Paiste Masters Extra Thins Dark Splashes

94
| OCTOBER 2018 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
P
a iste’s Masters series was launched
in 2011 and originally consisted of
12 ride cymbals inspired by, and
often at the request of, Paiste
endorsees. Since then the range has grown to
include crashes, hi-hats and a Swish. Amongst
the new Masters models announced at the
start of 2018 were the Extra Thin multi-function
cymbals and Dark splashes on review.
Build
In keeping with the Masters theme, the Extra
Thins were conceived in response to session
giant and Paiste artist Jim Keltner’s “ideas for
sound and function”, with the resulting
cymbals being “characterised by particular
subtlety”. The launch blurb also reveals that
Paiste’s Sound Development “created a warm,
soft crash that unobtrusively and discreetly
embeds itself in soft musical situations” and
that the “swift decay supports even delicate
ride playing”.
Any enquiries regarding the degree of Mr
Keltner’s involvement were gently rebuffed;
Paiste is notoriously secretive and rarely gives
out any information other than that stated in
the press release. However, the company did
confi rm that, for their diameter, the Extra
Thins are amongst the thinnest cymbals that
Paiste has ever produced, with the Formula
602 Paperthin crashes being the only
similarly skinny products in the company’s
current catalogue.
Available in 18", 19" and 20" diameters the
Extra Thins tip the scales at 1,150g, 1,325g and
1,625g respectively, which is very little for
cymbals of these diameters. Their
supermodel-like waifness is obvious when
handling as they fl ex willingly upon the
slightest of touches. Small hammer marks
cover the entirety of each Extra Thin while
fi ne lathing is found on both sides. Profi les are
fairly fl at and the bells are on the modest – if
not small – size. The fact that these cymbals
From £210 New additions to Paiste’s Masters series
explore the gentler - if pricey - side of Swiss bronze
PAISTE MASTERS
EXTRA THINS &
DARK SPLASHES
WORDS: ADAM JONES
are named only as Extra Thins (as opposed to
crashes) refers to their perceived intention of
covering more than one discipline and being
capable of being used as both light rides and
hand-played cymbals. As with all Masters
cymbals, Extra Thins are cast from CuSn20
(Paiste speak for B20) bronze and
handworked through all stages of the
manufacturing process.
The Dark splashes were not developed
with any particular Paiste endorsee but were
the result of several requests for Masters
splashes. Featuring a mixture of shallow
lathing bands and deeper scores the Dark
splashes feel gently ridged between thumb
and forefi nger. Similar in thickness – or lack of
it – to the Extra Thins, the Dark splashes are
equally malleable in the hand.
Hands On
For an 18" cymbal the smallest of the Extra
Thins is defi nitely on the side of measured
and mellow. There’s a softness to the crash
and a lushness to the note that suggests that
Paiste has met the brief. It’s bright but gentle
and the opening peal is bolstered by warm
and sympathetic undertones that merge into
2
TRX ALT SPLASH
We say: “The
combination of
sparkling top with a
fuller presence is exactly
what you need in a
splash to give it
substance.”
Paiste’s Sound Development “created a warm,
are named only as Extra Thins (as opposed to
Also try…
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SABIAN HH
VANGUARD
We say: “Vanguards
have the ability to work
well in almost any style
of music and play
beautifully. ”
RHY286.gear_paiste.indd 94 05/09/2018 16:23