Paiste is one of the world's largest manufacturers of cymbals. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word and it means "shine". The company's website indicates, "the correct pronunciation for 'Paiste' is 'Pie-stee'. As Mario Calire of Ozomatli says, 'it rhymes with feisty'!" History: The first Paiste cymbals were produced in 1906 by Estonian musician Toomas Paiste in his instrument repair shop in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to customer orders. Toomas had served in the Czarist Guard, and retired in 1901 to open a music publishing business and music shop. The cymbal making aspect of the business expanded with the passing years, despite the disruption of several moves necessitated by war, firstly to Tallinn in Estonia in 1917, where Toomas' son Michael Paiste decided to concentrate on cymbal production and export. In 1940 the family and the cymbal making operation moved to Poland, where they continued under extremely difficult conditions, and in 1945 to Germany, and then in 1957 a new headquarters and production facility was established in Switzerland. The business was continued by Michael's sons Robert and Toomas, with both the Swiss and German operations as the main manufacturing centres. Notable artists John Bonham of Led Zeppelin Roger Taylor of Queen (1973-83, 1988 and 1989) Alex Van Halen of Van Halen Chester Thompson, touring drummer for Genesis and Frank Zappa (1973-88) Eric Carr of KISS Prairie Prince of The Tubes Don Henley of Eagles Nick Mason of Pink Floyd Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden Keith Moon of The Who Cozy Powell Phil Rudd of AC/DC (1975-83, 1994-Present) Chris Slade of David Gilmour, The Firm, AC/DC (1990-93) Ian Paice of Deep Purple Dave Holland of Judas Priest (1979-89) Scott Travis of Judas Priest Mykill (Mike) Aresco original drummer of Lost Soul Paul Wertico formerly of The Pat Metheny Group Dave Lombardo of Slayer, Grip Inc. and Fantômas Paul Bostaph of Exodus, Slayer, Forbidden, Systematic, Truth About Seafood Tommy Portimo of Sonata Arctica Stewart Copeland of The Police Bill Bruford of King Crimson, Yes, Earthworks Yuri Ruley of MxPx Joey Jordison of Slipknot and Ministry Torstein Lofthus of Shining Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave Danny Carey of Tool David Silveria of Korn John Dolmayan of System of a Down Bill Ransom, Independent Larry Mullen Jr. of U2 Jeff Plate of Trans-Siberian Orchestra Johnny Fay of The Tragically Hip Josh Freese - studio drummer, The Vandals, A Perfect Circle Charlie Benante of Anthrax Jukka Nevalainen of Nightwish Joey Castillo of Queens of the Stone Age