Paiste Cymbal Traditional Light Ride & 2002 Extreme Crash

These two very different cymbals are recent additions to the Paiste catalogue, offering contrast and colour in varying degrees that will undoubtedly enhance your percussive game.

First up, the 20” Light Ride that joins Paiste’s Traditional line, a series which sets out to recreate the ‘lost’ cymbal sounds of yesteryear’s blues, jazz and big-band era. This cymbal really looks the business and offers a low-pitched, soft, buttery sound, with a simply stunning and very controllable ride pattern that cuts right through without being overpowering. We tested it in a big-band scenario and found that it gave us a little more power than our current favourite – Paiste’s 602 Modern Essential. Loved it!

The Extreme Crash is the latest cymbal to be launched in the 2002 range, which was always aimed at providing a quality sound with additional volume. So, no surprise then that this cymbal was extremely loud, though you have to hit it hard to get a response. When you do, it’s explosive! These are heavy cymbals and we’re not entirely sure why Paiste have brought them to market in three very similar sizes, except to say that it’s in keeping with the other models in the 2002 Crash range.

Playing them, we struggled to hear any significant difference between the 18” and 19”, or 19” and 20”. The Extreme Crash is one of those cymbals that you would keep in reserve, as opposed to being a regular kit feature, standing ready when the need arises for a more thunderous sonic statement!

Further information: www.paiste.com

This review originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of Jazzwise. Never miss an issue – subscribe today!