The Meinl MA-BR-18M is a matched pair of 18" brass marching cymbals built for student and intermediate players who need a dependable sound on the field. Meinl makes these in Germany and tunes the two cymbals together, so the pair sits in the same tonal pocket and crashes as one voice instead of two cymbals fighting each other. That matched-pair consistency matters for a cymbal line, since it keeps the section locked in whether you have one player or eight.
Tone-wise these land in the warm and harmonical camp, with a mid-bright timbre and a low-mid pitch. You get a strong, present high-end on the attack and a sustain that stays medium to short, so the sound cuts through the ensemble and then gets out of the way. That controlled decay is exactly what you want for tight marching figures and crash-and-choke work. The MS63 brass alloy keeps the overall volume in the medium-to-low range next to pro bronze cymbals, which makes the pair easy to control for younger players without turning clangy or ear-piercing.
The construction is honest and consistent for the price point. Meinl shapes each cymbal with their Pressure Point Technology, then finishes the pair with wide-blade lathing and a traditional finish for defined grooves and a clean, even response from one cymbal to the next. Each one carries a laser-etched Meinl logo, the same treatment found on the company's higher-end lines.
These cover a lot of ground, from elementary and middle school band up through high school marching and concert band, community ensembles, and street parades. The pair ships with leather straps so you can hold them in a traditional marching grip right out of the box. If you are stepping up from a starter set or outfitting a section on a budget, this is a solid, German-made option that holds its own well above its tier.
| SKU | MEI-MA-BR-18M |
|---|---|
| UPC | 840553017267 |
I purchased these for my son to practice music and visuals with when he doesn't have access to school/corps equipment. For the price, they sound pretty decent as well. This set comes with straps and pads which work well enough, but after replacing them with better quality straps and pads, my son says they have felt great! Well worth the purchase. Great for anyone that needs the crash for less cash.
