Meinl Crash Byzance 18" Jazz Extra Thin

Historical Context and Positioning Within the Range

For over thirty years, Meinl has developed percussion instruments and cymbals renowned for their manufacturing precision and consistency, becoming a benchmark in modern percussion. The Jazz series aligns with this approach by targeting a distinctly expressive aesthetic: cymbals with a dark character, designed to leave room for playing, nuances, and a personal sound identity, while remaining reliable and coherent within a set.

Who This Drum/Instrument Is For

This 18-inch jazz crash cymbal is aimed at intermediate to expert drummers seeking a sensitive crash capable of responding to the slightest intention. It is particularly well-suited for jazz, nu-jazz, funk, soul, fusion, as well as pop and acoustic music whenever timbral palette, controlled crescendos, and non-aggressive attacks are prioritized. Its thin profile also allows excellent performance in studio and small stage settings, where balance and volume control are essential.

Features and Innovations

The Jazz series benefits from deeper hammering and enhanced marking, contributing to a rich response and a "lively" feel under the stick. Choosing an extra thin model promotes quick vibration : the cymbal opens easily, even at low intensity, allowing work on accents, swells, and delicate crashes without effort. The traditional finish preserves an authentic sound and contributes to natural projection, with a balance designed to integrate into a mix without overwhelming the space.

Sound Characteristics

The B20 alloy is renowned for its harmonic complexity and musicality: it provides a wide richness of harmonics, a more "organic" response, and better capacity to express playing nuances. On this crash, the hand hammering directly contributes to character: it densifies the spectrum, strengthens the cymbal's personality, and highlights a very dark and textured color, ideal for shaping accents without harshness.

Thanks to its extra thin thickness, the attack remains soft and the feel under the stick is deep and refined, encouraging dynamic and controlled playing. The cymbal combines a full sound with medium sustain, and sits in a high-mid pitch range: an effective compromise to achieve presence without excessive brightness, with a decay controlled enough to avoid blurring rhythmic placements. The result: an expressive crash, ideal for crafting a personal sound, from subtle brushstrokes to more marked accents.

Technical specifications

Type	crash cymbal	Manufacture	hand hammered
Series	Jazz	Finish	traditional
Application	nuanced playing, fine dynamics, acoustic and studio contexts	Color	dark, complex, full-bodied
Diameter	18 inches	Sustain	medium
Thickness	extra thin	Pitch	high-mid
Alloy	B20 bronze	Response	quick, soft touch, highly sensitive at low intensity