Paiste are one of the most iconic cymbal brands in the world - a Swiss company with over 100 years of cymbal-making heritage, whose instruments have been used by Keith Moon, John Bonham, Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, and virtually every major rock drummer of the last five decades. Their range spans from the accessible PST3 all the way to the handcrafted Signature and Masters series - and every series has a distinct character, alloy, and intended use.
Into Music Store stocks the full Paiste cymbal range in Horncastle, Lincolnshire - one of the most comprehensive Paiste selections available from a UK independent drum shop. This guide covers every series to help you find the right cymbals for your playing style and budget.
What Makes Paiste Different?
Paiste are unique among major cymbal brands in that they use their own proprietary alloys rather than the traditional B20 bronze used by most competitors. Their most widely used alloy is CuSn8 (copper with 8% tin) - a bright, cutting, and highly consistent alloy that produces Paiste's signature sound: clear, powerful, and immediately recognisable. Higher-end series use 2002 Bronze and Signature Bronze alloys for a more complex, nuanced character. This commitment to proprietary alloys means Paiste cymbals have a consistency and predictability that many drummers find invaluable - every cymbal in a series sounds like it belongs together.
Paiste Cymbal Series - From Entry Level to Professional
Paiste 101 - The Starting Point
The Paiste 101 Brass Universal Box Set is the most accessible entry point to the Paiste range - a complete hi-hat, crash, and ride set in a single box. Made from brass rather than bronze, the 101 is designed for absolute beginners who want a reliable, playable set of cymbals from a trusted brand at the lowest possible price.
Best for: Absolute beginners, young players, first cymbal setup.
Paiste PST3 - Entry-Level Bronze
The Paiste PST3 steps up to CuSn8 bronze - a meaningful upgrade in tonal quality over the 101. Available in a Universal Set (14" Hi-Hats, 16" Crash, 20" Ride) and individual cymbals including 14" and 13" hi-hats, crashes (16"), 20" ride, 18" china, and 10" splash. The PST3 Effects Pack adds china and splash for players who want to expand their setup.
Best for: Beginners ready to step up from brass, players who want genuine Paiste bronze at an accessible price.
Paiste PST5 - A Significant Step Up
The Paiste PST5 uses a more refined CuSn8 alloy with improved manufacturing for a noticeably better tone and response than the PST3. Available as a Universal Box Set and individual cymbals including 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats, crashes (16", 18"), 20" ride, and splashes (8", 10"). The PST5 Effects Pack is a great way to add character to an existing setup.
Best for: Intermediate players, drummers upgrading from a beginner cymbal set.
Paiste PST7 - Professional Character, Mid-Range Price
The Paiste PST7 is where the range becomes genuinely impressive - a professional-grade CuSn8 alloy with hand-hammering for a more complex, musical tone. Available in three complete sets - Universal, Session, and Rock - plus an extensive individual range covering crashes (16", 17", 18", 19"), 20" ride, Heavy Ride, 14" hi-hats, Heavy Hi-Hats, china (14", 18"), and the PST7 Effects Set.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced players, gigging drummers who want professional Paiste character without the professional price tag.
Paiste PST8 Reflector - Brilliant Finish, Maximum Projection
The Paiste PST8 Reflector adds a brilliant mirror finish to the PST7's specification for an even brighter, more cutting tone with maximum projection. Available in Universal, Rock, and Effects sets, plus individual crashes, rides, hi-hats, splashes, and china. The Rock configuration is particularly popular for high-volume playing where maximum cut-through is essential.
Best for: Rock and metal drummers who want maximum brightness and projection.
Paiste PSTX - Effects and Innovation
The Paiste PSTX range is designed for drummers who want to push beyond conventional cymbal sounds. The Swiss series features a distinctive hole-punched design for a dry, trashy, fast-decaying character - available in 14", 10", and 16" hi-hats, crashes (18", 20"), and splashes. The PSTX Splash Stacks and Pure Bell cymbals add further effects options.
Best for: Drummers who want effects and specialty sounds, modern and experimental playing styles.
Paiste 900 Series - A Serious Step Up
The Paiste 900 Series uses a higher-grade CuSn8 alloy with more refined manufacturing for a noticeably more complex and musical tone than the PST range. Available across a comprehensive range of crashes (17", 18", 19", 20"), rides (20", 22", 24" Mega Ride), hi-hats (Medium and Heavy), china, and splashes.
Best for: Advanced players who want a step up from the PST range without moving to the 2002 price point.
Paiste 2002 - The Iconic Professional Standard
The Paiste 2002 is one of the most iconic cymbal series ever made - the sound of classic rock, used by John Bonham, Keith Moon, Carl Palmer, and generations of professional drummers. Made from Paiste's proprietary 2002 Bronze alloy, the 2002 has a bright, powerful, and immediately recognisable character that has defined the sound of rock drumming for over 50 years.
The range is extensive - crashes in Thin (16", 18", 17", 19"), Medium (16", 18", 20"), Power (16" to 22"), and standard (16" to 22"). Rides in 20", 22", and 24", plus Power Ride (20", 22") and Heavy Ride (20", 22"). Hi-hats in Sound Edge (13", 14", 15"), Medium, and Heavy. Plus china (16", 18", 20"), splashes (8", 10", 12"), and the 10" Mega Bell.
The 2002 Black Label Big Beat sub-series deserves special mention - larger, heavier cymbals (18" to 24") with an even more powerful and authoritative character, including the spectacular 15" and 16" Big Beat Hi-Hats.
Best for: Rock, metal, and high-energy drummers who want the classic Paiste professional sound. The 2002 is the benchmark.
Paiste Giant Beat - Vintage Power
The Paiste Giant Beat is a vintage-inspired series with a warm, powerful, and distinctly retro character - the sound of 1970s rock. Available in multi-purpose cymbals from 18" to 26", hi-hats in 14" and 16". The 26" Giant Beat is one of the most spectacular cymbals Paiste make.
Best for: Drummers who love vintage rock tones, players who want something genuinely different from the 2002 character.
Paiste Dark Energy - Dark, Complex, and Powerful
The Paiste Dark Energy Mk1 series uses a darker, more complex alloy for a warmer, less bright character than the 2002 - while retaining Paiste's power and projection. Available in crashes (16", 17", 18", 19"), rides (20", 21", 22"), hi-hats (14", 15"), and splashes.
Best for: Drummers who want Paiste power with a darker, more complex tonal character.
Paiste Formula 602 - The Professional's Choice
The Paiste Formula 602 is one of the most acclaimed professional cymbal series available - hand-hammered B8 bronze with an extraordinarily complex, musical, and responsive character. Available in two sub-series:
- Modern Essentials - a contemporary character with a bright, clear, and highly musical tone. Available in hi-hats (14", 15"), crashes (16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"), 22" ride, china (18", 22"), and splashes (8", 10").
- Classic - a warmer, more vintage-inspired character. Available in hi-hats (14"), crashes (16", 17", 18", 19", 20"), and rides (20", 22", 24").
Best for: Professional drummers across all styles who want the finest Paiste has to offer at this price point.
Paiste Masters - The Pinnacle
The Paiste Masters series is the absolute pinnacle of Paiste's production - hand-crafted cymbals using Paiste's finest alloys and the most refined manufacturing process. Available in Dark (hi-hats, crashes from 16" to 20", rides), Dry (20", 21", 22"), Extra Thin Crash (18", 20"), and the 15" Thin Hi-Hats.
Best for: Professional drummers who want the absolute best Paiste produces.
Paiste Signature - The Artist's Choice
The Paiste Signature series uses Paiste's proprietary Signature Bronze alloy - a complex, nuanced, and highly musical alloy developed in collaboration with professional artists. Available in Full Crash (14", 15", 16", 17", 18", 19", 20"), splashes (6", 8", 10", 12"), and the 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats.
Best for: Professional and serious amateur drummers who want the most refined and musical Paiste cymbals available.
Which Paiste Series Should You Choose?
- Absolute beginner: → Paiste 101 Box Set
- Beginner wanting bronze: → PST3 Universal Set
- Intermediate upgrade: → PST5 or PST7
- Rock/metal, maximum brightness: → PST8 Reflector Rock or 2002
- Classic rock sound: → Paiste 2002
- Vintage rock tone: → Giant Beat
- Dark, powerful, complex: → Dark Energy
- Professional, all styles: → Formula 602
- The absolute best: → Masters or Signature
Shop Paiste Cymbals at Into Music Store - Horncastle, Lincolnshire
Into Music Store stocks one of the most comprehensive Paiste cymbal selections available from a UK independent drum shop - both online and in our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where you're welcome to come in and try cymbals in person before you buy. Our team of experienced drummers are on hand to help you find the right Paiste cymbals for your playing style and budget.
If you're looking for Paiste cymbals UK, a cymbal shop near me stocking the full Paiste range, or expert advice on which series is right for you, Into Music Store is the place to visit. UK next day delivery is available on all Paiste cymbals.
Browse the full Paiste cymbal range at Into Music Store here.