What is the main purpose of the holes in the 12" Trash Splash?

The holes are specially cut to provide 'trashy' qualities by disrupting vibrations and reducing mass. This results in a focused frequency range that mimics a white-noise effect and ensures a faster decay.

What material is this cymbal made from?

The Meinl 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash is manufactured from B12 bronze alloy. This provides a balance of durability and professional tonal characteristics suitable for the Classics Custom Dark series.

How would you describe the sustain of this cymbal?

This cymbal features a short sustain and a very rapid decay. It is designed to provide an immediate burst of sound that disappears quickly, making it ideal for sharp accents.

Is this cymbal suitable for loud music environments?

Yes, despite its dark and warm attack, the cymbal is designed to retain 'plenty of cut.' This allows it to be heard clearly even when used by drummers playing in high-volume settings.

What kind of hammering is used on this model?

The cymbal features widely spaced deep hammering. This specific pattern is intended to create dark and complex voicings within the B12 metal alloy.

Can the 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash be used in a stack?

Absolutely. Its quick response and trashy noise profile make it a perfect component for creating unique cymbal stack sounds, providing a percussive 'chick' or 'crunch' when paired with another cymbal.

What is the typical price range for this cymbal?

The typical price for this model is approximately £98.00. Meinl positions this series as an affordable option for drummers seeking high-quality dark cymbal sounds.

How does the lathing affect the sound of this splash?

The additional lathing rounds out and refines the tonal qualities produced by the hammering. This results in a warmer attack that balances the aggressive 'trashy' nature of the holes.

What is the primary difference between this and a standard splash?

A standard splash typically has a cleaner, more melodic ring. The Trash Splash uses holes and dark finishing to create a more abrasive, noise-like effect with a much faster decay time.

Who is the target audience for this cymbal?

It is designed for versatile and skilled drummers who want to add unique textures to their kit. It suits those who need dark effects without the higher price tag of professional boutique series.

How does it compare to the Meinl HCS series?

The Classics Custom Dark series is a significant step up from the HCS line, offering B12 bronze instead of brass. It provides more complex tones, better durability, and a more professional dark aesthetic.

Does the dark finish affect the cymbal's longevity?

The dark finish is part of the manufacturing process and does not negatively impact the durability of the B12 alloy. The cymbal is built to withstand the demands of modern drumming while maintaining its 'brazen roar.'

Gear article

Meinl 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash

The Meinl 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash is a B12 bronze alloy effects cymbal designed to provide dark, complex voicings at an accessible price point. It features a unique combination of deep hammering, additional lathing, and precision-cut holes to deliver a quick, white-noise-like burst of sound with a rapid decay.

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Overview

The Meinl 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash is an extension of the popular Classics Custom Dark series, designed to bridge the gap between high-end professional dark cymbals and entry-level effects. It is characterised by its distinctive aesthetic, featuring a dark finish and a series of cut-out holes that alter its aerodynamic and acoustic properties. This cymbal is engineered to offer a 'brazen roar' while maintaining a controlled sustain, making it a functional tool for modern drumming applications.

Manufacturing and Design

The construction of this splash involves several specific manufacturing techniques to achieve its unique tonal profile:

Deep Hammering: Widely spaced, deep indentations are applied to the metal to create complex dark voicings.
Specialised Lathing: Additional lathing is used to round out and refine the tonal qualities, ensuring a warm attack.
Trash Holes: Precision-cut holes are distributed across the surface. These reduce the mass of the cymbal and interrupt the vibration, which focuses the frequency range and increases the 'trashy' character.

Sonic Characteristics

Sonically, the 12" Trash Splash is defined by its immediacy. It opens up instantly upon being struck, producing a quick burst of noise that resembles white noise or a 'trashy' explosion. Unlike traditional splashes that may ring out, this model features a short sustain and a rapid decay. This makes it highly effective for punctuated accents that do not linger in the mix. Despite its dark nature, the lathing process ensures it retains enough 'cut' to be heard through high-volume instrumentation.

Application and Versatility

While it functions as a standalone effects cymbal for quick accents, the 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash is also designed for use in cymbal stacks. Its flat profile and rapid response allow it to be paired with other cymbals to create aggressive, percussive 'crunch' sounds. It is marketed toward versatile and skilled drummers who require nuanced effects for genres ranging from rock and metal to fusion and pop.

Market Comparison

Within the Meinl catalogue, this cymbal sits between the entry-level HCS series and the premium Byzance Extra Dry range. While the Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash offers a more organic, handcrafted complexity, the Classics Custom Dark series provides a similar dark aesthetic and 'trashy' response at a more affordable price point. It offers a more focused and aggressive alternative to traditional splashes like the Paiste Giant Beat or UFIP Class Series, which tend to have a cleaner, more melodic tone.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the main purpose of the holes in the 12" Trash Splash?: The holes are specially cut to provide 'trashy' qualities by disrupting vibrations and reducing mass. This results in a focused frequency range that mimics a white-noise effect and ensures a faster decay.
What material is this cymbal made from?: The Meinl 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash is manufactured from B12 bronze alloy. This provides a balance of durability and professional tonal characteristics suitable for the Classics Custom Dark series.
How would you describe the sustain of this cymbal?: This cymbal features a short sustain and a very rapid decay. It is designed to provide an immediate burst of sound that disappears quickly, making it ideal for sharp accents.
Is this cymbal suitable for loud music environments?: Yes, despite its dark and warm attack, the cymbal is designed to retain 'plenty of cut.' This allows it to be heard clearly even when used by drummers playing in high-volume settings.
What kind of hammering is used on this model?: The cymbal features widely spaced deep hammering. This specific pattern is intended to create dark and complex voicings within the B12 metal alloy.
Can the 12" Classics Custom Dark Trash Splash be used in a stack?: Absolutely. Its quick response and trashy noise profile make it a perfect component for creating unique cymbal stack sounds, providing a percussive 'chick' or 'crunch' when paired with another cymbal.
What is the typical price range for this cymbal?: The typical price for this model is approximately £98.00. Meinl positions this series as an affordable option for drummers seeking high-quality dark cymbal sounds.
How does the lathing affect the sound of this splash?: The additional lathing rounds out and refines the tonal qualities produced by the hammering. This results in a warmer attack that balances the aggressive 'trashy' nature of the holes.
What is the primary difference between this and a standard splash?: A standard splash typically has a cleaner, more melodic ring. The Trash Splash uses holes and dark finishing to create a more abrasive, noise-like effect with a much faster decay time.
Who is the target audience for this cymbal?: It is designed for versatile and skilled drummers who want to add unique textures to their kit. It suits those who need dark effects without the higher price tag of professional boutique series.
How does it compare to the Meinl HCS series?: The Classics Custom Dark series is a significant step up from the HCS line, offering B12 bronze instead of brass. It provides more complex tones, better durability, and a more professional dark aesthetic.
Does the dark finish affect the cymbal's longevity?: The dark finish is part of the manufacturing process and does not negatively impact the durability of the B12 alloy. The cymbal is built to withstand the demands of modern drumming while maintaining its 'brazen roar.'