Paiste
Paiste ( , ) is a Swiss-based Estonian musical instrument manufacturing company. It is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion.  is an Estonian and Finnish word that means "shine". 

Apart of cymbals and gongs, Paiste has also manufactured other percussion instruments such as crotal bells, finger cymbals and cowbells, currently discontinued.

History 
The first Paiste cymbals were produced in 1906 by Estonian musician Toomas Paiste in his instrument repair shop in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to customer orders. Toomas had served in the Czarist Imperial Guard, and retired in 1901 to open a music publishing business and music shop.

The cymbal-making aspect of the  business expanded with the passing years, despite the disruption of several moves necessitated by war: first to Tallinn, Estonia in 1917, where Toomas' son Michail M. Paiste decided to concentrate on cymbal production and export. In 1940, the family and the cymbal-making operation moved to Poland, where they continued under extremely difficult conditions, and in 1945 to Germany. Finally, in 1957 a new headquarters and production facility was established in Switzerland. The business was continued by Michail's sons, Robert and Toomas (born Kurt), with both the Swiss and German operations as the main manufacturing centres. Since 2003, the company has been headed by Toomas' son, Erik.  Robert Paiste died in 2016, aged 84.

Innovations 
Paiste has developed several innovations to cymbal design and manufacture. Among these are:

The Flat Ride. A ride cymbal without a cup or bell. Originally designated as Space Sound in the Formula 602 line. Designed with Joe Morello. Introduced in the 1960s.
The Sound Edge Hi-Hat. Introduced in 1967. To prevent airlock, the bottom cymbal of the hi-hat pair has ripples along the edge. Also applied to hand cymbal sets.
The use of B8 bronze as a cymbal alloy. Referred to by Paiste as "CuSn8" alloy or "2002 bronze". First introduced with the Stambul 65 series in 1965. Gained general acceptance with the Giant Beat and the 2002 series. Paiste was for a time the only major cymbal company to use the B8 alloy for its high-end lines, although Meinl has recently introduced a line of high-end cast B8 bronze cymbals as well. Zildjian and Sabian use this alloy primarily for entry-level lines, choosing instead to use bell bronze for high-end products.
 'Flat' bells.  With the introduction of the Sound Creation Short Crash in 1975, Paiste was the first to make use of a flattened bell design. Used today with the Crystal Hi-Hats and Crashes of the Signature series.
Unlathed cymbals. Introduced in 1980 as the RUDE series. Made from the B8 alloy unlathed cymbals were marketed towards louder music styles as punk and heavy metal.
Inverted bell on China cymbal. Introduced in 1983 as the 2002 NOVO china type. Makes it easier to play ride and crash on a China cymbal.
Coloured cymbals.  Introduced in 1984 .
Proprietary Signature Bronze. A patented cymbal alloy introduced in 1989 with the Signature line. According to the patent, this alloy consists of phosphor bronze with a 14.7% to 15.1% tin content by weight. It has been claimed by Paiste to be the first bronze alloy specifically developed for cymbals.
Sonic Texture Formula. Introduced in 2001 with the Innovations series. A patented lathing technique to get a more complex sounding cymbal.

Many of these innovations were used by other manufacturers when the applicable patents expired. For example, almost all of the larger modern cymbal companies offer a flat ride cymbal and an alternative to the Sound Edge Hi-Hat.

Products

Cymbals

Current series
Paiste makes several cymbal lines from several alloys. These include:

 101 - Cymbals made from brass alloy. They are manufactured entirely by computer. Introduced in 2005
 Paiste Sound Technology (PST) - these cymbals were developed from the phased-out 302, 402, 502, and 802 lines in 2005. They are known today as Paiste's budget cymbals
 PST 3 - Brass cymbals; beginner level. Introduced in 2005.
 PST 5 - B8 cymbals (CuSn8); student/intermediate level cymbals. Introduced in 2005 and redesigned in 2014.
 PST 7 - 2002 Bronze (CuSn8); intermediate level cymbals that focus on traditional sounds. Introduced in 2014.
 PST 8 - 2002 Bronze (CuSn8); intermediate level cymbals that combines traditional and machine hammering. Available in Reflector finish. Introduced in 2012.
 PST X - 2002 Bronze (CuSn8), brass and aluminium cymbals; intermediate level cymbals. Affordable effects cymbals focusing on 'Swiss' cutting techniques. Introduced in 2015.
 900 - Introduced in 2017, these B8 (CuSn8) cymbals are hand-hammered and feature a special dark finish. This series is also available in red, blue, purple and black COLORSOUND finishes. 

 2002 - Introduced in 1971. Made of B8 (CuSn8) and is regarded by many as the first fully professional series made from this alloy. Available models were discontinued in late 1986 to early 1987 but reintroduced in 1988 due to popular demand. Over the years the model line has changed significantly. Many types were introduced and discontinued. From 1994 to 1999 it also incorporated the RUDE series (2002 RUDE). From 2005 to 2006 the 2002 line included many models from the defunct Dimensions series of cymbals, but most of the Dimensions models have since been discontinued from the series.
 2002 Big Beat - Introduced in 2016, this variation of the 2002s is darker and drier than the original series due to a different hammering. The series features 18", 19", 20", 21", 22" and 24" multi-purpose cymbals and 15" and 16" hi-hats.
 RUDE - the first unlathed cymbals in the series featuring a raw finish. They are made for loud and aggressive playing and the answer to genres like punk and metal. Crafted entirely by hand from unlathed B8 (CuSn8). Introduced in 1980. Incorporated from 1994 to 1999 in the 2002 line as 2002 RUDE. Reintroduced as RUDE in 1999. Paiste calls them "the original punk and metal sound"
 Giant Beat - Originally introduced in 1967 and discontinued in 1971, this series was reintroduced in 2005 as 18", 20", and 24" multi-purpose cymbals with 14" and 15" hi-hats. They share the same CuSn8 (B8) bronze as the 2002 series. In 2012, Paiste introduced 18" and 20" thin crashes for the series. In 2016, a 26" multi-purpose cymbal was introduced.
 Formula 602 - As of 2010, Paiste has relaunched the Formula 602 line of cymbals that was originally released in 1959. A prominent user of these is Vinnie Colaiuta.
 Formula 602 Modern Essentials - Introduced in January 2013 and developed in collaboration with Vinnie Colaiuta. Forged from the legendary «602 Bronze» (CuSn20), offering a complete new wide and dynamic sound dimension.  Available in 20" & 22" rides, 16", 18" & 20" crashes, 14" & 15" hi-hats, 18" & 22" chinas, 8" & 10" splashes.  Formula 602 Modern Essentials cymbals combine the essence of the Formula 602 Classic Sounds models – transparency and stick definition – with the richness, warmth, darkness and a bit of complexity of the Signature Traditionals series besides providing slightly more pizzazz than its Classic Sounds siblings.
 Signature - Introduced in 1989. First cymbals created with Paiste's Signature Bronze, featuring an array of different sounds and looks suitable for any playing style.
 Signature Dark Energy - Introduced in 2004. Made of Paiste Signature Bronze alloy. Paiste calls this line 'an elitist concept'. Mostly dark sounding cymbals.
 Signature Traditionals - Introduced in 1996. Recreate lost cymbal sounds from the blues, swing, cool jazz, bebop, and hard bop era of the 1940s to the 1960s. They are crafted from Paiste's proprietary "Signature Bronze" alloy.
 Masters Collection : Only ride cymbals were originally available. A series dedicated to jazz players with signature models (André Ceccarelli, John Robinson and others), made of traditional bronze alloy. Production started in 2010. In 2014 hats and crashes were added to the series.

Discontinued lines 
Classic Paiste lines include:

 Noise Works - An experimental line containing cymbal stacks for trashy sounds and mini hats. Produced from 2002 to 2009.
302, 402, 502, 802 - popular budget level cymbals from 1993 to 2003. Were enhanced sonically in 1997 and received the plus-labeling and the addition of the 802. Discontinued in 2003 to make way for the new Paiste Sound Technology-, or PST-series.
101 series, different from current 101, - beginner level cymbals made of nickel silver, produced from 1974 to 1979. Then another Brass version. Discontinued In 2005 in favor of a newer version
 201 - Cymbals made from B8.  Introductory level cymbals. They are manufactured entirely by computer. Introduced in 2005 and discontinued in 2009.
404 series - beginner level CuSn8-cymbals, produced from 1978 to 1986.
505 series - advanced student CuSn8-cymbals, produced from 1974 to 1986.
200 series - advanced level cymbals made of brass, produced from 1985 to 1991.
400 series - advanced student cymbals made of CuSn8 bronze, produced from 1986 to 1991. Were also available with COLORSOUND finishes.
500 series - orchestral/marching cymbals made of CuSn8 bronze, produced from 1986 to 1990. Were also available with COLORSOUND finishes.
900 series - orchestral/marching cymbals made of CuSn8 bronze, produced from 1986 to 1990. Were also available with COLORSOUND finishes. Not to be confused with the 900 series introduced in 2017.
1000 series
 1 - semi-professional line of cymbals made of CuSn8 bronze, produced from 1986 to 1991. Were also available in RUDE finish.
 2 - Series of orchestra/marching cymbals, also available in COLORSOUND finishes.
2000 - professional series made of CuSn8 bronze, produced from 1986 to 1995. Were also available with COLORSOUND and Sound Reflection finishes.
3000 - professional series made of CuSn8 bronze, produced from 1986 to 1995. Were also available with RUDE and Reflector finishes.
 Alpha - B8 cymbals (CuSn8); semi-professional cymbals. Introduced in 1991, redesigned in 2006, and discontinued in 2017.
 Alpha spin-offs
 Black Alpha - Black color-coated Alpha cymbals designed in conjunction with Joey Jordison of Slipknot. Introduced in 2008 and discontinued in 2010.
  Black Alpha 'Hyper - B8 cymbals (CuSn8); semi-professional cymbals made in collaboration with Slipknot's Joey Jordison. They have 9 silver placed Tribal-S logos. Unique and deep hammer marks make this a completely new developed line. The logo is located near the bell. Introduced in 2012, discontinued in 2014.
 Alpha Boomer - Made from 2002 Bronze cymbals (CuSn8 Bronze); semi-professional.  Composed of mostly Alpha's "rock" cymbals, and very similar to the discontinued 2000 series. Well suited for rock, in honor of Nicko McBrain.  Each cymbal has a reflector finish with a blue label, and Nicko McBrain's "PowerSlave Eddie" logo.  The back side Paiste logo is printed in Maiden-font. Introduced in 2012.
Sound Formula - one of the first series to use Paiste's patented Signature Alloy, which was at first known as Sound Alloy or Sound Formula.  Eventually absorbed by the "Signature" line.  Were also available in Reflector finish from 1992 to 1996.
COLORSOUND 5 series - professional CuSn8-cymbals, produced from 1984 to 1986. Five colors were offered for visual appeal. Note: The COLORSOUND 5 cymbals are different from 400, 500, 900, 2000 and Visions cymbals even though they are colored, or have the COLORSOUND name attached.
VISIONS series - professional level-cymbals; both Signature Alloy and CuSn8 alloy cymbals, produced from 1994 to 1999. Were treated with COLORSOUND process. Offered in Black only. Designed for Terry Bozzio.
BRASSTONES - an entry level brass series introduced in the early 90s, discontinued in the mid-90s.
Stanople - a mid-line series introduced in the 1960s, discontinued in the 1970s.
Ludwig Standard - a mid-line series from the 1950s-70s produced for distribution by Ludwig Drums.
Stambul - their old top-of-the-line cymbals, produced from 1932 to 1965 from NS12 nickel-bronze and later made of CuSn8 bronze.
SOUND CREATION - top of the line professional bell bronze cymbals that were made alongside the 602 series starting in 1978 until 1991.
Dixie - entry level NS12 cymbals made in the 1960s, later also offered in B8.
 Dimensions - This was considered a professional level cymbal which later merged in with the 2002 line. They were introduced in 1999 and were discontinued in 2005. Were also available in Reflector finish.
 Innovations - This is a professional level cymbal line made with the 2002 bronze. They are mechanically pre-shaped, hand hammered, and lathed. Introduced in 2001, this line was discontinued in 2005.
 Twenty - Introduced at the winter NAMM 2007 as a basic lineup of hi-hat, ride, crash, china. and splash cymbals. Made out of Turkish B20 blanks.
 Twenty Custom - Introduced in 2011, discontinued mid-January 2015. High end cymbals made of the same Turkish B20 Bronze alloy the discontinued Twenty series was, featuring a brilliant finish on all models. The line has a slightly dark and complex tonality, and is divided further among "Full" and "Metal" models.
In addition, some Paiste cymbals are re-branded by drum manufacturers with their own brand name, for example Vater, Vater Rainbow etc.

Paiste also offers to color coat their cymbals and the possibility of custom orders. They also use prototype cymbals that sometimes appear in stores. So there are Paiste cymbals 'outside' of the here mentioned series. Most of these cymbals were never manufactured fully.

History of Sound Creation line 
It started with the Formula 602 "Dark Ride" cymbal in the early 70s. This cymbal was developed with Jack DeJohnette. In 1975, Paiste introduced the Sound Creation as a cymbal line.

The first series in 1975 shows a small Paiste logo an inch away from the ride bells. 
Hi-Hats were Dark Hi-Hat and Dark Sound Edge Hi-Hat, 10 types (rides etc.) in total:

Short Crash (18")
Dark Crash (18", 20")
Dark Ride (18", 20", 22")
Bright Medium (18", 20")
Bright Ride (18", 20")
Mellow Ride (20")
Dark China (18", 20", 22")
Bell Ride (20", 22")
Dark Hi-Hat (14")
Dark Sound Edge Hi-Hat (14")

The 1979 series has the same small Paiste ink an inch away from bells. Hi-Hat models were as in the 1975 series, with the 10 types in that series and 6 additional cymbals (5 rides and china) available with factory rivets.

In 1984, the line and models partially change. The top ink logo changes, and the following models were added :

Dark Flatride
Dark Medium Ride
Dark Medium HH
Dark Medium SE HH
Dark Heavy HH
Dark Heavy SE HH.

The Mellow Ride was discontinued. Also, 13" models were added to all Hi-Hats, and the Hi-Hats were changed to Medium and Heavy models, with the mediums lighter than the former regular models.

The "New Dimension" were introduced in 1985, with different hammering patterns and lathing. Contrary to the old heavy and random hammering pattern in the Dark models, the hammering becomes more evenly spaced, except in the China, where the hammering turned very heavy and random, while in the former Dark China models the hammering was very light and regularly spread all over the cymbal.

The ND treatment was applied to these types: Dark Crash, Dark Ride, Dark Medium, Dark China, Short Crash, and Bell Ride.

Hand-held cymbals 

Aside from the cymbals meant for playing with a drum kit, Paiste produces clash cymbals. Current lines include:

 Symphonic
 Concert/marching
 Universal
 Alpha 
 502 Plus
 302 Plus

Gongs

Paiste makes its gongs in the German factory. Paiste gongs are made from nickel silver. Current series include:

 Symphonic gongs available in sizes from 20" to 80".
 Planet gongs. These are like symphonic gongs but tuned to represent a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and the other planets as calculated by Hans Cousto. Available in sizes from 24" to 38".
 Sound Creation gongs. A series of 10 gongs each with its own character. Not to be confused with the planet gongs. Most models in the series are discontinued except for nrs 3, 8, 9 and 10. The models were:

 Nr. 1 Sun
 Nr. 2 Fire
 Nr. 3 Earth
 Nr. 4 Water
 Nr. 5 Peace
 Nr. 6 Moon
 Nr. 7 Fight
 Nr. 8 Head
 Nr. 9 Chest
 Nr. 10 Abdomen

 Accent gongs. More aggressive sounding gongs. Available in 7", 10", 13" and 22".
 Deco gongs. Small symphonic gongs. Available in 7", 10" and 13".

Paiste also made a line of tuned gongs and a tuned gong play that are now discontinued.

Other instruments

Paiste also makes a variety of metal percussion instruments. Among these are:
 Crotal bells
 Sound plates. Rectangular plates from B8 bronze that sound church bell like when struck with a soft mallet. Now discontinued.
 Sound discs. Round discs made from B8 bronze.
 Roto sounds. Round discs made from B8 mounted in revolving stand.
 Finger cymbal: Very small thick cymbals.
 Cowbells. Now discontinued, but made for Ludwig in the 1960s

Notable users

 Peter Magadini (Diana Ross, George Duke, Bobbie Gentry, John Handy)
 Inferno of Behemoth
 Eric Carr, formerly of KISS (died on November 24, 1991)
Carlos Guevara - Independent
 Don Henley of The Eagles
 Josh Fisher of Jesus Culture
 Scott F. Crago of The Eagles (back-up drummer)
 Tico Torres of Bon Jovi
 Josh Devine of One Direction, Skepta, and Ollie Green
 Jared Henderson of Desperation Band
 Jack White of The Dead Weather
 Rivers Cuomo of Weezer
 Meg White, formerly of The White Stripes
 Abe Laboriel Jr. of Paul McCartney
 Danny Carey of Tool
 Stewart Copeland of The Police
 Jason Duffy of Michael Flatley and The Corrs
 Jim Keltner (session legend)
 Nick Mason of Pink Floyd
 Mike Johns of Lincoln Brewster (Briefly used Sabian and Zildjian)
 Barriemore Barlow, formerly of (Jethro Tull)
 Mark Craney (Gino Vannelli and Jethro Tull)
 Gerry Conway, formerly of Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull
 Doane Perry, formerly of Jethro Tull
 Steve Smith formerly of Journey used Paiste through 1979
 Steve Negus, formerly of Saga
 Phil Rudd, formerly of AC/DC
 Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden
 Kris Gustofson of Trauma
 Clive Burr, formerly of Iron Maiden
 Larry Mullen, Jr. of U2
 Ian Paice of Deep Purple
 Carl Palmer of Asia and Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Ricky Lawson  Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Yellowjackets, Steely Dan, Phil Collins
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler Miles Davis, George Duke, The Temptations, Michael Jackson (Sessions)
 Patrick J. Carney of The Black Keys
Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner)
 Vinnie Colaiuta
 Mike Terrana of Tarja Turunen
 Aquiles Priester - Ex-Angra - Hangar - Noturnall
 Chuck Burgi
 Paulinho da Costa
 Steve Jordan
 Steve Prestwich of Cold Chisel
 Dale Crover of The Melvins
 Freddie Strauks of Skyhooks
 HELLHAMMER of Mayhem
 Joe Butterworth of Talanas
 Frank Beard of ZZ Top
 Charlie Benante of Anthrax
 Bill Berry, formerly of R.E.M.
 John Bonham of Led Zeppelin
 Bobby Rondinelli of Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult, Black Sabbath
 Gas Lipstick of HIM
 Russ Kunkel (session legend)
 Bill Bruford of Yes, Earthworks, King Crimson
 Luis "chocs" Campos - Collinz Room
 Dave Lombardo, formerly of Slayer
 Chad Butler of Switchfoot
 Jeff Porcaro of Toto
 Herman Rarebell of Scorpions
 Alex González of Maná
 Alfonso André of Caifanes and Jaguares
 Scott Rockenfield of Queensrÿche
 Gina Schock of The Go-Go's
 Steve DiStanislao of David Gilmour's solo band and Don Felder's solo band
 Chris Slade
 Scott Travis of Judas Priest (briefly used Zildjian in 2009)
 Alex Van Halen of Van Halen
 David Silveria, formerly of KoЯn
 Joey Jordison, formerly of Slipknot
 Josh Freese of A Perfect Circle
 Victor M. Ribas of HURT
 Jukka Nevalainen of Nightwish
 Zbigniew Robert Promiński "Inferno" - Behemoth (2010)
 John Dolmayan of System of a Down
 Marko Atso of Metsatöll
 Tris Imboden of Chicago
 Cozy Powell of Rainbow, Whitesnake, and Black Sabbath
 Rick Buckler of The Jam
 Tommy Ramone of The Ramones
 Marky Ramone of The Ramones
 Bobby Blotzer of Ratt
 Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones
 Tommy Aldridge of Whitesnake
 Steve Asheim of Deicide
 Dave Witte of Municipal Waste, Discordance Axis and Burnt by the Sun
 Gary James of Thunder
 Mikkey Dee of Motörhead
 Nigel Glockler of Saxon
 Jeremy Spencer Heyde of Five Finger Death Punch
 John Robinson
 John Harrison (Independent)
 André Ceccarelli
 Echa Soemantri
 Zoltan Chaney - Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe - Slaughter
 Chad Wackerman - Frank Zappa Allan Holdsworth
 Roger Taylor of Queen used Paistes exclusively throughout the 1970s and up until 1982 when he started using a mixed setup of Paiste and Zildjian.  He then switched to Zildjian completely circa 1987.  
 Phil Collins of Genesis was noted for his use of Paistes in the 1970s up until 1981.  He moved to Zildjian and then to Sabian.  
 Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot was a Paiste artist until circa 1984 when he switched to Zildjian and then to Sabian.  
 Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac used Paistes exclusively throughout the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and early 90s.  
 Jason McGerr of Death Cab For Cutie endorsed Paiste from the 1990s into the 2010s before moving to Zildjian.  
 Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe used Paiste from 1981–2004.  
 Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones used Paiste throughout the 1960s and 70s before switching to a variety of other brands, most notably Zildjian and UFIP.  
 Keith Moon of The Who used Paistes exclusively up until the mid 1970s when he started using a mixed setup of Paiste and Zildjian, before switching to Zildjian exclusively circa 1976.    
 Rick Allen of Def Leppard used Paiste up until 1986 when he switched to Zildjian.   
 Chester Thompson touring drummer Phil Collins and Genesis used Paiste from 1970 until 1990 when he switched to Sabian.   
 Rod Morgenstein of Winger used Paiste throughout the 1970s into the early 1990s before signing with Sabian.  
 Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge and Cactus used Paiste throughout the 1970s before moving to Zildjian and then Sabian, and currently, Istanbul Mehmet.   
 Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger endorsed Paiste up until 1988 when he switched to Sabian. 
 Sheila E., session great used Paistes exclusively up until the early '90s.  
 Danny Gottlieb, jazz and rock great, used Paistes throughout the 1980s before switching to Zildjian.  
 Greg D'Angelo of White Lion and Stephen Pearcy endorsed Paiste up until the early 1990s.  
 James Kottak of KrunK, ex Scorpions, used Paiste up until the early 1990s.  
 Sandy Gennaro, session and touring great, used Paiste throughout the 1980s and into the 2000s before switching to Zildjian.  
 Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon used Paistes up until 2011 when he signed with Zildjian.  
 Jimmy DeGrasso of Megadeth, Alice Cooper, and Suicidal Tendencies used Paistes up until 2007 when he switched to Sabian.  
 David Garibaldi, session great used Paistes up until the 1990s.  
 Audie Desbrow of Great White used Paiste throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s when he switched to Zildjian.  
 Aynsley Dunbar of Frank Zappa and David Bowie used Paistes up until the late 1970s when he switched to Zildjian.  
 Paul Wertico used Paiste until he switched to Sabian in 2018.
 Terry Bozzio of Frank Zappa and Missing Persons used Paistes up until the late 1990s when he switched to Sabian.

Patents