Paiste Formula 602 18" Thin Crash

Group: Crashes
Type: Thin Crash
Size: 18 Inch
Series: Formula 602
Weight: 1253g (Pre-Serial), 1329g, 1338g (Re-Issue), 1340g, 1340g (Re-Issue), 1343g, 1343g (2015 Serial Number), 1346g (2011 Serial Number), 1346g (Re-Issue), 1349g (2023 Serial Number), 1353g (Re-Issue), 1360g (2019 Serial Number), 1363g (Re-issue), 1370g, 1380g (1979 Serial Number), 1394g (Blue Label), 1419g, 1449g (Black Label), 1452g (1977 Serial Number)
Median Weight: 1349g (n=19)
Years of production: 1963 - 1994, 2011 - Present
Sound file: Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Formula 602 18" Thin Crash
Paiste's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "In the late 1950’s, Paiste introduced their 602 series of cymbals. Everyone loved them. The big names played them. So, one might wonder, why did Paiste stop offering them, and instead, moved on to new models? Well, the answer is right there in the question: new. It’s in our nature to always be looking for something different, even when what we have is just about perfect. New model is something the marketing guys love, and we, as consumers, have learned to love it too. But there is another word: Retro, and it means we like going back in time to rediscover the pleasures of things we loved in the past. And, that is the 602. The irony is that the 602 has been out of the inventory for so long, today’s drummers probably never heard of it, let alone play one. Well, here’s your chance, and the 602 is, . . . now what is that word I am looking for? Fabulous!!

As a start, the 602 is available in a 16″ and 18″ Thin Crash, 14″ Hi-Hats, 20″ Medium Ride, and 20″ Medium Flat Ride.

The 602 is a B20 bronze, and has extensive, deep hammering as shown in the photo above. The entire cymbal is lathed, but only the body is hammered, not the bell. You can also see that in the close-up, below. Notice the light streaks are deflected by the hammering on the body, and then, on the bell, the light streaks are straight.

The crash sound brings back memories for me, as I had my band in the 1960’s. Although I didn’t own any Paiste cymbals, I heard other drummers who did. The 18″ thin crash, reviewed here, has a fast attack and a very neutral sound. The sustain is long, so those of you who like to hear the crash go on and on after you strike it, you are looking at a classic, literally. The body is too thin for riding, as the ping is lost in the wash, but the bell rides beautifully."

Review written by John E. Johnson, Jr. ("Paiste 18″ Formula 602 Thin Crash Cymbal", hometheaterhifi.com, August 19, 2011)

Artist/song where it can be heard: Alex Acuña, Barriemore Barlow, Ed Blackwell, Allen Blairman, Fred Braceful, Freddie Brocksieper, Clive Bunker, Ndugu Chancler, Curt Cress, Andrew Cyrille, Brian Davison, John Engels, Guy Evans, Jean-Francois Fabiano, Sonny Freeman, Vladimir Furduy, Frank Gant, Lou Grassi, Larry Hancock, Keef Hartley, Albert Heath, Chris Jones, Jim Keltner, Matti Koskiala, Ivan Krillzarin, Russ Kunkel, John Marshall, Jason McGerr, Alphonse Mouzon, Tony Oxley, Matti Oiling, Joe Porcaro, Claudio Slon, Robert Townsend, Nathaniel Townsley, Charlie Watts