What material is the Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash made from?

The cymbal is crafted from a B20 bronze alloy. This legendary material is known for its musical complexity and is the standard for high-end professional cymbals.

Where is this cymbal manufactured?

This model is hand-hammered in Turkey. This traditional manufacturing method ensures that each individual cymbal has a unique, complex character.

What is the primary sound profile of the 20 Thin Crash?

It features a dark tone with an explosive attack and a quick decay. It is designed to provide clear projection while maintaining a controlled wash.

Can this cymbal be used for riding?

Yes, it is designed to shimmer with a controlled wash when riding it softly. It is suitable for maintaining an ostinato groove in a jazz context.

How does it differ from the Medium Light Ride?

The 20 Thin Crash provides a darker tone and a quicker decay than the Medium Light Ride. This makes it better suited for quick, choppy impacts.

Is this cymbal limited only to jazz music?

No, it is versatile enough for a wide range of genres. Its dynamic range and complexity make it useful in many modern musical settings.

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

The typical price range for the Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash is approximately £485. Prices may vary slightly based on specific retailers.

What does the 'Thin' weight designation mean for the sound?

The thin weight allows the cymbal to respond and open up at lower volumes. It also contributes to the darker pitch and faster decay compared to heavier models.

What size is this specific Byzance Jazz cymbal?

This specific model is a 20-inch cymbal. Note that marketing images may sometimes show different size variations of the same series.

How does the attack of this cymbal behave?

The attack is described as incredibly accurate and explosive. This allows the drummer to make precise impacts that project clearly through a mix.

Is the cymbal machine-made or hand-made?

It is hand-hammered by skilled artisans in Turkey. This process is a hallmark of the Meinl Byzance series and contributes to its high-end status.

What kind of wash does this cymbal produce?

It produces a shimmering, controlled wash. This prevents the sound from becoming too muddy when the cymbal is played continuously as a ride.

Gear article

Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash

The Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash is a professional-grade cymbal hand-hammered in Turkey from B20 bronze alloy. It is designed to offer an explosive attack with a dark tone and quick decay, catering to both traditional and modern jazz applications.

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Overview and Construction

The Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash represents a fusion of traditional Turkish craftsmanship and contemporary design requirements. Each cymbal is hand-hammered in Turkey using a legendary B20 bronze alloy, a material favoured by professional percussionists for its musicality and durability.

Despite its primary classification as a 20-inch crash, the instrument's design allows for significant versatility. The hand-hammering process ensures a complex character, providing a unique texture to the sound that mass-produced cymbals often lack.

Sound Character and Performance

The primary sonic profile of this cymbal is defined by its dark tone and explosive attack. It is engineered to provide clear projection during aggressive play, yet it remains sensitive enough for subtle work. Compared to the Medium Light Ride in the same series, this model features a quicker decay, making it highly effective for 'choppy' impacts and punctuation within a musical arrangement.

When utilized for riding rather than crashing, the 20 Thin Crash produces a shimmering, controlled wash. This allows the drummer to maintain an ostinato groove without the overtones becoming overwhelming, provided the cymbal is played with a softer touch.

Application and Suitability

While the naming convention specifically highlights its suitability for jazz—both traditional and modern—the Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash is marketed as a versatile tool. Its wide dynamic range allows it to function across various musical genres where a dark, complex crash sound is desired.

It is particularly suited for drummers who require a cymbal that can transition between a powerful crash and a secondary ride. The 'Thin' weight designation ensures that the cymbal opens up easily at lower volumes, a necessary trait for small-ensemble jazz or acoustic sessions.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Meinl catalogue, the Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash sits alongside more specialised options like the 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash, which offers an even shorter decay and drier timbre. In contrast, standard hi-hats such as the Meinl HCS 13 or Paiste Giant Beat 14 serve foundational rhythmic roles, whereas the 20 Thin Crash is designed for atmospheric texture and dynamic accents.

Compared to boutique alternatives like the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash or the UFIP Class Series, the Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 offers a specific balance of Turkish hand-hammered complexity and a 20-inch diameter that provides more surface area for riding than smaller 18-inch or 19-inch crash variants.

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Frequently asked questions

What material is the Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash made from?: The cymbal is crafted from a B20 bronze alloy. This legendary material is known for its musical complexity and is the standard for high-end professional cymbals.
Where is this cymbal manufactured?: This model is hand-hammered in Turkey. This traditional manufacturing method ensures that each individual cymbal has a unique, complex character.
What is the primary sound profile of the 20 Thin Crash?: It features a dark tone with an explosive attack and a quick decay. It is designed to provide clear projection while maintaining a controlled wash.
Can this cymbal be used for riding?: Yes, it is designed to shimmer with a controlled wash when riding it softly. It is suitable for maintaining an ostinato groove in a jazz context.
How does it differ from the Medium Light Ride?: The 20 Thin Crash provides a darker tone and a quicker decay than the Medium Light Ride. This makes it better suited for quick, choppy impacts.
Is this cymbal limited only to jazz music?: No, it is versatile enough for a wide range of genres. Its dynamic range and complexity make it useful in many modern musical settings.
What is the typical price for this model in the UK?: The typical price range for the Meinl Byzance Jazz 20 Thin Crash is approximately £485. Prices may vary slightly based on specific retailers.
What does the 'Thin' weight designation mean for the sound?: The thin weight allows the cymbal to respond and open up at lower volumes. It also contributes to the darker pitch and faster decay compared to heavier models.
What size is this specific Byzance Jazz cymbal?: This specific model is a 20-inch cymbal. Note that marketing images may sometimes show different size variations of the same series.
How does the attack of this cymbal behave?: The attack is described as incredibly accurate and explosive. This allows the drummer to make precise impacts that project clearly through a mix.
Is the cymbal machine-made or hand-made?: It is hand-hammered by skilled artisans in Turkey. This process is a hallmark of the Meinl Byzance series and contributes to its high-end status.
What kind of wash does this cymbal produce?: It produces a shimmering, controlled wash. This prevents the sound from becoming too muddy when the cymbal is played continuously as a ride.