Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
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
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What sound characteristics can I expect from the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal?
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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.
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Is the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal suitable for live performances?
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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.
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What material is the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal made from?
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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.
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How does the traditional finish affect the sound of the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal?
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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.
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What type of music is the Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal best suited for?
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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.
Videos
MEINL Cymbals - Official Product Videos
Meinl Cymbals B18CH Byzance 18" Traditional China Cymbal
Reviews
PROS
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Produces a dark and fast sound with minimal overtones
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Versatile across various music genres, from jazz to metal
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Stands out in both live and studio settings
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Offers a broad dynamic range from soft to loud
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Unique tonal zones for diverse sound options
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Blends well with other cymbal brands like Zildjian and Sabian
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High-quality sound that cuts through the mix effectively
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Retains a pleasing tonality while being dry-sounding
CONS
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Prone to cracking, especially with hard hitting or thick sticks
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Considered expensive compared to similar-sounding alternatives
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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
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The 18" Meinl Byzance Traditional China is still performing well after 3 years, indicating durability for long-term use.
Source
Comparisons
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Owners rate the Meinl Byzance Traditional China highly compared to the Sabian AAX 18" China, which is noted to sound inferior.
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The Meinl Byzance Traditional China is mentioned alongside the Zildjian 18" Oriental China as preferred choices for their quality and sound.
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Some users prefer thinner China cymbals for reduced sustain, making them more suitable for various genres and less overpowering.
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The 18" Wuhan China is noted for its distinctly trashy sound, often compared to a "metal trash can lid" in a positive context.
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Use cases and applications
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The Meinl Byzance Traditional China is favored for rock, metal, and hardcore genres due to its sound characteristics.
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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.
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Playing the China flare-up allows the main bow to be used as a dirtier ride cymbal, offering versatility for different music styles.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
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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
In his Instagram post, Matt Halpern showcases his drum kit, featuring a Meinl Byzance Traditional China cymbal as part of his setup.
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
In this Post on the Meinl website, it is shown that Luke uses the byzance traditional china his cymbal setup
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.
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.
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."
Album Usage
The Meinl Byzance Traditional China has been featured on the following albums:
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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