Paiste Cymbals
The Swiss cymbal maker behind the 2002 series, Giant Beats and gongs — the bright, cutting sound of classic rock.
Paiste has been making cymbals since 1906, from Estonia via Poland to its long-time home in Switzerland, and no company is more responsible for the sound of classic rock. The 2002 series — born from the Giant Beats John Bonham played — is still the reference for bright, glassy, cutting cymbals, while the Rude line gave punk and metal its trashy aggression and the Signature series brought Paiste's alloys to the studio set.
Paiste is also the world's great gong maker, which is why Danny Carey's rig carries their symphonic gongs, and why players from Stewart Copeland to Vinnie Colaiuta have kept the logo on stage for five decades. Below you'll find our Paiste coverage plus every Paiste cymbal and gong documented in the Rig Vault — and exactly who plays each one.
Paiste in the Rig Vault
🥁 27 items documented👤 played by 7 drummers
Real setups documented piece by piece in the Rig Vault — every item links to who plays it, reader reviews and where to buy.
Drummers who play Paiste
Most played Paiste gear
Paiste signature artist gear
Gear built with (and for) the artists who play it.
Every Paiste item in the vault
2002× 10read the 2002 guide →
Signature× 5read the Signature guide →
Giant Beat× 3read the Giant Beat guide →
Rude× 1
Paiste and related marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Drum Faster is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Paiste.
Explore Paiste Cymbals
Paiste 2002
The sound of classic rock: the series born from John Bonham's Giant Beats, still the reference for bright, cutting cymbals.
Paiste Giant Beat
The 1960s CuSn8 line John Bonham played — reissued, and still the warmest bright cymbal Paiste makes.
Paiste Signature
Paiste's own bronze alloy — the bright, complex studio range Danny Carey's setup is built on.
Paiste Gongs
Symphonic gongs from the world's great gong maker — Bonham's 38", Peart's 40", Danny Carey's wall of bronze.
Latest Paiste news
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