Matt Nolan cymbals

From his Bath workshop, percussionist and electronic engineer Matt Nolan individually hand-crafts cymbals, gongs and what he describes as "metal percussion sound sculptures, cup chimes, cocktail kit cymbals and weird creations".

Matt is inspired by "the organic shapes of the natural world, harder geometric shapes" and he's also interested in the art and symbolism of ancient civilisations. Today though we have some relatively conventional (well, they're round) cymbals.

Build

Matt says he crafts his cymbals using "ancient forging techniques employing simple tools, hammers, anvils and fire. Technically, my process has its roots in blacksmithing and goldsmithing". There's no pressing or machine hammering involved.

Hands-on

Just as the cymbals look different, they sound different, though not so much that they cannot be used in all manner of conventional musical settings.

Of the three crashes sent for review, our favourite was the 17" Thin Dark crash. Not only is it made from a slightly unusual B7 bronze, it's the thinnest and the difference this makes to the timbre is surprisingly marked.

It's fast yet supple and deep with a short sustain, a dark and mysteriously explosive 'bish'. By contrast the heavier 16" and 18" are both designated Medium Dark and made from imported German B8 bronze.

They're a little more familiar-sounding, of medium pitch and sustain, not quite so sparkling as, say, Paiste's 2002 series B8s. We put this down to the absence of the usual tight lathing found on most conventional cymbals.