What is the primary material used in this cymbal?

The Meinl Byzance Dual 18 Trash China is manufactured from B20 bronze. This alloy is highly regarded for its musicality and responsive feel when played.

How does the 'Trash' design affect the sound?

The 'Trash' design involves drilling holes throughout the cymbal. These holes increase the white-noise timbre and shorten the sustain, allowing the cymbal to get out of the way quickly.

What is the typical price for this model?

The typical retail price for this specific Meinl cymbal is approximately £439. This reflects its position as a professional-grade instrument within the Byzance line.

Can this cymbal be used in a stack?

Yes, it is specifically designed to work well as a trashy timbre within a large cymbal stack. Its thinness and perforated surface allow for a variety of experimental stacking combinations.

What is the 'Dual' finish?

The Dual finish features a combination of raw, unlathed surfaces and brilliant, lathed edges. This provides a mix of dark, earthy tones and shimmering, bright accents.

Is this cymbal suitable for loud rock music?

While it is explosive, its very short sustain means it is best for quick accents. Drummers looking for a long, roaring China sound might find this model too fast for their needs.

How does the diameter affect its performance?

The 18-inch diameter provides enough surface area for a full, low-frequency punch. However, the holes ensure it remains faster and 'trashier' than a solid 18-inch China.

How does it compare to the Meinl HCS series?

The Byzance Dual is a professional B20 bronze cymbal, offering significantly more complexity and dynamic range than the entry-level HCS series. The HCS series typically uses brass or B8 bronze.

Does the cymbal have a fast decay?

Yes, the manufacturer describes it as a quick-acting cymbal that 'gets out the way.' The holes are the primary reason for this rapid reduction in sustain.

What kind of musicality can be expected from this cymbal?

Despite its 'trashy' nature, the B20 bronze ensures that the cymbal remains musical. It offers a great feel and a rich harmonic profile that blends well with other high-end cymbals.

Is the cymbal lathed?

It features partial lathing. The outer edge is lathed to a brilliant finish, while the inner area remains raw, contributing to its complex 'dual' sonic character.

What is the main purpose of this cymbal in a drum kit?

It is primarily used for accenting specific moments in music. Its combination of trashy tone and quick decay adds dynamic impact without cluttering the overall soundscape.

Gear article

Meinl Byzance Dual 18 Trash China Cymbal

The Meinl Byzance Dual 18 Trash China Cymbal is a specialized effects cymbal constructed from B20 bronze, designed for rapid decay and a distinctively 'trashy' white-noise timbre. Featuring a perforated surface and the signature Byzance Dual finish, it is engineered for high-impact accents that recede quickly within a musical mix.

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Overview

The Meinl Byzance Dual 18 Trash China is a contemporary effects cymbal that sits within the premium Byzance family. It is distinguished by its unique 'Dual' manufacturing process, which blends different surface treatments to achieve a complex tonal palette. The 'Trash' designation refers to the strategic holes drilled throughout the cymbal's surface, which drastically shorten the sustain and alter the harmonic profile compared to standard China cymbals.

Design and Construction

Forged from B20 bronze, the cymbal features the characteristic aesthetics of the Dual series: a raw, unlathed inner section combined with a brilliant, lathed outer edge. The most prominent feature of this 'Trash' model is the series of circular perforations. These holes serve to reduce the overall mass and interrupt vibration patterns, resulting in a cymbal that responds instantly to the stick and decays almost immediately. This design ensures the cymbal provides 'white noise' textures without the long-lingering overtones typical of heavier bronze alloys.

Sonic Character

The primary sonic characteristic of the 18-inch Trash China is its 'quick-acting' nature. It produces an explosive, sharp attack that is rich in musicality due to its B20 composition. The presence of the holes increases the 'trashy' timbre, moving the sound closer to a white-noise effect rather than a sustained metallic ring. This makes it an ideal tool for drummers who need to provide dynamic impact without overwhelming the frequencies occupied by other cymbals or melodic instruments.

Applications and Versatility

While primarily used as a standalone accent cymbal for puncturing musical phrases, the Byzance Dual 18 Trash China is also effective as a component in a cymbal stack. Its thin profile and perforated design allow it to sit flush against other cymbals, creating a short, crunchy 'clap' sound. It is particularly suited for genres requiring high levels of articulation and rapid-fire accents, such as modern jazz, fusion, and progressive metal.

Market Comparison

Compared to standard China cymbals like the UFIP Bionic or Class Series, the Meinl Dual Trash China offers a significantly shorter sustain and a drier, more experimental tone. While the Paiste Giant Beat series focuses on vintage warmth and wash, this Meinl model prioritises modern 'dryness' and speed. It occupies a similar professional tier to the Istanbul Agop Lenny White Epoch series but offers a more aggressive, perforated 'trash' effect that is distinct from traditional thin crashes.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary material used in this cymbal?: The Meinl Byzance Dual 18 Trash China is manufactured from B20 bronze. This alloy is highly regarded for its musicality and responsive feel when played.
How does the 'Trash' design affect the sound?: The 'Trash' design involves drilling holes throughout the cymbal. These holes increase the white-noise timbre and shorten the sustain, allowing the cymbal to get out of the way quickly.
What is the typical price for this model?: The typical retail price for this specific Meinl cymbal is approximately £439. This reflects its position as a professional-grade instrument within the Byzance line.
Can this cymbal be used in a stack?: Yes, it is specifically designed to work well as a trashy timbre within a large cymbal stack. Its thinness and perforated surface allow for a variety of experimental stacking combinations.
What is the 'Dual' finish?: The Dual finish features a combination of raw, unlathed surfaces and brilliant, lathed edges. This provides a mix of dark, earthy tones and shimmering, bright accents.
Is this cymbal suitable for loud rock music?: While it is explosive, its very short sustain means it is best for quick accents. Drummers looking for a long, roaring China sound might find this model too fast for their needs.
How does the diameter affect its performance?: The 18-inch diameter provides enough surface area for a full, low-frequency punch. However, the holes ensure it remains faster and 'trashier' than a solid 18-inch China.
How does it compare to the Meinl HCS series?: The Byzance Dual is a professional B20 bronze cymbal, offering significantly more complexity and dynamic range than the entry-level HCS series. The HCS series typically uses brass or B8 bronze.
Does the cymbal have a fast decay?: Yes, the manufacturer describes it as a quick-acting cymbal that 'gets out the way.' The holes are the primary reason for this rapid reduction in sustain.
What kind of musicality can be expected from this cymbal?: Despite its 'trashy' nature, the B20 bronze ensures that the cymbal remains musical. It offers a great feel and a rich harmonic profile that blends well with other high-end cymbals.
Is the cymbal lathed?: It features partial lathing. The outer edge is lathed to a brilliant finish, while the inner area remains raw, contributing to its complex 'dual' sonic character.
What is the main purpose of this cymbal in a drum kit?: It is primarily used for accenting specific moments in music. Its combination of trashy tone and quick decay adds dynamic impact without cluttering the overall soundscape.