Paiste Formula 602 22" Dark Ride

Group: Rides
Type: Dark Ride
Size: 22 Inch
Series: Formula 602
Weight: 2889g - 3453g (median 3240g) n=40
Used Prices: $400 - $910 (median $636) n=45
List Price: $288 (as at 1977) or about $460 inflation adjusted to June 2019
Years of production: 1971 (early development), 1975 - 1977
Production History: Jon Hiseman's biography mentions his 1971 602 Dark Ride. Jack De Johnette is also credited with early development. Most Dark Rides are in the 1975-1977 era based on serial number dating. There are no 602 Dark Rides with serial numbers from 1972, 1973 and 1974 out of 32 serial numbers. There are currently 7 non serial 602 Dark Rides documented. The Dark Rides without serial numbers can't automatically be assumed to be pre serial (before mid 1972). We can't rule out that some of them were made post 1972 but left the factory without serial numbers. But the recollections from endorsers do leave open the possibility that there are a few Dark Rides which were produced before mid 1972.

There are also what are called the Transitional Dark rides which all come from 1976 and 1977 based on serial numbers. These lack the words Formula 602 at the bottom of the embossed stamp, but other than that the hammering, lathing, and ink look like the 602 Dark Rides. The Transitional Dark Rides correlate with Rogers taking over Paiste distribution in the USA. The Rogers price list and catalog from that period shows that Rogers placed a few 602 models in among their 2002 catalog offerings and did not mention the Formula 602 series. This would explain why the words Formula 602 were left off the embossed stamp and the ink. In 1978 the Sound Creation series appears and the Dark Ride is found in that series from then on. There is one 602 Dark Ride from 1979 which is consistent with production tapering off rapidly at that time. There is one 1981 Dark Ride cymbal with serial PAISTE 602 142560, 602 Dark Ride ink characteristics and hammering, but no embossed stamp at all. This might be as close as it gets to a 602 Blue Label period Dark Ride.
Sound file:
Paiste's Description: The basic character of the cymbal is deep and dark with a full-bodied sound. The precise ride floats dark and brilliant over a lively, constantly resonating full deep ping. The sound can be increased to short, sharp crash effects by intense strong hits with the stick flat on the cymbal surface. Translated from the German 1976 catalog seen below.
Review:
Review written by
Artist/song where it can be heard: Barry Altschul, Erich Bachträgl, Alex Bally, Dan Brubeck, Jerry Chardonnens, Jon Christensen, Pierre Courbois, Jack De Johnette, Pierre Favre, John Gilston, Marc Hellman, Jon Hiseman, John Marshall, Alex Riel

602 Dark Ride with the full 602 stamp and ink

22 dark.jpg

602 Dark Ride top
602 Dark Ride top
602 Dark Ride top
602 Dark Ride printed stamp
602 Dark Ride embossed tamp
22 dark 6.jpg

602 Dark Ride bottom

602 Dark Ride (Transitional) without the full 602 stamp and ink

1976 serial# 602 dark ride!
602 Dark Ride (Trans) top
602 Dark Ride (Trans) bottom
602 Dark Ride (Trans) stamp

Notice that the embossed stamps are different. The 602 Dark Ride uses the outline version of the full stamp. The 602 Dark Ride (Transitional) uses a version which has TRADE underneath the E of Paiste. This version is called the mixed version of the embossed stamp when it includes the Formula 602 underneath. On the 602 Dark Ride there is ink saying Paiste Formula 602 above the bell. On the Transitional version the Paiste ink is there, but the Formula 602 is not. Here is the price list from the Rogers 1977 catalog which has the Dark Ride (Part No 52-1822) placed among the 2002s.