What cymbals are included in the Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Crash Set?

The set includes a 16-inch Crash cymbal and an 18-inch Trash Crash cymbal. These two sizes provide a balance between a standard shimmer and a specialized accent effect.

What type of alloy is used in these cymbals?

They are crafted from a specific 'pure alloy' formulated by Meinl. This material is chosen for its ability to provide unbeatable versatility and long-term durability for professional drummers.

How does the hammering process affect the sound?

Meinl uses a computer-controlled hammering process for this series. This results in a higher wash-to-stick ratio, ensuring a lush soundscape while maintaining precise response.

What is the visual finish of the Pure Alloy Custom series?

The cymbals feature a unique dual finish with a smoked-bronze top and a brilliant bottom. This makes them visually stunning in any light and adds a specific aesthetic flair to the drum kit.

What is the sound character of the 16-inch Crash?

The 16-inch Crash is designed to shimmer when struck, offering an instantly classic cymbal sound. It balances a warm, full-bodied tone with a bright shine.

What makes the 18-inch Trash Crash unique?

The 18-inch Trash Crash features different sized holes throughout the bow. This creates a brash, 'trashy' tone with a shorter decay, making it ideal for sharp accents.

Are these cymbals suitable for recording?

Yes, these cymbals are designed to shine equally in the studio or on-stage. Their complex and full-bodied tone translates well to microphone recording.

What drumming styles are these cymbals recommended for?

They are described as extremely versatile and suitable for a wide range of drumming styles. Their combination of warmth and cutting power makes them adaptable to most musical genres.

How do these compare to the Meinl Byzance series?

While Byzance cymbals like the 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash are often hand-hammered for unique variation, the Pure Alloy Custom uses computer-controlled hammering for consistency and a specific wash-to-stick ratio.

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

The typical price range for this specific two-piece cymbal set is approximately £629. This positions it as a professional-tier investment for serious percussionists.

Does the set include hi-hats or a ride cymbal?

No, this specific set is a crash-focused bundle containing only the 16-inch Crash and 18-inch Trash Crash. Other cymbals like the Masterwork Iris Ride or Paiste Giant Beat hats must be purchased separately.

What is meant by a 'higher wash-to-stick ratio'?

This refers to the cymbal's ability to produce a full, spreading 'wash' of sound while still allowing the initial strike of the stick to be heard clearly. It prevents the sound from becoming muddy.

Gear article

Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Crash Cymbal Set

The Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Crash Cymbal Set is a professional-grade percussion bundle featuring a 16-inch Crash and an 18-inch Trash Crash. Constructed from a specialized pure alloy, these cymbals are designed for high versatility and durability, offering a complex, full-bodied tone suitable for both studio recording and live performance.

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Overview and Aesthetics

The Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Crash Cymbal Set is a dual-cymbal configuration consisting of a 16" Crash and an 18" Trash Crash. These cymbals are aesthetically distinguished by a dual-finish design, featuring a smoked-bronze top surface and a brilliant bottom surface. This combination ensures the cymbals remain visually striking under various stage lighting conditions while contributing to their specific tonal characteristics.

Manufacturing and Technology

Utilising a computer-controlled hammering process, Meinl ensures high levels of consistency and precision across the Pure Alloy Custom series. This manufacturing technique is specifically engineered to achieve a higher wash-to-stick ratio, allowing the cymbals to open up easily while maintaining clarity. The choice of 'pure alloy' material is intended to balance durability with a wide-ranging frequency response.

Tonal Characteristics

The set offers two distinct but complementary voices:

16" Crash: This cymbal is designed to shimmer upon impact, balancing a warm body with a bright, glassy shine. It serves as a versatile, classic crash voice for the kit.
18" Trash Crash: Featuring a series of different-sized holes, this cymbal produces a brash, 'trashy' sound with a shorter sustain. It is specifically designed for sharp accents and high-impact stabs that cut through a mix quickly.

Together, the cymbals provide a cutting but warm tone that remains musical across various dynamic levels.

Applications and Versatility

Because of their balanced frequency response, the Pure Alloy Custom cymbals are described as extremely versatile. They are equally at home in a controlled studio environment, where their complex overtones can be captured accurately, and on-stage, where their cutting power is required to project over amplified instruments. They suit a wide range of drumming styles, from traditional rock and pop to more modern, experimental genres.

Comparative Analysis

Within the Meinl catalogue, the Pure Alloy Custom series sits alongside other professional lines like the Byzance 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash, though it offers a more consistent, computer-hammered profile compared to the hand-hammered Byzance series. While entry-level options like the HCS 13" Hi-Hats provide basic utility, the Pure Alloy Custom set is a significant upgrade in terms of complexity and durability. It competes with other high-end offerings such as the Paiste Giant Beat or Istanbul Agop Lenny White series by offering a specific blend of warmth and modern 'trashy' textures.

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Frequently asked questions

What cymbals are included in the Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Crash Set?: The set includes a 16-inch Crash cymbal and an 18-inch Trash Crash cymbal. These two sizes provide a balance between a standard shimmer and a specialized accent effect.
What type of alloy is used in these cymbals?: They are crafted from a specific 'pure alloy' formulated by Meinl. This material is chosen for its ability to provide unbeatable versatility and long-term durability for professional drummers.
How does the hammering process affect the sound?: Meinl uses a computer-controlled hammering process for this series. This results in a higher wash-to-stick ratio, ensuring a lush soundscape while maintaining precise response.
What is the visual finish of the Pure Alloy Custom series?: The cymbals feature a unique dual finish with a smoked-bronze top and a brilliant bottom. This makes them visually stunning in any light and adds a specific aesthetic flair to the drum kit.
What is the sound character of the 16-inch Crash?: The 16-inch Crash is designed to shimmer when struck, offering an instantly classic cymbal sound. It balances a warm, full-bodied tone with a bright shine.
What makes the 18-inch Trash Crash unique?: The 18-inch Trash Crash features different sized holes throughout the bow. This creates a brash, 'trashy' tone with a shorter decay, making it ideal for sharp accents.
Are these cymbals suitable for recording?: Yes, these cymbals are designed to shine equally in the studio or on-stage. Their complex and full-bodied tone translates well to microphone recording.
What drumming styles are these cymbals recommended for?: They are described as extremely versatile and suitable for a wide range of drumming styles. Their combination of warmth and cutting power makes them adaptable to most musical genres.
How do these compare to the Meinl Byzance series?: While Byzance cymbals like the 19" Extra Dry Thin Crash are often hand-hammered for unique variation, the Pure Alloy Custom uses computer-controlled hammering for consistency and a specific wash-to-stick ratio.
What is the typical price for this set in the UK?: The typical price range for this specific two-piece cymbal set is approximately £629. This positions it as a professional-tier investment for serious percussionists.
Does the set include hi-hats or a ride cymbal?: No, this specific set is a crash-focused bundle containing only the 16-inch Crash and 18-inch Trash Crash. Other cymbals like the Masterwork Iris Ride or Paiste Giant Beat hats must be purchased separately.
What is meant by a 'higher wash-to-stick ratio'?: This refers to the cymbal's ability to produce a full, spreading 'wash' of sound while still allowing the initial strike of the stick to be heard clearly. It prevents the sound from becoming muddy.