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Their current (2002) cymbal program is divided into four ranges:
Released:1960s?
Discontinued: 1970s?
Description: One of the many budget cymbal lines issued by Meinl (and under their name)
Material: Stamped MS63?
Hammering: None
Lathing: Cosmetic
Released:1970s?
Discontinued: 1970s?
Description: One of the many budget cymbal lines
Material: Stamped NS12?
Hammering: None
Lathing: Cosmetic
Released:1970s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: One of the many budget cymbal lines
Material: Stamped NS12??
Hammering:?
Lathing: Cosmetic
Released:1970s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: Beginner series
Material: Stamped B8?
Hammering: Machine
Lathing: Machine
Released:1970s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: Improved version of the Laser series
Material: Stamped B8?
Hammering: Machine
Lathing: Machine
Released:1980s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: Beginner series
Material: Stamped B8?
Hammering: Machine
Lathing: Machine
Released:1980s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: The first series with some sort of a professional attitude on Meinl's side. Available were two splashes, 3 crashes, 2 rides and 2 hi-hats in 3 different weights. Profile Hightech were the lightest ones, Rock Velvet heavier, and Volcanic Rock were heavy for loud music. The series included the first non-Paiste waved bottom hi-hat after Paiste's patent had ended. Meinl called theirs 'Soundwave'. Intermediate/entry professional level cymbals.
Material: B8
Hammering: hand-guided machine hammering
Lathing: Machine-lathed, very even, medium dense (~2 mm pitch), shallow
Released:1980s?
Discontinued: Not yet
Description: Standard professional level cymbals. Powerful, bright, cutting, ideal rock cymbals, easily recognized by their characteristic unlathed dark annealed cups and shiny bows. Their first truly professional series with a corresponding impact on the market, these should have attracted quite a few potential 2002 customers... A slightly larger variety of models and sizes as with the Profile series seemed to be sufficient for most drummers. Included Meinl 'Soundwave' hi-hats in different weights and even in 12". After a couple of years of successful running the series has been updated with a new lathing process and hammering of the cups with the intent of increased warmth.
Material: B8
Hammering: hand-guided machine hammering, later models have cups hammered
Lathing: Slight machine-lathing, unlathed cups
Released:1990?
Discontinued: No
Description: This is not a complete cymbal line of its own since it includes only crash types. The characteristic of the Lightnings is that they are optimized for maximum cut and projection, therefore being mostly used in loud environments and by heavy players. Available models are 14, 15, 16, and 18" medium crashes, 16 and 18" heavy crashes, 18 and 20" extra heavy Touring Edition crashes 'designed for extremely hard playing', and 8, 10, 12" medium splashes. According to Meinl the wavy edge accounts for a very short decay.
Material: B8
Hammering: Machine-hammering
Lathing: Machine-lathing
Lightning surface
Released:1980s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: The only model I know from this series is the Micro Wave Ride, a very heavy almost flat ride cymbal with just a hint of a unlathed cup, then available in 18" and 19". Professional level cymbals.
Material: B8?
Hammering: hand-guided machine hammering
Lathing: Very fine
Released:1980s?
Discontinued: 1980s?
Description: An outstanding offering from Meinl, in both value, and sound. No other European (or American, for that matter) cymbal at that time could compare to that roaring, explosive, dark and trashy, extremely complex sound. Both traditional Chinese shape cymbals and Turkish style cymbals were offered, the former in sizes from 12" to 26". These were imported Wuhan (possibly from other manufactures, too) Chinese cymbals which Meinl would finish off, correcting the shape, applying Meinl logos and protective coating, and sell them as Meinl cymbals. At some point later they vanished from Meinl's price list, only to later re-appear under various brand names both in Europe and the U.S.
Material: B8?
Hammering: Very intense, irregular hand and hand-guided machine hammering
Lathing: Very shallow
Released:1990s?
Discontinued: No
Description: Intermediate to basic professional level cymbals with a generous amount of models and sizes. Meinl's semi-professional middle of the road line.
Material: B8
Hammering: more elaborate machine hammering
Lathing: looks 'manual'
Released:1990s?
Discontinued: No
Description: Meinl's top line, including custom orders for special models and finishes. This line represents Meinl's self-esteem as a first choice, international cymbal maker. Plenty of models and sizes (10-15" hi-hats, top/bottom available individually, 10-12" splashes, 14-18" crashes, 18-22" rides, 16-20" chinas) in three different finishes: Mirror (polished brilliant, smoother sound), Champagne (glass-blasted, dry sound), and Antique (dark, raw, even more dry, featuring a three-zone design with dark edge and bell but shining bow, reminding of Sabian's Radia). Special models include Champagne Flat Rides in thin, medium, heavy, 12, 14" Mirror chinas. With all Champagne models edges and bells are lathed.
Material: B8?
Hammering: Completely hand-hammered, bells also hammered
Lathing: Hand-lathed
Antique surface
Released:1990s?
Discontinued: No
Description: Meinl's other top line, containing three distinct series, each with its own sound character: Basic (for all-purpose playing), Fusion (smaller bells, lower profile, supposedly warmer, more dry and dynamic sound), and Rock (larger bells, higher profile, for loud playing). Same choice of sizes as with One of A Kind, with the addition of 5,6,7 and 8" bells, optionally with rivets. Choice from Regular, Brilliant, and Champagne finishes. Special models include a Fusion rippled-bottom Soundwave hi-hat, similar to Paiste's Soundegde, a Rock 24" Heavy Ride and a Rock 26" Momentum Ride.
Material: B8?
Hammering: hand guided-machine hammering, more even with Rock models, less with Fusion
Lathing: Hand-lathing
Released:2000?
Discontinued: No
Description: Basic professional line with increased value through automated processes. Rich choice of models: Hi-hats, Medium: 12", 13", 14" , Powerful: 14",
Rides: Thin: 20" Medium: 20" Powerful: 20", 22",
Big Bell Ride: Thin: 20", Medium: 20", Powerful: 20", 22",
Crashes: Thin: 16", 18", Medium: 14", 15", 16", 17", 18", Powerful: 14", 16", 17", 18",
Splashes: 8", 10", 12",
Chinas: 16", 18", 20".
Material: B8?
Hammering: Different peen size machine-hammering
Lathing: Hand-lathing
Amun surface
Released:2000?
Discontinued: No
Description: A first ever for Meinl, this series is made from classic B20 bronze in Istanbul by use of the traditional Turkish process, including individual castings for each cymbal, hand hammering and lathing. The cymbals are then finished off in Germany. As of 2002.01, the choice of sizes is more limited than with Custom Shop or One Of A Kind, but featured are no less than seven rides including Thin, Medium, Heavy, Flat, Ping, Dry and Momentum models.
Material: B20
Hammering: Hand-hammering
Lathing: Hand-lathing
Byzance surface
