Paiste Formula 602 Cymbals - Clear, Open, and Built for Expressive Playing
The Paiste Formula 602 is one of the most respected professional cymbal series in the world - a range built for drummers who want a clear, open sound that lets every nuance of their playing come through. Sensitive, musical, and responsive across the full dynamic range, the 602 is a favourite among jazz, studio, and orchestral drummers who need a cymbal that gets out of the way and lets the music breathe.
Originally introduced in the 1960s, the Formula 602 has been used by some of the most celebrated drummers in jazz history. The range is available in two distinct sub-series: the Modern Essentials for a contemporary take on the classic 602 voice, and the Classic series for a more traditional, vintage-inspired character.
Modern Essentials Series
The Modern Essentials brings the 602 voice into a contemporary context - clear, responsive, and versatile across a wide range of styles. Available in hi-hats, crashes from 16" to 22", a 22" Ride, China cymbals in 18" and 22", and splashes in 8" and 10".
Classic Series
The Classic sub-series delivers a more traditional, vintage-inspired 602 character - warm, open, and deeply musical. Crashes available in 16" to 20", medium rides in 20", 22", and 24", and 14" Medium Hi-Hats.
Why Choose Paiste Formula 602 Cymbals?
Clear, Open Tone - Every nuance of your playing comes through - nothing gets lost in the mix
Sensitive and Expressive - Responds beautifully from the lightest brush stroke to full-volume playing
Two Sub-Series - Modern Essentials for a contemporary voice, Classic for a traditional vintage character
Jazz and Studio Heritage - One of the most respected professional cymbal ranges in jazz and studio drumming
Professional Quality - Handcrafted from premium CuSn8 bronze to exacting standards
Sound Character: Full, warm, brilliant, shimmering, deep. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Quick response, fairly soft feel. Rich, strong crash sound with open low end and shimmering highs. Very versatile, responsive crash cymbal suitable for numerous musical styles.
Series Description: Forged from the legendary «602 Bronze» offering a complete new wide and dynamic sound dimension, developed in close collaboration with Vinnie Colaiuta, handcrafted from start to finish by highly skilled Swiss craftsmen, conceived and executed according to Vinnie’s uncompromising sound concepts for a wide all-round application. Formula 602 Modern Essentials cymbals combine the essence of the Formula 602 Classic Sounds models – transparency and stick definition – with the richness, warmth, darkness and a bit of complexity of the Signature Traditionals series besides providing slightly more pizzazz than its Classic Sounds siblings.
Sound Character: Full, warm, brilliant, shimmering, deep. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Quick response, fairly soft feel. Rich, strong crash sound with open low end and shimmering highs. Very versatile, responsive crash cymbal suitable for numerous musical styles.
Series Description: Forged from the legendary «602 Bronze» offering a complete new wide and dynamic sound dimension, developed in close collaboration with Vinnie Colaiuta, handcrafted from start to finish by highly skilled Swiss craftsmen, conceived and executed according to Vinnie’s uncompromising sound concepts for a wide all-round application. Formula 602 Modern Essentials cymbals combine the essence of the Formula 602 Classic Sounds models – transparency and stick definition – with the richness, warmth, darkness and a bit of complexity of the Signature Traditionals series besides providing slightly more pizzazz than its Classic Sounds siblings.
Sound Character: Full, warm, brilliant, shimmering, deep. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Quick response, fairly soft feel. Rich, strong crash sound with open low end and shimmering highs. Very versatile, responsive crash cymbal suitable for numerous musical styles.
Series Description: Forged from the legendary «602 Bronze» offering a complete new wide and dynamic sound dimension, developed in close collaboration with Vinnie Colaiuta, handcrafted from start to finish by highly skilled Swiss craftsmen, conceived and executed according to Vinnie’s uncompromising sound concepts for a wide all-round application. Formula 602 Modern Essentials cymbals combine the essence of the Formula 602 Classic Sounds models – transparency and stick definition – with the richness, warmth, darkness and a bit of complexity of the Signature Traditionals series besides providing slightly more pizzazz than its Classic Sounds siblings.
Forged from the legendary Paiste 602 Bronze, the 602 Modern Essentials range has been handcrafted in Switzerland to the expert ear of Vinnie Colaiuta. Designed to be a wide all-round cymbal series, the 602 Modern Essentials combine the essence of the 602 Classics with richness and warmth of the Signature Traditionals. The result is a transparent, defined sound with darkness and complexity that is versatile and perfect for recording.
Features
Designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for maximum versatility
Lively, warm, transparent sound
Excellent stick definition
Controllable wide, deep wash with wide dynamic range
Forged from the legendary Paiste 602 Bronze, the 602 Modern Essentials range has been handcrafted in Switzerland to the expert ear of Vinnie Colaiuta. Designed to be a wide all-round cymbal series, the 602 Modern Essentials combine the essence of the 602 Classics with richness and warmth of the Signature Traditionals. The result is a transparent, defined sound with darkness and complexity that is versatile and perfect for recording.
Features
Designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for maximum versatility
Lively, warm, transparent sound
Excellent stick definition
Controllable wide, deep wash with wide dynamic range
Forged from the legendary Paiste 602 Bronze, the 602 Modern Essentials range has been handcrafted in Switzerland to the expert ear of Vinnie Colaiuta. Designed to be a wide all-round cymbal series, the 602 Modern Essentials combine the essence of the 602 Classics with richness and warmth of the Signature Traditionals. The result is a transparent, defined sound with darkness and complexity that is versatile and perfect for recording.
Features
Designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for maximum versatility
Lively, warm, transparent sound
Excellent stick definition
Controllable wide, deep wash with wide dynamic range
Forged from the legendary Paiste 602 Bronze, the 602 Modern Essentials range has been handcrafted in Switzerland to the expert ear of Vinnie Colaiuta. Designed to be a wide all-round cymbal series, the 602 Modern Essentials combine the essence of the 602 Classics with richness and warmth of the Signature Traditionals. The result is a transparent, defined sound with darkness and complexity that is versatile and perfect for recording.
Features
Designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for maximum versatility
Lively, warm, transparent sound
Excellent stick definition
Controllable wide, deep wash with wide dynamic range
Forged from the legendary Paiste 602 Bronze, the 602 Modern Essentials range has been handcrafted in Switzerland to the expert ear of Vinnie Colaiuta. Designed to be a wide all-round cymbal series, the 602 Modern Essentials combine the essence of the 602 Classics with richness and warmth of the Signature Traditionals. The result is a transparent, defined sound with darkness and complexity that is versatile and perfect for recording.
Features
Designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for maximum versatility
Lively, warm, transparent sound
Excellent stick definition
Controllable wide, deep wash with wide dynamic range
Forged from the legendary Paiste 602 Bronze, the 602 Modern Essentials range has been handcrafted in Switzerland to the expert ear of Vinnie Colaiuta. Designed to be a wide all-round cymbal series, the 602 Modern Essentials combine the essence of the 602 Classics with richness and warmth of the Signature Traditionals. The result is a transparent, defined sound with darkness and complexity that is versatile and perfect for recording.
Features
Designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for maximum versatility
Lively, warm, transparent sound
Excellent stick definition
Controllable wide, deep wash with wide dynamic range
Paiste’s Formula 602 Cymbals provide you with outstanding true & pure sounds. This Series works best with soft, delicate to medium loud volume settings and is ideal for Jazz, Fusion, Blues, moderate Pop and Rock, Country, Folk and acoustic music. The 16” Formula 602 Thin Crash offers you a soft, shimmering feel combined with a retro edge. This light crash cymbal is suited to many music styles.
Paiste’s Formula 602 Cymbals provide you with outstanding true & pure sounds. This Series works best with soft, delicate to medium loud volume settings and is ideal for Jazz, Fusion, Blues, moderate Pop and Rock, Country, Folk and acoustic music. The Formula 602 Thin Crash offers you a soft, shimmering feel combined with a retro edge. This light crash cymbal is suited to many music styles.
Paiste’s Formula 602 Cymbals provide you with outstanding true & pure sounds. This Series works best with soft, delicate to medium loud volume settings and is ideal for Jazz, Fusion, Blues, moderate Pop and Rock, Country, Folk and acoustic music. The Formula 602 Thin Crash offers you a soft, shimmering feel combined with a retro edge. This light crash cymbal is suited to many music styles.
Paiste’s Formula 602 Cymbals provide you with outstanding true & pure sounds. This Series works best with soft, delicate to medium loud volume settings and is ideal for Jazz, Fusion, Blues, moderate Pop and Rock, Country, Folk and acoustic music. The Formula 602 Thin Crash offers you a soft, shimmering feel combined with a retro edge. This light crash cymbal is suited to many music styles.
Paiste’s Formula 602 Cymbals provide you with outstanding true & pure sounds. This Series works best with soft, delicate to medium loud volume settings and is ideal for Jazz, Fusion, Blues, moderate Pop and Rock, Country, Folk and acoustic music. The Formula 602 Thin Crash offers you a soft, shimmering feel combined with a retro edge. This light crash cymbal is suited to many music styles.
Formula 602 Medium Ride cymbal is extremely controlled and balanced. Featuring a sparkling stick sound along with breathy wash. The medium weight cymbal is ideal for most music styles that are played at a moderate level. The Formula 602 Medium Ride is perfect for those who want to be heard due to the loud volume.
Formula 602 Medium Ride cymbal is extremely controlled and balanced. Featuring a sparkling stick sound along with breathy wash. The medium weight cymbal is ideal for most music styles that are played at a moderate level. The Formula 602 Medium Ride is perfect for those who want to be heard due to the loud volume.
Formula 602 Medium Ride cymbal is extremely controlled and balanced. Featuring a sparkling stick sound along with breathy wash. The medium weight cymbal is ideal for most music styles that are played at a moderate level. The Formula 602 Medium Ride is perfect for those who want to be heard due to the loud volume.
Paiste’s Formula 602 Cymbals provide you with outstanding true & pure sounds. This Series works best with soft, delicate to medium loud volume settings and is ideal for Jazz, Fusion, Blues, moderate Pop and Rock, Country, Folk and acoustic music. The Formula 602 Medium Hi Hat is easy to control and has an overall soft feel. These Paiste Hi Hats provide you with lively, responsive and warm open sounds along with a full and precise chick sound.
FEATURES:
CuSn20 Traditional Bronze
Perfect For Studio Applications
Versatile
Medium Sustain
Buy Paiste Formula 602 Cymbals from a Specialist UK Drum Store
Into Music Store stocks the full Paiste Formula 602 range online and in our physical store in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. The 602 is a professional-grade range that rewards being heard in person - if you're searching for a specialist drum store near me with genuine knowledge of professional Paiste cymbals, visit us in store and our team will be happy to help you compare the Modern Essentials and Classic sub-series and find the right cymbal for your sound.
The Formula 602 sits alongside the Masters and Signature series at the professional end of the Paiste lineup. If you're looking for a brighter, more powerful sound for rock and live performance, the Paiste 2002 is the natural alternative. For a darker, drier professional sound, the Masters Dark range is worth exploring. We offer next day delivery options across the UK on all Paiste Formula 602 cymbals. Browse the full range above or get in touch for personalised advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Paiste Formula 602 is a professional cymbal range known for its clear, open, and expressive tone. Originally introduced in the 1960s, the 602 is a favourite among jazz, studio, and orchestral drummers who need a cymbal that responds sensitively and lets every nuance of their playing come through. The range is available in two sub-series - Modern Essentials and Classic.
The Modern Essentials brings the 602 voice into a contemporary context - clear, versatile, and suited to a wide range of styles. The Classic sub-series delivers a more traditional, vintage-inspired character - warmer, more open, and deeply musical. Both share the same fundamental 602 sensitivity and expressiveness.
The Paiste 2002 is bright, powerful, and cutting - built for rock and high-volume playing where projection and attack are the priority. The Formula 602 is clear, open, and sensitive - built for jazz, studio, and orchestral contexts where dynamic nuance and musical expression matter most. The two series suit very different playing styles and musical contexts.
Both the Formula 602 and Masters series are professional ranges suited to sensitive, nuanced playing. The 602 is known for its clear, open, and expressive character - ideal for jazz and studio work. The Masters series, particularly the Masters Dark sub-range, offers a darker, drier, and more controlled sound. The choice between them comes down to whether you prefer an open, musical tone or a darker, more focused one.
Yes - the Paiste Formula 602 is one of the most respected cymbal ranges in jazz drumming. The clear, open tone, exceptional sensitivity, and wide dynamic range make it an excellent choice for jazz, studio recording, and orchestral playing where expressiveness and musicality are the priority.
Yes - next day delivery options are available across the UK on all Paiste Formula 602 cymbals. You can also visit our drum store in Horncastle, Lincolnshire to try them in person before you buy.
