Meinl 19" BYZANCE FOUNDRY RESERVE CRASH

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

The Meinl Byzance series is renowned for its artisanal character cymbals, designed to offer great sonic complexity and highly expressive response. The Foundry Reserve edition embodies this spirit by focusing on a "premium selection": a crash cymbal designed for drummers seeking a rich timbre, lively touch, and a cymbal that inspires both in the studio and live settings.

Who This Drum/Instrument Is For

This 19-inch crash is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced drummers who want an expressive cymbal capable of translating playing nuances (ghost notes on the hi-hat, controlled accents, crescendos with brushes or sticks). Its size makes it suitable for many styles: rock (broad and enveloping crash), pop (clear attack), funk (dynamic response), modern jazz (harmonic complexity), indie, and ambient (musical wash). It is also well suited for drummers building a kit around a "signature" sound, less standardized.

Features and Innovations

With its B20 alloy and hand hammering, this crash is designed to offer a wide palette: it can serve as a main crash, a wider complementary crash, or even as an effects cymbal depending on how you strike it (shoulder, bell, edge). The traditional finish provides a sought-after compromise: enough brightness to remain present in the mix, while retaining an organic grain and a "lively" feel under the stick. The 19-inch diameter adds depth and breadth, useful for open accents, powerful choruses, and transitions that fill the space without becoming harsh.

Sound Characteristics

The B20 bronze is appreciated for its ability to generate a high density of harmonics. Practically, this results in a crash that is more complex and more musical : the sound is not just "bright," it has layers (fundamental, harmonics, texture) that enrich playing, especially when modulating strike intensity.

Hand hammering directly influences the response: the attack gains character, with a more organic grain, and the sustain can be more "textured" than a cymbal with a more industrial profile. On a 19-inch cymbal, this construction favors a wide wash, ideal for crashes that envelop the band while maintaining enough definition to place precise accents. The traditional finish helps preserve stick articulation clarity and maintains a balance between warmth, projection, and presence, whether on a small club setup or a larger stage.

Technical specifications