive response for nuanced rhythmic patterns.

The cymbal is best suited for drummers who require an effects cymbal that bridges the gap between a traditional splash and a small crash.

Market Comparisons

Within the Masterwork catalogue, the Resonant 12" Splash sits alongside the Iris 21 Ride, though it serves a vastly different role as a short-decay accent piece. When compared to dry alternatives like the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series, the Resonant Splash offers significantly more brightness and high-end projection.

Unlike entry-level brass or B8 cymbals, such as the Meinl HCS series, the Resonant Splash is a professional-grade B20 instrument. It competes with other high-end Turkish-style cymbals like the Istanbul Agop series or the UFIP Class and Bionic series, though the Resonant specifically targets a 'brilliant' tonal profile.

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Frequently asked questions

What material is the Masterwork Resonant 12 Splash made from?: The cymbal is crafted from B20 bronze alloy, which is a blend of 80% copper and 20% tin. This material is considered the industry standard for professional-grade cymbals due to its rich tonal properties.
Where are Masterwork cymbals manufactured?: Masterwork cymbals are handcrafted in Turkey. They are produced using traditional Turkish methods, including hand-hammering and hand-lathing by skilled specialists.
What type of finish does the Resonant 12 Splash have?: It features a brilliant finish. This surface is hand-polished to a high-gloss shine, which helps enhance the brightness and shimmer of the cymbal's sound.
Is this cymbal suitable for rock music?: Yes, it is specifically designed for genres ranging from pop to rock. Its brilliant sound and 12-inch size provide enough projection to be heard clearly in louder musical environments.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Masterwork Resonant 12 Splash typically retails for approximately £116. This reflects its position as a handcrafted B20 instrument.
How does the size of a 12-inch splash affect its sound?: A 12-inch splash is larger than standard 8 or 10-inch splashes, providing a slightly lower pitch and more volume. It acts as a middle ground between a traditional splash and a very small crash cymbal.
What is the primary sonic characteristic of the Resonant series?: The series is known for a brilliant sound that retains warmth. This balance is achieved through the combination of B20 alloy and the hand-polished brilliant finish.
Are Masterwork cymbals machine-made or handmade?: Masterwork cymbals are meticulously handcrafted. The process includes melting, hammering, lathing, and finishing, all performed by specialists to ensure high quality.
How does the Resonant Splash compare to the Meinl HCS series?: The Resonant Splash is a professional B20 bronze cymbal, whereas the HCS series is typically made from brass for entry-level players. The Masterwork will offer a more complex, richer tone and better projection.
Does the brilliant finish affect the durability of the cymbal?: The finish itself is a surface treatment and does not negatively impact the structural integrity of the B20 bronze. However, like all brilliant cymbals, it may show fingerprints more easily than traditional finishes.
Can this cymbal be used for jazz?: While it is designed for pop and rock, its B20 construction and inherent warmth make it versatile enough for jazz fusion. However, traditional jazz drummers might find it brighter than a 'dark' or 'dry' cymbal.
What makes the Resonant series different from the Masterwork Iris series?: The Resonant series focuses on a brilliant, polished finish and bright projection. In contrast, other series like the Iris may offer different lathing or hammering patterns that result in different tonal textures.