MEINL CLASSICS CUSTOM EXTREME METAL CYMBALS

| SUMMER 2012 WWW.RHYTHMMAGAZINE.CO.UK
114
GEAR REVIEW
M
einl’s ‘Extreme Metal’ cymbal
collection is the most recent
addition to the mid-priced
Classics Custom series. These
models are designed specifi cally for those
players into hardcore, death, thrash, djent,
doom, gothic and the many other forms of
metal. With this potentially aggressive style of
drumming, a committed performance is all
about endurance, attitude and volume.
Up for review is a lone 16" crash and a
boxed set featuring Meinl endorsee Ben
Harclerode of deathcore band Whitechapel.
The set contains a 20" ride, 18" crash and a
pair of 14" hi-hats. Strangely, Meinl has also
included an additional 20" ride and an 18"
crash, similar to the models found in the
boxed set – this will allow a good test of
manufacturing consistency.
Build
All of the cymbals in Meinl’s Classics Custom
series are made from a B10 bronze (90
percent copper, 10 percent tin), this
represents an additional 2 percent tin over
their standard Classics line. Together with the
heavier and thicker Classics Custom Extreme
Metal cymbals, this should give a lift to the
high-end frequencies producing more cut
and bite to penetrate the wall of metal guitar.
Each of the cymbals are pressed (rather
than cast), from sheet bronze, where the
shaping, hammering and tone grooves are all
applied under massive presses. They are then
polished and applied with a tough lacquer to
help maintain their lustre. Each ‘hammering’
indent is formed in a symmetrical pattern
comprising two sets of circular shapes on
each cymbal – with the larger being the
deepest and the most intense. This intensity
From £142 Meinl expands their Classics Custom range with a
whole new set of cymbals aimed at metallers
MEINL CLASSICS
CUSTOM EXTREME
METAL CYMBALS
WORDS: DAVE HOLMES
VERDICT: The cymbals are perfectly
suited to the clientele these brass
beauties are likely to encounter. They
possess all the necessary frequencies to
be able to hold their own up against
some high levels of amplifi cation.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
Also try…
1
PAISTE RUDE
We say: “The original
dedicated punk/metal
cymbal.”
2
ZILDJIAN Z3
We say: “Stacked
with enough high
frequencies to cut
across the heaviest of
situations.”
does seem more pronounced on the hi-hats
where the combination of the extra deep
hammering and thickness upon each cymbal
appears to visibly stretch the metal. Both
hi-hats are around 1.5kg each – pretty hefty
for a pair of 14" models – as usual the top is
lighter but only by a few grams.
The bell of the 20" ride is probably the
largest of any cymbals I have reviewed – from
a cymbal which actually measures just over
20", a good 8" (21cm), or so, is occupied by the
seemingly disproportionate bell. This is not
unique and found on several other makes and
models including Meinl’s Soundcaster Mega
Bell and Zildjian’s Mega Bell rides.
Hands On
Up on the stands the cymbals look amazing
with their incredibly bright, highly polished
surfaces – even managing to enhance my
fairly dull matte-black kit. It’s the pair of
crashes which are the fi rst to be targeted and
receive a few large and well-aimed wallops
from the shoulder of my 5Bs. Each stroke is
sliced across the cymbal edges, where both
crashes emit an immediate ‘car-crash’ effect
with little detectable sustain as I carry on
ploughing into the whole kit.
Cuffi ng the bow with stick tips on the 18"
crash shows it can double as a crash/ride,
proving especially useful towards the bell
where any potential wash is easily controlled.
The bell proves a useful tool for highlighting
points in the song where it requires a lift. The
16" model is equally as powerful but, quite
oddly (unless my ears are deceiving me), has a
slightly lower pitch compared with its 18"
companion. The hi-hat is pitch-perfect with its
crispy, sharp tone and is incredibly articulate
with each individual
stroke clearly audible.
The sound it produces
is like taking a pair of
ear plugs out at a gig
– in the way that all of
a sudden everything
seems sharp and clear.
Light taps around the
intriguing ride reveal an
even and uncomplicated
‘ping’ but striking its huge
bell hard (again using the
shoulder of a 5B stick) produces
a wicked piercing sound, taking
no prisoners. Steady strokes
on the bow produce a
pleasing ride sound (still high
pitched), with a large wash
which can be used to a
crashing effect when
pushed a little harder.
Checking-out the
additional ride and crash
for a moment shows it is
virtually impossible to tell
them apart from the boxed
set models – this is the
beauty of cymbals made from
sheet metal and created almost
entirely by computer controlled
manufacturing processes. It gives
any potential purchaser the
confi dence that each Meinl model
is consistent.
EACH STROKE IS SLICED ACROSS
THE CYMBAL EDGES, WHERE BOTH
CRASHES EMIT AN IMMEDIATE ‘CAR
CRASH’ EFFECT WITH LITTLE SUSTAIN
RHY206.gear_meinl.indd 114 7/6/12 4:23 PM