Meinl 18" BYZANCE TRADITIONAL MEDIUM THIN CRASH

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

Developed around drummer Derek Roddy's approach, the "Serpent" hi-hat positions itself as a model focused on versatility and sonic personality. Its core idea is simple yet highly effective: to offer a hi-hat designed to multiply tonal colors, with a reversible concept that allows changing character without changing the setup.

Who This Hi-Hat Is For

This hi-hat targets intermediate to advanced drummers seeking a cymbal capable of covering a wide range of contexts, from tight and powerful playing to nuanced work. Thanks to its high volume and definition, it is particularly suited for rock and pop styles, while remaining relevant in the studio for clean and detailed takes. Its harmonic richness and long sustain also make it an excellent choice for fusion, funk, reggae, and R&B, where articulation and the "chick" color are essential.

Features and Innovations

The major feature of the "Serpent" lies in its total reversibility : depending on the side used, the hi-hat delivers two clearly distinct sonic signatures. You can quickly adapt your texture without changing your playing or positioning. Its behavior also varies according to the opening: closed, it maintains a clean attack and good precision, while open it reveals more breadth and complexity, with a strong presence in the mix.

Made from B20 and hand hammered, it combines a high-end sound (complexity, relief, musicality) with a bright profile that helps it cut through a band, especially when guitars and keyboards occupy the midrange. The result: a hi-hat that remains clear even in dense arrangements.

Sound

The B20 alloy is known for its harmonic richness and balance between warmth and definition. Here, the announced warm timbre provides a musical and organic foundation, while the finish and bright character enhance the clarity of attacks. The high-mid register gives immediate presence to the "chick" and double stroke playing, with a sensation of quick response under the stick.

The hand hammering accentuates the sound's complexity and depth: the hi-hat is rich and full-bodied, capable of moving from very articulated closed playing to a wider, more textured open sound. Its loud volume and long sustain promote generous projection in concert, while offering in the studio an easy-to-place sound with a marked and exploitable identity across many styles.

Technical specifications

Alloy	B20	Volume	loud
Manufacture	hand hammered	Sustain	long
Finish / Character	bright	Type	hi-hat
Timbre	warm	Design	fully reversible
Sound	rich, full-bodied	Tonalities	2 distinct sounds depending on the side played
Pitch	high-mid	Behavior	very different sounds depending on the opening