Meinl Byzance 22-Inch Extra Dry Thin Ride Review: Dry, Fast, Trashy

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Meinl Byzance 22-Inch Extra Dry Thin Ride is a single, thin ride cymbal built around a deliberately raw, unlathed design. Where several cymbals in this review set describe sound in general terms, this listing is specific: it names the alloy, the country of manufacture, the weight class and a detailed account of how the surface treatment shapes the tone.

At 22 inches and stated directly as thin, this ride sits toward the faster responding, more articulate end of the ride spectrum. The Extra Dry naming signals a design goal of reduced sustain and wash in favor of a tighter, drier stick sound, which the bullets back up with specific construction detail.

This review relies on the published bullets and general knowledge of how unlathed, hand hammered bronze cymbals typically behave, rather than a firsthand playing session. Because this listing states so much directly, there is less need for inference here than with several lighter documented listings in this category.

Sound and Tone

The core sound claim is dry, fast and trashy with deep complexity. Those are specific, well understood terms in cymbal language: dry points to short sustain and reduced overtone wash, fast points to quick response under the stick, and trashy points to a complex, slightly chaotic high frequency content rather than a clean, singular pitch.

The listing credits extensive hand hammering with creating uneven thickness across the cymbal, which it says produces organic overtones. Uneven thickness generally means different areas of the cymbal resonate at slightly different frequencies, which tends to create a more complex, layered sound than a cymbal machined to a perfectly even thickness throughout.

A distinct tonal shift between the bow and the bell is also described, with the unhammered bell retaining a brighter, more ringing quality that cuts through. That contrast between a dry, trashy bow and a bright, ringing bell gives a drummer two clearly different sounds from different strike zones on the same cymbal.

Alloy, Weight and Build

This listing states the alloy directly as B20 bronze, specified as 80 percent copper and 20 percent tin. That figure is published rather than inferred, giving buyers a confirmed baseline for the premium cast bronze construction that underlies most professional cymbal lines.

Weight is also stated directly: this is a 22 inch thin ride. Combined with the unlathed surface, a thin build generally supports the fast, dry response the listing describes, since less mass and fewer lathing grooves both tend to shorten sustain and speed up the cymbal's reaction to the stick.

The surface finish is described in detail as well. The whole body lacks the fine grooves that lathing creates, which the listing says shortens sustain and sharpens dry articulation, while the bell is specifically left unhammered to preserve a brighter, more ringing quality that stands apart from the rest of the cymbal.

Versatility Across Styles

A dry, trashy ride with a bright bell contrast is a more specialized tool than a general purpose ride. Styles that favor dry, articulate stick patterns and complex, organic overtones, such as modern jazz, fusion and certain styles of indie and alternative rock, tend to be a strong match for this specific sound.

The distinct bow to bell contrast also gives drummers a built in dynamic and tonal range from a single cymbal, useful for players who like to move between a drier, trashier ride pattern and sharper, more cutting bell accents within the same song without switching cymbals.

Drummers who want a warm, sustained, washy ride for ballads or traditional big band style playing are less likely to find this model a natural fit, since the entire design is built around reducing sustain and wash rather than maximizing them.

• Modern jazz and fusion favoring dry, articulate ride patterns
• Indie and alternative rock wanting organic, complex overtones
• Players who want a sharp bow to bell tonal contrast
• Studio work needing a dry ride that sits cleanly in a mix
• Less suited to warm, sustained, washy ride applications

Durability and Care

B20 bronze is a durable, professional alloy, but the combination of a thin build and uneven thickness from extensive hammering means this cymbal is optimized for tone and response rather than maximum resistance to hard playing. Expect this ride to reward a controlled touch more than a very heavy, aggressive attack.

Because the bell is specifically left unhammered to preserve its brighter tone, players should take care not to over strike it directly, since repeated hard, off center hits on any bell, hammered or not, raise the long term risk of cracking regardless of the surrounding surface treatment.

Standard cymbal care, including felts and sleeves on the stand, a properly tensioned wing nut, and storage in a padded bag, protects the specific unlathed finish and organic hammering pattern described here. The listing does not state a warranty term, so buyers should confirm coverage with the seller directly.

Cleaning an unlathed, raw surface also deserves a lighter touch than a polished cymbal, since aggressive polishing compounds can wear down the exact surface texture that produces the dry, trashy tone described. A soft, dry cloth after each session is generally the safer choice for preserving that character over time.

What Is in the Pack

This listing covers a single 22 inch ride cymbal. No companion crash, hi-hat or second cymbal is included, and buyers building a full kit around this ride will need to source complementary pieces separately.

No accessories, such as a stand, bag or cymbal key, are mentioned in the published bullets. The listing's attention is focused entirely on the alloy, hammering, surface treatment and resulting sound rather than any bundled extras.

Given the detailed build description provided, buyers are getting a thoroughly explained single cymbal rather than a package deal, which suits drummers shopping specifically for this documented dry, thin ride character.

Daily Use and Setup

Mounting a thin 22 inch ride calls for a felt that sits evenly and a wing nut tensioned enough to hold the cymbal steady without choking its natural movement, since an overtightened mount can dull the fast, dry response the listing describes.

To bring out the dry, trashy bow character, playing with a controlled stick motion across the main body should produce the described organic complexity, while deliberately aiming for the bell when a brighter, cutting accent is wanted takes advantage of the stated bow to bell contrast.

Because the surface is unlathed and the hammering is described as uneven, players should expect some variation in feel across different zones of the cymbal, and spending time locating the specific spots that produce the sounds they want is a practical way to get the most from this design.

Who Should Buy It

This ride suits drummers who specifically want a dry, fast, trashy tone with strong stick definition, particularly those who value having the alloy, origin and weight class confirmed directly rather than inferred from brand reputation.

Players who like a built in tonal contrast between a darker, complex bow and a brighter, ringing bell will find the specific construction described here well suited to that creative use, especially in modern, articulate styles.

Drummers who want a warm, sustained, all-purpose ride, or who need a heavier build for very hard playing, are better matched to a different model within the Byzance range or a different brand entirely.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Drummers who want more sustain and wash than this dry design offers might look at a Byzance Traditional or Extra Hammered ride instead, both of which generally favor a fuller, more sustained voice over this model's dry, trashy character.

Players who like the dual role idea of riding and crashing from one cymbal could consider a Byzance Dual crash-ride, trading the specific dry articulation described here for a more flexible, musical, all-around behavior.

For buyers who want a dry, articulate ride from a different brand, a Sabian HHX Complex or similar dark, complex ride offers a comparable concept with a different stated build and tonal signature worth comparing. Trying a few options in person, where possible, remains the most reliable way to judge how a dry, trashy voice like this one actually feels under the hand.

Verdict

The Meinl Byzance 22-Inch Extra Dry Thin Ride backs its specific, dry, trashy sound description with directly published facts: B20 bronze at a stated ratio, Turkish hand hammering, a thin build and an unlathed surface, plus a deliberately unhammered bell for contrast.

That level of documentation, combined with a clearly defined and narrow tonal goal, makes this a strong, honest choice for drummers who specifically want dry articulation and bright bell contrast, though it is not built to be an all-around, general purpose ride.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Stagg MYR-CH18RW US

Rock, metal and fusion drummers who want a cast B20 china with a dry, quick trash at a lower mid-range price.

Read the Stagg MYR-CH18RW US review →

Stagg 18"

Rock, metal and contemporary drummers who want a bright, cutting 18 inch medium crash at a lower mid-range price and are not fussy about the exact alloy.

Read the Stagg 18" review →

Stagg SH-CT19R SH

Drummers who want a large, fast opening thin crash for lower volume rock, pop, worship or jazz adjacent work at a lower mid-range price.

Read the Stagg SH-CT19R SH review →

Questions Buyers Ask