Paiste Super Formula 602

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SUPER FORMULA 602

1st. Generation Logo: Displayed the larger, hollow block font but with the thin vertical lines (1 or 2) running through each letter, as with the Stambul logos. And, the star & crescent tilted so that the star's tip is at the 11-O'Clock position, and the "Trade" and "Mark" to the outside of the logo work--"Trade" on the left and the "Mark" on the right, as is with the Stambul logo work. Additionally, the star and crescent both have cross-hatching inside them with the following counts--Star (7-8) and Crescent (12-13). Beneath this is the "Super" name in a thin cursive script font, and under this is a different style of block font for the "Formula 602" name. And under this is the "Swiss Made" location.
2nd. Generation Logo: Displayed the larger, hollow block font for the "Paiste" name at the top with the "Super" in a thin cursive script font set to the right of the Paiste name and positioned at a higher level. Below this was the typical sun rays, star, and crescent. The "Trade" and "Mark" were off to each side of the star & crescent....the "Trade" being directly under the "E" of the Paiste name. The crescent utilized 17 cross-hatchings inside it. Beneath this is the "R.Paiste" signature and under that is the "Made in Switzerland" location.
1957 catalog, back cover

Introduction: 1957
Discontinued: 1959

Background: The super Formula 602 series: Introduced in 1957, it transitioned to the Formula 602 series by 1959.
This series, once it became known as "Formula 602" is likely the most revered and sought after cymbal line produced by Paiste.
Unfortunately, we do not yet have the story behind its conception and how it was fully developed from the early days. One can see that from the Paiste catalog below (with purple cover '57), that the Super F602 was one of their three series of cymbals at that time.
It was the first time Paiste started working with its traditional bronze (CuSn20) source or B20 alloy and they did so starting at the Swiss factory. 1957 to 1959 is a short period of time when the Super Formula 602 was released. It's likely that it was more of a prototype development, which was refined over those 2 years.
There were 2 different embossed logos used at this early inception: 1) the first generation logo was in '57 and 2) the second generation logo was likely in '58 and '59. Both stamps are very different

  • There is an entirely separate series called "Super" which is not made from B20 (Formula 602 alloy) and came later.

Innovation: First B20 cymbal made by Paiste.

Alloy: B20 Bronze

Quality: Professional

Production: Hand hammered and hand lathed bronze.

Applications:

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

Thin ride crash, Thin ride, Medium ride and Medium ride crash

18" 20" 22" 24"

Thin & Meduim

12" 13" 14" 15" 16" 17" 18" 20" 22" 24"

Hi-Hats

Hi-Hat "Festival set" #1 - 15"meduim/14"heavy
 Hi-Hat "Festival set" #2 - 15"thin/14"meduim
 Hi-Hat "Festival set" #3 - 15"thin/16"meduim
 Hi-Hat "Festival set" #4 - 14"thin/15"thin

The time span for the Super Formula 602 is about 1957-1959. It precedes the introduction of the Formula 602 series but uses the same alloy.
This has caused a lot of confusion over the years. The B20 Super Swiss Made seems to come in two versions, one with the Formula 602 line and one without.
There is also a second style which looks like the Early Formula 602 stamp and has Super written to the upper right.(see below)
Just to round things off there are embossed stamps which look like the Early Formula 602 stamp but leave off the Formula 602. (see below)
This variation is thought to represent the evolution of the trademark for the Formula 602 series just as it was coming out.

  • Super Formula 602 stamp

  • Super Formula 602 cymbal

  • Super Swiss Made

  • Super Second Gen Stamp

  • Super Second Gen Cymbal 15"

  • Pre 602 Stamp

  • Pre 602 Cymbal 22"

We can't yet say whether there are any cymbals with the Super "Swiss made" stamp (no Formula 602 line) which might be some other alloy like NS12. There are some untested claims to that effect. Untested claims meaning that a piece of the cymbal has not yet gone for lab analysis.


Information from: Paiste '57-'59 catalog, Steve Black, Todd Little, Dan Garza

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