Paiste 404

404

404 Logo

Introduction: 1978
Discontinued: 1986
Background: The successor to the Dixie series, Paiste 404's were released to the general public in 1978.
Early (1978) Swiss-made Black Label 404's 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.
German-made Black Label 404's have always had a single line hand stamp. There are some German-made Black Label 404s with serial numbers, always starting with a "1" or "2" ('78/'79 or '80/'81)
See "Deciphering German serial numbers".
The transition to the Brown Label silk screened logo begins in mid/late 1981 along with the other Paiste lines, although we have yet to document a Brown Label 404 with a 1981 serial number (this could be because there are a high percentage of early Brown Label 404's out there with no serial numbers, see pics below).
In addition, some German Brown Label 404's made in 1983 have a logo variant with a hollow crescent moon and star. There are also German-made 404s from the 80s that have black ink in place of the brown. The only changes in the lineup from the Black Label to the Brown Label days was the introduction of the Heavy Hi Hats and Sound Edge Hi Hat.
The 404's were discontinued in 1985 (with some cymbals being made/sold into 1986 and there are a small number of 404s out there with 1988 serials) when Paiste released its new B8 lines.
According to an interview with Toomas Paiste, there were two reasons Paiste changed up the B8 lines in 1986:
1. To introduce new innovations in the 3000 line (new lathing, etc.).
2. To get the quality of the budget series in line with prices (more importantly according to Toomas). The 404's were "too good" for the price point Paiste was selling them for!

Rogers distributed 404's in the U.S. from '79 to '81 with very limited sizes (see 1980 price list below). Paiste took over when they opened their N.A. distribution center.

There's a hardcore 404 following, especially in Europe where people like to collect them, they were the last lower level line to be hammered into shape, they were still made by hand and made pretty much the same way as the 2002 series were, Paiste mainly cut back on the lathing and some hammering to cut down on production costs, they were also much thinner for the same given model or weight classification. After 1985, all of Paiste's lower lines were either stamped or "spun" to produce the curve or bow to the cymbal.

Innovation: Affordable cymbals similar to the 505's.

Alloy: CuSn8 (Also known as "2002 Bronze")

Quality: Entry Level to Semi Professional. Paiste 404 have a good sound, they project and give a true cymbal feel. Made with Paiste know-how, they represent quality at a small investment. Perfect for the demanding student seeking sound value. (1)

Production: These cymbals were fully hammered into shape, not stamped, the same production techniques were used as they were on the top line cymbals.

Applications: All applications, to include live and studio

Users: Beginner to intermediate drummers looking for something better than an off-the-shelf pack of brass rubbish that's still with their budget... Anyone looking for gig-able cymbals at bargain prices...

Sound: Not complex, but not displeasing to the ear... audio/video of a full set of 404's

1979 European catalog sizes listed below. (1981 model and size additions can be seen in brown:)

Initial 404 listing in Paiste's European 1978 catalog (same sizes as Dixie)

Crash/ride**

Crash ride - 10" 11" 12" 13" 14" 15" 16" 18" 20" 22"

Hi-Hats

Hi-Hat - 13" 14" 15" 16"

1st. appearance of 404's in Paistie's '78 European catalog, note sizes are the same as the previous Dixie line
'78 European price list showing marching sizes as well
1979 European catalog.
1980 North American price list, note: limited 404 sizes available
1985 catalog listing
Swiss brown label with no serial#
German 404 serial# 251468 = approx. 1982 production
Early restamped Dixie as a 404 and labeled "crash/ride"
Dixie restamped as early 404.
Very early 13" crash, most likely a leftover dixie
13" bottom view
Another oddity from the German plant: 10" crash
10" crash
Rare 404 20" crash, never listed in a catalog but several examples exist!
Another 20" crash
404 brown label with black ink