Detail 01
China type
Inverted flanged edge gives a trashy, explosive attack with fast, unmusical decay. Meant to be struck, not ridden on.
Product detailSKU #1274115063327
MEINLByzance China Traditional Cymbal 20 in.
1/6
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A 20-inch China from Meinl's Byzance line. For drummers who want a large, trashy accent cymbal and are buying at the pro price tier.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Rock and metal accents where a crash isn't aggressive enough
- Studio work needing a big, dark trash sound
- Drummers building out a second effects position on the kit
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone needing a ride or main crash — this is an accent only
- Quiet jazz, acoustic, and worship kits
- Tight budgets — this is a several-hundred-dollar single cymbal
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
20 in.
Large for a China. Lower pitch, longer wash, and more volume than the common 16 and 18 inch sizes.
Detail 03
Traditional finish
Lathed and buffed rather than raw. Generally darker and smoother than an unlathed brilliant-finish cymbal.
Detail 04
$479.99
Professional tier pricing. Expect hand-hammered character rather than the uniformity of a stamped budget cymbal.
Detail 05
Byzance line
Meinl's upper-tier Turkish-style series, so this is voiced darker and drier than their entry-level lines.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Mount it upside down — most players invert a China so the bell faces down
- 02Needs a spare boom arm and cymbal stand, not included
- 0320 inches needs clearance; check space over your rack toms first
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Should I mount it upside down?
Most drummers do. Inverting it puts the flange edge toward the stick, which gives the classic trashy attack and protects the edge from cracking.
02Is 20 inches too big for a China?
It's on the large side. You get a lower, wider trash sound with more sustain. If you want a short, sharp stab, 16 or 18 inches is tighter.
03Can I ride on it?
You can, but it washes out fast and gets loud. Chinas are built for accents and crashes, not steady ride patterns.
04How does Traditional differ from Brilliant?
Traditional is lathed and left unpolished, which usually reads darker and drier. Brilliant is buffed to a shine and tends to sound brighter.
