Crash cymbals have plenty of potential to create a unique voice for your drum kit. When you use two to three of them in your setup, you allow yourself to have a diverse range of sounds.
If you really want a unique sound spectrum, it’s a good idea to try out a 19” crash cymbal. It’s a slightly bigger option that allows further playability option.
If that interests you, you should check out Meinl’s 19” Byzance Traditional Medium Thin crash cymbal. It’s a top-tier option, and we’re going to dive deeper into how it performs within this review.
The cymbal has a 19” diameter, making it slightly larger than most other crash cymbals that drummers use.
It’s made with a B20 bronze alloy, which is the highest-quality material used for making cymbals.
In terms of weight, it has a medium design. However, it’s still heavier than typical crash cymbals due to the larger diameter.
The pitch is quite high, but it also produces smooth, bright, and warmish sounds.
The first thing you’ll notice about this cymbal is that it produces a smokey tone. It’s the typical sound that you’ll hear from all Byzance cymbals from Meinl. However, it blends that with traditional bright tones to create an incredible mixture.
Since it’s a 19” cymbal, the sounds are mid to low-pitched, allowing you to strike it and have a wave of sound fall over your entire drum kit. It doesn’t get out of the way too quickly, making this an excellent crash option when you want powerful tones.
The bell of the cymbal is also extremely playable, producing a tight and bright sound when you strike it.
With the cymbal being made from a B20 alloy, you get plenty of musicality. Meinl also uses a narrow-blade lathing process to give the cymbal its bright and explosive tones.
Regarding weight, the cymbal has a medium-thin design. It feels quite thin, but it’s certainly a bit thicker than most other 19” crash cymbal designs.
We’d say it has a good middle-ground, making it playable but also quite durable.
Our favorite thing about this cymbal is that it can double up as a crash and a ride cymbal. You’re able to play the bow quite freely due to the larger diameter. It’s not as articulate or distinct as a typical ride cymbal, but you get a great washy sound which is great for opening things up.
It then has a bright and powerful sound when you crash on the edge. This sound isn’t as bright and cutting as smaller cymbals in the same line, but it’s bright enough to make a big impact.
As we mentioned earlier, the bell is also very fun to strike. You don’t typically think about playing the bell of a crash cymbal, but this one adds an extra dynamic layer to the mix.
The cymbal costs just over $400, which we actually think is quite a reasonable price for such a high-quality cymbal. The versatility also makes it worth a lot more, as you’ll get more use out of this cymbal compared to other options that are less versatile.
So, the price-to-value on offer is very good. There are other 19” crash cymbals available that are far more expensive, but they don’t offer too much more in terms of sound and playability.
Overall, we’d say that the Meinl Byzance 19” Traditional crash is a fantastic addition to any drum kit setup. No matter what style of music you typically play, this cymbal will fit right in.
Jazz drummers can use it as a secondary ride cymbal, while rock drummers can bash on it during loud chorus parts. It can easily handle everything.
The price tag is also very attractive, especially compared to other cymbals from Meinl’s Byzance lines.
Founder of TheDrumNinja
I’m crazy about drums, it’s been my passion since I was 12 years old. I played in numerous bands going through different styles like Rock, Progressive, Pop & Jazz-Rock. After being featured in major music publications (Drumeo, Guitar Guitar, AudioIssues, MusicThinkTank) I started this website to share my knowledge and create a resource for drummers of all levels.
We specialize in helping drummers of all levels become rhythmic assassins and develop ninja-like skills, quickly. Our mission is to create the best resources for all musicians and build a community where you can learn and share everything related to your musical journey.
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