Since they were first introduced in the United States and Canada late in 2005 the Dream Bliss and Contact cymbal lines have undergone an evolution in terms of morphology, hammering style, and sonic properties. Front Range Bronze has developed a typology, presented here as a short primer, to help Dream fans determine which type they may already have, and to help with future purchases.
Bliss
The most popular of the Dream lines the Bliss cymbals have undergone a subtle evolution.
Bliss I
This is the first incarnation of these b20 cymbals. The ink stamp is composed of three parts: 1) a small circular stamp with Chinese characters, 2) a small rectangular block with two Chinese characters, 3) a large rectangular block that says in English “GAOJIAHE GONG FACTORY MADE IN WUHAN CHINA”, with a similar text written above in simplified Chinese characters. The Dream logo is the same for Bliss I-III. Also, for Bliss I-III the placement and order of the stamps varies considerably. There is also a variant combination for Bliss I's that has stamps 1 & 2 with the Wuhan stamp from Bliss II's.
Bliss I style stamps. The far right block makes a reappearance on the Bliss III's
Bliss I cymbals have larger hammering blows then later styles and lack final fine-tuning. Profiles are flatter, bridges are very gradual, and the bells are small – typically in the 4” diameter range for a 22” cymbal. The sound is the most trashy out of all three Bliss styles with a bell sound that is integrated into the wash. The wash has hints of a Chinese-style cymbal and is usually very low pitched. Because they are hand-shaped all Dream cymbals change rapidly when broken in but the Bliss I’s exhibit this trait the most.
Here the circular large stamp with the factory name has been replaced by a single rectangular stamp that says “MADE IN WUHAN CHINA” with a similar text written above in simplified Chinese. In addition there is a second stamp with two Chinese characters inside. Late in this run ‘Bliss’ was added in English to the bottom of the cymbal along one edge.
Bliss II style stamps.
These cymbals have less of the larger hammering with finer, more extensive blows evident. A trait that is present on all the Bliss II’s that I have seen are many light blows done with a small diameter machinist's ‘peen’ style hammer. This ‘finish’ hammering is usually clearly visible and often occurs in the bridge area, though sometimes can be found at other places on the cymbal. These corrective blows represent final tuning by the smiths at the factory who are correcting the cymbals shape, integration of the bridge, and other factors. This hammering was done after lathing.
Bliss II style hammering. All of the light circular spots in the bridge area of this cymbal were done after lathing for the fine-tuning of shape and sound.
Bliss II profiles are similar to Bliss I’s though the size of the bells is often larger – typically falling between 4-1/2" to 5-1/2" in diameter. The bridges also tend to be slightly more abrupt. Bliss II’s are less trashy and slightly more focused then the preceding Bliss I’s. They yield more stick sound that tends to ride above a dark wash that still has elements of a Chinese-style cymbal. Most of my customers up to early 2007 received Bliss II’s and I have had many requests for these cymbals. It is possible that they will be reintroduced as a distinct series in 2008.
Bliss III’s are characterized by a new style of hammering, different morphology, and a new stamp. The Bliss II ‘Wuhan’ stamp has been replaced by a long rectangle with “MADE IN WUHAN CHINA” on the bottom line with a similar text in simplified Chinese on the top. The small two character block from the Bliss I's reappears on top of the ‘Wuhan’ section. Additionally, in English, ‘Bliss’ now appears on the bottom edge along one side while "Crash/Ride [size"]" appears on the opposite margin.
Bliss III style stamps. Note the reappearance of the block stamp on the top.
With the Bliss III’s an additional – or new – style hammering has been introduced. The bottom, and often the top, is peppered with small diameter blows from a hammer that has a round-shaped head with a flat or slightly rounded end. This has the effect of stiffening the bow of the cymbal for a tighter stick feel then the Bliss I’s and II’s (see pic). The post-lathing hammering that characterizes the Bliss II’s does not occur on the III’s. The profile on the III’s is often slightly flanged downward occurring mostly in the last four inches of the bow. The bell diameters are similar to Bliss II’s.
Bliss III style hammering. Note the deeply indented circular marks.
Bliss III’s are much dryer, more focused, and less washy then their predecessors. In addition much of the trash and almost all of the Chinese is gone/diminished significantly.
There are a couple examples of cymbals with both Bliss II and III hammering. These cymbals seem to have elements of both much trash in the wash with a clear, woody stick that rides above.
Contact
Contact series cymbals have also undergone changes and Front Range Bronze currently makes a distinction between two types.
Contact I
This is the original style of these b23 cymbals that are marked on top solely with the Dream logo – no Chinese block stamps occur. The bottom of the cymbal is marked in English, ‘Contact’ along one side while "Crash/Ride [size"]" appears on the opposite margin.
Contact I profiles are typically more flanged then the Bliss line with larger bells. 20” rides average bells in the 4-1/2” to 5” diameter, while 22” rides have very large bells (5”+ diameter), with abrupt bridges. These cymbals are lightly polished and have a much brighter sheen then the Bliss, in addition to a second round of course lathing. The shaping and hammering of these cymbals is very similar to the Bliss I’s and II’s.
Contact I’s have a tight stick feel with a sharp, high attack, and woody stick. The b23 bronze lends a beautiful shimmer behind a wash that is still dark, but not like the Bliss. Weights tend to be heavier then the Bliss by roughly 200-300 grams, except for the 22’s which are full mediums (3000g range).
Here the top of the cymbal is marked with Bliss II style stamps to the top of the cymbal, along with the Dream logo. The information on series, size, etc, no longer appears on the bottom. I’s and II’s have the same hammering style along with the second episode of lathing. Different are the profiles which in II’s tend to be slightly flatter with bridges that are less abrupt meaning that the bell sound is more integrated into the wash. These cymbals are also not polished – or polished much less – then the I’s and so have an appearance and patina more like the Bliss. The changes in morphology and the bridge results in a cymbal that is darker, with more trash, and slightly more exotic sounding. Some of these are strikingly like New Stamp K’s manufactured in Turkey but with a brighter attack behind the stick and a bit more wash.
Though the stamps will probably change again the basic characteristics of Bliss cymbals will follow Bliss III’s from here on out, and it seems that the Contacts will revert back to type I's. Will Bliss I and II, and Contact II's be collectible – only time will tell.
