cold fusion
Member
I'm new to Paiste and I only have the Masters Dark and Dry pack and am thinking of getting the Paiste Black Label Big Beat.
Your best 5 Paiste Cymbals
- Thread starter Quai34
- Start date
petrez
Senior Member
Big Paiste fan here, my favorites at the moment are 15" 2002 Sound Edge Hats (with 14" 900 Series Sound Edge as runner-ups), 22" 2002 Rock Bell Ride (discountinued model, but the 22" 900 Series Heavy Ride are also very nice), 18" Rude Thin Crash, 18" 2002 Medium Crash and 20" 2002 Novo China. As you probably can figure out, I play quite loud music, but some of these cymbals are quite versatile... Wouldn't use them for jazz though. The 900 Series have really surprised me, for what they cost.
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nicholasBR
Well-known member
What do you like about the sound-edge hats? I'm toying with the idea of getting some 900 hats. I'm specifically looking at the 14" hats or the 14" sound-edge.
Old Dog new Cans
Senior Member
Also very new to Paiste. But, I'm HORRIBLY happy that I picked up a set of Dark Energy hi hats--an absolute steal at about $275?? They're great.
I've always been a New Beat/Zildjian dude. Well, in the past. Once again, no loyalties here.
I'm looking at a Dark Crisp Ride Signature something?. . . .looks tasty
I've always been a New Beat/Zildjian dude. Well, in the past. Once again, no loyalties here.
I'm looking at a Dark Crisp Ride Signature something?. . . .looks tasty
Justinhub2003
Well-known member
If you can find a dark energy ride MKI or MKII you’ll love it. I prefer the MKI but both are insanely good and versatile
SharkSandwich
Junior Member
Elvis
Silver Member
The old Signature Dry Crisp Ride was a "pingy-er" version of the Mellow Ride.
Think of it as a "Thin Ping Ride" with some of the high end rolled off, if you catch my drift.
Dark Energy's are of the Signature Family, but darker than an actual Signature.
Old Dog new Cans
Senior Member
I'm just going to have to do some listening to these cymbals. I think I'm picking up what your putting down.
That's the first time someone has explained the orientation of the D.E. line within the Signature "family". Paiste has SO many series' of cymbals. Thanks
Justin, I will try and find some videos on those cymbals you recommended. Thanks
Elvis
Silver Member
You're welcome.
My Paiste hi-hats were originally Signature Dark Crisp hats, which are basically like New Beats on acid (really thin top, really thick bottom), with the Signature sound.
I didn't like how it sloshed, so I modded them by replacing the bottom with a Signature Medium bottom and was happy with what I had for a while.
When the DE's came out, people talked pretty highly of them.
On a lark, I thought I would swap out my DC top with a DE top and I never looked back.
It really gave the setup a very nice, refined sound that was darker...and I could even pick up the "sparkly" quality that's only apparent in the DE's.
As I've often written in the past, its like that setup put on a top hat and tails when I started using the DE top.
Sold the DC top pretty quick after that and have been running that setup ever since.
Elvis
My Paiste hi-hats were originally Signature Dark Crisp hats, which are basically like New Beats on acid (really thin top, really thick bottom), with the Signature sound.
I didn't like how it sloshed, so I modded them by replacing the bottom with a Signature Medium bottom and was happy with what I had for a while.
When the DE's came out, people talked pretty highly of them.
On a lark, I thought I would swap out my DC top with a DE top and I never looked back.
It really gave the setup a very nice, refined sound that was darker...and I could even pick up the "sparkly" quality that's only apparent in the DE's.
As I've often written in the past, its like that setup put on a top hat and tails when I started using the DE top.
Sold the DC top pretty quick after that and have been running that setup ever since.
Elvis
Elvis
Silver Member
I used to have one.
It weighed exactly 5 lbs. (2267.5 grams) and sounded great.
In those days I was acquainted with the Product Specialist guy at Paiste, because he ran their old Player's Forum, of which I frequented quite often.
When I ordered my Mellow Ride, he contacted me and informed me that Paiste was actually getting ready to end production of those and they were in the process of casting the last batch.
He asked me what I was looking for, specifically, in my new ride.
I told him and he said he would personally pick out the cymbal that best fit those quality's out of that last batch.
That's how I got my Mellow Ride and it was FANTASTIC.
Plus, I was working at the local music store in those days, so I got the employee discount on it.
I think it ended up being under $240, new. Delivered.
It had that beautiful glassy sound that was on the dark side for a Signature, with a pronounced, but not too pingy, ping.
The crash was "searing". It's the only way I can describe it.
Beautiful cymbal and I had it for about 7 years, but in the end, it wasn't quite what I was looking for back then.
I sold it to someone, either here or at Cymbalholic, and picked up a 20" Trad light ride from someone else at Cymbalholic. It was almost perfect. If it had been a Thin ride, I think it would've finally be there.
To this day, I still have that Light Ride, which is for the Ludwig kit.
I've since started working with Turkish cymbals again, but I still have my Paiste cymbal pack for that kit (Trad Light ride and Flat ride with the hats I mentioned earlier).
They're all beautiful cymbals.
Elvis
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Out of Round
Well-known member
Looks like I'm not alone with these.
Of the Paistes I own:
- Giant Beat 24", 20", 18"
- 2002 15" SoundEdge hats
- 505 20" Ride (paid $35 used, maximum sound value, so I gotta list it.)
Of the Paistes I own:
- Giant Beat 24", 20", 18"
- 2002 15" SoundEdge hats
- 505 20" Ride (paid $35 used, maximum sound value, so I gotta list it.)
cbphoto
Gold Member
I used a 20” Sound Formula Heavy Ride for years, then a Masters 20” Ride for a short while, then bought a 20” Sig. Traditional Medium Light Ride and used that for years. It’s a beautiful cymbal with a nice, loud wash which is very un-abrasive.
Eventually I realized (thankfully) that I’d never be satisfied with one ride cymbal ‘cuz I don’t play one kind of music. I currently own four rides and love ‘em all.
T.D.Kerabatsos
New member
For jazzy stuff this has been my goto set for quite a while:
14" Sound Creation Dark Medium Hi-Hat
20" Formula 602 Flatride Medium
22" Formula 602 Medium Ride
22" Signature Thin China
Only 4 but all exceptional
14" Sound Creation Dark Medium Hi-Hat
20" Formula 602 Flatride Medium
22" Formula 602 Medium Ride
22" Signature Thin China
Only 4 but all exceptional
Same but I dont have a 505, I have many other paisties but your first two are my favs too. For the fifth one Ill add the 19" Giant Beat Multi I use as a ride on a smaller set. I'm looking for a 22" 404 .
I’m pretty new to nice cymbals but i had a few Paistes and they are my everyday cymbals now.
My current favorite 5 are all Formula 602 classic. A Medium 20” ride, 18” paper thin, 16” thin and a top and bottom sound edge 14” hi hat. They are pretty quiet and I like this. As a guitar player I hate having to turn up another 20db because the drummer is trying to break his heavy 24” ride on 1/4 note crashes.
If I ever DID need to play with the ubiquitous annoyingly loud rock guitar dude, I would use the 602 classic 15” heavy hats, heavy 18, heavy 20 as a ride and use my 20” medium ride as a 20” crash. This should give me any scenario all within one series that I love. Soft to medium to loud within one series.
I believe the 602 Classics can do everything I ever need.
My current favorite 5 are all Formula 602 classic. A Medium 20” ride, 18” paper thin, 16” thin and a top and bottom sound edge 14” hi hat. They are pretty quiet and I like this. As a guitar player I hate having to turn up another 20db because the drummer is trying to break his heavy 24” ride on 1/4 note crashes.
If I ever DID need to play with the ubiquitous annoyingly loud rock guitar dude, I would use the 602 classic 15” heavy hats, heavy 18, heavy 20 as a ride and use my 20” medium ride as a 20” crash. This should give me any scenario all within one series that I love. Soft to medium to loud within one series.
I believe the 602 Classics can do everything I ever need.
I can tell y0u what I like about them. A month ago I was playing regular Alpha hi hats. I liked everything about them but one thing. When I played them closed at all they were almost inaudible even when hitting hard on the edge and when loosened a little they were suddenly too loud even when sticking lightly one the top. TOO dynamic in the extremes.
My particular pair of Formula 602 classic sound edge hihats I have now are much more uniform. From fairly tighly closed to fairly loose the sound changes but the volume is pretty consistent. I have to put a lot of pressure on the pedal to get a tick otherwise it’s a pretty consistent ”CHISH” only changing in duration with pressure not loudness. Open a half inch and smack ’em and they get a bit louder but still not too loud. It’s almost like they’re a bit compressed and I like it. You can get dynamics but you have to mean it, they are very forgiving.
In my limited experience, when you play regular hats closed they are more ”clack” and sound edges are more “CHISH’.
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nicholasBR
Well-known member
Thanks. The 14" 900 series sound edge and 14" 900 normal are virtually identical in price so it's hard to choose.
Elvis
Silver Member
A personal note about SE's.
They do what they're designed for very well, but parts of the edge that don't touch the top cymbal can setup up a hum that can be very annoying to some drummer's ears.
I had a chance to buy some SE's back in the 80's but went with Sabian Flat Hats instead, for that very reason.
If you don't have an issue with it, then great, go for it if that's what you want, otherwise, beware.
Elvis
They do what they're designed for very well, but parts of the edge that don't touch the top cymbal can setup up a hum that can be very annoying to some drummer's ears.
I had a chance to buy some SE's back in the 80's but went with Sabian Flat Hats instead, for that very reason.
If you don't have an issue with it, then great, go for it if that's what you want, otherwise, beware.
Elvis