Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis 1982 18" Crash Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Crash Ride
Size: 18 Inch
Series: Mel Lewis Signature 1982
Weight: 1448g, 1476g, 1480g, 1484g, 1490g, 1495g, 1499g, 1523g, 1525g, 1570g
Median Weight: 1493g (n/10)
Years of production: 2002 - Present
Sound file: Mel Lewis 1982 18" Crash Ride
Mel Lewis 1982 18" Crash Ride
Mel Lewis 1982 18" Crash Ride
Istanbul Agop's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "I don’t know of too many cymbals that fulfill the promise of being both crash and ride. I always believed that in order to keep a proper balance, a crash/ride had to mute its ride elements and beef up its crash characteristics. That could be a recipe for disaster.
The 18" Mel Lewis 1982 crash/ride is a different case. As a crash it’s larger—and louder—than I’m used to. Along with a light gonginess, the cymbal chimed with a piercing, high-pitched ring.

Used as a ride, the 18" crash/ride generated vibrant tones on the high and low ends of the spectrum. (As on the 20" ride, moving closer to the bell added nothing to the sound.) Just to further test the cymbal’s versatility, I played it with mallets, achieving a “waves crashing in the distance” feel that rolled in and out very quickly.
As a rock cymbal, this model wouldn’t cut it. But we’re talkin’ jazz here. It’s certainly strong enough to be a ride in the traditional sense for a big band setting. Additionally, the pleasing color of its overtones make it perfect for being creative on a hard bop gig."

Review written by Will Romano ("Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis 1982 Cymbals And Alchemy Custom Hi-Hats - Distinct Voices For Jazz And Rock", Modern Drummer, April 2002, page 43)

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