Paiste Super Formula 602

SUPER FORMULA 602

Introduction: ~1959
Discontinued: ~1962: replaced by the "Formula 602"
Background: The super Formula 602 series:
Robert Paiste had been experimenting with cymbals made of B20 bell bronze starting in 1957 when he first opened the Swiss factory (at that point it was a one room shop!).
It should be noted that Robert founded the Swiss factory across lake Sempach from where their future B20 alloy supplier "Metallwerke Dornach/Swissmetal" was located (Paiste had not used B20 alloy up to that point, little did he know they were the only foundry and mill that produced B20 bronze in all of Switzerland and possibly all of western Europe!). He initially worked with Swissmetal and developed a process of rolling B20 thin enough for B20 cymbal production, Swissmetal previously had not rolled it to such a thin specification but did have the equipment or the process to do it reliably, Robert literally had to teach the foundry technicians how to roll the blanks!
It is believed that Robert spent a couple of years refining the production process ('57-'59), sound characteristics and model names and sizes, this means that most likely the "Super 602" didn't reach widespread distribution until about 1959.
This (new to Paiste) B20 alloy first came onto the market under the name "SUPER FORMULA 602", the stamp of this series still looks very similar to the STAMBUL series stamp. It precedes the introduction of the Formula 602 series but uses the same alloy. The B20 "Super" seems to come in two versions, one with the "Stambul style" Formula 602 label and one without. There is also a second style which looks like the Early Formula 602 stamp but has only the word "Super" written to the upper right. In addition, there is a third embossed stamp that drops the word "Super and also looks like the Early Formula 602 stamp, it also leaves off the words "Formula 602" (we call it the "plain stamp"), this variation is thought to represent the evolution of the trademark for the Formula 602 series just as it was coming out.
Note: There is an entirely separate series called Super which is not made from B20 alloy and came later. This has caused a lot of confusion over the years.
Innovation: First B20 cymbal made by Paiste.
Alloy: B20 Bronze
Quality: Professional
Production: Machine-Hand hammered and hand lathed bronze.
Applications: All types of modern music from that era.
Users: Professional musicians and enthusiastic drummers, refined drummers and sound specialists with precise requirements that need a fully developed character in their cymbal sound
Sound: Similar to "modern" 602's: Super Formula 24" ride