Difference between revisions of "Paiste Serial Numbers"
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Revision as of 13:22, 1 April 2019
Paiste serial numbers were first applied in about 1972. Prior to this there was no accurate means of determining the age of a Paiste other than to identify the years of production for the series or model, when known. These cymbals are referred to as "Pre-Serial" cymbals. It should also be noted that it is not uncommon for serial numbers to be difficult to read due to hammering and lathing. In these cases, the era of the cymbal can usually be identified, but the exact year may not be determined.
Also of important note, cymbals have been found without serial numbers stamped on them.
This does not apply to serial numbers on many prototypes, nor the German made Paistes, which do not seem to be decipherable. (yet!)
1972 - 1981
- Starting in about 1972 (some believe 1971) there were six digit numbers stamped on each cymbal. The specific year is identified by the 'first' digit in the serial number.
- Therefore, "345678" would be from 1973.
- The original 1970's style involved no additional lettering with the serial number such as series name.
- All series (except Paiste 101) were using black labels during this era.
1974 Formula 602
- 1978 Formula 602 Serial.jpg
1978 Formula 602
1978 2000
1980 2002
Black Label (bottom side)
- Often a series would have an engraving of the series name:
2002 Engraving
Formula 602 Engraving
Sound Creation Engraving
1981 - 1986
- Starting in 1981, "PAISTE" started to be stamped above the serial number, often along with SERIES. (NOTE: This change occurred not at the beginning of the year, but sometime during it - some examples of the previous style exist with 1981 serial numbers.)
- Like before, the 'first' number indicates year - the following would be an example of 1982:
- The RUDE and Colorsound 5 lines were NOT stamped after PAISTE.
- 1981 2002 Serial.jpg
1981 2002
1982 Sound Creation
- 1983 505 Serial.jpg
1983 505
1984 Sound Creation
1985 2002
1985 2002 (Special Order Reflector finish)
- During this time Paiste changed label colors on some of their series. Formula 602 - Blue, 2002 - Red, 505 - Green, among others.
1986 - 1990
- Sometime during 1986 (probably when they launched all the new lines - 3000, 2000, 1000, etc.), "PAISTE" was stamped above the serial number, 'without' series name.
Like before, the first number indicates year - the following would be an example of 1989:
PAISTE 901234
1986 3000
1987 2002
1987 Formula 602
1987 Sound Creation
1988 3000 Reflector
1989 Formula 602
1990 Sound Formula
- 505 (discontinued by this time) and the 1000 lines both used green logos.
- 2002 and 3000 lines used red logos. The red ink on the 3000 series is a little darker color.
- Formula 602 and 2000 lines both used blue logos.
- 505 16 Crash.jpg
505
- 1000 18 Crash.jpg
1000
2002
- 3000 20 Ride.jpg
3000
Formula 602
- 2000 16 Crash.jpg
2000
1990 - 1995
- Sometime in 1990 the company name was changed to the 'high/low' style" "pAisTe".
- Therefore "pAisTe 345678" would be from 1993.
1991 2000 Sound Reflections
1995 2002
1995 - 2011
- Sometime in 1995 Paiste started using 'eight' digit serial numbers. In these cases, the first two digits represent the year of production.
- Therefore "96789012" would be from 1996.
1996 Sound Formula
- 1999 Signature Serial.jpg
1999 Signature
2000 Signature
2004 2002
- 2006 2002 Serial.jpg
2006 2002
- 2007 Signature Serial.jpg
2007 Signature
2009 Dark Energy
- Starting in about 2005, "MADE IN SWITZERLAND" was added to the bottom logo of the 2002 cymbals.
MADE IN SWITZERLAND
2011 - present
- In the second half of 2011, Paiste started using a laser etched serial number on the cymbal's bottom side. Numbers are not stamped on the top side from this point on. The first two numbers are still the year produced.
2015 Signature
2017 Masters
