Paiste Ink Stamps

While Paiste had been stamping cymbals with model and type designators (Thin Crash, Medium Ride, Heavy Hi-Hat) in black ink for decades, in the 1960s the company introduced series stamps, beginning with the Formula 602, and later with the Giant Beat, 2002, and Sound Creation series. In 1981, color-specific labeling for a cymbal series was introduced: Formula 602 and 2000 - Blue, 2002 and 3000 - Red, 505/1000 - Green, among others.

This page is intended to be a gallery and database of stamps from all series that Paiste has released over the years. Both top stamps (indicating series, model, size, and typeface), and bottom Paiste stamps will be documented here. It is a work in progress.

1000/1000 RUDE

Years: 1986 - 1992

Stamp Color: Green

1000 and 1000 RUDE cymbals were introduced in 1986 as a successor to the lower end 404 series. All 1000 and 1000 RUDE cymbals are stamped in green. The series stamp consists of the pAisTe logo, above the 1000 logo in the same typeface Paiste generally uses for their CuSn8 bronze lines, including the 1000, 2000, 3000, 900, and 2002 series.

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1000 RUDE models are stamped with the RUDE stencil logo stamp to the left of the bell.

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Model and Size Stamps

Model and size stamps are in the same Serif typeface as the 2000, 3000, 2002, and 900 series.

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Early 1000s used a Helvetica typeface for the model and size stamps, this was also seen on West German-made 2002s.

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1000 RUDEs, like the standalone RUDE series, feature the stencil stamp for the model.

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Bottom Stamps

The bottom pAisTe stamps were updated for 1986, and added the words Made in West Germany or Made in Switzerland, depending on where the cymbal was made.

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Other

China Type cymbals in the 1000, 2000, and 3000 series feature the model and size stamps on both sides, and are not stamped with the pAiSTe logo on the "bottom" side.

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2000/2000 Colorsound/2000 Sound Reflections

Years: 1986 - 1994 (Colorsound), 1995 (Traditional, and Sound Reflections)

Stamp Color: Blue (2000, and Sound Reflections), White (Colorsound)

The 2000 Series, along with the Colorsound, and Sound Reflections models were introduced in 1986 as a mid-range series to replace the 505 family. Cymbals in the 2000 series were offered in Traditional, Reflector, and Colorsound finishes (Black, Red and Teal). Similar to the 1000 series, the series stamp consists of the pAisTe logo, above the 2000 logo in the same typeface Paiste generally uses for their CuSn8 bronze lines, including the 1000, 2000, 3000, 900, and 2002 series. This stamp is Blue on Traditional and Sound Reflections models, and white on Colorsound finish.

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Signature

Years: 1989 - Present

Stamp Color: Black, White (Blue Bell Ride, Dark Metal Ride, Dry Heavy Ride "Monad", Duo Ride)

The Signature series was introduced in 1989 after several years of development, and was the first series made from Paiste's patented Signature alloy. The series stamp on the top of Signature cymbals consists of the Paiste Signature wordmark based on Robert Paiste's signature. This is in black ink except for those models mentioned above with white ink.

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Model and Size Stamps

The model and size stamps are in Papyrus typeface.

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Bottom Stamps

Some of the very earliest Signature cymbals released in 1989 will have Patent Pending stamped on the underside of the bell; Paiste had applied for patents relating to the formula of the Signature bronze but those patents had not yet been granted. As patents were issued in various countries, their numbers were stamped on the underside of the bell.

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  Patent Pending on a 1989 22" Flatride

The underside was stamped with the typical bold pAisTe logo from 1989 to 2003 when the logo was updated to the current thin logo. The stamp is black, except for the models mentioned above that use a white stamp. From 1989 to around 1998, Signature cymbals were stamped with a listing of all models available in that type's range; the stamp reads Paiste China/Crash/Hi-Hat/Ride program. On Hi-Hats, this was only stamped on the underside of the top cymbal. After the model listing stamp was discontinued in 1998, the cymbals reverted to the standard pAisTe logo accompanied by Made in Switzerland until the new logo was introduced in 2003.

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  Paiste Crash Program on an 18" Full Crash

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  Paiste Hi-Hat Program on the top cymbal of a 12" Heavy Hi-Hat pair.

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  Paiste Ride Program on a 22" Dry Heavy Ride

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  Intermediate stamp, without model listing 1998- 2003.

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  2003 - present logo in White on a 22" Blue Bell Ride

Special Stamps

The artist inspired models feature special stamps representing the artist that collaborated with Paiste on them. The stamps are Monad and three metaphysical symbols on the 22" Dry Heavy Ride "Monad" by Danny Carey, The Rhythmatist on the 12" Combo Crisp Hi-Hat in black ink, and 22" Blue Bell Ride in white by Stewart Copeland, and Vir2osity on the 20" Duo Ride by Carl Palmer.

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  Monad

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  Monad

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  Monad

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  The Rhythmatist

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  Vir2osity

Signature Dark Energy (New Signature)

Years: 2004 - Present

Stamp Color: Black

The Signature series was introduced in 2004, and is the fourth series made exclusively with Paiste's patented Signature alloy. Similar to the Signature series, the series stamp on the top of Signature Dark Energy cymbals consists of a large format version of the Paiste Signature wordmark based on Robert Paiste's signature in black ink.

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Model and Size Stamps

The model and size stamps are again in Papyrus typeface. Mark I/II, depending on the model, is also stamped below the model/size.

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Bottom Stamps

The bottom is stamped with the standard pAisTe ink introduced in 2003.

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Sound Formula/Sound Formula Reflector

Years: 1990 - 1999 (Sound Formula), 1992 - 1996 (Sound Formula Reflector)
Stamp Color: Black

The Sound Formula series was introduced in 1990 and was the second series made from Paiste's patented Signature alloy. Early Sound Formulas produced from 1990 to 1993 were made in the German factory, and had a more traditional lathing pattern compared to the Signature style ribbon lathing on the later Swiss made models. The original Sound Formula series stamp was a variation on the Sound Creation "Sun" logo with Sound Formula in place of Sound Creation and the Paiste signature in the center. Reflector-finish models, made in the Swiss facility, were introduced in 1992.

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  Sound Formula "Sun" Logo, 1990 - 1993, also used on Reflector models until 1996.

The "Sun" logo was also stamped on Reflector models until they were discontinued in 1996. When production of the traditional finish Sound Formulas moved to the Swiss facility in 1994, a new series logo was introduced. Due to the cobbled together appearance of the wording, this stamp is commonly referred to as the "Frankenstein" logo. Like their predecessors, these cymbals were intended for professional drummers and the words Professional Standard accompany the new stamp in the upper right. New model and size stamps with a small pAisTe stamp above them were also added. Sound Formulas were produced until the series was discontinued in 1999 to make room for the new Dimensions line.

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  Later Logo a.k.a. "Frankenstein", 1994 - 1999

Model Designator and Size Stamps

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German-made Sound Formulas used a more traditional typeface for the model and size stamp.

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Swiss-made Sound Formulas used a typeface similar to the Papyrus one used on the Signatures. A small black pAisTe logo also accompanies the model and size stamps.

Bottom Stamps

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German-made Sound Formulas were stamped with the 1980s era wide spaced pAisTe stamp in black ink. Like the Signature series, patents for the Signature bronze were stamped on the underside of the bell. Additionally, Made in Germany is stamped on the right of the patent information.

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With move of production to Switzerland, the bold standard spaced pAisTe stamp was applied, similar to the Signature series. The words Made in Switzerland were also added.