What material is used for the Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat?

These cymbals are manufactured from B12 bronze alloy. This material consists of 88% copper and 12% tin, providing a bright and durable foundation for high-volume playing.

What musical genres are these hi-hats best suited for?

They are specifically designed for aggressive, high-energy music. This includes metal, hard rock, and high-volume pop where projection and clarity are essential.

How does the weight of these cymbals affect their sound?

The cymbals feature an extra heavy construction. This results in maximum projection, a louder foot 'chick', and a piercing tone that cuts through loud instrumentation.

What manufacturing techniques are used to shape these cymbals?

Meinl utilises computerized hammering and pressure point shaping. These modern techniques ensure consistency across the Classics Custom line and provide a sharp, articulated response.

What is the finish of the Extreme Metal hi-hats?

They feature a brilliant finish. This highly polished surface gives the cymbals a visually striking look and helps brighten the overall tonal character.

How does the sustain of this model compare to other hi-hats?

The Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat is characterized by a long sustain. This allows the cymbal's bright timbre to ring out more prominently during open hits.

Is this hi-hat pair suitable for low-volume practice?

No, these are high-volume cymbals. For low-volume needs, a product like the Gear4Music 5pc Low Volume Cymbal Pack would be more appropriate.

How does the sound of B12 bronze compare to B8 or B20?

B12 bronze sits between B8 and B20, offering more refinement and warmth than B8 while maintaining a bright, cutting edge that is sometimes more aggressive than traditional B20 cymbals.

Can these hi-hats be used in a studio recording environment?

Yes, they provide reliable articulation and sharp clarity. This ensures that every hit is clearly captured even when recording alongside high-gain guitars and driving bass.

What is the typical retail price for this hi-hat pair?

The typical price range for the Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat is approximately GBP 222.

How does this model compare to the Meinl HCS series?

The Classics Custom Extreme Metal is a significant upgrade over the brass-based HCS series. It offers superior projection, more durable B12 bronze, and a professional-grade brilliant finish.

Would these cymbals suit a jazz drummer?

Likely not, as they are designed for extreme volume and brightness. A lighter, more complex cymbal like the UFIP Class Series 14" Light Hi Hat would be more traditional for jazz applications.

Gear article

Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat

The Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat is a professional-grade cymbal pair designed specifically for high-volume musical environments. Constructed from B12 bronze, these cymbals are engineered to provide maximum projection and sharp articulation to cut through dense arrangements of distorted guitars and heavy bass.

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Overview

The Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat is a specialised component of the Classics Custom series, focused on extreme volume and durability. It is defined by its extra heavy construction and high-pressure manufacturing process, intended for drummers playing aggressive genres such as metal, hard rock, and high-energy pop. The pair consists of two heavily weighted cymbals that provide a consistent and powerful 'chick' sound when closed and a piercing wash when played open.

Design and Construction

These hi-hats are crafted from B12 bronze alloy, which consists of 88% copper and 12% tin. The manufacturing involves sophisticated computerized hammering and pressure point shaping, ensuring that every pair meets tight tolerances for pitch and response. The cymbals undergo a brilliant finish process, which not only provides a highly reflective, polished aesthetic but also contributes to the brightness and clarity of the high-frequency response.

Sound Character and Performance

The primary acoustic characteristic of the Extreme Metal hi-hats is a bright timbre with a long sustain. Due to the extra weight, the cymbals offer significant projection, allowing them to be heard clearly in unmiked live settings or dense studio mixes. The articulation is sharp, providing clear definition for intricate stick patterns, while the 'chick' sound—produced by the foot pedal—is exceptionally loud and cutting.

Comparative Analysis

Compared to entry-level cymbals like the Meinl HCS series, the Classics Custom Extreme Metal offers significantly more volume and a more refined B12 bronze alloy composition. When compared to jazz-oriented cymbals such as the UFIP Class Series 14" Light Hi Hat or the Paiste Giant Beat, these hats are considerably heavier and lack the dark, complex overtones found in those lighter models. While a Paiste Giant Beat offers a more vintage, multi-purpose tone, the Meinl Extreme Metal is purpose-built for high-decibel clarity where lighter cymbals might be buried in the mix.

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Frequently asked questions

What material is used for the Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat?: These cymbals are manufactured from B12 bronze alloy. This material consists of 88% copper and 12% tin, providing a bright and durable foundation for high-volume playing.
What musical genres are these hi-hats best suited for?: They are specifically designed for aggressive, high-energy music. This includes metal, hard rock, and high-volume pop where projection and clarity are essential.
How does the weight of these cymbals affect their sound?: The cymbals feature an extra heavy construction. This results in maximum projection, a louder foot 'chick', and a piercing tone that cuts through loud instrumentation.
What manufacturing techniques are used to shape these cymbals?: Meinl utilises computerized hammering and pressure point shaping. These modern techniques ensure consistency across the Classics Custom line and provide a sharp, articulated response.
What is the finish of the Extreme Metal hi-hats?: They feature a brilliant finish. This highly polished surface gives the cymbals a visually striking look and helps brighten the overall tonal character.
How does the sustain of this model compare to other hi-hats?: The Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat is characterized by a long sustain. This allows the cymbal's bright timbre to ring out more prominently during open hits.
Is this hi-hat pair suitable for low-volume practice?: No, these are high-volume cymbals. For low-volume needs, a product like the Gear4Music 5pc Low Volume Cymbal Pack would be more appropriate.
How does the sound of B12 bronze compare to B8 or B20?: B12 bronze sits between B8 and B20, offering more refinement and warmth than B8 while maintaining a bright, cutting edge that is sometimes more aggressive than traditional B20 cymbals.
Can these hi-hats be used in a studio recording environment?: Yes, they provide reliable articulation and sharp clarity. This ensures that every hit is clearly captured even when recording alongside high-gain guitars and driving bass.
What is the typical retail price for this hi-hat pair?: The typical price range for the Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi Hat is approximately GBP 222.
How does this model compare to the Meinl HCS series?: The Classics Custom Extreme Metal is a significant upgrade over the brass-based HCS series. It offers superior projection, more durable B12 bronze, and a professional-grade brilliant finish.
Would these cymbals suit a jazz drummer?: Likely not, as they are designed for extreme volume and brightness. A lighter, more complex cymbal like the UFIP Class Series 14" Light Hi Hat would be more traditional for jazz applications.