What Paiste series sounds like the Zildjian A Custom series?

[Tubs player]

I posted a thread like this already but,
I'm starting to go to Paiste
and i've never really heard much because i dont think the online samples are to accurate.

[moe.ron]

actually paiste has some of the most accurate sound samples. as far as a customs i would think signatures would be close and better IMO

[maddrummr]

I dont really get this, if you like Zildjian A's then go with them. Dont change to Paiste just for the name.

[Fur drummer]

Paiste really doesn't have a series that sounds like Zildjian A Customs. To me Paiste cymbals sound brighter and have better sounding overtones which is why I like them better than Zildjian. The closes sounding Paiste series would be the New Signature Dark Energy or 2002 series. Maybe even some smaller Rudes. The Signature series sounds brighter than Zildjian A Customs to me.

What made you decide to try Paiste?

[Skitch]

I believe that the A Customs were designed to sound more like Paiste cymbals as per a review in Modern Drummer in 1993.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[Tubs player]

I don't really know i guess i just wanna try new cymbal brands and where i get my gear Zildjian seems to costs more

[maddrummr]

Hmmm, find a local dealer of multiple cymbal brands? Idk I have mostly Zildjian around me so thats all i can compare.

[evans_69]

i also would say no paiste cymbals sound like a customs,,,,,, like said before paiste cymbals are bright and i find them ideal for rock or funk, but when needed for light and softer stuff i go to zildjian k,s .....( signatures and k's are my favourite cymbals and are totally different to one another :D ).... i would say mix them up if you can use both models of what sound you like.

[cjl71178]

I honestly don't think that there isn't a Paiste series that sounds like A Customs...but that's me. I had a set of Paiste's and when I had switched to Zildjians, it was like night and day. Don't get me wrong, Paiste's are a really nice cymbal and I was really pleased with the ones I had. They just sounded so different compared to Zildjians, plus they did cost more when I compared prices.

I think your best bet would be to go to a drum shop that sells both brands, preferably a decent amount of cymbals, that way you can try out side by side each one.

[rendezvous_drummer]

Definitely the Paiste 302's man....it's like lamb and tuna fish.

[tamadrummer132]

what if you like tuna fish more then lamb?

[drumminjohn]

what if you like tuna fish more then lamb?

I don't like either...

Go with Paiste! I'm makin the switch from ZBTs to 2002, but because I am poor I must go cymbal by cymbal...

[rendezvous_drummer]

what if you like tuna fish more then lamb?

Then there's something disturbingly wrong with you man!

[The Levee Breaker]

The truth is, NONE of them do. Paiste cymbals sound BETTER!

[abe]

http://www.cymbalsonly.com

Listen and compare. Zildjians are great but I love Paiste. I thing Paiste is too underrated for styles like jazz and funk.
At the end it's personal preference.

[ermghoti]

Then there's something disturbingly wrong with you man!

Spoken like somebody who has never had a nice, rare tuna steak. [Homer's gurgling moan of hunger]

[Rickk]

I once asked a professional drummer at a concert what made him choose Paiste over the others, and he said he was sponsored by Paiste and had to use them, but all in all that the higher level cymbals, they were all equal, just personal preference. That's why I use Zildjian, because they just sound better to me. But if Buddy Rich was playing ZBT's
They would sound 100x better than me playing K's.

[MR DRUMS]

The truth is, NONE of them do. Paiste cymbals sound BETTER!
That is absolutely TRUE!!!

[trkdrmr]

Paiste really doesn't have a series that sounds like Zildjian A Customs. To me Paiste cymbals sound brighter and have better sounding overtones which is why I like them better than Zildjian. The closes sounding Paiste series would be the New Signature Dark Energy or 2002 series. Maybe even some smaller Rudes. The Signature series sounds brighter than Zildjian A Customs to me.

What made you decide to try Paiste?

To me, Paiste sound clangier with less dynamic range than the A customs. That's why I chose the A customs instead. I like the A customs quite a bit better than any Paiste. Paiste are different sounding...in no way better, that's a subjective call.

YAMMV.

[MR DRUMS]

I used to play Zildjian back in the early 90`s but stop once I heard Sabian AA and AAX they sound really nice with a very balaced sound and smooth overtones, not like those horrible overtones Zildjian A and A custom have, specially crashes, hats (when played closed) and rides (have a lack of tone, balance and musicality).
Then I became a Paiste lover and big fan, they have a finesse that Sabian and Zildjian DON`T, Paistes have a very clear and detailed sound and a unique shimmer and tones.

[trkdrmr]

Then I became a Paiste lover and big fan, they have a finesse that Sabian and Zildjian DON`T, Paistes have a very clear and detailed sound and a unique shimmer and tones.

Drummers have finesse. Cymbals don't.

However, the A-customs (did this side by side this weekend home/gig) have a warmth and brilliance lost on paiste's due to the signature "Clang". Of course the paiste "Clang" closely matches the "klangmuster" reference cymbal. Truly different sound characteristics, not better.

[Strangelove]

Paistes have a very clear and detailed sound and a unique shimmer and tones.

Yes, the shimmer, or sustain of a Paiste crash is what stole me away from Zildjan. They have a beautiful shimmering finish to them that sonically can be compared to a visual star shower, especially on their medium crashes. Yes they are brighter than Z's as well. I personally like that quality, as drums are dark enough sounding, so the glass-like explosion of a Paiste crash contrasts well after a tom fill. But that's my own personal tastes.

[trkdrmr]

Yes, the shimmer, or sustain of a Paiste crash is what stole me away from Zildjan. They have a beautiful shimmering finish to them that sonically can be compared to a visual star shower, especially on their medium crashes. Yes they are brighter than Z's as well. I personally like that quality, as drums are dark enough sounding, so the glass-like explosion of a Paiste crash contrasts well after a tom fill. But that's my own personal tastes.

I think it was the lack of "clang" that stole me away to Zildjian.

[Guz2]

What do you mean by "clang"?

Anyway, Paiste's sound really gret. To me Zildjians and Sabains sound just...Average. I'm still inexperienced so I might have to eat my words one day...

[trkdrmr]

What do you mean by "clang"?

Anyway, Paiste's sound really gret. To me Zoldjians and Sabains sound just...Average. I'm still inexperienced so I might have to eat my words one day...

Anyway, The paiste sig's sounded pretty average to me. They had a hard quality to them that wasn't shimmering. They had a less musical sound and more limited bandwidth. Kind of like a 2002 with a few extras thrown in.

Here is a pic from monday night "rock night" with all paiste sigs. It's not my kit...My impression was: they cut, but they clang. Not my cup o tea.

[Guz2]

*Shrug* just further proof that it's personal preference

[trkdrmr]

*Shrug* just further proof that it's personal preference

*shrug* >snicker< ...pfff....(in a directly snide and dismissive tone, in keeping with your previous post) I never said it wasn't personal preference. Of course if I agreed with you, then it's a consensus and must be true...well, not really.

I approach my posts with a degree of objectivity, not this declarative, absolutist style. Anything that clangs is pretty pedestrian to me. The dark energy or other models may vary, but I see zero inherent superiority of one over the other.

Clang, clang, clang, goes the Paiste....IMO...of course. YMMV.

On that note, I like Meinl byzance equally, and UFIP natural/bionic series just as well.

I like Zildjian and UFIP better than Paiste.

[Guz2]

*Teenager brain explodes* speak English!

[trkdrmr]

*Teenager brain explodes* speak English!

It's personal preference.

[Strangelove]

Just remember, stay away from Zildjan's. They are elementary level devices only for drummers whose ears are not tonally attuned to the finer things in life and are easily appeased by hearing the banging of metal pans.

Of course, I am lying tremendously - just poking fun at the ridiculous bias that we can all get into ear arguments around here. I like Paiste crashes, but am not real keen on their rides or chinas. TRKDRMR obvioulsy can't stand Paistes at all, any of them. This is why we have 3 main cymbal manufacturers, and a number of others hanging in the wings. Your ears are your own - choose what you like the best, because you are the only one that needs to be satisfied. Most listeners of music would not be able to differentiate a Wuhan from a Zildjan or a Paiste. It's your ears that count. But as for what sounds closest to A Custom's? Listen to Paiste's sound files (yes they are incredibly accurate) on their website and focus on Signatures, 2002's and Giant Beats. They are all excellent offerings by Paiste. I personally like medium crashes in 2002's and Signatures, for their shimmering sustain that I believe is a Paiste signature. But that is my opinion.

[trkdrmr]

Just remember, stay away from Zildjan's. They are elementary level devices only for drummers whose ears are not tonally attuned to the finer things in life and are easily appeased by hearing the banging of metal pans.

Of course, I am lying tremendously - just poking fun at the ridiculous bias that we can all get into when we get brand loyal around here. I like Paiste crashes, but am not real keen on their rides or chinas. TRKDRMR obvioulsy can't stand Paistes at all, any of them. This is why we have 3 main cymbal manufacturers, and a number of others hanging in the wings. Your ears are your own - chose what you like the best, because you are the only one that needs to be satisfied. Most listeners of music would not be able to differentiate a Wuhan from a Zildjan or a Paiste. It's your ears that count.

I like paiste's. They just have a clang to them. My point is, there is no measurable way they are superior, they are simply a preference.

I try to get threads (like cymbals and pedals) away from absolute superlatives like "Exponentially better" or "Makes the competition sound rudimentary/pedestrian/average" because it is subjective. To say things like (in the pedal gear threads as well) "One MILLION times better" is just an absurd way to classify something.

Paiste makes fine cymbals, but so do the other companies. Best, is as stated, in the ear of the beholder, but no actual "best" exists.

I got a gently used set of a customs for $700. (hats, 14/16/18 crash, 20" ride and a china) If I got paiste's for the same $$ I'd be swapping them out from time to time.

I believe each product has it's own merits. Were I rich, I'd own a set of each. (Zildjian a's/k custom hybrids, Sabian hhx,vault, Paiste sig and Meinl byzance.)