Paul Francis Cymbal Craftsman

[What It Is]

Just saw via Steve Maxwell's website that Paul is now making his own cymbals. Steve will have a bunch at his booth at the Chicago Drum Show

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[flatwins]

I’m glad to see that Paul is carrying on his skill of creating cymbals.

 

[dustjacket]

Good! His skill and enthusiasm are important for the world of percussion.

 

[jptrickster]

Can’t wait to hear his sounds

 

[2oo2]

Those cymbals are going to be hot and in demand, just watch how PF hand-hammers and lathes them with the utmost skill and care. I already see prices are on the steep side but I’d gladly pay for them though.

 

[Matched Gripper]

Just saw via Steve Maxwell's website that Paul is now making his own cymbals. Steve will have a bunch at his booth at the Chicago Drum Show

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Was just looking at some of his Instagram vids. I didn’t know he inverted cymbals to hammer the bottom side. I wonder if that’s a standard practice.

 

[3 Olives]

Those cymbals are going to be hot and in demand, just watch how PF hand-hammers and lathes them with the utmost skill and care. I already see prices are on the steep side but I’d gladly pay for them though.

I doubt that Steve Maxwell will be bringing any back from the Drum Show. They’re probably a better investment than the stock market right now- and you get to use them.

 

[little rock]

That’s a classic example of they give you lemons, you make lemonade. You go Paul!

 

[bassanddrum84]

The one thing I notice in his lathing videos compared to a lot of others is his lathe actually spins fast just like at the factories. A lot of the other cymbal smiths I see on YouTube they don’t have the other going that fast.

 

[zenstat]

Was just looking at some of his Instagram vids. I didn’t know he inverted cymbals to hammer the bottom side. I wonder if that’s a standard practice.

Note that I don't do Instagram nor any other Antisocial Media, so I haven't watched the video of Paul inverting. I'm basing my reply on what I think inversion means in cymbal making. For example this is an inverted cymbal (late 50s 16" regular shape) which the seller mistakenly thought was a China.

Inverting is standard practice as seen in a number of videos of cymbal production in Turkey. But given the number of cymbals manufactured by the big four (Meinl, Paiste, Sabian, Zildjian) compared to Turkey and other regions (Italy, China) and the independents, the majority of cymbals might not be made using inversion to hammer the bottom side.

 

[dustjacket]

Funch has competition

 

[Heartbeat]

Steve has 62 cymbals on their way to him....

 

[p83]

Note that I don't do Instagram nor any other Antisocial Media, so I haven't watched the video of Paul inverting. I'm basing my reply on what I think inversion means in cymbal making. For example this is an inverted cymbal (late 50s 16" regular shape) which the seller mistakenly thought was a China.

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Inverting is standard practice as seen in a number of videos of cymbal production in Turkey. But given the number of cymbals manufactured by the big four (Meinl, Paiste, Sabian, Zildjian) compared to Turkey and other regions (Italy, China) and the independents, the majority of cymbals might not be made using inversion to hammer the bottom side.

i have seen some of those videos, and it is amazing how they casually they invert them back and forth.

 

[bassanddrum84]

So the real question is will other cymbal smiths take a back seat to Paul?

 

[Esotericdrums]

So the real question is will other cymbal smiths take a back seat to Paul?

I would think Pauls work is going to be in high demand over the other guys for a while

 

[shiek_yerbouti]

I think this is potentially a great thing. At such a large company he might have had to compromise certain things in order to make cymbals for mass market appeal/usefulness or production constraints. Now as an independent he’ll have more freedom to make artistic design decisions using his broad experience. It will be interesting to see what happens. I wish him good luck.

 

[bassanddrum84]

I would think Pauls work is going to be in high demand over the other guys for a while

I agree. With his reputation, experience and everything else that is Paul he’s gonna do great things.

 

[Esotericdrums]

I agree. With his reputation, experience and everything else that is Paul he’s gonna do great things.

I am pumped to hear the cymbals he creates. Hand hammered with his experience and attention to detail.

I hope to own some of his cymbals sooner than later!

 

[Freewill3]

This is very good news! I'm about 30 minutes from Maxwell's shop and cannot wait to hear these in person!

 

[3 Olives]

This is very good news! I'm about 30 minutes from Maxwell's shop and cannot wait to hear these in person!

If my son was still going to school in Chicago I’d try to be there.