Meinl CYMBAL BACON

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

In the tradition of highly prized "riveted" cymbals in jazz and studio settings, the Meinl Cymbal Bacon offers a modern and reversible approach: achieving the "sizzle" grain without modifying your instrument. It positions itself as a simple, reliable, and immediate accessory to enrich the sonic palette, whether your set consists of brilliant, traditional, or hand-hammered raw cymbals.

Who This Accessory Is For

The Meinl Cymbal Bacon is aimed at all drummers, from beginners to professionals, who want to add an extra sonic color without investing in a dedicated cymbal. It is particularly relevant for styles seeking textured sustain and a "lively" high end: jazz, funk, fusion, pop, and all club or studio playing situations where nuance and timbral personality make a difference.

Features and Innovations

Its concept is based on a thin washer combined with a ball chain: the chain gently brushes the cymbal surface to create an organic sizzle, comparable to the rivet effect but without any drilling. The accessory can be mounted on any cymbal stand and adapts to your preferred feel: placed above the felts for more direct contact, below for a subtler effect, or even without felts depending on your setup. Its great strength is its quick usability: you can move it from one cymbal to another mid-song to switch from a defined ride to a more "airy" crash in seconds.

Sound Characteristics

The Cymbal Bacon does not replace your cymbal's character; it complements it. The stainless steel chain adds a layer of texture in the highs, with a "sizzle" that follows the cymbal's natural vibration. On a ride, the effect provides a more singing sustain and a halo sensation, very useful for open patterns and brushes. On a crash, it enhances the "shimmery" dimension and gives a grainier note decay, ideal for broad accents and atmospheres.

Unlike some solutions that muffle the cymbal, this design is intended to preserve the sustain: the contact is mobile (the chain bounces), which avoids constant damping. The result remains musical, adaptable, and works equally well on brilliant cymbals as on raw or hammered finishes, where the metal's texture further highlights the effect.

Technical specifications

Color

Grey

Effect	adds a "sizzle" sound to a cymbal	Type	ball chain
Compatibility	all cymbal stands	Length	10.5"
Placement	above or below the cymbal felts (or use without felts)	Material	stainless steel