Some time ago, we received a sizable parcel containing a TAMA Superstar Hyper Drive Duo drum kit as well as Meinl Classics Custom cymbal set. Having unboxed the kit and taken a closer look at all the drums, especially the Hyper Drive Duo tom/snare, we knew this was going to be very interesting. The only thing left to do was to take on the challenge of testing this piece of gear knowing how TAMA are going to attack the market this year…
To hit on those drums, we invited one of young and very promising Polish drummers, Jeremiasz Baum. He was a finalist of the Young Drum Hero 2014 contest and the winner of the same event in 2016 (jury members included the likes of Jason Sutter, Rick Latham, Jason Bittner and Russell Gilbrook). We think Jeremiasz is the right person to sit behind this TAMA Superstar Hyper Drive Duo kit equipped with Meinl Classics Custom cymbals as they seem to have been created to be used in the music he plays on an everyday basis (not only that, though).
MEINL Classics Custom Cymbal Set
1. The test
The test was carried out in our own recording facility. We also used an aluminum Tama S.L.P. snare drum, Evans heads used by Tama (coated on the toms and snares, clear on the bass drum), as well as the hardware sent to us by the distributor. As part of the test, Jeremiasz Baum performed a fragment of a song by his band Paranoid Mind, titled “Passing Nights“.
2. Basic specification of the cymbal set tested here:
- Manufacturer: Meinl
- Model: Classics Custom
- Set elements: 15″ hi hat, 16″ crash, 17″ crash, 20″ ride
- Finish: Brilliant
- Character: bright, medium loud, medium long sustain
- Pitch: medium high
- Weight: Medium
3. Product and sound
Meinl Classics Custom are wide-sounding cymbals and smooth attack (for brilliant cymbals). They are bright, loud (although not as loud as we expected) with a long, but not excessively long decay. All this makes them rather universal instruments, which should do their job both in metal, rock and pop. Perhaps smooth jazz will not be the best application. The hi hat, thanks to the increasingly popular 15-inch size, sounds bright but not abrasive, with a warm stick reaction and chick. The 16″ and 17″ crashes display a full range of frequencies (they can easily compete with guitars), surprising warmth and a fairly smooth attack. The 20″ ride is also bright (a characteristic common for the entire set), has good stick definition and a distinctive bell sound while all its elements are nice and warm. Crash riding is possible but slightly difficult because of the weight of the cymbal.
4. Summary
We consider these cymbals to be a very good, however, we think we should let Jeremiasz Baum himself sum up the whole experience:
‘I’m positively surprised because these small 16″ and 17″ crashes didn’t sound as bright as I’d expected them to and nicely blended in with Paranoid Mind’s music, where I give my crashes a serious lashing. The 15-inch hi hat is my favourite in the set because it’s less bright than the other cymbals, has a more sandy sound and a nice swoosh. I recommend it! The body of the ride is loud and the bell is very distinctive. This cymbal fits my band’s music perfectly because it will cut through distorted guitars. In my opinion these Meinl Classics Custom cymbals sounded best when hit really strongly’.
Producer: http://www.tama.com/eu/index_pl.php
Distributor in Poland: http://www.meinldistribution.pl/
OUR VERDICT: 5/5
Advantages:
- Very well crafted
- Wide sound, relatively soft attack
- Stylistic versatility
- Beautiful look
Disadvantages:
- None
Drummers and Drummerettes! It’s time to put MEINL Classics Custom cymbals to the most important test of all, i. e. the en.beatit.tv viewers’ test! Exclusively for you, we give you Jeremiasz Baum!
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