The Meinl Artist Concept Model Cymbals are the most creative and distinctive instruments in the entire Meinl range. Unlike standard signature cymbals - where an artist simply endorses an existing product - every Artist Concept Model is the result of a genuine design partnership between Meinl and a world-class drummer. The result is a collection of cymbals with unique shapes, configurations, and tonal characters that exist nowhere else in the cymbal world.
In this guide, we cover every Meinl Artist Concept Model cymbal currently available - who designed it, what it sounds like, and who it's for. Whether you're a fan of a specific artist or simply looking for something genuinely unique, this is everything you need to know.
What Are Meinl Artist Concept Model Cymbals?
The Meinl Artist Concept Model programme was created to give world-class drummers the freedom to design cymbals that didn't previously exist. Each model starts with a conversation between Meinl and the artist about a specific sonic need - a sound they couldn't find in any existing cymbal. Meinl's craftspeople then work with the artist to develop, prototype, and refine the cymbal until it perfectly captures that vision.
The result is a collection of cymbals that are genuinely unique - not just in name, but in design, construction, and sound. Many of the Artist Concept Models have gone on to become iconic pieces of modern drumming equipment, copied and referenced across the industry.
Browse the full Meinl Artist Concept Model Cymbals collection at Into Music Store.
Benny Greb - Crasher Hats
Benny Greb is one of the most influential drummers of his generation - a German musician, educator, and composer whose approach to rhythm and sound has shaped modern drumming. His Artist Concept Models are among the most iconic effects cymbals in the world.
Benny Greb Crasher Hats
The Crasher Hats are Benny Greb's signature effects cymbal - a pair of small cymbals designed to be played together as a stack, producing a short, trashy, explosive sound that has become one of the most recognisable elements of his playing. Available in two sizes:
- 6" Crasher Hats - The smaller, tighter version. Extremely short sustain, very dry and focused.
- 8" Crasher Hats - Slightly larger with a touch more body, while retaining the signature trashy, explosive character.
The Crasher Hats are one of the most copied effects cymbal concepts in modern drumming - but the originals remain the best. Also available as part of the Benny Greb Artist's Choice Cymbal Set.
Matt Garstka - Temporal Stacks, Fat Stack & Equilibrium Series
Matt Garstka is the drummer for Animals as Leaders - one of the most technically demanding and musically complex bands in progressive metal. His Artist Concept Models reflect his polyrhythmic, harmonically rich approach to drumming.
Temporal Stack I and Temporal Stack II
The Temporal Stacks are Matt Garstka's signature cymbal stacks - two distinct configurations designed to produce complex, layered sounds that complement his intricate playing style.
- Temporal Stack I - The first configuration, designed for a specific tonal character that sits perfectly in Matt's dense, polyrhythmic musical context.
- Temporal Stack II - A second configuration with a different tonal character, giving drummers two distinct Garstka-approved stack sounds to choose from.
Fat Stack
The Fat Stack is a larger, fuller-sounding stack designed for a bigger, more powerful character than the Temporal Stacks - ideal for drummers who want the Garstka aesthetic with more body and weight.
Equilibrium Series
Beyond the Artist Concept Models, Matt Garstka also has a signature series within the Byzance Vintage range - the Equilibrium models, which deliver a complex, harmonically rich, layered tonal character across three cymbal types:
Also available as a complete Matt Garstka Artist's Choice Cymbal Set.
Luke Holland - Baby Stack & Bullet Stack
Luke Holland is one of the most technically gifted drummers in modern metal and progressive music - known for his explosive speed, precision, and creative use of effects cymbals. His two Artist Concept Models reflect his high-energy, technically demanding playing style.
Baby Stack
The Baby Stack is a compact cymbal stack designed for a short, punchy, explosive sound that cuts through even the densest musical context. Small in size, massive in impact.
Bullet Stack
The Bullet Stack is Luke Holland's second Artist Concept Model - a different configuration with its own distinct tonal character, designed to give drummers a second explosive stack option with a slightly different feel and sound.
Thomas Lang - Super Stack
Thomas Lang is one of the most technically accomplished drummers in the world - a Vienna-born musician whose extraordinary technique and musical versatility have made him one of the most in-demand session and touring drummers of his generation. He also has signature models in the Byzance Brilliant range, including the Fast Hi-Hats and Flex Ride.
Super Stack
The Thomas Lang Super Stack is his Artist Concept Model - a larger, more powerful stack designed for a bigger, more complex sound than most conventional stacks. It reflects Thomas's approach to effects cymbals: powerful, musical, and versatile.
Matt Halpern - Double Down Stack
Matt Halpern is the drummer for Periphery - one of the most influential bands in modern progressive metal. His playing is characterised by a powerful, dynamic approach that blends technical precision with raw energy.
Double Down Stack
The Double Down Stack is Matt Halpern's Artist Concept Model - a cymbal stack designed for a powerful, explosive sound that complements his hard-hitting, dynamic playing style. He also has a signature Double Down Crash-Ride (21") in the Byzance Dark range, and a complete Artist's Choice Cymbal Set.
Anika Nilles - Deep Hats & Artist Design Ride
Anika Nilles is one of the most distinctive and creative drummers in contemporary music - a German musician whose unique approach to groove, texture, and sound design has earned her a global following. Her Artist Concept Models reflect her creative, detail-oriented approach to cymbal sound.
Deep Hats
The Deep Hats are Anika Nilles's signature hi-hat concept - designed for a deep, dark, and distinctive sound that reflects her unique musical voice.
Artist Design Ride (22") - Limited Edition
The Anika Nilles Artist Design Ride (22") is a strictly limited edition cymbal - one of only two Artist Design rides currently available. With a unique design and tonal character shaped entirely by Anika's musical vision, this is a genuinely rare and collectible instrument. If you're interested, we'd strongly recommend securing one while stock lasts.
Aric Improta - Artist Design Ride (Limited Edition)
Aric Improta is the drummer for Night Verses - a progressive rock band known for their cinematic, dynamic sound. His Artist Design Ride is the other limited edition model in the Artist Design series.
Artist Design Ride (22") - Limited Edition
The Aric Improta Artist Design Ride (22") is a strictly limited edition cymbal with a unique design and tonal character shaped by his cinematic, dynamic approach to drumming. Like the Anika Nilles model, availability is strictly limited - get in touch with our team if you're interested.
Artist's Choice Cymbal Sets
For drummers who want a complete setup curated by their favourite artist, the Meinl Byzance Artist's Choice Cymbal Sets offer a hand-picked selection of Byzance cymbals chosen by each drummer for their personal playing style. Each set is a complete, cohesive setup that reflects the artist's individual approach to sound:
- Matt Halpern Artist's Choice Set
- Benny Greb Artist's Choice Set
- Matt Garstka Artist's Choice Set
- Chris Coleman Artist's Choice Set
- Mike Johnston Artist's Choice Set
Shop Meinl Artist Concept Model Cymbals at Into Music Store
Into Music Store is one of the UK's leading independent drum stores and an authorised Meinl dealer, home to the Meinl Cymbal Lounge - one of the largest dedicated Meinl cymbal displays in the UK. Whether you're searching online or looking for a drum shop near me with genuine expertise and a real selection of Artist Concept Models, you'll find the full range here.
If you're able to visit us, come into our drum shop in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where you can hear and compare cymbals in person. UK next day delivery is available as standard across the entire range.
→ Browse all Meinl Artist Concept Model Cymbals at Into Music Store