Regular Old Paiste 2002s: Love 'em? Hate 'em? Use 'em? Got thoughts?

Neal Pert

Neal Pert

Silver Member
Paiste's got so many product lines and I'm now very familiar with a couple of them-- particularly the 602 Modern Essentials and the Masters. But despite the fact that my first hi hats as a teen were 2002 Sound Edges and my first ride was a 2002 20" ride, I've had basically no experience with them.

Well, of course I mean in person. I've heard them on a million records and lots of live shows.

But I'm just curious: Who out there uses 2002s? How long have you been using them? What sort of music do you play with them?
 
I've used 2002s on and off for years for rock and pop. I currently have a 19" thin crash and a 10" splash. Most of my cymbals are Giant Beats
however which are in the same 2002 family. I find the Giant Beats to be a little mellower.
 
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Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em! :love:

I bought my set of 2oo2's back in 2006-07 when I did a complete upgrade to my cymbal collection. I was fortunate to be able to go Paiste all the way, including a set of 2oo2's crashes in 16", 17", 18" and 19". For me, the 2oo2 Crashes were the epitome of the Classic Rock crashes that I heard, not only on countless songs and records, but it also when I think of the perfect rock crash sound in my head.

I decided to go with the Paiste Signature line for my Hi-Hats, and my ride cymbal, but I could have gone with the 2oo2's for those as well. I'm primarily a Hard Rock/Classic Rock drummer. The 2oo2's fit that genre to an absolute tee, but they are also a very versatile cymbal line that is not only confined to that one specific genre.
 
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For crash cymbals I've gone all signature replacing the 2002s. I can't seem to leave the 2002 rides though. I've played a set of signature 14 dark crisp hats that were unbelievable and ordered a set that wasn't near as nice. Now I'm in an endless hat race. I'm Very close to getting some Zildjian kz 13s but once again the weight is critical. No more blind ordering. Ever.
 
In life, timing is everything, right? Thank you to Mr. Pert for introducing this topic. I’m at a crossroads with cymbals at the moment.

I have somewhere around $1300 worth of crash cymbals basically on loan from that company whose name rhymes with Fleet Swatter.

I’m looking to revamp my crash cymbals (I use 2 crashes, nothing crazy), and possibly my hats and ride as well (would be nice to retire my old new beats and the sweet ride my wife got me years ago before something happens to them from being used and schlepped for live work).

I’m looking for cymbals that play easy, don’t have to slam them in a classic rock type format. Bright, shimmery crashes are what I’m craving.

Amongst a few others, I ordered a 20” 2002 crash. Absolutely loved EVERY clip I heard on the UTube. So….

I am underwhelmed thus far. I’m just not hearing that shimmer and sparkle I thought I was getting. Absolutely LOVE the recorded sounds of the Paiste guys in the 70’s; what is going on here.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I clearly have issues.

No one on planet Earth cares about my cymbal tone but me.

I don’t need to return it yet. I have a gig next Friday, where I plan to evaluate it along with the other “loaners” I have on hand at the moment

I’m a big boy and will make up my own mind, but really interested to hear what the great minds on this fine forum have to say.

Let me know if you feel I need to call a therapist.
 
2002's changed the sound of rock music in the 1970's and into the 80's.

They are bright and "metallic" sounding (NOT glassy) no question, they were the right cymbal/sound at the right time for massive increase in amplification in the early 1970's.

From my experience: ALL Paistes sound better in larger sizes: 19" and 20" crashes, 15" hi hats, 22" and 24" rides. This brings the fundamental pitch down closer to what "non Paiste" players are used to.
 
gish said:
In life, timing is everything, right? Thank you to Mr. Pert for introducing this topic. I’m at a crossroads with cymbals at the moment.

I have somewhere around $1300 worth of crash cymbals basically on loan from that company whose name rhymes with Fleet Swatter.

I’m looking to revamp my crash cymbals (I use 2 crashes, nothing crazy), and possibly my hats and ride as well (would be nice to retire my old new beats and the sweet ride my wife got me years ago before something happens to them from being used and schlepped for live work).

I’m looking for cymbals that play easy, don’t have to slam them in a classic rock type format. Bright, shimmery crashes are what I’m craving.

Amongst a few others, I ordered a 20” 2002 crash. Absolutely loved EVERY clip I heard on the UTube. So….

I am underwhelmed thus far. I’m just not hearing that shimmer and sparkle I thought I was getting. Absolutely LOVE the recorded sounds of the Paiste guys in the 70’s; what is going on here.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I clearly have issues.

No one on planet Earth cares about my cymbal tone but me.

I don’t need to return it yet. I have a gig next Friday, where I plan to evaluate it along with the other “loaners” I have on hand at the moment

I’m a big boy and will make up my own mind, but really interested to hear what the great minds on this fine forum have to say.

Let me know if you feel I need to call a therapist.
Click to expand...

A 20" 2002 is a great sounding cymbal (and one of my favorites), I would have someone play your set during the setup/sound check at your next gig and go out into the audience and listen, you'll be surprised at how good it sounds!

Here's my boy George Fludas playing an exact replica "Song remains the same" Bonham kit complete with 18", 20" 2002 crashes and a 24" Giant beat.
The 20" is on George's far right.

 
I'm a huge fan of 2002s and played them and Giant Beats for 30 years. More recently I've tended toward 602s and Modern Essentials. I still use my 22" 2002 ride on almost everything, though.

My 2002s:
8" Splash
14" SE hats (sold these after awhile)
15" SE hats
15" Heavy hats
15" Crash
16" Crash
16" Medium
17" Crash
18" Crash
18" Medium
18" Ride
19" Crash
20" Crash
20" Ride
20" Heavy Ride
22" Ride
24" Ride
 
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heartbeat said:
I'm a huge fan of 2002s and played them and Giant Beats for 30 years. More recently I've tended toward 602s and Modern Essentials. I still use my 22" 2002 ride on almost everything, though.

My 2002s:
8" Splash
14" SE hats (sold these after awhile)
15" SE hats
15" Heavy hats
15" Crash
16" Crash
16" Medium
17" Crash
18" Crash
18" Medium
19" Crash
20" Crash
20" Ride
20" Heavy Ride
22" Ride
24" Ride
Click to expand...

You need an endorsement!!!
 
I used to play the 16", 17" and 18" regular crashes. Great sound, but too loud ultimately (I hit pretty hard tbh).

Nowadays:
14" Heavy Hi-Hat Top as bottom (14" PST7 Thin Crash as top)
16" Thin Crash
20" Ride
 
I currently use a set of 2002 Black Big Beats.
15" Hi-hats, 19" 20" 21" multi's.
Love them.
I'm coming from Paiste Signatures (which I also love), so the contrast is great.

The Big Beats are thinner with a smaller bell. They are way more complex; slightly dry, with crunchy darkness, (not quite Turkish dark but somewhere in the vicinity).
They are quieter, which I appreciate (as do the band members and smaller venue sound guys).
I also ran a regular 22" 2002 Ride for many years! beautiful Ride.

HOT TAKE... Paiste are working on 2002 Black Big Beats with larger bells. When they release them... Who knows.
 
I'm a big fan of 2002's also. Have a full set of crashes (16"-20") and three rides (20, 22, 24) plus 15" SE hats, a 20" China and a 10" splash.

2002's sound great from the drummer's position but where they really shine (no pun intended) is out front, from the audience's perspective.
 
yammyfan said:
I'm a big fan of 2002's also. Have a full set of crashes (16"-20") and three rides (20, 22, 24) plus 15" SE hats, a 20" China and a 10" splash.

2002's sound great from the drummer's position but where they really shine (no pun intended) is out front, from the audience's perspective.
Click to expand...

2002's sound amazing out front! I actually think they can sometimes sound a little bit hollow (Sound Edge hats especially) from the throne but they really come to life out in the audience.
 
I'm lucky to have a few 2002's-

14" SE hats
8" Accent
8" Splash
12" Splash
16," 17",19" crashes
18" PST-X Thin Swiss Crash
22" Ride
18" China
18" & 21" Big Beats

Have to say, the Big Beats are much more "mellow"; they have the 2002 consistency, but sound like they've been designed to "wash", rather than "explode". Maybe not the best description, but they certainly fit well with the other 2002's. The 18" is absolutely my favourite cymbal.
As I've previously posted, I can't see that they are are viable Ride cymbals... much as I like them, that's not their strong point.
 
I used to play 2002's, but I switched to Sabian a long time ago and have been very happy with them. If I could, I would also have set of 2002's. Peace and goodwill.
 
I had a full set of 2002 s …..hats crashes ride, then morphed over to Giant Beats then slowly over to Sabian HHX.
I miss both my 2002 and GBs ……they are the perfect crash sound for a cymbal but my ears wandered.
I always preferred the 70’s vintage of 2002’s. They were a tad darker and had no red ink.
 
Love the 2002s. I have...

14" Sound Edge Hi-hat
14" Medium Hi-hat
14" Heavy (Bottom only) Hi-hat
13" Sound Edge Hi-hat
13" Medium Hi-hat
20" Ride
20" Power Ride
20" Flatride
18" Ride
18" Thin Crash
16" Thin Crash
16" Crash
8" Splash

I used many of these cymbals mostly in a church setting for many years. I have a light touch and most of these 2002s worked wonderfully. Much of worship music today uses big dark and washy cymbals and the drummers hit hard. I couldn't bring myself to go in that direction. I also don't like the style of the newer church/worship music overall. Eventually I had to walk away from that and let the other drummers take over with their bombastic playing and their dark mushy cymbals. Haha!
 
I switched from Zildjian, which came with my first kit. I never found a really good crash sound from zildjian to my ears, that was affordable. I didnt try the K line. i was limited to what was available at the local music stores, there were no sound bites or youtube to compare with. and you couldnt have a music store get in a new crash for you to try out, you had to buy it. I had mostly A's and New Beats ( which always cracked). When Paiste came out ith the 404 and 505 line they were inexpesive ( 28 bucks for a 16 crash) and they sounded excellent to me. They broke constantly but for 1/4 the price of a Zildjian, i happily bought more. my goal was alwyas 2002's and when i could finally afford them i didnt hesitate,
We play swing and 50s-80's lighter rock ( Chicago, Eagles etc.).

Ive never regretted my puchase and dont shop for cymbals ever. these make every sound Im looking for. The 17 is actually my favorite crash.

Im lucky enough to also play in a rock oriented band and the guitr plar built a studi in his basement ( yes he is wealthy) and he asked me hyptheticaly which cymbal pack i would buy if i could. I told him the Bonham cymbal pack and the next week he had bought it! The 24 is a nice ride but i can crash my 20 so I like the 20 beeter!


My 2002's"
10" splash
15" Sound Edge hi-Hats
17" crash
18" crash
20" Ride
 
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