Paiste Signature 16" Crystal Thin

Group: Crashes
Type: Crystal Thin
Size: 16 Inch
Series: Signature
Weight: 724g
Median Weight: 724g (n=1)
Years of production: 2008 - ?
Sound file: Signature 16" Crystal Thin
Paiste's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The Crystal Thins slide into life with brilliant crashes that sparkle with high-end energy. There is a degree of warmth to them as well, but very little in the way of overtones. Instead, the crash slips away with a rapid, even fade leaving a neutral vibration where you would normally find the ebb and flow of the swell mixing with the decay. The two larger Thins give a fizzing, glassy stick sound when ridden, while subtle treatment with a mallet encourages a positively shimmering response."

Review written by Adam Jones ("Paiste Signature Crystal Cymbals review", MusicRadar.com, July 22, 2008)

Review: "The Crystal Thin crashes are similar to the Crystal hats in that they offer a bright, sizzling sound with a relatively quick decay. They are also pretty quiet, again reminding me of thinner vintage cymbals. I used all three of these models on a low-volume steel drum-quartet gig, and I was impressed with how easily they "opened up," yielding full but quiet crash sounds. The 16" model was a bit whispy and performed more like a large splash cymbal than a medium-sized crash. I feel that this model would serve particularly well as an orchestral suspended cymbal.

The 18" and 20" crashes have the same basic quality as the 16", with a much fuller sound. I used the 20" Crystal Thin crash as a crash/ride and was generally pleased with its performance, as it offered a useable amount of stick definition and a controlled wash.

All of the Crystal Thin crashes lack any real useable bell sounds, due to their flattened shape. Though this design undoubtedly contributes to their unique timbre and extreme sensitivity, it doesn't provide enough playing area to produce consistent sounds when struck directly. I experimented with piggy-backing splashes on top of the Crystal Thins with a felt placed between the cymbals. The flat bells helped make the smaller cymbals more stable during play.

Of all of the Crystal Thin crashes, I could see the 20" fitting best with a mixed cymbal setup, as it offers a full and shimmering medium-volume crash, great low-volume response, and some crash/ride potential."

Review written by Modern Drummer ("Paiste - Signature Crystal Thin and Reflector Series Cymbals", Modern Drummer, February 2009, pp. 32-33)

Artist/song where it can be heard: unknown