Paiste Traditional- any comments?

[Big Beni]

Would love to hear from those who own or have played the Paiste Traditionals. Yes, i am on the hunt for some nice jazz cymbal to go my Br Jazz kit for the next Photo shoot.

Peace, Dan

[Kanbasher]

They are nice. They are dirtier & trashier than any other Paiste's I have heard. I mean this in a good way. I'm by no means a jazz player but I like the crashes, splashes and hats. I lean towards the heavier rides and have yet to try out any of the chinas/swishes.

[Nebby]

I really like them. The 15" hats are some of the best I've ever heard.

[James_Walker]

I've only got one Trad in my collection - a 16" crash - but I love it to death. It also "looks the part" (which I mention because you're talking about a photo shoot).

[bilkay]

First of all, if it's just the looks you want, by all means go for the Paiste Traditionals.

But back to sound. And lets preface by saying beauty is in the ear of the beholder.......

I have Paiste Traditionals crashes (16" & 18" thin). Love 'em. Kinda dark and trashy while still retaining some of that trademark Paiste (dare I say?) brightness. The 18" is an etched logo model and is somewhat darker and trashier than its little brother, and is rideable. I'll never part with them. I also have the splash (which is great), a set of 15" hats which see some occasional use and a 20" medium light ride that I'm trading for a 20" Bosphorus Masters ride. The 15" hats are very nice but I've been playing a very thin set of 14" Istanbul Mehmet Mel Lewis hats almost exclusively lately- they're just what I like best right now. And as for the ride, it's got a great stick and a smoky yet still somewhat silvery/shimmery wash (Paiste really did create a line that evokes that '50s/early '60s jazz sound) but I'm going even lighter/thinner in my jazz cymbal selection.

After all that rambling, the bottom line is this- if you just want cymbals for a photo shoot, you might want to rent them. If you want cymbals to play, close your eyes and listen.......


.......and if you're looking for jazz cymbals, you really might want to look at the Istanbul Agop Special Edition Jazz cymbals.......

[Salt_Lick]

Hey beni is back!! i missed beni.

[smoke_n_drums]

Having owned and played many pies from just about ALL the makers here is my take on Paiste Trads:

They went for that old hand hammered look and sound. I'd say that they did do this, but that the actual sounds can be gotten for cheaper as Paiste carries a hefty price tag in the US.

It seems that many Paiste players will live and die by that brand and I don't want to dispute the quality, look and most important, the sound of their products. **I just might have a few in my collection also :shock: **

I do want to say that unless your going for a sound that is almost exclusive to Paiste then you could save of few hard earned $$$.

[drewpyperc]

3 years ago or so, I was looking for a different ride cymbal to use for more low-key/acoustic/jazz settings. I went to 2 or 3 different stores (this was while I lived in Dallas), and couldn't find the sound that I wanted. I finally ended up at the Guitar Center on 75 in Dallas. They had quite a few cymbals, and the last one I played was a Paiste.

I usually would avoid Paiste unless they were used, because I didn't want to shell out the bucks. However, I played on this one, and I loved it. It was just marked as a 20" "Prototype," and had no price tag on it. I asked the guy at the counter, and after he looked it up on the computer, he said, "you're not gonna believe how much this thing is going for." Apparently, it had been there a while, and they had discounted it 2 different times to try to get rid of it. I guess everybody else assumed it was quite expensive too, and without the price tag, didn't bother to check into it further. Anyway, I got that sweet, sweet, sweet ride for $87.50 plus tax. Later, I got the Traditional 14" hats at the same GC for $200 for the pair. I love those plates, and will probably keep them for a very long time.

Just thought I would share. Sorry for the novel. Really though, go for the sound that pleases your ear. That's the best test, and the only one that matters if you ask me.

[Big Beni]

thanx guys. It was good to hear from you all. Well, I believe that it is in the sound, as some of you have said. I enjoy all cymbals. Matter a fact, i have a very nice set of Master work cymbals that I won't ever let go of.

Yet I needed some nice new cymbals for a Photo show for the new Beni Club/jazz Kit. So I ordered all traditional Paiste cymbals" 13hh, 18 thin Crash light 22 light 20. It will be a nice look- Sound? Well, i am very sure that i will enjoy them.

As Dfender would agree, we can never have enough Cymbals. Once again thank for all your help and i will let you know what they sound like.


Peace from Beni's world:)