Paiste Masters Additions

94
| DECEMBER 2017 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
P
a iste’s Masters series was fi rst
introduced in 2011 and initially
consisted of 12 rides that were, in
the words of the company,
“laboriously hand-manufactured to achieve
superior sound ideal in various musical
genres”. In 2014 the dozen rides were joined by
three crashes (since expanded to fi ve) and two
pairs of hi-hats. Now, after what Paiste candidly
describes as an “exceptionally long
development phase of three years”, seven new
models have joined the Masters series.
Build
Responding to requests from drummers
seeking “lightweight, low-pitched cymbals for
use in lower volume surroundings” Paiste has
unveiled three pairs of Light hi-hats in 14", 15"
and 16" diameters and three new multifunction
models designated Thin in 20", 22" and 24".
The fi nal new cymbal is a 22" Swish, made to
the specifi cations of session legend and Paiste
endorsee Jim Keltner.
As with all Masters cymbals, the new
models are completely handmade from start
to fi nish, individually cast from CuSn20 (B20)
bronze and then hand-hammered and
hand-lathed. Only Paiste’s most experienced
cymbalsmiths get to work on Masters models,
though Paiste points out that a fair chunk of
its Swiss workforce has been at the company
long enough to fall into this category. The
cymbals share similarly shallow profi les, fi ne
lathing and a profusion of delicate hammer
marks (with the exception of the Swish, which
is pocked with deeper hammering). The bells
rise to a reasonable height but do not distract
from the gentle curvature on show.
Though the 20"–24" Thins are capable of
being both crashed and ridden, Paiste
deliberately chose not to label them as crash/
rides. The theory goes that naming the
cymbals by weight rather than function is
more neutral and lets the drummer decide
how he or she wants to use them. The only
From £442.80 Big but far from brash, Paiste
Masters new models are smooth and super-sized
PAISTE
MASTERS
ADDITIONS
WORDS: ADAM JONES
THERE IS SOME BRIGHTNESS
PRESENT IN THE NOTE BUT IT’S OF
THE MOST REFINED CHARACTER
– LIKE THE PRODUCT OF AN EXCLUSIVE
SWISS FINISHING SCHOOL
1
SABIAN ARTISAN
ELITE HI-HATS
AND RIDES
We say: “At the pinnacle
of Sabian’s craft, but
such exquisite cymbals
do not come cheap.”
2
ZILDJIAN K
KEROPE HI-HATS
AND RIDES
We say: “ Dark and
mysterious, malleable
and full of complex,
bittersweet character. ”
other cymbals designated Thins in Paiste’s
stable are found in its Giant Beat range where,
coincidentally, you’ll fi nd the only other 16"
Paiste hi-hats. Jim Keltner’s involvement with
the development of the 22" Swish appears to
have been substantial, with Paiste describing
the fi nished product as his concept of a Swish.
Hands On
The hats are paired with a thin top cymbal
and a medium thin bottom and all three
diameters will pitch bend when closed by
AS IF BY MAGIC
The stunning 22" Swish was
developed at the request of
Paiste endorsee Jim Keltner
applying pressure to the hi-hat pedal.
Starting with the 14" pair, I’m struck by just
how mellow they sound; it’s as though a
sound engineer has smoothed off any
top-end spikiness. There is some brightness
present in the note but it’s of the most
refi ned character – like the product of an
exclusive Swiss fi nishing school. Such
credentials don’t prevent them from
responding instantly to the lightest of
prompts, though. Played gently with stick
tips the sound is as close to woody as you’ll
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RHY275.gear_paiste.indd 94 02/11/2017 15:53