Identify Your Paistes

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It is not uncommon for people to come across Paistes that are not completely identifiable. This includes vintage cymbals which the ink stamped logos and labels have been removed or faded.
More modern cymbals can be rendered ambiguous if cleaned improperly.

This page includes points used to identify cymbals that do not have proper labeling that has survived (more info is also available on the serial # page).

Please note that for this conversation, the term "embossed" refers to anything pressed into the metal of the cymbal, and the word "stamped" refers to any wording applied in ink.
In other arenas these terms may not be used in the same way.

Alloys

There are several alloys used in the production of Paiste cymbals.
The easiest way to determine the alloy of an unknown cymbal is visually. However, the color may be difficult to judge in digital photographs.
It is recommended that when trying to identify a cymbal that it be done in person. Comparing to a cymbal of a known alloy is helpful if one is not familiar with the hues of the different alloys.
The formulae noted below refers to the amount of tin is mixed in with the main ingredient copper so for example, the B8 formula would be 8% tin to 92% copper.

B20 "Bell bronze" Alloy

Bell bronze, also known as bell metal, is the traditional alloy used for fine cymbals:

  • B20: 20% tin / 80% copper tends to have a silver/yellow or white/yellow color hue, it is more pale than either the B15 and B8 alloys.
  • Bell bronze is a "two-phase" alloy: meaning some of the tin is not dissolved in the copper grains but exists between them.
  • This makes the metal harder and more brittle than a single-phase alloy, it must be "hot rolled" (Hot rolling is a metalworking process that occurs above the recrystallization temperature of the material).
  • It can be difficult to work with, requiring extensive reworking, tempering and annealing due to its natural brittle state, but it has been used longer than any other alloy (almost 400 years by Zildjian alone!).
  • B20 is still the most commonly used form of bronze.
  • The copper in the alloy will oxidize when exposed to excessive moisture.

Series that use this alloy: SUPER FORMULA 602, Formula 602, Sound Creation, Twenty, Twenty Custom Collection, and Twenty Masters Collection.

  • Formula 602

  • Super Formula 602

  • Sound creation

  • Twenty Masters

  • Masters

  • Twenty Custom

  • Formula 602 modern essentials

B15 "Signature" Alloy

Paiste "Sound Alloy": 15% tin / 85% copper, is the first bronze formula ever developed specifically for making cymbal sounds:

  • In 1989 Paiste released this professional cymbal series bronze with 15% tin content.
  • Though the manufacturing requires the metal to be hot rolled (like B20) at certain stages, it is not tempered like traditional B20 cymbals but is annealed: Annealing.
  • Using this alloy allows for greater consistency between blanks compared to traditional cymbal alloy, and is more inline with Paiste's B8 production methods.
  • B15, or Proprietary Signature Bronze (PSB) alloy, can be identified by lustrous yellow coloration.
  • Like all bronze, a blue/green oxide will be found when exposed to excessive moisture. This cupric oxide is what gives the Statue of Liberty its characteristic color.
  • In early promotional materials, Paiste referred to this alloy as "PSA" - Paiste Sound Alloy.

Series that use this alloy: Signature, Signature Dark Energy, Signature Traditionals, and Visions(certain models), Sound formula.

  • Signature

  • Signature Dark Energy

  • Signature Traditionals

  • Visions

  • Sound formula

B8 "Malleable bronze" (2002) Alloy

Malleable bronze is an alloy of tin and copper comprising 8% tin / 92% copper:

  • It is a "single-phase" alloy and can be cold rolled into sheets (Cold rolling occurs with the metal below its recrystallization temperature, usually at room temperature)
  • Unlike B20 bell bronze, it is readily available as commercial sheet metal in many grades and thicknesses.
  • Top of the line malleable bronze cymbals proved exceptionally suitable for the louder music, the best of them equal the best bell bronze cymbals in quality and sound characteristics.
  • B8 has a noticeable orange hue to it, this is readily seen in clean cymbals, but is also present in cymbals that have developed a patina.
  • One noticeable exception is the RUDE line: the color of a RUDE may have a green or brown tint but the lack of lathing and the raw color from the annealing process give them away.
  • Moisture will cause B8 to develop a tell tale blue/green oxide.

Series that use this alloy: 2002, Giant Beat, RUDE, Dimensions, Innovations, Alpha, 505, 404, Stambul 65, Stambul B8 (after 1970), Dixie B8 (after 1970), 3000, 2000, 1000 among many others.

  • 2002

  • Giant Beat

  • Rude

  • Dimensions

  • Innovations

  • 900 series

  • 3000

  • 2000

  • 1000

  • Alpha

  • 505

  • 404

  • 900 series marching/symphonic

  • Stambul 65

  • Stambul

  • Dixie

  • 802

  • 502

  • PST 8

  • Pst 7

NS12 Nickel Silver - CuNi12Zn24 (CuNi12 for short)

Composing roughly of 64% copper / 12% nickel / 24% zinc:

  • Paiste's go to alloy from 1947 to 1970/71 for some of the top line and all its lower line cymbals.
  • Nickel silver is malleable and available as commercial sheet metal, and gives a bright tone but without the shimmer and sensitivity of tin bronzes.
  • In the early to mid 20th century nickel alloy cymbals were far more widely produced and used, and so many older recordings were probably made using cymbals with a significant nickel content.
  • A very few specialised high-quality cymbals are also made from nickel silver, as are some top-quality gongs producing more modern and exotic sounds.
  • Cymbals made of nickel silver have a steely silver color, this color tends to be more sterile looking then B20 alloy, resembling steel in many cases.
  • Nickel silver is known for not corroding easily and may only have a light surface patina, rendering them more of a grey color.
  • If exposed to moisture, they will not develop the blue/green oxide indicative of cupric alloys.

Series that use this alloy: Stambul (pre '71), Dixie (pre '71), Ludwig, Stanople, and Super, among others.

  • Zilko Standard

  • Arbiter Zilket

  • Standard Hi hats

  • 402 nickel silver hi-hats

  • NS12 Stambul 20" ride

  • Ludwig Standard 22" ride

  • Ludwig Standard 13" hi hats

  • 14" Stanople marching

MS63 Brass

Brass is a copper/zinc alloy, most commonly in a 63% copper / 37% zinc ratio:

  • It is very easily worked, readily available as sheet metal, and easily the cheapest metal stock normally used for cymbals.
  • The tone of brass cymbals tends to be warm but dull compared to any sort of tin bronze.
  • This alloy is almost exclusively found in beginner lines of instruments.
  • If your store carries entry-level kits that come with complimentary cymbals, they’re likely to be brass.
  • Used in some entry level Paiste cymbals.

Series that use this alloy: Brass-Tones, 101 Brass, 200, 302

  • 1940's Brass Zilko

  • 200

  • 101

  • Brass Tones

  • 302

Serial Numbers

Please see the special "serial number page" that examines these in detail.
Prototypes may or may not adhere to the serial number patterns in all respects.

Swiss and German factories

Early 602 finished at the German factory

The German factory was the 1st, to start production around 1947/48, in 1957 Robert Paiste moved to Nottwil Switzerland by himself and setup the Swiss factory. The German factory is the sole producer of gongs, and has been since opening.
Both factories made both levels of product except the German factory didn't make B20 cymbals or Giant beats.
Many 2002's were made in 70s and 80s at the German factory and the German factory also "finished" a small number of 602s during the preserial days (** see below).
The German factory made practically all the vintage Paiste lines: 2002 (up to 1986), 2000, 1000, 400, 200, Stambul '65, Stambul, 404, 505, Ludwig cymbals, Dixies, Supers, Stanoples, Zilkos, etc.
They still make all the lower lines and "OEM" cymbals, see video link below.
There is a notion among some that the Swiss versions are better quality... they are not, some German versions are usually a little heavier and a little darker sounding.
People are less familiar with German Paistes because the Swiss factory did most of the exporting, so the U.S. didn't get German 2002's or 404's or 505's.
The German Paistes were meant for the German market and probably certain countries in Central Europe, everyone else got Swiss cymbals.

(**) Correspondence with Paiste Switzerland:
"By reason of a distributed capacitance, we have some Formula 602's that have been finished in Germany at the end of the 1950's.
They were annealed and hammered in Switzerland and Paiste Germany has completed them. That’s the reason they have a stamp “made in Germany”.

Kind regards, Customer Service Department
Paiste Switzerland"

Series Logos/stamps/emboss

The other important embossed information is the series stamp. Early Paistes used this method exclusively for identification of the cymbal. The typical embossed logos can be see on the various series pages.
In many cases this was later replaced with ink stamped logos. Embossed logos are usually found at the 12:00 position on the cymbal (3:00 for vintage giant beats).
Spotting details include:

Very early 2002 cymbals used a logo with a border that is not seen in later examples. It is thought that this indicates cymbals from 1971. Examples have not included serial numbers indicating that they were from 1971 or early 1972.
Early Traditional models had an embossed or stamped Paiste script logo. This was discontinued after the first or second year: cracking about the embossed logo has been sighted as a reason for this change.

  • Signature Traditional series emboss logo w/crack

  • Early 2002 stamp with border, aka: "box stamp"

  • German 2002 stamp

  • Swiss 2002 stamp

  • 602 "solid stamp"

  • Super Formula 602

  • German 505 stamp

  • 404 stamp

  • Sound Creation stamp

  • Rude 1st. generation (early '80's) ink stamp

  • Vintage Giant Beat stamp

  • Stambul

  • Dixie

  • Zilko

  • Zilko standard

  • Standard

  • Super

  • "3 star" Ludwig-Paiste

  • Ludwig "standard"

  • Ludwig-Stanople

1981 transition to Ink Stamps

Taking cues from the new 1980 Rude models with it's large printing of the logo, size and model name; Paiste applies the same labeling format to all it's current models the following year.
Paiste started to use ink stamps to identify their products mid 1981. These are used to identify the series, type and size of the cymbals.
At the same time Paiste also changed the serial number format adding "Paiste" and the series name above the serial number: detailed info here.
As with all of Paiste's production through the years; there was a transition period, it was common for Paiste to "restamp" black label cymbals with the new printed logo, the old emboss/stamp can be clearly seen under the printing (see examples below).
There is some confusion as to when a cymbal is made because it has a printed logo, the serial number and formatting of the serial number is the most accurate way to determine that.

  • Sound Creation with stamp and printed logo

  • 602 with stamp and printed logo

  • 1975 Dark Ride with 602 printed logo in black ink

  • 505 with stamp and printed logo

  • Stambul that was relabeled as a 505

Size Stamps

During the "black label" era, size stamps appeared under the bell. During the "printed or colored label era" (starting in 1981) they were moved to the front of the cymbal and placed below the "type" identifier at the 03:00 position.
Like the "type" label, they are usually in a sans serif font. When using the sans serif font, the number is in a bold typeface.
There has been subtle variation in the font over the years, such as the inch size being in either a bold or non-bold font: detailed info here
Spotting details include:

  • RUDES uses a stencil font for the type label, but the standard sans serif font for the size.
  • In the 1990s the size has become part of the type label for the Traditional and Signature series
  • Like the type label, the size label of prototype have been found in the 03:00 position and 12:00 position.

Prototypes

Prototypes tend to be a bit non standard in their labeling. It is common practice for the 12:00 position to contain the word "Paiste" in large print. In smaller print, at 6:00 the word "Prototype" normally appears in a smaller size. Examples exist the do not include the word "Prototype".

Spotting details include: Prototypes do not contain any production series identifiers, except for a small sticker often found on the back of the cymbal. It is unclear whether this is an indication of what series the cymbals was designed for or if it is only used as a guide for pricing the cymbal by retailers. Prototypes often use "generic" model designations, i.e., "Crash", "Ride", "Hi-Hat", et cetera.

Also, cymbals that were custom ordered often have, but not always, "PROTOTYPE" on them, even though they weren't prototypical. These cymbals will have the series name and model. Cymbal models & sizes no longer offered are usually the most seen custom orders. While Paiste doesn't approve of every custom order request, they will make them, but with an additional charge. (30%) Contact a Paiste dealer for more information on custom cymbals. (HINT: Search online "Paiste Custom" and find drum shops that have them in stock. They are good ones to contact, as Paiste has made custom cymbals for them in the past.) :)

  • 35548166 10156416311555349 3525729943092723712 n.jpg
  • Sig 2002 crystal HH PT.jpg
  • Paiste 2002 15 Extra Heavy Hi-Hat White 1.jpg
  • 15 xtra hvy HH.jpg
  • 2002 dark.jpg
  • 35736036 10156416312035349 2272247697714970624 n.jpg
  • 13JUN09 009.JPG
  • Flat proto china.jpg
  • 22 rude power bell.JPG
  • 25 jun customs 094.jpg

Artist Model Stamps

There have been a limited number of artists model stamps ranging from simple sans serif text to graphics.
Spotting details include:


  • Joe Morello

  • Joe Morello

  • Seven Sound Set #4

  • Seven Sound Set #3

  • RUDE 24" Mega Power Ride

  • Black Alpha

  • Signature Reflector 22" Bell Ride

  • Blue Bell Ride

  • Reverend Al's "Big Ride"

Lathing

In the absence of embossed or stamped logos, cymbal identification can be performed by evaluating the lathing. Many series have very distinct lathing.
For example, RUDES are known for not being lathed at all (with the exception of the 24" Mega Power Ride, and Innovations have the "Sound Texture" lathing that looks as if the lathing tool was allowed to skip across the surface.

Spotting details include:

  • 2002 and 602 side by side, lathing and color of alloy differences can be clearly seen.

  • 2002's have two layers of lathing: fine lathing with uneven spaced coarse lathing over it

  • 602 crashes, rides etc. seem to have very consistent even spaced deep lathing

  • 602 chinas, splashes, bells and flat rides have very fine lathing

  • hi-hats vary depending on weight: heavies have coarse lathing

  • Medium and sound edge hi-hats have fine lathing

  • 505's are similar to 2002's with dual lathing except the coarse lathing is simpler and evenly spaced

  • 404's have very consistent tightly packed moderate lathing, not as deep as the lathing on 602's

1992: Revival of the black labels and Mr. Paolo Sburlati

(Paolo Sburlati worked many years for Paiste in Italy, he ended up distributing Paiste cymbals in Italy from 1984 to 1987, at that point, Toomas decided to switch to a larger distributor (Aramini) and moved Paolo over to a promoter/endorser for Paiste.)
Paolo Sburlati: "In 1992 Ian Paice gave me an old Ludwig drum set that he had used with Deep Purple and Whitesnake. Since it was from 1975, I wanted to match it with 2oo2 cymbals from the same era, the ones with the hand stamped black ink lettering.
I asked Toomas Paiste if it was possible to have a set of 2oo2’s stamped with the old ink stamps. Toomas immediately liked the idea of ​​the 70’s Ludwig/Paiste pairing, unfortunately, the old ink stamps were on a stamp holder at the home of his brother Robert who was not entirely in agreement on this "revival" plan.
So, one evening after Toomas visited his brother (who lived next to the factory in Nottwil), he took the stamp holder with the stamps from his house to the office!
The next day he had the set of 2oo2’s that I had ordered for the occasion were hand stamped with the old labels. There were about forty cymbals in total made, they were to be used with other vintage Ludwig drum sets that I had in my collection."
Subsequently, to celebrate the 2oo2 line in the year “2002”, Toomas decided to once again stamp new 2002’s with the old ink stamping, these were special order versions with a cost increase of 30%.
We understand that with these versions made in the year 2002, Paiste used the current technique and machines to label the cymbals, this is evident by the very sharp and clean edges of the ink labels compared to ragged and inconsistent labels of the original hand stamps.
There may be others out there identifiable from the 1992 serial numbers.

  • Paolo is listed in the profiles III book

  • original hand stamps

  • 20" ride made for Paolo Sburlati

  • 1992 20 2002 ride orginal stamp 3.jpg
  • 1992 20 2002 ride orginal stamp.jpg

  • 1992 serial number

  • note that "swiss made" was added to the bottom of the cymbal.

  • 1992 20 2002 ride orginal stamp 4.jpg

  • Year 2002 black label promo with "modern" black ink labels

  • 2002 labeled with a "modern" stamp, note how clean the printing is compared to the original hand stamp

Factory refinishing

Details are scarce, but from a few 2007 online posts from a German drum forum, it seems Paiste offered a "refinishing service" where they would clean, recoat and then print new logos using modern methods (no rubber ink stamp!).
Results are outstanding considering the reasonable cost associated for the service (see correspondence below), both the the German factory and Swiss factory offered this service.
According to correspondence; if you want new logos printed, only the Swiss factory can do it. Also, we don't know if Paiste is still offering this service.
If you find a 70's black label cymbal based on the serial number but it looks brand new, this could be the reason why.

03/2007:
"Thank you for your email and your interest in Paiste products.
Please note that we are offering this service free of charge until further notice. Please send the cymbals directly to us in Switzerland.
Thank you for your understanding and your continued support!
Best regards, Paiste AG
Customer Service: Switzerland"

10/2007:
"Thank you very much for your email. The Paiste company calculates the refinishing as follows:
Cleaning and preservation 20, - Euro net / pc.
Cleaning, stamping and preservation 30, - Euro net / pc.
Shipping costs are calculated at 3.80 euros net.
In your case, I need to know what color the 2002 logo is and whether it needs to be renewed.
If this is the case, we will send the cymbals to Switzerland because we do not have the appropriate logos here in Germany, then you would have to accept a longer waiting time.

Please send the cymbals to the following address:Paiste GmbH & Co.KG, Gorch-Fock-Str. 13
D-24790 Schacht-Audorf"

  • 15" Sound Edge top before

  • 15" Sound Edge top after

  • Closeup

  • 15" Sound Edge bottom before

  • 15" Sound Edge bottom after

  • German 2002 from about 1976 based on serial number

  • bottom logo shows the post 2005 "made in Switzerland"

  • Paiste 2002 14 Medium Hi-Hat blk.jpg

  • notice the black ink instead of standard 602 blue ink (stamped over the outline emboss/stamp)

  • this was common for cymbals refinished in the 90's because Paiste was no longer using blue ink for any of it's labels

Early 70's 602 engraving dates

We know from two different sources at Paiste (one was Erik Paiste) that these may represent cymbals which were returned to have some rework done on them.
They most likely date the modification and not the actual cymbal manufacture date. Currently we have records for two dozen of these 602s:

  • 1-72: 3 (one with R - 1 - 72 but in the same style)
  • 2-72: 2
  • 3-72: 5 (one pair of 15" SE hats with outline stamp and the older style patent list)
  • 4-72: 6
  • 5-72: none so far
  • 6-72: 3
  • 2-73: 3 (pair of 1972 serial number hats plus a preserial 20" Ride)**
  • 3-73: 1 (14" SE hat bottom preserial) This preserial tells us that the time lag before a cymbal is returned for rework might be a year or two.
  • And last but not least there is one Giant Beat which has 7 or 9 - 72

(**)The above pair of hi-hats is a rework from Paiste: The engraving is "2-73" and the serial numbers are 226602 and 226603, the hats were 12 3/4" diameter and this is what Paiste customer services had to say: “this hi-hat indeed is from 1972, In former times hi-hat pairs were matched and the serial number was embossed afterwards. The engraving inside the bell “2-73” means, that something was changed or repaired on customer’s request in February 1973 by our craftsmen. The 12 ¾” size is indeed remarkable. It is possible, that the customer damaged the edge, and our craftsmen trimmed the edge at the factory in February 1973 with the result being a smaller sized hi-hat.”

  • 3-72 engraving date

  • 6-72 engraving date

  • 3-73 engraving date "KPAC"

  • (**)02-73 engraving date

  • (**)2-73 cut down to 12 3/4"

Variations of the patent stamp on Sound Edge Hi-Hats, Flat rides

Through the early years of sound edge hi hats, the number of patents by country increased for zero to six:

  • "Pat. Pending" only from 1967 until at least July 1969 (after that the ink changes to show the US patent.)
  • Patent numbers from 4 countries on stamp (Swiss, Great Britain, Italy, USA) ~1970 (possibly as early as July 1969 but no sooner due to the inclusion of US patent number)
  • Patent numbers from 6 countries on stamp (adds Germany and USSR) ~1972 (It is possible it could date as far back as 4/1970 as that's when the German patent number was granted.)
  • Removal of "other countries pending" by 1976 at the latest.
  • There is the possibility that the earliest 602 SE Hats were stamped with a simple Sound Edge Top (and Bottom) in a plain font in red ink at 3:00 O'Clock (like all other 602s) before they came up with the black wavy SE Logo stamp.
  • We have an old advert with this alternate stamping, we were told by Ed Clift that this plain text stamping was just done for the ad and that all production SE Hats had the wavy black logo, but it wouldn't be surprising if some were sold with the plain red ink.

  • "Pat. Pending" only, '67 to pre July '69

  • Approx 1970 preserial 602 sound edge showing Patent numbers from 4 countries & "other countries pending"

  • '73 602 Sound Edge showing Patent numbers from 6 countries & "other countries pending"

  • '79 602 Sound Edge showing Patent numbers from 6 countries and lack of "other countries pending"

  • Early Flat Ride "pat pend" pre Dec. '70

  • "Other countries pending" approx. post 1971

  • "Other countries pending" removed, last iteration stamp

Patent lists and Pat Pending years:

The timeline on the Paiste site says 1967/68 for Flat Rides and Sound Edge hats. The details on the U.S. patent & trade mark office site says:

  • Paiste Flat Ride: United States Patent 3,546,994 Filed Jan 22, 1969 and Issue Date: December 15, 1970
  • Paiste Sound Edge Hats: United States Patent 3,453,923 Filed Aug 3, 1967 and Issue Date: July 8, 1969
  • Given Paiste themselves say "invented 1967/1968", they were likely patented in Switzerland and England earlier than in the USA.

  • Oct. 1967 English patent application

  • English patent application

  • English patent application

  • English patent application

  • US Flat Ride patent 1970

Early high "ripple count" sound edge bottoms

Another identifying factor of early preserial 602 sound edge bottoms is they had a higher "ripple count" than later versions, it seems Paiste had not decided on a standard number when Sound Edges were first introduced.

  • There are even numbers of ripples. They started out at 56 or 54 in the "Pat Pending" era (mid 1967 - mid 1969), reduced to 52 once production settled down, reduced to around 36-42 by 1972 (serial number black label era), and 32 by the blue label era and into the present day reissues (needs to be verified).
  • There are cymbals with other ripple numbers (46 x 1, 38 x 1) which might represent the handmade factor, or be intermediate forms in time. We don't have enough examples to get that precise.

Sound Edge ripple reductions (scallops) tabulation as at 10-Oct-21

56 14" preserial x 3
54 15" pat pending; 15" black
52 14" preserial x 7
51 15" with 51 reputed (probably miscount by 1)
50 15" preserial; 14" preserial
46 14" preserial
42 14" black label; 14" preserial, 1972 13"
38 14" black label
36 14" black label x 3
32 14" blue label; 14" present day

  • Preserial 602 14 SE hats hi ripples.jpg
  • Pre serial 602 SE hi rippple.jpg

  • 46 ripples

  • top and bottom

  • PXL 20221115 025401582.jpg
  • 14-850-1050-bot.jpg
  • 14-935-bot.jpg
  • 14-do-ripple-count.jpg
  • 15-1038-1171-bots.jpg
  • 15-1090-1245-tops.jpg

U.S. distributors before 1965

DynaStar Formula 602s were sold in the USA by Halifax Distribution from 1962 to early 1965 prior to Ludwig taking over exclusive North American distribution later in '65. Prior to Ludwig's exclusive deal with Paiste in ~1965 it looks like Bonne Music Center in Syracuse, NY was one of "the" places to get a Formula 602 in the early 1960s (printed material exists to confirm a 1962 start date of Dynastar F602).
The cymbals even got an alternate emboss logo with the Dynastar name. Why the Dynastar name? That remains unclear. Around this time, the store also started importing a lot of other instruments from overseas, so maybe they tied them all together under the Dynastar brand name.
As an aside: Dynastar/Halifax also briefly sold the Paiste Dixie and budget SUPER for a short time in 1964/5 before those lines were removed from the market due to the Ludwig deal. Why didn't Halifax carry the Stambul? Because it was already being sold in the USA as the Ludwig Paiste (3-star logo).

  • PXL 20230629 034316842.jpg
  • Dynastar 602 logo.jpg
  • Dynastar 602 logo2.jpg
  • Dynastar 602.jpg

  • 18" 602 Dynastar medium

  • 18" 602 Dynastar medium

  • Dynastar (left), E over trade (right)

  • 381273923 6664010480348681 770360275072042069 n.jpg

  • Bonne Music/Halifax Distributing of Syracuse, NY

  • Bonne Music/Halifax Distributing of Syracuse, NY

  • August 1963 Buddy Rich Down Beat magazine advert

  • Color fyler of same Buddy Rich advert

  • December 1963 William Street Down Beat magazine advert

  • Jan 1963 John Rae Down Beat magazine advert

  • March 1963 Eddie Locke Down Beat magazine advert

  • March 1963 Down Beat magazine advert

  • Sept 1964 Jake Hanna Down Beat magazine advert

European, English & Japanese distributors

Collectors may run across odd looking logos from vintage Paistes during their online searches, below is some background detail and history on what one might find:

England:

Arbiter

"Arbiter Ltd." and "Dallas–Arbiter" were the UK importers and distributors for Paiste. Ivor Arbiter wikipedia
Ivor Arbiter was a British-American drum designer, manufacturer, instrument salesman, and entrepreneur. In his early career, he was the owner and operator of a specialty drum shop in the West End of London.
Later, Arbiter founded or co-founded several instrument companies, including Arbiter–Western, Dallas–Arbiter and CBS–Arbiter. "Arbiter Ltd." was sold to Dallas in 1969 the company was renamed "Dallas–Arbiter".
There were 4 different Arbiter stamped Paiste lines starting in 1962 before they stopped and carried the standard Paiste branded lines in the late 60s: Arbiter Custom Formula 602 (602) Arbiter Custom (most likely Stambuls) Arbiter Zilko (most likely Dixies), Arbiter Zilket (most likely SUPER or an Arbiter only student line).
These were sold until as late as 1968. By 1969, Arbiter started carrying standard Paiste branded product lines except for the Zilkets which were sold until the early 1970s.

  • Arbiter Custom Formula 602 logo. This cymbal is probably from the mid 1960s. Charlie Watts used a 16" Arbiter Custom Formula 602 for many years before it cracked.

  • Arbiter Custom pricing and available sizes indicate the "Custom" might been a Stambul with a different emboss.

  • Arbiter Zilko

  • Arbiter Zilket

  • Arbiter "Custom" Formula 602

  • '71/'72 Dallas-Arbiter catalog

  • 1968 Arbiter Ltd. catalog

  • 1968 Arbiter Ltd. price list for 602's

  • 1964 Arbiter advert

  • 1971/72 Arbiter catalog

  • Arbiter 2.jpg
  • Arbiter 3.jpg
  • Arbiter 4.jpg
  • Arbiter 5.jpg
  • Arbiter 6.jpg
  • Arbiter 7.jpg
  • Arbiter 8.jpg

Hayman standard cymbals

Hayman was a UK-based drum brand that was produced from 1968 - 1975.
Hayman drums and cymbals were the brainchild of Ivor Arbiter: "The Hayman Standard is a cymbal with the Hayman name made by the Paiste Cymbal Company in Switzerland. These fine cymbals will more than meet the requirements of the drummer who is not yet ready to purchase a top of the line cymbal". (from early-mid 70s Dallas-Arbiter catalog). These B8 Paiste-made cymbals are a bit on the rare side.
Our guess is that Paiste made these cymbals for just a few years, most likely from 1972 to 1975 as Dallas-Arbiter carried standard Paiste product lines up until at least 1971/72. The Dallas-Arbiter catalog is unclear on how these cymbals were typed, listing them as hi hats and medium rides, which doesn't make much sense given the available sizes. One cymbal we found, from what's left of the ink that it was designated as a Medium Thin, that suggests these cymbals were relabeled Dixies with a Hayman emboss. Also the lathing style also matches the Dixies from that era. Wikipedia: Hayman drums
There is alo the "Phase" and "Phase 1" series which could've been relabeled supers or Dixies, no weight designation that we have seen so far.

Available sizes:
Hi Hats: 14", 15"
Cymbals were available in: 16", 18", 20", 22"
It's quite possible they were available in these two weights:
Medium Thin: 16", 18", 20", 22"
Crash Ride: 16", 18", 20", 22"

  • Hayman standard

  • Hayman Phase

  • Hayman Phase 1

  • Hayman Arbiter catalog

  • Dallas Arbiter catalog from Dec 1972

  • 20"

  • 22"

  • 14" hi-hat

  • Pair 14" hi-hat

  • Phase 1 ride

Germany:

Sonor drum co.

Sonor sold Paiste Stambuls in their catalogs with a special Sonor logo stamped below the regular Stambul stamp. Paistes are listed in the Sonor catalogs from 1952 to about 1958. We cannot find any evidence that Sonor had a relationship with Paiste prewar, but investigations are ongoing!

  • 1952 catalog

  • 1952 catalog

  • 1953 catalog

  • 1957/8 catalog

  • 1957/8 catalog

  • 1957/8 catalog

  • early 50's stamp with old Sonor "delta" logo

  • early 50's stamp with old Sonor "delta" logo

  • Sonor "script" logo

  • Sonor "script" logo

  • Sonor "script" logo

Trixon drums

Trixon was another German drum company like Sonor, the cymbals listed are Stambuls with an alternate logo stamp.

  • Paiste trixon.jpg
  • Stambul Trixon 50's emboss.jpg
  • Trixton.jpg
  • Trixon stambul.JPG

Tromsa drums

  • Tromsa 1959 Stambul cymbals.JPG
  • Tromsa 1959 Stambul hats.JPG
  • Tromsa circa 1960 Stambul.JPG

Deri drums

  • Deri drums price list.jpg
  • Deri Stambuls.jpg

Luxor

Luxor drums may have been made in Japan and perhaps sold in Germany...

  • 1960s Luxor catalog.JPG

France: Asaba

  • 11.jpg

Italy: SISME

SISME were the Italian importers and distributors for Paiste from the early 1970's (there are preserial and "transition" cymbals from approx 1970/71 that have the SISME stamp on them) until about 1984 when "Paiste Italia" took over.
Paiste had been distributed in Italy in the ‘60s and early ‘70s by Hans Bauer as "Casale-Bauer distributing".
SISME started distributing probably around 1970, while Casale-Bauer was still distributing at the same time, in order for SISME to distinguish their cymbals from Casale-Bauer, Paiste added "Hi performance" (a favorite phrase of Roberts), in addition, Aldo, the owner of SISME also asked Toomas to add the red "Sisme distribution" ink stamp on the bottom of the cymbals. SISME's distribution ended in 1984 when Paolo Sburlati and "Paiste Italia" replaced them.

  • Sound creation logo with SISME "high performance"

  • Sisme preserial.jpg

  • Preserial 602 thin with "high performance" stamp

  • 602 "high performance" stamp

  • Dixie "high performance" stamp

  • 602 sound edge with "SISME distribution" stamped in red

  • 2002 "high performance" emboss

  • SISME 2002

  • SISME 2002 bottom

  • 2002 "SISME distribution" stamped in red

Japan: Pearl

There was a time when Pearl distributed Paiste in Japan. From research that time period seems to run from 1969 to 1979.
Below is a page from a 1979 Pearl JDM catalog showing the selection of Sound Creation, Formula 602, 2002, and 404's.
Of note here is the selection of 404s: it contains actual 404s and restamped Dixies as indicated by some of the sizes (12") and the Medium Thin and Crash Ride options.
The Dixie cymbals have a different emboss that includes the Pearl logo (see below).

  • Dixie with Pearl logo included in stamp

  • Paiste selection in 1974 Pearl JDM catalog. Shows Pearl was selling Giant Beats as well as 602s and Dixies

  • 1975 JDM catalog

  • 1975 JDM catalog - 2002s in - Giant Beats out.

  • 1976 JDM catalog

  • 1979 JDM catalog

Oddball distributors

  • 602 "hifi bronce", bronce is Spanish for bronze, possibly a Spanish distributor?

Paiste Rarities, Oddballs, and Unique Items: A photo gallery.

Sources: Paiste.com, Cymbal alloys - wikipedia, Todd Little, Steve Black, Dan Garza, Nils Lillig.
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