Grand Master Introduces "Breathing" Cymbals

January 29, 1998 -- Grand Master cymbals are constructed using old world "Ancient Cymbal Sciences" and 100% handmade workmanship techniques. They are so intricate and difficult to make that they are the most expensive cymbals in the world to make! It is because of these exceptional construction procedures that Grand Master cymbals possess many unique qualities that set them apart from other cymbals in the world.

The alloy used is extremely soft and flexible in contrast to other cymbals. The legendary Living Alloy (tm) used to make all of our cymbals is ancient secret formula known only to the highest Grand Master elder craftsman. It contains many inconceivable ingredients that function as "catalysts" between the bonding of copper and Tin. This gives Grand Master cymbals its "unique sweet ring". Also it makes them extremely durable to abuse, that's why Grand Master Cymbals come with an unconditional 3 year guarantee (1 year for splashes and swishes).

The cups (bells) are hand hammered into shape by hand instead of using a press machine like other cymbals. This time consuming and pain staking process is one of the most difficult procedures there is in cymbal making! But its gives the cup/bell of the cymbal a very special quality that causes a "magnifying effect" which blesses Grand Masters Cymbals with that sought after "swelling multi timbre crescendo" that sets great cymbals apart from just good cymbals.

Only Grand Master cymbals are Master Tuned -- fully hand hammered once during initial construction and then a second time by a master craftsman using a "special hammer and twistbar" after completion. This produces extremely finely tuned and sweet cymbals.

Grand Master Cymbals are built in reverse! Yes you read it right, they are built in reverse (like an umbrella that has been blown into reverse by the wind) and then they are hand "snapped" into their final position. This is why a Grand Master has so much sustain. The cymbal is fighting with itself to snap back into its original shape but it can't, thus the endless "Grand Master" sustain. This is in great contrast to most computerized companies that sometimes may punch out cymbals from sheet metal by the thousands like a cookie factory.

A 10-step tempering process is sued, which means that the cymbal is boiled in acid and then reheated in a special wood burning stone oven 10 times to give it that special Grand Master performance quality. Most other companies do this once.

All cymbals are hand hammered and master lathed. They are cast and hammered "very thick" approximately double their final weight, and will loose up to 60% of their original weight in the final lathing. This way the master craftsman can really "power hammer" a cymbal without fear of over bearing its alloy (punching a hole through it!). This is why a Grand Master cymbal has "veins" running through its alloy and not just hammer hits.

For more information, you can also read Grand Master Cymbal Models from their product brochure.