Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (2)
$409.99
Guitar Center
3.0 (2)
$409.99
Amazon
3.8 (17)
$409.99
Reverb
5.0 (3)
$349.99 New
$382.61 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (7)
$409.99
Thomann
5.0 (5)
$389.00 $388.00 $1.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£365.00

Average Price: $394

Standard/Professional

$200

$501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Meinl Byzance Traditional China". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Meinl Byzance Traditional China, a cymbal that serves as a sonic delight for the discerning musician. Handcrafted in Turkey, this cymbal offers an aggressive, brash attack with a complex spread. Revel in its trashy sound that is coupled with an explosive response and a lengthy sustain. The Byzance Traditional China packs a punch with its dark and rich tone, contributing a unique timbre to the overall sound of your drum set.

Amplifying the appeal of this cymbal is the use of the traditional B20 bronze alloy, which is renowned for its superior musicality. The cymbal's profile is meticulously hand-hammered into shape and then lathed by hand, a process that creates a truly unique musical instrument. This cymbal has the versatility to perform exceptionally across various music genres such as Latin, jazz, rock, pop, and country, making it a great all-around choice for any drummer.

Key Features:

  • Handcrafted in Turkey using traditional B20 bronze alloy
  • Features an aggressive, brash attack with a complex spread
  • Offers a trashy sound coupled with an explosive response and a long sustain
  • Hand-hammered and hand-lathed for a unique, musical sound
  • Versatile and suitable for various music genres
  • Delivers a medium-bright tone that evolves into a gong-like wash underscored with dark harmonics
  • Provides a rich and satisfying sustain that is present, without being overwhelming or drowning out the rest of your drum set.

Product specs

Type China
Size 18"
Weight Thin
Finish Traditional
Material B20
Pitch High-Mid
Sound Aggressive, Trashy, Smooth
Sustain Medium
Volume Medium

FAQs

What sound characteristics can I expect from the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal?

The Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal delivers an aggressive, trashy sound with a smooth finish. Its high-mid pitch and medium sustain make it ideal for adding explosive accents in a variety of musical styles.

Is the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal suitable for live performances?

Yes, with its medium volume and aggressive sound, the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal is well-suited for live performances, cutting through the mix effectively.

What material is the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal made from?

This cymbal is crafted from B20 bronze, known for its durability and rich tonal quality, making it a reliable choice for both studio and live settings.

How does the traditional finish affect the sound of the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal?

The traditional finish on the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal contributes to its smooth, trashy sound, providing a classic look and feel while enhancing its overall tonal warmth.

What type of music is the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal best suited for?

The Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal is versatile enough for various genres but excels in settings that require dynamic, explosive accents, such as rock, metal, and fusion.

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Meinl Cymbals B18CH Byzance 18" Traditional China Cymbal

Video thumbnail for Meinl Cymbals B18CH Byzance 18" Traditional China Cymbal by MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Meinl Cymbals B18CH Byzance 18" Traditional China Cymbal

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Video thumbnail for Meinl Cymbals B20CH Byzance 20" Traditional China Cymbal by MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Meinl Cymbals B20CH Byzance 20" Traditional China Cymbal

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Video thumbnail for Meinl Cymbals B16CH Byzance 16" Traditional China Cymbal by MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Meinl Cymbals B16CH Byzance 16" Traditional China Cymbal

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Video thumbnail for Meinl Cymbals B14CH Byzance 14" Traditional China Cymbal by MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Meinl Cymbals B14CH Byzance 14" Traditional China Cymbal

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos

Reviews

PROS

  • Produces a dark and fast sound with minimal overtones

  • Versatile across various music genres, from jazz to metal

  • Stands out in both live and studio settings

  • Offers a broad dynamic range from soft to loud

  • Unique tonal zones for diverse sound options

  • Blends well with other cymbal brands like Zildjian and Sabian

  • High-quality sound that cuts through the mix effectively

  • Retains a pleasing tonality while being dry-sounding

CONS

  • Prone to cracking, especially with hard hitting or thick sticks

  • Considered expensive compared to similar-sounding alternatives

  • Longer sustain may not suit fast tempos or precise accents

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Meinl Byzance Traditional China.

User experience

  • The 18" Meinl Byzance Traditional China is still performing well after 3 years, indicating durability for long-term use.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners rate the Meinl Byzance Traditional China highly compared to the Sabian AAX 18" China, which is noted to sound inferior.

    Source
  • The Meinl Byzance Traditional China is mentioned alongside the Zildjian 18" Oriental China as preferred choices for their quality and sound.

    Source
  • Some users prefer thinner China cymbals for reduced sustain, making them more suitable for various genres and less overpowering.

    Source
  • The 18" Wuhan China is noted for its distinctly trashy sound, often compared to a "metal trash can lid" in a positive context.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Meinl Byzance Traditional China is favored for rock, metal, and hardcore genres due to its sound characteristics.

    Source
  • The Meinl Byzance Traditional China can be adapted for non-metal genres by using it as a trashy crash or incorporating it into a smaller stack setup.

    Source
  • Playing the China flare-up allows the main bow to be used as a dirtier ride cymbal, offering versatility for different music styles.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners suggest using an x-hat attachment to mount the China cymbal facing another cymbal, which allows for tailoring the wash and sustain.

    Source

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Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

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See how Chris Adler uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Chris Adler

Drummer

Lamb of God

...
Verified via Imgur

On Drums of Destruction, a drum library in EZdrummer modelled after Chris's kit in collaboration with Josh Wilbur, his exact cymbals are listed, and they match the gear on his site

It's 18" though it doesn't show on the Equipboard listing for some reason

See how Matt Halpern uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Matt Halpern

Drummer

Periphery

...
Verified via Photo

In his Instagram post, Matt Halpern showcases his drum kit, featuring a Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal as part of his setup.

See how Matt Garstka uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Matt Garstka

Drummer

Animals as Leaders

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Playthrough of Tooth and claw By Animals as Leaders Matt can be seen using a byzance traditional china. he uses this china coupled with a byzance vintage trash crash to make a stack. Matt likes to put the china on the botton and the trash crash on top to form a stack. Stacks like this are a staple of his cymbal setup

See how Luke Holland uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Luke Holland

Drummer

Falling In Reverse

...
Verified via MEINL Cymbals - Artists

In this Post on the Meinl website, it is shown that Luke uses the byzance traditional china his cymbal setup

See how Dani Washington uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Dani Washington

Drummer

Neck Deep

...
Verified via Meinlcymbals

According to the meinl website danny uses a byzance traditional china

See how David Raouf (rdavidr) uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

David Raouf (rdavidr)

Drummer

...
Verified via YouTube

David uses a meinl china in his setup

See how Aric Improta uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Aric Improta

Drummer

House of Protection

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Meinl Cymbals - Aric Improta - 'Blur-Lights in the Videodrome,'" Aric Improta is listed in the description as using the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal.

See how Craig Reynolds uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Craig Reynolds

Drummer, Podcasters & Streamers

Stray From the Path

...
Verified via YouTube

Craig Reynolds uses the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal during Stray From The Path's Audiotree Live session, as seen in the full performance video.

See how Herman Furin uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Herman Furin

Drummer, Composer

Work of Art

...
Verified via Instagram

As seen in Herman's Instagram photo.

See how Leon Pfeifer uses Meinl Byzance Traditional China

Leon Pfeifer

Drummer

Unprocessed

...
Verified via Photo

Leon Pfeifer confirmed his use of the Meinl Byzance 18" Traditional China cymbal in his setup for "Unprocessed" by expressing his excitement to join the Meinl Cymbals family on Instagram, stating: "I am incredibly proud to announce that I joined the @meinlcymbals family. Working with this company has been a dream for a long time and now it's finally happening."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Meinl Byzance Traditional China, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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scottdrummer

scottdrummer

Gear IQ 89

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