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 - Blue, 2002 - Red, 505 - 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.

Sound Formula/Sound Formula Reflector

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

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 later Swiss-made Sound Formulas with ribbon lathing. 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. As these cymbals, like their predecessors, were intended for professional drummers, 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 introduced. 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

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.

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.