Paiste Zilko

Zilko - Zilket

Zilko logo

Background: The official Paiste '09 timeline states they were discontinued in 1960, but we found them on a Dallas-Arbiter price list in 1966.
They were first introduced using MS63 (brass alloy) from 1935-1948, when being made in Estonia.
Once Paiste relocated to Germany, they made the change to using NS12 (Nickel-silver alloy) and they started using the name Zilko Standard until around 1960.
We do know that these cymbals were not considered, top-of-the-line, rather they were intended as an economy or general, mid-level cymbal.
Although, we are still looking for more documented proof from European and USA sources. We do not exactly know what Paiste originally offered, however here's what we do know and includes the following types and sizes:

PAISTE '52 CATALOG:

Thin & Medium: 9" through 14" (Jazz type cymbals)
"Charleston"(in pairs): 9" through 13" *Note: Hi hat cymbals were referred to as "Charleston" cymbals
Marching "Chinese style" (in pairs): 14" through 18" and 20"

ARBITER Ltd. '66 PRICE LIST:

11" through 16", 18", and 20"

Zilket

Introduction: 1965*

Discontinued: 1974*
Pending further investigation.*

Alloy: Nickel Silver - CuSn8

Background: The official Paiste '09 timeline doesn't even recognize this series, which is strange.
The only records we have are from the mid-1960's to the early 1970's and they were from distributor catalogs & price lists....nothing in a Paiste catalog, as of yet.
Due to the time frame, it's most likely that this cymbal line was made of B8, as most of the conversion from NS12 to B8 took place around '65 or '66. Paiste officially developed B8 and created cymbals with it around '63 - '65.
There is some thought that that the Zilket line came about as a replacement to the Zilko line, after it seemed to sit during the early part of the 1960's.
Until we gain access to catalogs from this earlier time frame, we are left to guess.
We do know it was made for beginners, advanced students, schools and small combos.
The following types and sizes were available during this time frame: