Meinl Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Transition Ride
Size: 21 Inch
Series: Byzance Extra Dry
Weight: 2325g, 2328g, 2328g, 2330g, 2332g, 2338g, 2338g, 2339g, 2346g, 2347g, 2349g, 2349g, 2349g, 2350g, 2350g, 2351g
Median Weight: 2343g (n=16)
Years of production: 2007 - Present
Sound file: Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Byzance Extra Dry 21" Transition Ride
Meinl's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "First unveiled at the 2014 NAMM show, the Transition Ride hails from Meinl's pro Byzance Extra Dry Series. This Turkish-made Signature Ride is cast from a B20 alloy - a blend used in Byzance cymbals and many of the world's top pro cymbals.

Around the entire surface there are distinct areas boasting a variety of textures and finishes - each contributing to the visual appeal and sonic character. The upper surface appears 'pre-aged' or stressed by some intensive hammering and flame grilling, while other sections are simply left to oxidise naturally.

This graceful ageing process is helped by the mottled patches of green and brown interwoven in between the firm hand-hammered indentations eventually encompassing the raised bell. The underside of this bell is left entirely in its raw state with a gloriously deep red oxide hue.

In contrast, the rest of the underside is highly polished and the fine lathed grooves have been all but smoothed-out due to this intense shining - the lathe scribes abruptly halting as they make contact with the well-rounded, robustly red bell.

At a quick glance its hard to spot the numerous logos dotted around - each one understated - and, if you didn't realise this was a signature model, it would be easy to glance over Mike Johnston's laser-etched signature under the bell. Mike believes the cymbal is suitable for all players of any genre and didn't want to put anyone off!

It quickly becomes evident this cymbal is going to be lively - you can detect it flex under each stick strike, giving it a slightly organic feel. A well-placed tip-strike produces a delicate dry ping followed by a wash with an underlying dark and mysterious Turkish tone. By slightly changing the angle of the stick and awarding the edge of the cymbal with a shoulder wallop, it instantly morphs into a very large crash.

It's easy to control, both to crash, ride or both. This can prove useful for filling those gaps, underpinning a nippy middle eight, raising a chorus, pounding into a punky verse or simply to define the end of an eight-bar phrase.

Striking at the edge with a medium blow produces a gong-like bloom and increasing it causes it to burst into a huge crash.

While the overall sound is thick and full of substance, it never loses control, allowing each strike to be heard with clarity. Even at a peak, the bell is highly capable of penetrating the ensuing sound waves, though always complementing."

Review written by Dave Holmes ("Meinl Byzance Transition Ride review", musicradar.com, August 13, 2014)

Review: "Any time a company produces a signature product, there is usually a backstory. “I‘ve always wanted a ride that would have amazing tone and stick definition when played on top and would also swell into a beautiful crash as I began to open up and bash,” says Mike Johnston about his signature Meinl cymbal. “The transition Ride does exactly that. One of my favorite things about playing it is how quickly the decay is when you’re done bashing and ready to play something that requires intense clarity. Being able to transition seamlessly between riding and crashing makes this a massively versatile cymbal. The bell on The Transition ride is also very special. It was designed to sound like a belled version of the actual ride. When (one is) playing the bell, the rest of the cymbal is activated and a smooth shimmer starts to support your sound.” Mike makes a statement that sums up this ride cymbal — “this ride is the ride that I have always wished someone would make.”

Sounds Good As It Looks

What can I say? This is one incredible-looking ride cymbal. Pure eye candy! Seriously, it is a work of metallurgical mastery—an alloy disk of hammered heaven and lathed lustfulness. It has an aged patina that evokes a real earthy feel. There is lathing on the top side, with a patterned small-ping-hammering, and then random large-ping (almost quarter size) dimples all over. It reminds me of the surface of the moon. And even with the earthy patina, it still has a polished look … an aged brilliant finish one might say.

The cymbal's underside features a completely raw bell with a very fine lathing, heavily polished.

So, how does it sound? As drummers grow in their craft, they can fall into personal preference habits. I typically play a 22” ride with a large bell that produces a very defined “bell” sound (think 70s ballad power bell). Because of the heavy bell I like to use, the rides I typically play don’t lend themselves to being a good crash/ride. That isn’t the case with this ride—it really is the “perfect” ride! It has a very nicely defined bell like I'm accustomed to, as well as a ride that doesn’t develop an out-of-control swell. It develops an adequate amount of wash to keep you coming back for more. What was a surprise is that this 21” ride produces a killer crash.

Wishes Come True
The most common ride cymbals come in 20” and 22” diameters, but this 21” really hits the mark. The 21” diameter is an average between the two more common sizes and allows for great placement of the cymbal within the drum kit. The true testimony for a ride cymbal is the cymbal’s musical prowess. Again, this cymbal hits the mark. It is such a fine musical cymbal and would work within any music genre. One of my favorite characteristics of this cymbal is that it has a flex to it that allows the cymbal to “play” back in response to the your playing. It comes alive with movement and dance. Mike Johnston said, “This ride is the ride I always wished someone would make.”

With the Meinl Byzance 21” Mike Johnston Signature Ride…wishes do come true."

Review written by Dendy Jarrett ("Expert Review - Meinl Byzance Mike Johnston Signature Transition 21" Ride", harmonycentral.com, November 21, 2014)

Artist/song where it can be heard: unknown