name: uli eisenmann
with meinl since: 1984
current position at meinl: laser-unit operator

ever since we have moved into our new factory in 2003, uli has been operating one of our two laser engraving units. yes, we have two of them. one for cymbals with a size up to 16", and the other one for all cymbals with diameter of 17" and larger. all logos on the byzance extra dry, jazz series and the sand ride, the tribal designs on the generation-x thomas lang series and fx hats, all artist' signatures on the inside bell of their signature rides and hihats, as well benny's cartoon drawing on the trash-hat and sand ride, and last but not least the serial number on every cymbal are all laser engraved. uli is responsible for the set up and configuration of that extremely expensive laser machine.

when uli began at meinl 25 years ago, he was trained at all production steps necessary for cymbal manufacturing. when we started working with our first robot hammering units in the late 80ies, uli was the responsible specialist for operating those highly complicated machines. the expertise he gained and passed on to other workmates during those years has been crucial knowledge for the development of our recent cymbal lines now made here in our new factory.

and on a more personal note: my most memorable experiences with uli have been between 1990 - 1995 during countless convention booth setups where everything is crazy busy and all goes somehow not according to plan:  any technical problem that came up, uli was able to fix it. a leaking sink, electrical problems, a bent door, no matter what, he always had a solution which made everyone's convention-life easier.

to the next 25 years!

even though we have introduced benny greb's sand ride at the past summer namm in nashville a few weeks ago, he has not received any of the finalised rides for himself yet. until today he has always played his prototype sand ride which we made months ago already.

today finally he found a few hrs to visit me here in the factory and handpick his personal ones. we've tested about 100 handmade sand rides and all of them sounded phenomenal. four of those made it into benny's cymbal bag.

like he did with his trash-hat already, benny is very soon going to produce a little promotional video about the sand ride. i'm already looking forward to this one.

and to all of you soon-to-be-owners of a benny greb sandride, maybe you will end up with one of those which benny has personally tested and approved here and today :-)