Swiss cymbalsmiths Paiste introduced its Signature Series in 1989 using a specifically developed bronze alloy, and its hand-hammered Twenty Series cymbals in 2007. This year, Paiste has extended its size line-up for both ranges. Here's what to expect in 2008...
Signature Series
The Crystal Thin line has been extended to incorporate a 16", 18" and 20" model and Crystal hats now have a 14". All these cymbals feature a unique bell shape first seen on the Paiste Sound Creation Mellow crash in the late 1970s.
The Reflector Series has also been updated with a 16", 17", 18", 19", 20" and 22" Heavy Full crash, a 14" Heavy Full hi-hat and an 8" and 10" splash. All featuring the glassiness of the Reflector finish.
Elsewhere, the new Cool 8" Bell is a complete re-design of the long running Bell model.
Twenty Series
Paiste have tripled the size choices of the Twenty Series range, all built using cast SnBz20 bronze obtained from its Turkish partner Murat Diril.
As part of the greatly expanded selection, additional sizes in all the existing main-stream models are now being offered, which include the ride in 21", the crash in 17", 19" and 20", the hi-hat in 12" and 15", the splash in 8" and 12", and the China in 20". A new section of lighter models have also been added to the mix, which consists of the Light ride in 20" and 22", the Thin crash in 16", 17" and 18", and the Light hats in 14".
Two new China models round out the expansion, the Mini China in 8", 10" and 12", and the Thin China in 14", 16" and 18".
See Paiste's website for more information.