MEINL HCS CYMBAL PACK

| FEBRUARY 2012 WWW.RHYTHMMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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GEAR REVIEW
BASIC SET
Reviewed is the HCS
Basic Set comprising 14"
hi-hats and a 16" crash
SOUND GROOVES
Cymbals have wider sound
grooves on the bow and
fi ner ones on the bell
MEINL HCS
CYMBAL PACK
£125 Meinl’s new starter series offers more brass for less copper
WORDS: DAVE HOLMES
M
einl is the epitome of effi cient German
engineering, combining over 50 years of
instrument expertise with advanced
manufacturing processes. Meinl’s
ever-expanding range of cymbals has models to suit all
genres. The set we have for review contains a selection
from Meinl’s entry-level HCS range, which they say
“offers the best possible sounds at an affordable price”.
Buying cymbals in a boxed set can have advantages
over buying them individually; it saves money and the
hassle of selection, and they will usually be tonally
matched. Meinl offer three cymbal sets in their HCS
series; two ‘Basic’ and one ‘Complete’ – the fi rst Basic
set has a pair of 14" hi-hats and a 16" crash (as
reviewed), the second also has 14" hi-hats but comes
with an 18" crash/ride and lastly the Complete Cymbal
Set comprises 14" hi-hats, 16" crash and a 20" ride.
Build
HCS cymbals are created from a brass alloy, MS63
(MS = Mint State, 63 = percentage of copper). This
brassy formula is used by many manufacturers for
their entry-level cymbals, as it’s easy to work and is a
relatively inexpensive material. Rather than casting,
each cymbal is formed from sheet brass which is
pressed into shape, lathed and hammered on the top
surface only and then, fi nally, polished.
Printed in black upon each cymbal is the series
designation ‘HCS’, together with the familiar Meinl
logo. Laser-etched into the upper surface is yet
another, much smaller logo, country of origin and
serial number. Like most hi-hat pairs, the bottom
cymbal is thicker and as a result, heavier than the top.
The crash is reasonably thin with a shallow taper and,
like the hi-hats, has wider sound grooves around the
bow but much fi ner ones on the bell.
Hands On
Striking the 16" crash at the edge with the stick
shoulder sees the cymbal peak instantly and tail off
just as rapidly, leaving behind a sustained note which
is actually quite pleasant. Rather than being ear and
air-splitting, the sound produced is full-bodied and
quite dark. Playing with nylon tips produces a useful
cut from the bow and the bell sounds surprisingly
good with some well-aimed shoulder strikes,
proving the cymbal to be equally useful perhaps
as a crash/ride.
The hats produce some surprises too. All the usual
tricks are feasible and readily available, with actions
such as half-open, pedalling with the ‘chick’ sound,
striking while closed and then opening rapidly – its all
there. There is a slight underlying harmonic going on
beneath each individual stick strike, but this is lost
when adding drums.
VERDICT: These cymbals may be cost-
effective but they don’t sound in the least
bit cheap – they are surprisingly good and
they would make a sensible purchase for
any beginner.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
PRICE
HCS Basic Cymbal Set,
£125
CAST OR PRESSED
Pressed
ALLOY USED
Brass (MS63)
FINISH
Polished
HAND OR MACHINE
HAMMERED
Machine
COUNTRY OF
MANUFACTURE
Germany
DIAMETERS
AVAILABLE
8"-20"
MODELS AVAILABLE
Hi-hats, crash/ride, ride,
splashes, chinas, crash
SUITABLE FOR
Beginners or those
drummers on a tight
budget
CONTACT
Active Music Distribution
020 8693 5678
www.meinlcymbals.com
Essential spec
RHY199.gear_meinl.indd 116 12/21/11 1:23:34 PM