General Question . . .

[Sound Creation Rob]

Can anyone tell me when Paiste first began manufacturing Planet gongs, and Sound Creation gongs? I'm going to do a clinic / concert at my music shop in August and I'd like to get some historical background.

Thanks for the help!

Rob

[paiste]

Hi Rob, with the Planet Gongs we start in the early 90s. 1992/93 and with the SCGs in the early 80s 1981/82.

[Michael Bettine]

I actually have Paiste brochures from 1978 introducing the "Proto Gong" series, and from 1979 with them renamed "Sound Creation" Gong series…

[bluejacketsfan]

Good info here! I saw in the one brochure something called "Flat Gong Play". Any more info known about those? When started/discontinued? B8, I assume?

Oh, and any idea what year the Symphonic and Accent Gongs started? I think the Brilliant SG's started in 2011.

[Michael Bettine]

The Flat Gong Play was made from NS12, like the other Paiste Gongs. It was originally made as a 1-octive set in the late 1970s, then later also offered as a 1-1/2 octave set in the early 1980s. It was a catalog item until about 1990/91. Famous users of the set were Pierre Moerlen of the French band, Gong, Italian percussionist Andrea Centazzo, Swiss percussionist Pierre Favre, and Terry Bozzio, who has a black Colorsound set. You can often see his set in Drum Channel jams.

[Sound Creation Rob]

Hi Michael,

     Thanks for all the info! The brochures reminded me of the back of the "Percussion Profiles" LP which I recall you mentioned in an interview. 

Thank you for the help!

Rob

[Phil McNamara]

My source for the introduction of the 'Proto' gongs also stated 1978. I'm not quite sure when the Symphonics were introduced. In my book, I claim that the version we see today was around in the 1950's but there is a photo in James Blades book on percussion showing Paiste gong makers working on a symphonic and their attire would seem to indicate an earlier date.