Expert Review:

Meinl –

Byzance Mike Johnston 21” Signature Ride 

European Roots

Meinl Musikinstremente was established in 1951 by Mr. Roland Meinl. The first factory was a 200 square-foot workshop on the first floor, with his home on the second floor. Everything was done by hand.  But from those modest beginnings, Meinl soon became a major European brand in both cymbals and percussion. The company recently celebrated 62 years in business and has gained a very strong foothold in the U.S. cymbal market over the last 15 years.

Mike Johnston Connection

If you’re a drummer, you’d have to be pretty disconnected not to know about Mike Johnston. Mike had the good fortune to study with Pete Magadini, Steve Ferrone, and Steve Smith. He got his big playing break when, at age  21, he was signed to a major label as the drummer for the band Simon Says. He is most known recently for his online lessons site, www.mikeslesson.com and his book, Groove Freedom.

Mike joined Meinl as an artist and clinician in 2011; in January 2014 they announced the Byzance Series Mike Johnston 21” Signature Ride.

Mike’s Musings

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.

Resources

Meinl Cymbals Official Website

About Mike Johnston -

www.mikeslessons.com

Pricing information for the Meinl 21" Mike Johnston Transition Ride at Musicians Friend

Discuss drums and percussion on the Harmony Central Drum Forum

Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.