This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the July 2016 issue, which is available here.

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Paiste

2002 Big Beat Cymbals

Thinner, warmer, and more complex sounding than their classic-rock counterparts.

Paiste’s first B8 bronze cymbal line, the lightweight and bright-sounding Giant Beat, was launched in 1967, which was right at the time when British rock was beginning to dominate the airways. Many of the genre’s drummers used those cymbals, including Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham. But as the bands became more successful and began playing to bigger crowds in larger venues, the stage volume eventually surpassed the point where the Giant Beats could keep up. Paiste’s answer was to develop a sturdier line, called 2002, which debuted in 1971. The 2002 series has since become a top choice for drummers playing all types of rock, punk, blues, modern country, metal, and more.

To round out its professional-grade B8 bronze offerings, Paiste developed a new subseries, called Big Beat, which provides the soft, buttery feel of the Giant Beats and the precise, powerful tones of the 2002, with additional complexity and warmth created by a semi-matte finish and a new traditional-style hammering pattern. These cymbals are said to be ideal for soft to loud playing—either live or in the studio—in classic rock, indie-rock, blues, country, R&B, and soul. Big Beats are available in limited sizes, which include 15″ and 16″ hi-hats and 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″, and 24″ crash-rides.

Michael Dawson
 
For the complete review, check out the July 2016 issue, which is available here.