Jeff Almeyda
Senior Consultant
I recently received a full set of UFIP cymbals on loaner from my friend and fellow forum member Jim Betsios. Jim Happens to be the North American distributor for these cymbals. UFIP is an Italian company with some pretty unique methods of cymbal manufacturing. First off, they use a rotational casting method which employs a spinning mold and then the molten brass is poured inside. This makes for a homogenous metal matrix and an evenly balanced cymbal. The resulting casting is MUCH thicker than a cymbal is and so then the next step is shaving off metal. UFIP artisans do this by hand. They are the only cymbal company in the world that makes cymbals this way. No one else uses rotational casting nor does anyone else (of the big guys) do all of the remaining work by hand.
I have played them on a few gigs and in the studio as well. The exact cymbals were:
13" Experience Series Hi Hats
14" Bionic Series hat
16" Bionic Series crash
19" Bionic Series crash
21" Bionic Series Ride (Heavy)
18" Rough Series China * this & the 13" hats were the only cymbals that were pre-played, in other words, used not new.
The Bionic series, as the name implies, is for heavy loud music. The cymbals are thick and bright. They reminded me of a more musical version of the Z's by Zildjian. The company has several cymbal lines and this one is the heavy one.
Crashes: I normally don't play such thick cymbals but these were definitely the most musical and versatile heavy crashes I've ever used. And they were LOUD! The 19" was great for riding on the and 16" cut through like a laser. High pitched yet full bodied.
The 13" hats were REALLY cool, the thickness gave them a little more beef yet they still retained their 13" quality. They were quick on accents and barks and sounded fat when played partially open. The 14" were also good, bright yet heavy. All the hats had holes in the bottom cymbal to eliminate air lock.
The ride: Friggin AMAZING! The rotationally casted cymbal really gets a chance to speak when you play it. This is one case where I love a heavy cymbal It's bell was piercing, yet never harsh.. The ping was perfect and the cymbal had many beautiful overtones which blended perfectly. I was able to get MANY different usable sounds out of this cymbal.
The China: OK, being a Peart fan growing up, I've always liked employing the china in my ride patterns. I've used them all from the "big three" manufacturers to Wuhan and some other crap I can't even recall. This China blew them all away! It was the only one of the set that was not from the Bionic (heavy) series. It sounded moe "Chinese than any othe china cymbal I've ever played. The tone is exotic and the timbre of white noise is absolutely delicious. (Quote from a singer).
They're just starting to get known in the US. Give 'em a shot if you're looking for something new. You can contact Jim at [email protected]
I have played them on a few gigs and in the studio as well. The exact cymbals were:
13" Experience Series Hi Hats
14" Bionic Series hat
16" Bionic Series crash
19" Bionic Series crash
21" Bionic Series Ride (Heavy)
18" Rough Series China * this & the 13" hats were the only cymbals that were pre-played, in other words, used not new.
The Bionic series, as the name implies, is for heavy loud music. The cymbals are thick and bright. They reminded me of a more musical version of the Z's by Zildjian. The company has several cymbal lines and this one is the heavy one.
Crashes: I normally don't play such thick cymbals but these were definitely the most musical and versatile heavy crashes I've ever used. And they were LOUD! The 19" was great for riding on the and 16" cut through like a laser. High pitched yet full bodied.
The 13" hats were REALLY cool, the thickness gave them a little more beef yet they still retained their 13" quality. They were quick on accents and barks and sounded fat when played partially open. The 14" were also good, bright yet heavy. All the hats had holes in the bottom cymbal to eliminate air lock.
The ride: Friggin AMAZING! The rotationally casted cymbal really gets a chance to speak when you play it. This is one case where I love a heavy cymbal It's bell was piercing, yet never harsh.. The ping was perfect and the cymbal had many beautiful overtones which blended perfectly. I was able to get MANY different usable sounds out of this cymbal.
The China: OK, being a Peart fan growing up, I've always liked employing the china in my ride patterns. I've used them all from the "big three" manufacturers to Wuhan and some other crap I can't even recall. This China blew them all away! It was the only one of the set that was not from the Bionic (heavy) series. It sounded moe "Chinese than any othe china cymbal I've ever played. The tone is exotic and the timbre of white noise is absolutely delicious. (Quote from a singer).
They're just starting to get known in the US. Give 'em a shot if you're looking for something new. You can contact Jim at [email protected]
