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Gear Review: The Ocean drummer Luc Hess on his Meinl Byzance traditional ride cymbol

Luc Hess has been drumming in The Ocean for a short time now. Recently I got the chance to sit down with him in Toronto and ask about his Meinl Byzance traditional ride cymbal. Luc unfortunately wasn’t able to bring this cymbal overseas, but he did tell us about this wonder baby of his. Read on to find out how Luc is able to use this cymbal to create the sounds heard on The Ocean’s work.

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Luc Hess has been drumming in The Ocean for a short time now. Recently I got the chance to sit down with him in Toronto and ask about his Meinl Byzance traditional ride cymbal. Luc unfortunately wasn’t able to bring this cymbal overseas, but he did tell us about this wonder baby of his. Read on to find out how Luc is able to use this cymbal to create the sounds heard on The Ocean’s work.

What one piece of equipment do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Luc: Probably the ride symbol. I use these Meinl Byzance traditional series which are awesome. It’s a pretty thin cymbal with lots of dynamic and that’s kinda my signature. I don’t just use the ping like most of the drummers, I really use the whole range of dynamic of the cymbal. So far since I’m endorsed with this brand it’s been totally reliable. That can be something that defines my sound.

What about it makes it so important to you?
Luc: Good question. Probably because it’s got this big range of sound. I use it as a crash and as a ride so its a really good rhythm cymbal or really ambient. I use it for heavy parts, for really quiet parts. It fits everything if you just jiggle it a bit into the sound on the cymbal. You can basically play everything you want from groove to heavy to extreme to quiet.

What are the major pros and cons?
Luc: Major pros are all that I told you. The major cons, the one I use at home, this time I don’t use exactly the same. Same model but not same size. But the one at home is a 22” and it’s really fucking loud. So I guess sometimes at some of the club shows we do, sometimes our sound engineer complains about this. I can be a hard hitter to so that can maybe be a con.

How long have you used this piece of equipment and would you ever change it?
Luc: I’ve been using it for two years, but I’ve changed it once. I mean it cracked once.

Would you ever change that spot on the drum kit for another cymbal?
Luc: No, never ever. It’s like a symmetrical thing. It’s the only cymbal that it’s only going to be this one. It’s like my poster behind my drum kit.

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Luc: I think I’ve said everything

So every drummer should just go check it out?
Luc: Yeah, well. Every drummer is different so I would never say that it’s better for everyone to use this instead of something else because it’s just my point of view. I’m not a teacher. I do my thing and I love it. If I use it and play it well I use it as much as I can. But yeah it’s a cymbal to discover for lots of people. Lot’s of drummers would not have use for this kind of cymbal.

Check out the song: “Roots And Locusts”

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