12'' Cymbals

Paiste 302 Splash

This is the cheapest splash cymbal Paiste has to offer (as far as I know). To me it's more like a fast miniature crash rather than a splash, because its decay is not as fast as with smaller splashes. Brass has little tonal richness, so this is probably why Paiste don't offer smaller ones. I also use this little cymbal in stacks together with other cymbals. When stacking, a rich sustain is not really an advantage because of the two cymbals hindering each other from ringing freely. The hammering of this cymbal is very even, obviously machine-made. I suspect it's hammered mainly for good looks. I don't think the hammering has much effect on the sound. The grooves are broad and shallow, and very even, too.
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Paiste Sound Formula Thin China

This is the smallest china in my collection. It's made of PSA. Due its small size and little thickness it is as quick as a splash, at the same time cutting and brilliant. It's very clean compared to a Wuhan china, for instance. I use it mainly in stacks, for example underneath the 302 Splash.
(no sample yet)

Istanbul Turk Bell

This B20 cymbal is heavy, unlathed with coarse hand hammering and long sustain. The edge is not perfectly flat, which makes using it as a hi-hat bottom a little problematic. I usually use it underneath the SF Micro HH Top.
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Paiste Sound Formula Micro Hi-Hat Top

This PSA cymbal is meant to be the top of a Sound Formula Micro Hi-Hat pair. I prefer to use a different bottom, though, my Istanbul Bell, which adds authority and cut to the chick. The Micro Hi-Hat Top is medium weight, very brilliant and cutting, with considerable power for its size. The small diameter makes it super-fast, very suitable for up-tempo hi-hat barks.
(no sample yet)