The History of Wuhan Cymbals
When it comes to cymbals, many people automatically think of the handmade Turkish and European brands. However, Wuhan cymbals have been around much longer—centuries, in fact. For as long as 1,900 years Wuhan cymbals have been in existence. The Chinese managed to create and perfect the design and production process over the years, leading to a superior and unique quality of products. Their successes in this field have led to being credited as the inventors of the first cymbal as a sole musical instrument.
Because of its ancient history, there is not a lot of specific information as to how Wuhan cymbals came about. Since its creation, however, the cymbals have become known around the world, leading to a headquarters and production facility that is owned by Universal Percussion and operated out of Wuhan, China. The name “Wuhan” actually describes a specific brand of cymbals, which are made of different types of alloys.
There are a variety of top quality Wuhan cymbals available on the market today. These include the Western Style, S Series, Chinas and Gongs. The Western Style Wuhan cymbals are thinner than other types and are available in a rock or traditional model. Rock cymbals have better durability and projection due to its heavier weight. The Chinas Series have an explosive, trashy and darkly distinct sound. The Wuhan cymbals S Series is hand buffed for a superior shine that has led to its nickname “The Shining S Series.” Its splashes, rides, crashes and hi hats are know for producing a quick, dark and rich sound. The Gongs range in size from seven inches all the way up to 50 inches and are designed for a variety of uses from the opera to temples.
