Coming Soon…

Blog from Craig Lauritsen (cymbalutopia)

The number of independent cymbalsmiths has grown exponentially in recent years. There are many factors involved, including the ease of access to and dissemination of information across an ever expanding audience, access to blank sources and smithing tools, ease of website creation, proliferation of promotional platforms etc.

When I first started cymbal-smithing more than 20 years ago, youtube, facebook, instagram etc didn’t exist. Cymbalholic was the go to website for cymbal enthusiasts (and access as a member was limited) and the list of independents was Roberto Spizzichino, Mike Skiba, Steve Hubback, Michael Paiste and Johan Van De Sijpe. Information was hard to come by and sourcing blanks was a secretive and guarded domain. The independent market was small.

Much has changed.

But much is the same.

 My idea of an independent has always been a lone wolf with a passion for exploration, experimentation and a desire to realise something unique to the craft. Roberto was the pinnacle of that aesthetic for me. His instruments are still unique and exciting and demand a certain commitment from the people playing them.

 The current risk of a rapidly expanding craft within certain market constraints, is homogeneity and excessive imitation and duplication.

I’m curious to see where the craft goes in the next decade and what truly unique elements are added to it.

 I have always aspired to release free and accessible information about the craft through my website and through email and social media interactions. There are time constraints but I do what I can. My ideas owe much to my predecessors and the information I was able to garner from them and through the cymbalholic community. Nothing is born in isolation and communities that openly share an exploration of a passion, build a solid path forward for the next generation. I’m hoping to have contributed to that path. I’m hoping others will continue to do this.

 My current goal for my work is to continue to build quality instruments that incorporate increasingly higher percentages of unique elements, elements which I’ve painstakingly explored over the past few decades.

As Roberto said, ‘for me, unique is better than beautiful.’