12"

1901-1916: Russia

Michail Toomas PAISTE, composer and musician founded a sheet music publishing house and music shop in Saint Petersburg in 1901, which also made simple instruments and carried out repairs.
His father was from Estonia and was a member of the Tsar's Guard. The business flourished very well for many years until the Russian Revolution forced it to close.

Michail Toomas PAISTE

1917-1939: Estonia

Mikhail Toomas returned to his homeland and opened a new shop in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
This is also where the first cymbals for concert and brass music were designed and manufactured. The demand for PAISTE products increased.
In 1930, at the same time as the new trends in music, his son, Michail M. began making cymbals.
Michail M. chose the Turkish form of production and developed his own concept with which he gave the PAISTE cymbals a new sound direction. He quickly became the driving force behind the still small company and eventually took over the business.
In addition, Michail M.PAISTE also developed the first PAISTE gongs that came into the market. His award-winning products, both the cymbals and gongs, soon had a very good international reputation, so he began exporting to Europe and the USA.
In 1945 Michail M. and his family fled Poland and settled in northern Germany near Rendsburg. Michail M. began to build up a cymbal and gong production for the third time. At the beginning of the 50s he was able to reactivate the old business relationships and the export business began to flourish again.
The relocation of production to Burg (Dithmarschen) failed, and finally, in 1957, Michail M. founded a manufacture in Switzerland.

Michail M.PAISTE

1932 - 1978?: STAMBUL series

The STAMBUL comes onto the market in 1932.
One of Paiste's longest running series: The STAMBUL was an upper class cymbal for the era up to the Second World War and prior to the F602 release, where it took a second place position after 1959.
Stambul's are made of nickel silver "NS12" until approximately 1970, it was then produced from CuSn8 "B8" bronze until phase out and transition in to the 505 series in 1978.
Production timeline: 1932-1940 (Estonia)
1940-1945 (Poland)--relocation from WWII, small production
1945-1948 (Germany)--relocation from WWII, small production
1948-1957 (Germany)--expanded production once again
1957-197? (Switzerland & Germany)

1935 - 1960/1969?: ZILKO series

PAISTE needs a beginner's cymbal: In 1935 PAISTE launched the lower-priced ZILKO series, making it the first cymbal manufacturer in the world to offer more than one cymbal level of quality.
These new cymbals are made in Estonia from special brass MS63 (1935-1953), then in Germany from nickel silver "NS12" (1953-1960) as ZILKO STANDARD.
It is possible the line was discontinued in the 50s and then they revived the Zilko (and Zilket) name in the 60s for sales through Arbiter.
This would seem to make sense since the Zilko name doesn't seem to appear in any of the 60s Paiste catalogs.

1945: German production facility

Today all PAISTE gongs and budget cymbal series (from ALPHA down to the 101 BRASS series) labeled: "Made in Germany" are manufactured in Schacht-Audorf near Rendsburg by approx. 30 employees.

Brea, Ca. dist. center

1949: CHINA CYMBAL

PAISTE is the first company in the world to integrate Chinese cymbals into the setup of drummers for modern music.

1950: STANOPLE series

PAISTE brings the STANOPLE series onto the market in 1950 (The 2009 Paiste timeline gives the start date as 1950, but the line isn't listed in any of the 1950s era catalogs we have in our possession.).
These cymbals are initially made in Germany, later in the new Swiss production facility.
All evidence points to them being made from "NS12" until possibly the last couple years of production, there is evidence that some late model Stanoples were made from CuSn8 "B8" bronze.
The stamp contains under the crescent moon with a star "STANOPLE, Made in Germany, PAISTE" or "STANOPLE, Made in Switzerland, PAISTE".
They are mainly offered in the USA, from 1959 through the distributor Ludwig Drum Company Chicago.
We don't know exactly how long they were produced, but STANOPLE cymbals can be found listed in the Ludwig catalog until 1973.

1954?-1978: DIXIE series

The DIXIE series is a new entry-level series and the possible successor to the ZILKO series. DIXIE's are made of nickel silver "NS12", allegedly there are also some made of brass MS63 (CuZn37).
The Dixie was introduced sometime in the latter part of the 1950s as a lower-priced NS12 series below the Stambul.
Production of the Dixie in Switzerland seems to have started in late 1958 and the line makes its first appearance in the 1959 Paiste (Swiss) Catalog.
According to Paiste's production timeline, the Dixie started in Germany in 1954 but recent discoveries seem to refute this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
At some point post-1966 (probably in or closer to 1970), the Dixies were upgraded to the new CuSn8 "B8" bronze. DIXIE's were phased out and transition in to the 404 series in 1978.
The die does not contain the word “PAISTE”, only “DIXIE” and the crescent moon with a star. Including either “Made in Germany” or just “Switzerland”.

1957: Swiss production facility

In 1957 Michail M. founded a new production workshop in Switzerland with his two sons Robert and Toomas (the 3rd generation).
A new era began under the direction of Robert (* 1932) and Toomas (* 1939) and Nottwil, located on Lake Sempach in the canton of Lucerne, developed into the center of all international activities.
In 1970, a new factory was built next to the existing one. In 1995 Toomas took over the role of President from Robert.
Since 2003, the company is headed by Toomas’ son, Erik.

Nottwil

Robert & Toomas

1957 - 1973?: "Ludwig", "Ludwig Standard" series, Sales/distribution in the U.S.

With its new production facility in Switzerland, PAISTE intends to eliminate trade restrictions and enter international markets: The Ludwig Drum Company becomes the distributor for the US market.
This can be described as a great business success for PAISTE: Ludwig had sold only Zildjian cymbals from their first catalog starting in 1912.
From 1957: a less expensive PAISTE series is offered in addition to the higher-quality Zildjian, under the name "Ludwig".
Ludwig cymbals are first made in Germany (still with the addition CHICAGO on the stamp), then later in Switzerland, all are made of nickel silver.

Around 1965, the Ludwig STANDARD series (with the new Ludwig STANDARD logo) were added to the catalog and these can be classified as an upscale entry-level line.
Ludwig STANDARD cymbals are initially made in Switzerland and then from 1960 onwards in Germany, they are also made of nickel silver.
By 1975 we see the Last appearance of Ludwig Standards in limited size options (probably leftovers after the companies parted ways).

1957-1959: SUPER FORMULA 602

PAISTE had been experimenting with cymbals made of B20 bell bronze for quite a while, in 1957 this (new to Paiste) alloy first came onto the market under the name "SUPER FORMULA 602", the stamp of this series still looks very similar to the STAMBUL stamp.
It's likely that the "super 602" was more of a prototype development, which was refined over those 2 years.

1959: FORMULA 602

After two years of experimenting with B20 Bronze, the FORMULA 602 series saw the light of day in the cymbal world in 1959.
These traditional bronze cymbals are almost twice as expensive as the STAMBULs, but they are also something very special, especially in terms of sound, they overshadow everything that Paiste had previously produced.
Their sound character is defined as fine and clear, transparent, but still full of not too many overtones. The FORMULA 602 series, which has its roots in jazz and acoustic rock'n'roll, gave PAISTE the first big wave of international fame.

1960 - 1978: SUPER series

It is believed that he SUPER was first made in Germany sometime between 1960 and 1964, after the Paiste Standard line was discontinued. Then, the Swiss factory also made "NS12" Supers for a short period of time (1967-1971?) before both factories switched to B8 version starting sometime in 1971.
Production of the B8 Super ceased by 1974 in the Swiss factory - the cymbal was still available from the German factory until 1978 when it was replaced by the 101 until 1962, initially only in Germany.
The name “PAISTE” is not found in the die, but to the left of the crescent moon including the star only the word “SUPER”, including “Made in Germany” or later also “SUPER”, including “Switzerland”.

1963: CuSn8 "B8" bronze is born

In 1963 PAISTE began to experiment with CuSn8, a bronze alloy with a high copper content (92% copper and 8% tin), also called B8.
In the 1970s, this somewhat more reddish alloy became world-famous as "2oo2 bronze". B8 is more elastic than the traditional bell bronze B20, it is also easier to work (roll, hammer, turn) than B20.
The old production machines can still be used, which is an advantage. Other reasons for the change were, in addition to rising bell bronze and nickel prices, B8 has a sonic quality that is perfect for cutting through loud amplified music!

1963: CHINA CYMBAL with round bell

For the first time in 1963 the “Turkish bell” is used in a China cymbal, again a PAISTE innovation.

1965 - 1971: STAMBUL65

The Stambul ’65 was Paiste's first series entirely made of the B8 (2002 bronze) alloy.
Released in 1965, the series was an important development that paved the way for the groundbreaking Giant Beat line and subsequently, the crowning achievement of Paiste’s use of B8, the legendary 2002.
The majority of Stambul ‘65s were made in Nottwil, but it’s not uncommon to see examples from the German factory, especially the marching cymbals.
In addition to the emboss logo, Stambul ’65 made after 1971 will have a black ink Paiste logo and series name stamp at the 12 o’clock position above the bell and the red ink type stamp at 3 o’clock should be on examples, no matter the year of the production.

1967: GIANT BEAT

1967/1968

Invention of the wavy edge hi-hat bottom cymbal - Sound Edge hi-hats

Invention of the bell-less flat ride cymbal (originally called the "space sound")

1971: 2oo2

The most successful line of Paiste cymbals reflected in sales numbers, unrivalled by any other line.
The first 2002 cymbals appeared as prototypes around the end of 1969 and throughout 1970 before they were officially introduced and became a full line in Paiste's program.

1975 Distribution in the U.S. by Rogers

After Ludwig's withdrawal, Rogers, or rather its owner, takes over the distribution in the USA by the CBS company.
You only find the 2oo2 series in the Rogers 1976 catalog. subsequently, the 1979 catalog listed the new SOUND CREATION series along with a very limited selection of the 404 series. The Formula 602 series was listed as "special order only, 100 day turnaround", the new 505 series was not listed at all.

Rogers 1st. advert

1978: 4o4 series

The successor to the Dixie series, Paiste 404s were released to the general public in 1978.
It appears the line was first developed in the Swiss factory staring sometime in 1974. Early Swiss-made Black Label 404s have a single line hand stamp which was later changed to a double line stamp mirroring the 2002 logo, probably in the latter part of 1978.
The transition to the Brown Label silk screened logo likely begins in 1981.

1978: 5o5 series

The successor to the long-running Stambul series, Paiste 505s were released to the public in 1978 and slotted in under the 2002. It appears production of the line might of begun in the Swiss factory staring sometime in 1974. There are likely oddball sizes and types out there that were produced during the transition from the Stambul B8 line and cymbals with both a Stambul emboss and a 505 hand stamp logo exist.
505's were not available in the U.S until ~1981 when Paiste opened their North American distribution center, by then they had the printed "green stamp" logo along with an expanded selection of models and sizes.

1979 101 series

The original 101 was an entry-level Nickel-Silver line made in Paiste's German factory replacing the SUPER as the company's low budget offering.
The 101s received an embossed logo with black ink type stamps for the first two years of production.
Starting in 1981, the cymbals got silk screened logos in a pretty teal color for the rest of the run. Paiste would later revive the 101 name for its budget brass cymbals.

1980: Invention of un-lathed cymbals: RUDE

1981: North American distribution center (greater Los Angeles area)

In 1981, PAISTE gained a foothold in the world's largest music market with the founding of PAISTE America, Inc. in Brea, California.
Toomas lived in the USA for some time in the 80s and was instrumental in founding and developing the sales/distribution branch.

Brea, Ca. dist. center

In August 2002 Toomas had a fatal accident in Spain, his son Erik (the 4th generation) took over all his functions.
Today Nottwil is the headquarters of PAISTE AG and supplies the whole world with high-quality, mostly hand-made basins "Made in Switzerland" from the 2oo2 to the SIGNATURE series. PAISTE is the largest manufacturer of musical instruments in Switzerland.

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Information from the Paiste.com site[1]
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