If you're looking for the finest hand-hammered cymbals in the world, the Meinl Byzance range is where the search ends. Made from B20 bronze using traditional Turkish cymbal-making techniques and finished to exacting German standards, every Byzance cymbal is a genuine work of art - sonically and visually. But with eight distinct series to choose from, knowing which one is right for you can feel overwhelming.
This guide covers every Meinl Byzance series in detail - what it sounds like, who it's for, and how it compares to the rest of the range. Whether you're searching for cymbals at a drum shop UK or browsing online, this is everything you need to make the right choice.
What Are Meinl Byzance Cymbals?
Meinl Cymbals have been crafting exceptional cymbals since 1951. The Byzance range is their flagship professional line - hand-hammered B20 bronze cymbals made using traditional Turkish techniques at their foundry in Turkey, then finished and quality-checked in Germany. The result is a cymbal with exceptional tonal complexity, warmth, and musical depth.
Every Byzance cymbal shares the same core DNA: B20 bronze, hand-hammering, Turkish craftsmanship. What differs between the series is the surface treatment, weight, and finishing process - and those differences produce dramatically different tonal characters. Understanding those differences is the key to finding the right Byzance for your playing style.
Meinl Byzance Traditional Cymbals
The Byzance Traditional is the original series and the most versatile cymbal in the entire Byzance range. Hammered and lathed B20 bronze surfaces deliver a warm, complex, and musical tone that works across virtually every playing style and genre - from jazz and acoustic to rock, pop, and studio recording.
Rides have a buttery-soft feel. Crashes range from dark and shimmering with thin models to powerful and focused with heavier ones. Hi-hats offer exceptional sensitivity and control. The Byzance Traditional is the benchmark against which all other cymbals are measured.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Traditional For?
Any drummer who wants a versatile, musical, all-purpose professional cymbal. It's the most popular starting point in the Byzance range for good reason - it works for everything.
Standout Models
- Polyphonic Complete Cymbal Set - A curated full setup from the Polyphonic sub-series, designed to produce multiple simultaneous tones for a uniquely rich, layered sound.
- Polyphonic Crashes, Rides, Hi-Hats and Splashes - Available individually across the range for drummers who want to add Polyphonic character to an existing setup.
- Extra Hammered Series - More extensive hammering for a drier, more controlled response across hi-hats and rides.
Meinl Byzance Brilliant Cymbals
Despite the name, the Byzance Brilliant is not about brightness - it's about darkness. The polished Brilliant finish is achieved through a buffing process that actually limits the high-end frequencies, producing a warmer, darker tone than the standard Traditional. Heavier models penetrate with directness and power, while thinner ones shimmer with warmth and complexity.
Visually, the mirror-polished finish makes the Byzance Brilliant one of the most striking cymbals on any kit.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Brilliant For?
Funk, fusion, and rock drummers who want a cymbal that looks exceptional on stage and delivers a refined, dark, musical tone.
Standout Models
- Serpents Hi-Hats (13") and (14") - Distinctive wavy edge design for added complexity and a cutting character.
- Serpents Ride (21") - The ride counterpart to the Serpents Hi-Hats, with the same wavy edge and complex character.
- Thomas Lang Fast Hi-Hats (13") and (14") - Designed for fast, articulate playing with a quick response.
- Thomas Lang Flex Ride (21") - A flexible, responsive ride for technical playing.
- 24" Pure Metal Ride - Raw, unlathed surface for maximum darkness and wash.
Meinl Byzance Vintage Cymbals
The Byzance Vintage is built around feel above everything else. With a soft, buttery stick response and low, dark tonalities, these cymbals deliver a deeply personal, organic sound. Large, deep dimpling on many models boosts dryness and darkness further, giving the Byzance Vintage a raw, earthy character that is unlike anything else in the range.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Vintage For?
Drummers who want a raw, organic, personal sound with real character and individuality. Particularly popular with jazz, acoustic, and studio players, and with fans of Benny Greb's playing style.
Standout Models
- Benny Greb Sand Cymbal Set and Sand Bonus Set - Complete setups built around the iconic Sand series sound.
- Smack Stack (10"/12"/14") and Smack Stack Add-On (8"/16") - One of the most famous cymbal stacks in the world. Short, trashy, explosive.
- Matt Garstka Artist's Choice Set - A complete setup built around the Equilibrium models, with a complex, harmonically rich character.
- Chris Coleman C² Ride (21") - A versatile signature ride for expressive playing.
Meinl Byzance Jazz Cymbals
The Byzance Jazz is Meinl's dedicated low-volume, high-sensitivity cymbal series. The distinctive sandblasted surface gives each cymbal a soft feel and a unique matte finish, while the tone is low, dark, and somewhat dry with a washy quality that sits perfectly in a mix without ever overpowering it.
With excellent stick definition and short sustain, the Byzance Jazz rewards sensitive playing and gives drummers total control at all times.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Jazz For?
Jazz drummers, acoustic players, and anyone who plays at lower volumes and values control, sensitivity, and musical subtlety above projection and power.
Standout Models
- Monophonic Ride (22") - Engineered to produce a single, pure tone for maximum clarity and definition.
- Club Ride (20") and (22") - Designed for intimate club settings with a warm, focused sound.
- Ralph Peterson Nuance Ride (21") - Signature model for nuanced, expressive playing.
- Ralph Peterson Symmetry Ride (22") - Symmetrical tonal response for balanced, musical playing.
Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Cymbals
The Byzance Extra Dry lives up to its name completely. Raw, unlathed surfaces and extensive hand hammering produce extremely dry, low-pitched, trashy tones with short sustain and minimal wash. Despite their raw appearance, these cymbals are not loud or aggressive - they reveal their dark, earthy character most beautifully at lower volumes.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry For?
Drummers who want maximum dryness, minimal sustain, and a dark, controlled, focused sound. Particularly popular with jazz players, studio drummers, and anyone who values musical subtlety.
Standout Models
- 21" Transition Ride - Blends crash and ride characteristics for a uniquely versatile sound with the Extra Dry's signature dark, controlled character.
- Mike Johnston Signature Set - A curated setup (14" Medium Hi-Hat, 18" Thin Crash, 20" Extra Thin Hammered Crash, 21" Transition Ride) designed with the acclaimed drummer and educator.
- Extra Dry Box Set - A complete Extra Dry setup in one box.
Meinl Byzance Dark Cymbals
The Byzance Dark is as visually striking as it is sonically distinctive. Each cymbal is oven-blackened to a deep, dark finish that perfectly reflects the sound within - intense, powerful, and uncompromisingly dark. Rides deliver defined, articulate sticking with a focused bell. Crashes produce short, punchy bursts with minimal spread.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Dark For?
Rock, metal, and progressive drummers who want an intense, dark, powerful cymbal sound with a visually striking appearance.
Standout Models
- Spectrum Hi-Hats (13") and (14") - Broader tonal spread across the frequency range for a more complex, layered character.
- Big Apple Dark Series - A New York-inspired sub-series with a raw, powerful character in hi-hats and rides up to 24".
- Matt Halpern Double Down Crash-Ride (21") - Signature model designed for versatile crash and ride use with the Byzance Dark's intense character.
Meinl Byzance Dual Cymbals
The Byzance Dual is one of the most visually and sonically distinctive cymbals Meinl has ever created. Each cymbal features a raw, hand-hammered centre and a narrow-blade lathed edge buffed to a Brilliant finish - two completely different surface treatments on a single cymbal. The tone reflects the look: earthy, trashy, and dark at first, then exploding into a flash of brilliant projection as the sound opens up.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Dual For?
Drummers who want something that stands out visually and sonically - a cymbal with a genuinely unique, two-stage tonal character. Particularly popular with rock, metal, and progressive players.
Available Sets
- Dual Core Cymbal Set
- Dual Crash Pack
- Dual Complete Pack
- Dual/Traditional Assorted Pack - A mixed set combining the Dual character with the warmth of the Traditional range.
Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve Cymbals
The Byzance Foundry Reserve is in a class of its own. Created in limited quantities directly at the Byzance foundry in Turkey, each Foundry Reserve cymbal is entirely hand-hammered by master cymbalsmiths - making every piece unique in both appearance and tonal character. No two Foundry Reserve cymbals are identical.
Inspired by the era when every cymbal was made entirely by hand, the Foundry Reserve showcases the extraordinary skill of Meinl's master cymbalsmiths. These are cymbals for drummers who demand the absolute best - and understand the rarity of what they're buying. The range covers hi-hats (14", 15", 16"), crashes (18", 19", 20"), rides (20", 22", 24"), light rides (20", 22", 24"), a 21" flat ride, and a 22" China ride.
Who Is the Meinl Byzance Foundry Reserve For?
Professional drummers and serious collectors who want the absolute pinnacle of what Meinl produces. The Foundry Reserve is produced in limited quantities - if you see a model you want, we'd recommend securing it sooner rather than later.
Which Meinl Byzance Series Is Right for You?
Here's a quick summary to help you decide:
- All-round versatility - Byzance Traditional
- Dark tone with a polished finish - Byzance Brilliant
- Raw, organic, personal sound - Byzance Vintage
- Jazz and low-volume playing - Byzance Jazz
- Maximum dryness and control - Byzance Extra Dry
- Intense, dark, powerful tone - Byzance Dark
- Unique two-stage tonal character - Byzance Dual
- The absolute best, no compromise - Byzance Foundry Reserve
Shop Meinl Byzance 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, you'll find the full Byzance range here.
If you're able to visit us, come into our drum shop in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where you can hear and compare Byzance cymbals in person in our dedicated Cymbal Lounge - there's no better way to find the right sound than hearing it for yourself. UK next day delivery is available as standard across the entire range.