Just pulled the trigger on this new Funch Nefertiti 22" 2296g

[Rick]

Funch Nefertiti arrived this morning and I played it for a few minutes this evening before dining out with the wife . Iimmediately noticed under the eco lights above the set that there were " uneven " edge sections , concave shaped if you will , dipping down for about 2 inches in length and then up again . Pardon my ignorance if this is common with 100% hand-made cymbals but this is my first . I'm having trouble taking good pics with our evening echo lighting so will take pics in the morning . In the meantime , I'd appreciate any feedback you might have . I've contacted Funch but haven't heard back as yet . Update : Just saw this on the Funch site . "
The cymbals are hand-made, so they are not 100% even. Every cymbal is distinct in its appearance. My main goal is sound." Guess that answers my question . Cheers .

Sounds kinda "funchy" to me. lol

Seriously though, I did see that on his website. What you describe sounds a bit extreme to me, but if it SOUNDS good, that would certainly be the most important factor to me. How did it sound to you?

 

[curly]

Yup, he aims for sound, not evenness. Some of the best old As Ks have warp like that. My best 24 old A has some significant warp but it's my favorite cymbal. I have a Nolan old K clone that's insanely good that Matt intentionally warped.

Perhaps it would be less a surprise if the pictures he posted showed a profile shot.

 

[Markkuliini]

Funch Nefertiti arrived this morning and I played it for a few minutes this evening before dining out with the wife . Immediately noticed under the eco lights above the set that there were " uneven " edge sections , concave shaped if you will , dipping down for about 2 inches in length and then up again . Pardon my ignorance if this is common with 100% hand-made cymbals but this is my first . I'm having trouble taking good pics with our evening echo lighting so will take pics in the morning . In the meantime , I'd appreciate any feedback you might have . I've contacted Funch but haven't heard back as yet . Update : Just saw this on the Funch site . "
The cymbals are hand-made, so they are not 100% even. Every cymbal is distinct in its appearance. My main goal is sound." I guess my question now is how imperfect is acceptable . The uneveness is very noticeable , but again , I'm a newbie re: 100% hand-made cymbals .

It's intentional, it's not a manufacturing error or anything like that.
I own 10+ Funch cymbals (owned over 20) and have tested way over hundred on my 3 visits to his workshop. I would estimate that about 1/3 of his cymbals that I've owned have had some degree of edge dip/unevennes.
More even they have been, more sustain/volume/A-like character they have possessed.
And more "uneven" they have been, them more smokey/dragon-breathy/interesting/K-like they have been. Most of my favourite Funches have been on the latter category, but I have use for both.

Uneven parameters are meant to break the symmetry in the way how sound waves travel on the surface of the cymbal, and in my experience, edge dips control sustain, making a cymbal drier and easier to control.

The question is, how does it sound?

 

[owr]

3rd-ing the un-even cymbal experience. Honestly I find it kind of refreshing, I love the rawness. Enjoy, that's a wonderful cymbal you picked up.

 

[yamahasan]

To Rick , Curly , Mark and OWR . Thanks guys for your replies , info , thoughts and opinions . I did get an email from Ricky at Funch . He referred to the un-even parts as " crimps " and they were nothing to worry about . Also said they were more common in 24" cymbals but not " weird " in smaller ones , etc...

As for the sound , well , I played it for just 10-15 minutes last evening after getting home from eating out with my wife . It was late and I didn't want to disturb the neighbors hehe . In my music space - which is on the second floor in a very open room with no celing above part of the living room on the first floor . In this room using Tama 0213P oak sticks ( elongated teardrop tip 16x0.5 inches ) , the cymbal doesn't sound very much like the Funch sound file but I really didn't expect it to . It sounds and plays so radically different than any cymbal I ever owned that I think it's going to take some time to get used it and appreciate it . Looking forward to spending some quality time with the Nef . Cheers guys !

 

[yamahasan]

Lousy photo but you'll get the idea . The other one on the opposite side is about the same size / shape .

 

[Sizzles]

We’ve all been there when your anticipate something great and it arrives not as you expected. I always remind myself that with cameras, golf clubs and drum gear (my passions) that they are tools and not jewels. It’s okay if they aren’t perfect or have dings. If you can melt away and enjoy the time that’s all that matters.

Hope you end up enjoying this one immensely.

 

[LukeS]

Lousy photo but you'll get the idea . The other one on the opposite side is about the same size / shape .

That is really extreme. I’d be concerned if I received that and wasn’t expecting it. But I’m with everyone else that says sound is the thing that matters. Ideally that would have been made very clear on the cymbal’s page (was it?) so buyers can make an informed decision.

 

[yamahasan]

We’ve all been there when your anticipate something great and it arrives not as you expected. I always remind myself that with cameras, golf clubs and drum gear (my passions) that they are tools and not jewels. It’s okay if they aren’t perfect or have dings. If you can melt away and enjoy the time that’s all that matters.

Hope you end up enjoying this one immensely.

That is really extreme. I’d be concerned if I received that and wasn’t expecting it. But I’m with everyone else that says sound is the thing that matters. Ideally that would have been made very clear on the cymbal’s page (was it?) so buyers can make an informed decision.

It was not made clear on the cymbal's page , but on his site in the " good to know " section he does say " The cymbals are hand-made, so they are not 100% even. Every cymbal is distinct in its appearance. My main goal is sound." Curly and Mark , are your cymbals this uneven ?

 

[mikeylicious78]

I got a 20” from him that had a big warp in the bell hole area and small surface cracks. He said it was from cranking down the nut that kept it on the lathe. He offered 50 percent back and I keep the cymbal, or a full refund plus a refund of shipping plus duties paid. I really liked the sound of that cymbal, but couldn't justify keeping it so I took his offer and returned it. I'm sure whatever you decide to do, Lasse will be open to helping out. Having ordered a handful of his cymbals, none of mine have come with an edge bend like that. I did get a PGB that had a bend like that, and like Markku says, it did have more dragon's breath and trash.

 

[yamahasan]

It was not made clear on the cymbal's page , but on his site in the " good to know " section he does say " The cymbals are hand-made, so they are not 100% even. Every cymbal is distinct in its appearance. My main goal is sound." Curly and Mark , are your cymbals this uneven ?

I got a 20” from him that had a big warp in the bell hole area and small surface cracks. He said it was from cranking down the nut that kept it on the lathe. He offered 50 percent back and I keep the cymbal, or a full refund plus a refund of shipping plus duties paid. I really liked the sound of that cymbal, but couldn't justify keeping it so I took his offer and returned it. I'm sure whatever you decide to do, Lasse will be open to helping out. Having ordered a handful of his cymbals, none of mine have come with an edge bend like that. I did get a PGB that had a bend like that, and like Markku says, it did have more dragon's breath and trash.

Thank you for your reply ! Wow ! It's hard to believe that Lasse didn't notice the warp in the bell hole area and the surface cracks . I just sent photos of my cymbal to him . I haven't had much time to play the cymbal since it arrived yesterday . Tomorrow is Sunday so I'll sit down with it for a good play , and give it one more inspection . The edge bends I noticed as soon as I set it on the cymbal stand and sat behind the kit . They stand out that much . Another concern of mine is that if I can't return it ( I haven't asked Funch to take it back mind you ) and decide to sell it that Japanese drummers would take one look at this cymbal and consider the edge bends damage , although they are not , and I'd have trouble selling it . Oh well , let's see what Funch has to say . Cheers ! BTW - you are in Japan ? Did you keep the PGB ?

 

[mikeylicious78]

Well, I chalked it up to his productivity at the time - that’s when he had batches of 30-40 cymbals per month. I’m sure he was trying to churn them out as quick and best as he could and either didn’t notice the bell warp or thought that it fell under the “handmade” clause.
I sold the PGB. The edge warp wasn’t as pronounced as the one in your picture. I didn’t sell it because of the bend, but because I got tired of the trashiness in the crash.

Yeah I’m out here in Fukuoka! I’ve been here for close to 10 years, originally from Hawaii.

 

[yamahasan]

Well, I chalked it up to his productivity at the time - that’s when he had batches of 30-40 cymbals per month. I’m sure he was trying to churn them out as quick and best as he could and either didn’t notice the bell warp or thought that it fell under the “handmade” clause.
I sold the PGB. The edge warp wasn’t as pronounced as the one in your picture. I didn’t sell it because of the bend, but because I got tired of the trashiness in the crash.

Yeah I’m out here in Fukuoka! I’ve been here for close to 10 years, originally from Hawaii.

Did you sell the PGB in Japan ? Have seen only one for sale here via Mozu Cymbals Shop . It sounded fab but was sold by the time I discovered the site . Here is a link with video sound files : https://www.cymbals.mozu.shop/article/7954

 

[CC Cirillo]

For me, 100% hand made means imperfections are part of the deal. The maker even says so.

It also means it is going to be completely idiosyncratic, and that for me would be much of the allure of the category.

If it affects the structural integrity that is a different matter.

However, we often read of an artist prizing a cymbal because of its imperfections.

For me, I’m just not astute enough to judge a cymbal’s sound and creative usefulness until I’ve played it in different settings and musical contexts.

I hope it works out for you, Yamahasan.

 

[dogue]

Another consideration, especially if you’re not certain you will keep it forever: how will it affect resale value? That should be part of the equation, I think.

 

[yamahasan]

Another consideration, especially if you’re not certain you will keep it forever: how will it affect resale value? That should be part of the equation, I think.

Yes , I agree . From an earlier post : " Another concern of mine is that if I can't return it ( I haven't asked Funch to take it back mind you ) and decide to sell it that Japanese drummers would take one look at this cymbal and consider the edge bends damage , although they are not , and I'd have trouble selling it . Oh well , let's see what Funch has to say . "

 

[yamahasan]

Not having great success taking good photos with my old Nikon digital camera . Anyway , check out the profile - especially the right side . 2nd pic of another section with cymbal flat on counter . Am I nitpicking ?

 

[dogue]

No, you have a legitimate concern. I’d expect that from something like an Istanbul Agop Trash Hit, which is intentionally wavy and advertised as such. If this wasn’t clearly advertised/pictured as wavy, you’re absolutely right to request a return or partial refund, IMO.

 

[yamahasan]

No, you have a legitimate concern. I’d expect that from something like an Istanbul Agop Trash Hit, which is intentionally wavy and advertised as such. If this wasn’t clearly advertised/pictured as wavy, you’re absolutely right to request a return or partial refund, IMO.

Thanks for the reply . Today - Sunday - is the first day I've had to examine the cymbal more thoroughly . There are two very noticeable edge warps areas like shown in the above left photo , and also areas that are uneven . Funch does say on his site that his cymbals are not 100% even , I get that and would be happy if the less noticeable warps/unevenness were all that existed but sadly , they aren't . Soundwise the ping isn't as clean & clear as his soundfile but I expected that , and it rides/crashes a bit trashier/washier than I expected but not overly so . Stick feel is just fantastic ; a joy to play I must say .

 

[Markkuliini]

I got a 20” from him that had a big warp in the bell hole area and small surface cracks. He said it was from cranking down the nut that kept it on the lathe. He offered 50 percent back and I keep the cymbal, or a full refund plus a refund of shipping plus duties paid. I really liked the sound of that cymbal, but couldn't justify keeping it so I took his offer and returned it. I'm sure whatever you decide to do, Lasse will be open to helping out. Having ordered a handful of his cymbals, none of mine have come with an edge bend like that. I did get a PGB that had a bend like that, and like Markku says, it did have more dragon's breath and trash.

Hard to say from photos, but I would say that one of Funches had dip that deep. Using past tense, because I sold it to one of my students who kept bugging me to sell it. It was a really good one, I miss it little bit actually.

It's this one.