Paiste

Paiste cymbals, gongs and percussion instruments

Paiste is one of the world’s best-known manufacturers of cymbals, gongs and percussion instruments. The family-owned company combines traditional craftsmanship with continuous sound development and offers instruments for drummers, percussionists, orchestras and marching bands.

Working closely with professional musicians, Paiste develops distinctive instruments for a wide variety of musical styles and applications. Production in Switzerland and Germany stands for high precision, consistent sound and meticulous workmanship. Read more ...

Paiste – a Swiss cymbal manufacturer with a long tradition

The history of the Paiste family business

The history of Paiste dates back to the first half of the 20th century. After Michail Toomas Paiste had already manufactured cymbals and gongs during the 1920s and 1930s, his son Michail M. Paiste founded a new company in Germany in 1945. A further production facility was established in Switzerland in 1957, where the brand’s headquarters remain today.

With Robert and Toomas Paiste joining the company, the site in Nottwil in the canton of Lucerne developed into the centre of Paiste’s international business activities. Further branches followed later, including Paiste America and locations in Estonia and Spain.

Cymbal series for drum kits, marching bands and orchestras

Paiste offers an extensive range of drum set cymbals, concert cymbals, marching cymbals, gongs and other percussion instruments. The different series cover a wide variety of sound concepts, musical styles and price ranges – from versatile cymbal sets for beginners to professional instruments for stage and studio use.

Well-known product lines include the 2002 Series, PST5 and RUDE. Depending on the series, the instruments differ in alloy, weight, surface treatment, response and tonal character.

Distinctive sounds through precise manufacturing

Paiste instruments are created through a combination of craftsmanship, precise processing and targeted sound control. The aim is to achieve highly consistent characteristics within each series without losing the individual character of every cymbal or gong.

This makes Paiste instruments suitable for a wide range of applications, from rock, pop, metal and jazz to orchestral, marching and experimental music.

Paiste instruments used by professional drummers

Many renowned drummers use cymbals and percussion instruments from Paiste. They include Stewart Copeland, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, Tico Torres, Larry Mullen Jr. and Dave Lombardo.

Working with professional musicians helps Paiste develop new sound concepts and adapt existing series to the demands of stage, studio and live performance.