What is the weight class of the Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve 20" Ride?

It is designated as a 'Light' ride. This thin weight profile allows it to be highly responsive and easily used as a crash cymbal.

How is the cymbal finished?

The cymbal features full lathing on both the top and bottom surfaces. This traditional finishing method contributes to its sizzling warmth and clear stick definition.

What kind of stick definition can I expect?

Despite being a light cymbal, it provides exceptionally clear stick definition. Each stroke is designed to cut through with subtle clarity and character.

Can this cymbal be used as a crash?

Yes, its thin weight makes it a 'beastly' crash. It opens up quickly and offers a sweet, resonant sound that complements its ride capabilities.

What era of cymbal making inspired this series?

The Foundry Reserve series is inspired by the 'golden age' of artisanal cymbals. It focuses on the traditional craftsmanship found in historic hand-hammered cymbals.

What is the typical price for this cymbal in the UK?

The typical retail price is approximately £581. This reflects its status as a premium, handcrafted masterpiece within the Meinl lineup.

Is the Foundry Reserve 20" Light Ride suitable for rock music?

It is best suited for genres where cymbal nuance is pivotal, such as jazz or blues. While it can be used in rock, its light weight may not provide the extreme volume required for heavy metal or hard rock.

How does it compare to the Meinl HCS series?

The Foundry Reserve is a professional, artisanal cymbal with complex tonality. The HCS series is an entry-level line, offering much simpler sounds and less sophisticated construction.

Does the cymbal have a warm or bright sound?

It is characterised by 'sizzling warmth'. The combination of thin weight and full lathing produces a warm, dark, and complex tonal palette.

What size is the Foundry Reserve Light Ride?

This specific model has a diameter of 20 inches. This size is standard for providing a balance between portability and a full, resonant sound.

How does it differ from the Byzance Extra Dry series?

The Foundry Reserve is fully lathed for warmth and sizzle, whereas the Extra Dry series often features unlathed surfaces for a shorter, trashier, and drier sound.

Is each Foundry Reserve cymbal identical?

No, each cymbal is considered a masterpiece with individual layers of tonality. Because they are inspired by artisanal methods, there is a degree of unique character in every cymbal.

Gear article

Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve 20" Light Ride

The Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve 20" Light Ride is a professional-grade cymbal inspired by the artisanal craftsmanship of the golden age of cymbal making. Characterised by its thin weight and fully lathed surfaces, it offers a balance of warm tonality, clear stick definition, and versatile crash-ride functionality.

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Overview and History

The Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve 20" Light Ride represents a premium tier within the Meinl catalogue, specifically designed to emulate the artisanal quality of historic, hand-crafted cymbals. This series is positioned as a showcase of craftsmanship, intended to put the cymbal at the forefront of a drummer's performance. Each unit is treated as a unique masterpiece, focusing on traditional techniques to achieve a complex, layered sound profile that avoids the clinical consistency of mass-produced alternatives.

Design and Construction

The 20" Light Ride is constructed with a thin weight profile, which is fundamental to its dual-purpose nature. The cymbal features extensive hand-hammering and is fully lathed on both the top and bottom surfaces. This traditional lathing process ensures that the cymbal reacts with a sizzling warmth while maintaining structural integrity and tonal focus. The surface texture and profile are engineered to provide a sophisticated response to different stick pressures and techniques.

Sound Character and Performance

The sonic profile of the Foundry Reserve Light Ride is defined by nuance and layers of tonality. It produces a clear, articulate stick definition that cuts through a mix with subtle clarity rather than aggressive volume.

Key sonic attributes include: * Warmth: A sizzling, dark undertone provided by the full lathing. * Articulated Ping: Despite its thinness, each stroke retains character and definition. * Crashability: Due to its thin weight, it functions effectively as a 'beastly' crash, opening up easily with a full, resonant wash. * Complexity: A rich harmonic spread that evolves depending on the playing style.

Suitability and Genre

This cymbal is primarily designed for settings where the nuances of the cymbal sound are pivotal to the music. It excels in genres such as jazz, blues, and acoustic performances where subtlety and stick response are required. However, its robust crashing capabilities also make it suitable for modern studio applications and live settings where a versatile, multi-functional cymbal is preferred over a dedicated heavy ride.

Market Comparisons

Within the Meinl range, the Foundry Reserve offers a more traditional, lathed alternative to the dryer, more aggressive textures of the Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash. When compared to external competitors like the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash or the Paiste Giant Beat 14" Hi-Hats, the Foundry Reserve 20" Light Ride stands out for its specific blend of traditional 'golden age' warmth and modern clarity. It occupies a high-end price point similar to boutique offerings from UFIP and Masterwork, reflecting its artisanal manufacturing process.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the weight class of the Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve 20" Ride?: It is designated as a 'Light' ride. This thin weight profile allows it to be highly responsive and easily used as a crash cymbal.
How is the cymbal finished?: The cymbal features full lathing on both the top and bottom surfaces. This traditional finishing method contributes to its sizzling warmth and clear stick definition.
What kind of stick definition can I expect?: Despite being a light cymbal, it provides exceptionally clear stick definition. Each stroke is designed to cut through with subtle clarity and character.
Can this cymbal be used as a crash?: Yes, its thin weight makes it a 'beastly' crash. It opens up quickly and offers a sweet, resonant sound that complements its ride capabilities.
What era of cymbal making inspired this series?: The Foundry Reserve series is inspired by the 'golden age' of artisanal cymbals. It focuses on the traditional craftsmanship found in historic hand-hammered cymbals.
What is the typical price for this cymbal in the UK?: The typical retail price is approximately £581. This reflects its status as a premium, handcrafted masterpiece within the Meinl lineup.
Is the Foundry Reserve 20" Light Ride suitable for rock music?: It is best suited for genres where cymbal nuance is pivotal, such as jazz or blues. While it can be used in rock, its light weight may not provide the extreme volume required for heavy metal or hard rock.
How does it compare to the Meinl HCS series?: The Foundry Reserve is a professional, artisanal cymbal with complex tonality. The HCS series is an entry-level line, offering much simpler sounds and less sophisticated construction.
Does the cymbal have a warm or bright sound?: It is characterised by 'sizzling warmth'. The combination of thin weight and full lathing produces a warm, dark, and complex tonal palette.
What size is the Foundry Reserve Light Ride?: This specific model has a diameter of 20 inches. This size is standard for providing a balance between portability and a full, resonant sound.
How does it differ from the Byzance Extra Dry series?: The Foundry Reserve is fully lathed for warmth and sizzle, whereas the Extra Dry series often features unlathed surfaces for a shorter, trashier, and drier sound.
Is each Foundry Reserve cymbal identical?: No, each cymbal is considered a masterpiece with individual layers of tonality. Because they are inspired by artisanal methods, there is a degree of unique character in every cymbal.