Paiste Formula 602 Modern Essentials

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| SUMMER 2016 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
P
aiste’s Formula 602 line was its
fi rst B20 (CuSn20) bronze line of
cymbals, introduced in 1959 and
lasting through the 1990s. The
series was resurrected in 2012 and then in
2013 along came the Formula 602 Modern
Essentials. This coincided with the surprise
defection of Vinnie Colaiuta from Zildjian to
Paiste. Vinnie has form here, since his
previous tenure with Zildjian involved the
updating of the classic A Zildjians to the
hugely successful A Customs. Evidently he
pushed for a similar update of Paiste’s
Formula 602s to the modern era, taking
the original jazz-orientated sound and giving
it a little more of Paiste’s Signature
Traditional sparkle.
For review this month we have the four
latest additions to the Modern Essentials
line-up. These are 17", 19" and 22" crashes,
plus a 24" ride.
Build
As with the standard Formula 602s the
Modern Essentials have a restrained, quality
image in muted, silky B20 bronze. The black
stencilling is understated and you have to
look hard to fi nd the words Modern
Essentials in small letters. The sleek
impression is defi ned by the unusually fi ne
top and bottom lathing and the lightly
dimpled hammering to the upper surface.
The cymbals are all medium weight,
but have a chunky, somewhat infl exible
feel. This results from the fact there is not
much of a taper so that they are still quite
thick at the edges. This should add to their
From £360 New additions to Paiste’s pepped-up Formula
602 Modern Essentials series which was motivated by
leading session ace Vinnie Colaiuta
PAISTE FORMULA
602 MODERN
ESSENTIALS
WORDS: DAVE HOLMES
resilience, giving them more structural
durability.
Hands On
Reviewing the new 22" Formula 602 Ride
back in May I felt the sound was more
refi ned than my own original 1960s/’70s
602s. I felt this again with the Modern
Essentials, although we’re also looking for
what Paiste says is a touch more ‘pizzazz’.
Certainly all the cymbals have a bright edge,
sharp and clean without being at all brash.
The toppy initial voice gives way quickly to a
beautiful deep, full whooshing body. The
cymbals are not the loudest, but they are
smooth, clean and transparent.
When I got the chance to play the cymbals
live with a band the thing that hit me fi rst
about the 17" and 19" crashes was the way
they have a slightly foreshortened decay. It’s
not that they lack in attack, but although
they are a medium thick weight, they speak
quickly and then get out of the way a bit
sooner than you expect. They punctuate but
don’t overstay their welcome. This leads to
the thought that they are not quite as
powerful as, say, Paiste’s CuSn8 2002s. On
refl ection though, I’d say the 2002s are more
shrill, more pushy (they have always been
associated with loud amplifi ed music) where
the Modern Essentials are glassier and
glossier, you could say more silver-tongued.
My guess is that for an ultra-precise
drummer like Colaiuta, who as one of today’s
leading session players covers umpteen
musical styles, the controllable, fresh nature
of the Essentials is just the ticket. He has said
CERTAINLY ALL THE CYMBALS HAVE
A BRIGHT EDGE, SHARP AND CLEAN
WITHOUT BEING AT ALL BRASH
himself that, “Paiste’s vision and my vision
were completely in alignment.”
Size-wise the 17" and 19" crashes fi ll the
gaps between the already available
even-sized crashes. In the old days you’d
choose a 16" and 18", or an 18" and 20", and
now you can get the in-betweeners, which is
manna to many drummers. Both have a lush
and warm tone, responding evenly from soft
to medium loud. As for the 22" crash and 24"
Also try…
1
ZILDJIAN A
CUSTOM
We say: “A modern
interpretation of the
classic Zildjian A sound,
with heavier weights.”
2
SABIAN HH
REMASTERED
We say: “ The HH
Remastered are
brilliantly musical and
show a great level of
versatility. ”
When I got the chance to play the cymbals
1
ZILDJIAN A
ZILDJIAN A
refl ection though, I’d say the 2002s are more
2
RHY258.gear_paiste.indd 94 15/07/2016 13:02