Meinl Percussion
German percussion-instrument manufacturer known for cymbals, drums, and a broad range of hand percussion.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Meinl Percussion is a German manufacturer of percussion instruments based in Gutenstetten. Founded in 1951 by Roland Meinl as Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente, the business initially made wind instruments and began producing cymbals in 1952. Its early cymbals were produced in a highly manual process: metal sheets were cut, hammered, lathed, and drilled by hand. The company’s formative operations were closely associated with Roland Meinl, who also personally transported early products to the railway station for shipment. During the 1960s, approximately half of the company’s production was exported to the United States, often alongside German-made Tromsa drum sets. Meinl also expanded beyond manufacturing through the importation of affordable Japanese instruments. It became one of the early European importers of Pearl products and later handled Tama and Ibanez instruments. This combination of domestic production and international distribution helped the company develop a broader position in the musical-instrument trade. Cymbals remained an important part of Meinl’s identity. In 1974, the company became the first cymbal manufacturer to offer pre-packaged cymbal sets, a format that made coordinated cymbal selections more accessible to players and retailers. Its early cymbal output concentrated on lower-priced products, but the company increasingly pursued professional instruments. The King-Beat Series, introduced in 1976, was its first professional cymbal series, and the Profile Series of 1984 marked a further move toward the professional market. Meinl subsequently developed artist-associated and technically differentiated cymbal lines. In 1990 it introduced the Tri-Tonal Series, a signature range developed with drummer Billy Cobham, although the series was discontinued the following year. In 2006 the company began producing the Mb10 Series from B10 bronze, an alloy consisting of 90 percent copper and 10 percent tin. This was notable because Meinl then produced cymbals using four bronze formulations: B8, B10, B12, and B20. Beyond cymbals, Meinl’s portfolio covers a wide range of percussion instruments, including bongos, cajons, congas, tablas, timbales, djembes, güiros, pandeiros, tambourines, and related accessories. The brand is therefore positioned not only as a cymbal maker but as a broad specialist percussion house serving drummers, percussionists, ensembles, educators, and music retailers. Its products are sold internationally, while detailed ownership, revenue, and current executive information is not established by the supplied reference material. Meinl Percussion remains an active private German brand.
History
Meinl Percussion traces its origins to 1951, when Roland Meinl founded Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente in Germany. The company initially produced wind instruments, but it entered cymbal manufacturing in 1952. The first cymbals were made from large metal sheets through a labor-intensive sequence of cutting, hammering, lathing, and drilling. Roland Meinl personally carried out much of this early work and transported finished cymbals to the Neustadt an der Aisch railway station by bicycle for shipment. The business expanded its international reach during the 1960s. Around half of its production was exported to the United States, and its products were distributed together with German-made Tromsa drum sets. In 1964, Gustav Strobel became the company’s first employee and remained with Meinl for nearly four decades. During the same period, Roland Meinl developed an import business for affordable Japanese musical instruments. Meinl was among the first European importers of Pearl products and later imported instruments associated with Tama and Ibanez. Cymbals became a central strategic area. In 1974, Meinl introduced pre-packaged cymbal sets, an offering described as a first in the cymbal industry. The company initially concentrated on budget-oriented cymbals, but it began moving toward professional products with the King-Beat Series in 1976. The Profile Series, launched in 1984, further represented the company’s emphasis on professional-level cymbal production. In 1990, Meinl released the Tri-Tonal Series, its first signature cymbal line developed with drummer Billy Cobham. The range was short-lived and was discontinued in 1991. In 2006, Meinl began producing the Mb10 Series using B10 bronze, composed of 90 percent copper and 10 percent tin. The series formed part of the company’s broader use of B8, B10, B12, and B20 bronze alloys. Meinl’s identity broadened beyond cymbals into a large percussion portfolio. Its instruments include bongos, cajons, congas, tablas, timbales, djembes, güiros, pandeiros, and tambourines. This range places the company across drum-set cymbals, Latin percussion, African and world percussion, concert and educational instruments, and accessories. The company is based in Gutenstetten, Germany, and operates as a private brand with international distribution. Roland Meinl died on December 4, 2007, at the age of 78. The supplied reference material does not identify subsequent owners or current senior executives.
- 2007
Founder dies
[1]Roland Meinl died on December 4, 2007, aged 78.
- 2006
Mb10 Series begins production
[1]Meinl began producing the Mb10 cymbal series from B10 bronze.
- 1990
Tri-Tonal signature series introduced
[1]Meinl launched the Tri-Tonal Series, developed with drummer Billy Cobham.
- 1984
Profile Series launched
[1]The Profile Series marked a stronger focus on professional-level cymbal production.
- 1976
King-Beat professional series introduced
[1]Meinl introduced the King-Beat Series, identified as its first professional cymbal series.
- 1974
Pre-packaged cymbal sets introduced
[1]Meinl became the first cymbal company described in the reference to offer pre-packaged cymbal sets.
- 1964
First employee hired
[1]Gustav Strobel became the company’s first employee and worked with Meinl for almost 40 years.
- 1952
Cymbal production begins
[1]Meinl began making cymbals after initially producing wind instruments.
- 1951
Company founded
[1]Roland Meinl founded Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente in Germany.
Products and positioning
A specialist German percussion brand spanning professional and general-purpose cymbals, hand drums, Latin percussion, world percussion, and accessories.
Cymbals · 1952
Cymbals
Cymbals are one of Meinl Percussion’s foundational product categories. The company began making them in 1952, initially using manually processed metal sheets. Its range developed from budget-oriented instruments into professional offerings, including the King-Beat Series, Profile Series, Tri-Tonal Series, and Mb10 Series. Meinl has used B8, B10, B12, and B20 bronze formulations across its cymbal production.
Latin percussion
Bongos
Meinl manufactures bongos as part of its Latin-percussion portfolio. The category complements the company’s broader range of hand drums and percussion instruments and serves players working in Latin, popular, educational, and world-music settings. Specific models, materials, and current series are not detailed in the supplied reference material.
Latin percussion
Congas
Congas are among Meinl’s principal hand-drum offerings. They extend the brand beyond drum-set cymbals into Afro-Cuban and general hand percussion. The supplied material confirms the category but does not provide a complete model chronology or technical specification for current conga lines.
Box percussion
Cajons
Meinl produces cajons, the box-shaped percussion instruments used in acoustic performance, pop, flamenco, and educational contexts. Cajons form part of the company’s expansion into accessible and portable hand percussion. Detailed launch dates and individual product families are not established by the supplied sources.
World percussion
World and hand percussion
The wider portfolio includes tablas, timbales, djembes, güiros, pandeiros, and tambourines. These products give Meinl coverage across South Asian, African, Latin American, and general hand-percussion traditions. The reference material identifies the categories but does not provide detailed histories for each product family.
Accessories
Percussion accessories
Meinl also supplies accessories associated with percussion playing. They support the company’s instrument portfolio and its role as a specialist percussion supplier, although the supplied sources do not enumerate the current accessory range.
Brand decisions
2006
Begin production of Mb10 cymbalsProduct launchBackground
Meinl was expanding its cymbal technology and alloy portfolio.
Action taken
The company began producing the Mb10 Series from B10 bronze, containing 90 percent copper and 10 percent tin.
Aftermath
The range contributed to Meinl’s use of four bronze alloys: B8, B10, B12, and B20.
1990
Develop the Tri-Tonal Series with Billy CobhamProduct launchBackground
Meinl sought to develop artist-associated professional cymbal products.
Action taken
The company launched the Tri-Tonal Series, its first signature series developed with Billy Cobham.
Aftermath
The series was discontinued in 1991.
1976
Launch the King-Beat SeriesProduct launchBackground
Meinl’s early cymbal production had focused largely on lower-priced products.
Action taken
The company introduced the King-Beat Series as its first professional cymbal series.
Aftermath
The launch began a clearer move toward professional-level cymbal positioning.
1974
Introduce pre-packaged cymbal setsProduct launchBackground
Meinl was developing its cymbal business beyond individual low-cost instruments.
Action taken
The company introduced coordinated cymbal sets sold in pre-packaged form.
Aftermath
The move is identified as an early industry milestone, although no sales or market-share effect is reported.
Sources2 sources
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