Byzance Foundry Reserve
The Byzance Foundry Reserve collection is a limited selection of cymbals created at our Byzance cymbal foundry in Turkey. Inspired from the time when all cymbals were handmade, these cymbals showcase the stunning, sonically rich works of art that our cymbalsmiths create with layers of tonality and nuance; however, that is only half of the beauty, as they are visually striking from the one-of-a-kind hand hammered marks.
Each smith spends additional time hammering these cymbal blanks to develop a more complex voice within the metal. The extra hammering creates many deep craters across the surface. When this hammering is coupled with the fully lathed top and bottom, the rides produce a clear, dry stick-attack note over a lush bed of low undertones – otherwise known as “the roar.” The hi-hats sizzle with warmth and clarity when played with sticks or the foot, and the crash explodes with a dark fury not found elsewhere in the Byzance family.
We intentionally left the top surface free from large logos so that the natural beauty of the hand-hammering artform can be appreciated. Each cymbal leaves the factory packed in a specially designed box to protect the cymbal as it travels from the factory to you.
collection
B20FRLR, B22FRLR
B20FRLRThe Byzance Foundry Reserve Light Ride is a very versatile cymbal starting with the thin weight and easily fits the personality of the player. It may become your favorite thin jazz ride with a dark and brooding light wash; however, it can also quickly explode into an ominous crash.
Starting with the extensive hand-hammering, the cymbalsmith forms the low fundamental pitch, dark tonality, and rich harmonics you hear. The fully lathed surface gives the stick definition a bright attack followed by a lush wash of undertones. This cymbal responds easily to mallets too. Available in 20” and 22” sizes.
B20FRR, B22FRR
The Byzance Foundry Reserve Ride features a dry stick-attack note followed by a complex character carried along in a dark wash. Undergoing extra time with the cymbalsmith, every ride develops a deep foundation from the extensive hand-hammering building up to a rich character. This complex array of harmonics would be buried in the cymbal if not for the fully lathed surface which opens the cymbal for that brilliant tonality to escape. The medium-thin weight provides enough body for a strong stick definition to drive a band, but is thin enough to open for thunderous crashes too. Available in 20” and 22” sizes.
additional special items
To commemorate the limited nature and extensive work that goes into each Byzance Foundry Reserve cymbal, we have included some additional special items with each cymbal. First, there is a letter from Mr. Reinhold Meinl and a Certificate of Authenticity. Next, we have included a pair of our Meinl Stick & Brush Standard 5A drum sticks. Finally, there is a pair of 100% cotton cymbal handling gloves.
The cymbals are left unlacquered and as untreated as possible from the foundry. So we recommend using the gloves to handle your cymbal if you prefer to keep it as pristine as possible so the cymbal can age naturally over time.
