What material is the Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash made from?

It is manufactured from B20 bronze alloy. This alloy consists of 80% copper and 20% tin, which is widely considered the industry standard for professional-grade cymbals due to its rich harmonic range.

What kind of sound profile does this cymbal have?

The cymbal produces a dark and washy sound with a warm, smooth character. It features a loud attack followed by a medium sustain, providing a complex spread of harmonics across the frequency spectrum.

What musical genres is this cymbal best suited for?

It is highly versatile and ideal for a range of styles including Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Pop, and Rock. Its ability to cut through a mix without being harsh makes it adaptable to both acoustic and amplified settings.

How does the pitch of the 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash affect the drum mix?

It sits in a high-mid pitch range that fills the top end of the frequency spectrum. This positioning allows the drums to 'speak' and be heard clearly, as the cymbal does not occupy the same frequencies as the snare or toms.

What is the typical price for this model?

The typical retail price for the Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash is approximately £365. This reflects its status as a professional, hand-hammered B20 bronze instrument.

Does this cymbal have a long sustain?

No, it features a medium sustain. This makes it suitable not just for single accents, but also for complex crash grooves where a shorter decay prevents the sound from becoming overwhelming.

How does the 'Medium Thin' weight affect the playability?

The medium-thin weight provides a balance between responsiveness and volume. It opens up easily with a light touch for subtle accents but has enough mass to project when struck harder.

How does it compare to the Meinl Extra Dry series?

While the Traditional series is warm and smooth, the Extra Dry series (such as the 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash) is generally much drier with a shorter sustain and a more 'earthy' tone. The Traditional model offers a fuller, more classic 'wash'.

Is the attack of this cymbal aggressive?

The attack is described as loud, which is excellent for accents. However, because the overall character is warm and smooth, the attack is not considered harsh or piercing.

Can this cymbal be used for recording?

Yes, its complex harmonics and smooth character make it a popular choice for studio work. The medium sustain and controlled frequency range help it sit well in a professional audio mix.

Is this a hand-hammered cymbal?

Yes, the Byzance Traditional series is known for being hand-hammered into shape. This traditional manufacturing process contributes to the unique, complex tonal spread of each individual cymbal.

How does this compare to entry-level cymbals like the Meinl HCS series?

The Byzance Traditional is a professional B20 bronze cymbal, offering far greater tonal complexity, warmth, and dynamic range than the brass-based HCS series. It is a significant upgrade in terms of both sound quality and materials.

Gear article

Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash

The Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash is a professional-grade cymbal constructed from B20 bronze alloy, designed to deliver a complex spread of harmonics. It is characterised by its dark, washy tonality and a warm, smooth character that suits a wide variety of musical genres. Positioned as a versatile instrument, it provides a loud attack for accents combined with a medium sustain for rhythmic grooves.

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Overview

The Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash is part of Meinl's flagship Byzance series, known for its traditional manufacturing techniques. Hand-hammered into shape, this cymbal is crafted from B20 bronze (80% copper, 20% tin) to achieve a sophisticated sonic profile. It is designed to sit in the high-mid pitch range, ensuring it remains audible above a drum kit while maintaining a complex, dark texture.

Sound Character and Performance

This cymbal produces a washy and dark sound that fills the frequency spectrum with complex tones. It features a loud, immediate attack that makes it particularly effective for musical accents. Despite its initial projection, the medium sustain allows the cymbal to decay naturally, making it useful for complex crash patterns and grooves. Its character is defined as warm and smooth, allowing it to cut through a mix without becoming harsh or abrasive.

Versatility and Applications

Due to its balanced weight and responsive nature, the 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash is suited for a broad range of musical settings. It is frequently employed in:

Jazz and Funk: Where its dark harmonics and warm sustain complement acoustic instruments.
Pop and Rock: Providing enough volume and attack to be heard in amplified settings.
Fusion: Offering the tonal complexity required for technical drumming styles.

Its high-mid pitch helps the drums 'speak' by filling the top end of the frequency range without masking the clarity of the shells.

Comparisons and Alternatives

Within the Meinl catalogue, this model provides a more classic, versatile response compared to the specialised 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash, which offers shorter sustain and a raw aesthetic. For drummers seeking different tonal characteristics from other brands, alternatives might include the Paiste Giant Beat 14" Hi-Hats for a vintage vibe, or the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash for a different approach to dark, complex tones. In contrast to entry-level brass cymbals like the Meinl HCS series, the B20 bronze construction of the Byzance Traditional series offers significantly more harmonic depth and durability.

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Frequently asked questions

What material is the Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash made from?: It is manufactured from B20 bronze alloy. This alloy consists of 80% copper and 20% tin, which is widely considered the industry standard for professional-grade cymbals due to its rich harmonic range.
What kind of sound profile does this cymbal have?: The cymbal produces a dark and washy sound with a warm, smooth character. It features a loud attack followed by a medium sustain, providing a complex spread of harmonics across the frequency spectrum.
What musical genres is this cymbal best suited for?: It is highly versatile and ideal for a range of styles including Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Pop, and Rock. Its ability to cut through a mix without being harsh makes it adaptable to both acoustic and amplified settings.
How does the pitch of the 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash affect the drum mix?: It sits in a high-mid pitch range that fills the top end of the frequency spectrum. This positioning allows the drums to 'speak' and be heard clearly, as the cymbal does not occupy the same frequencies as the snare or toms.
What is the typical price for this model?: The typical retail price for the Meinl Byzance 17" Traditional Medium Thin Crash is approximately £365. This reflects its status as a professional, hand-hammered B20 bronze instrument.
Does this cymbal have a long sustain?: No, it features a medium sustain. This makes it suitable not just for single accents, but also for complex crash grooves where a shorter decay prevents the sound from becoming overwhelming.
How does the 'Medium Thin' weight affect the playability?: The medium-thin weight provides a balance between responsiveness and volume. It opens up easily with a light touch for subtle accents but has enough mass to project when struck harder.
How does it compare to the Meinl Extra Dry series?: While the Traditional series is warm and smooth, the Extra Dry series (such as the 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash) is generally much drier with a shorter sustain and a more 'earthy' tone. The Traditional model offers a fuller, more classic 'wash'.
Is the attack of this cymbal aggressive?: The attack is described as loud, which is excellent for accents. However, because the overall character is warm and smooth, the attack is not considered harsh or piercing.
Can this cymbal be used for recording?: Yes, its complex harmonics and smooth character make it a popular choice for studio work. The medium sustain and controlled frequency range help it sit well in a professional audio mix.
Is this a hand-hammered cymbal?: Yes, the Byzance Traditional series is known for being hand-hammered into shape. This traditional manufacturing process contributes to the unique, complex tonal spread of each individual cymbal.
How does this compare to entry-level cymbals like the Meinl HCS series?: The Byzance Traditional is a professional B20 bronze cymbal, offering far greater tonal complexity, warmth, and dynamic range than the brass-based HCS series. It is a significant upgrade in terms of both sound quality and materials.