Your favourite drumsticks?

[DD_Timekeeper]

After 10 years spent playing with Vic Firth 5A, but also trying many different models, and always returning back, now in my "Virgil Era" I've changed (improved) my playing to a more powerful way. My preferred drumstick now are Vater Power 5B normal playing, and...guess? Virgil Donati's Assault while practising! :D and also, I have you found a curious relationship between my favourite stick lenght and forearm: the more they're the same, the more I feel comfortable... What about you?

[vdreignsuponus1]

vater sugar maple cymbal sticks, ball tips!:D

[pcannon]

Thomas Lang signature stick. Modeled very close to Virgils sticks, that's what thomas used before VF made him a stick. It follows the theory of core drummers, they play very intricate patterns, and bigger sticks makes this easier. I've had to adjust my technique to let the stick do the work.

[Protactinum]

i always used 2B with barrel tips. when i found out about virgil, i discovered he used a very similar stick. so, i play with his signiture sticks or with vater 2B hickory

[C.J.]

The funny thing is that I started playing some time ago with these sticks that are quite thick, with round barrel type tips, that I found really comfortable.

A few months after that I heard about this guy who was an amazing drummer with astonishing technique who became my hero...

The sticks happened to be the Assaults, the drummer happened to be Virg. What a coincidence heh?

That to say that I have tried many sticks but I have never felt as comfortable with other sticks that I am with Virg's Assaults. I simply love 'em and I am on them forever!!

Cheers,
Me.

P.S. PCcannon, aren't Thomas' sticks based on the old Virg signature sticks? The Shedders?

[dave wilkinson]

yeah i did settle on vic firth 5a's, but for me for some reason when im playing i just feel more comfortable with the 7a's, i never really enjoyed playing different dynamics with a heavier stick, i for some reason ive come to prefer having that nice light stick for quick, light dynamics, and if i want to play heavier or louder, playing heavier with the lighter sticks, so it definetly has to be them 7a's :D, otherwise id go with the pro mark 5a's :)

[starclassic123]

i play the vater fusion model. it's just a little bit heavier than a 5a.
and for lighter sounds or jazz i use the john blackwell signature stick.

all the best

r

[andy_da_drummer]

I play thomas lang signature stick from vic firth. there a really cool stick and have a great balance to them, It takes time 2 use to them but when you do there a great stick to play.

andy

[Benn]

vater 5a los angeles custom

they are fairly light so thats nice after youv played with heavier sticks but i do like chad smith customs sticls too

i hate vic firth sorry i really do they all seem really unbalanced and heavy at one end i dunno if thats how you are meant to play them but damn i hate them

anyhoo thats me

[Holand]

Zildjian Vinnie Colaiuta signature.
The first thick pair of sticks I ever felt confortable with play soft or hard/heavy.

[C.J.]

Holand,

What's the thickness and legth of those?

[Tama3186]

i like the Vic Firth terry bozzio phase 1 sticks, nice thickness, weight, balance etc. and i love the tips, you get plenty or projection from the toms and snare, but you dont get a muddled sound from the ride, so i like it.. before that, i was quite partial to the promark 707, and 747 rock, with either the wood or nylon, the wood ones are the simon phillips sig. i like those alot too. i still have not tried virgils sticks, but soon enough, ill buy a few pairs to try out, im sure ill like them even tho they are a bit thicker than what im used to, but like someone was saying, the bigger stick does the work for you, all that beefy weight just moves all by its self.
try the phase 1, quite lovely...

[morgenthaler]

I have turned towards bigger end beafier sticks over the last 6-7 years.
The assaults I use 98 % of the time, and the shedders are good for my workout on my moongel pad, but sometimes I dig up the powerhouses! I really gets into those now and then.
I believe Lang said it right when he said (when he was with Vater) "I play Shedder. Anything else is nitting needles!"

I feel strongly that maple sticks do nothing good for your technique! (me anyway)
Except ,maybe when buzzrolling...

[DD_Timekeeper]

Never tried a pair on maple drumsticks... what's the matter with it ?

[vdreignsuponus1]

i love my sugar maple cymbal sticks! i would never go back!

[hereswheristand]

I don't use any specific sticks especially, but right now im using vater 5B's and Danny Carey's Sig. stick :cool:

[pcannon]

Yes, the shredder was the model the VF--STL was spec'ed from. It's the shiznay on da shytai!

[C.J.]

Pc,

Have you used both the Shedders and the Lang signatures? If so, could you do a (sort of) review comparing the two sticks?

Me.

[pcannon]

I've tried shredders on a pad, for about 15sec, at a music store so I've never really "played" with them. All I know is that I used to bounce around alot with my stick choices. Since the STL's came out, that's all I've used. They just feel like the "perfect stick" for me! I always went by feel, and not brand name or price.

[DD_Timekeeper]

Anyone ever tried Johnny Rabb's "Rhythm Saw"? If so, what about? My mind is suggesting me they're someway more "flexable" than normal sticks, because of the "saw"...

[RadZS]

I have been using the Assaults, but recently I was able to get some shedders...and now i love them. I come from a heavy rudimental background, so i like having more stick in my hands. I tried the Lang sticks for a while, i like the size but listen to them on a ride cymbal, the tip is so damn big that it makes a ride cymbal sound like a giant crash. Plus, after using the Lang sticks...me and my drums were covered in white paint chips.

[Dillinger]

I use Vater 2B for normal playing. It's pretty much the stick inbetween the Shedders and Assaults, which is perfect for me. I always use 3S' for getting my hands into shape. After playing with those and then transferring to the 2B's, you can really soar around the kit a lot easier.

[Markdude465]

I don't understand the whole massive stick thing. What's the advantage of having a whole lot more crap to move? I guess I just don't understand the physics of it... that and I had to play with 2B's with my school band, and hated every minute of it.

I'd play with pencils, but they don't have enough reach :D

[vdreignsuponus1]

i used to play with 2B's. i played with them for about two months, got used to them and liked them, then i decided to buy some portnoy sigs and fell in love with those! now, im using my sugar maple cymbal sticks, ball tip, and i wuv em!:D

[C.J.]

Markdude,

Here's my thoery: it's easier to play soft with big sticks that it is to hit hard with small sticks.

[Ludwig]

I like:
- Vic Firth
- Pro mark
- Big stick

[Andrew Dennison]

I am a straight away vic firth 5A nylons, but also I have a question for everyone here. I've always felt that a stick with a weighted tip would make it easier to produce fast and controlled single strokes. So if anyone knows any stick that has a weighted tip, please let me know.

[berlin]

I practice with Vater Matrix John Blackwell and Vater Manhatan 7A, but I`m going to change them and try Virgil`s sticks. If anyone know the main differences between them let me know, please. thanks a lot!!

[C.J.]

Check out www.vater.com they have stick comparaisons over there.

[stapper15]

i really like the vater XD-5As Nylon tips

[berlin]

C.J thank you, I`ll check it out!

[caracicatriz]

Pro-mark Ian PAice model

[Where is she]

vic firth 2b wood tip or vic firth rock.there about the same

[grandpascorpion]

I'm a big fan of Vic Firth Rock N's now.

I used to use the massive Ralph Hardimon Corpsmaster sticks. Great for a full drum sound, pretty awful for cymbals.

[C.J.]

I just had to buy some Vic Firth Classic Rock stix (which I do not really like because the weight it concentrated towards the butt end of the stick on the contrary to Virgs) because, of all the pairs of Vater Assaults at my store, NONE were of same thickness or weight. I really got pissed. What's going on at Vater?!

[duggano]

got to say pro mark millenium 2's. Cheap and cheerful with no lacquer, I love the feeling of just bare wood on your hands, it makes the experience of playing drums much more 'connective' i think.

[Soya]

Been playing Promark stingers since they came out, love them. Before that is was the Promark 420's.

[D. Slam]

I use Vater Power 5B's and Vic Firth SD1's

[vdreignsuponus1]

once again, vater sugar maple cymbal sticks, ball tip!;)

[blueturnswhite]

vater smitty power fusion...but they are hard to find here so i will use zildjian power 5b

[IronCobraMan]

used to play regular vater 5b...now.....Vater 5b N's ..... never have that tip chipping off problem anymore....

[ghostnote3000]

pro mark 7a's

[poopchute]

i prefer the promark 747s in japanese oak wood tips they are balanced equally front and back and the tips dont chip nice weight

[C.J.]

I'm still enoyed with Vater for this stick problem with the Assults... They were supposed to be the best when it come to pairing the sticks. I'm mad at them... *sobs*

[dorothy]

for the longest time i would use pro mark 5B's, then tried to move to 7B's, but i kept snapping those like twigs, and the fives weren't a whole lot better. then i made the big switch about a year ago. i now use either Silver Fox C/S or M/B's. i still use the 5B's for my pad, but for kit use i need the monsters. i have durability cuz i don't have to work at an agressive sound, so it enables me to actually play faster and more technical.

[kewlkat]

I use the Travis Barker signature model. They are long sticks but they aren't too thick which makes them easy to handle. For me at least.

[Insane Drummer]

Vater Session
Vater 5a

Promark various small size models.

I like small sticks... but I have a little trouble gripping them sometimes (the span of my hand is 10 inchs).

[Shane G]

Your favourite drumsticks?

Hmmm...it depends on the gig.

Currently in my stick bag there are: (all vic Firth, btw)
Peter Erskine model
Extreme 5A
SD9

I find those will cover whatever situation Im playing.

[Royrksdrums777]

Johnny Rabb sticks 4 LIFE MAN, they are perfect in every way. If you ever get some, you'll know and agree with me somewhat depending on your grip and choke on the stick.

[toteman2]

Honestly, I've never been able to just stick with one stick...For some reason, I change types all the time...Sometimes I feel comfortable with Assaults, sometimes with Buddy Rich's, sometimes with Bollaro's, sometimes with gigaintic corp sticks...I think i all depends on how I'm feeling or what style my body is most in the mood for...This has always been the case for me...

[Markdude465]

Markdude,

Here's my thoery: it's easier to play soft with big sticks that it is to hit hard with small sticks.

That's another thing: I don't understand why people put effort into playing hard. I tend to be too loud without trying to be, and I use 7a's or 8d's. And if you need to be louder, and you're mic'ed, why not just turn it up?

[C.J.]

Personnally I do not put effort in to playing hard... But I would be if I was using chopsticks to play hard. I did say that was MY way of seing things (that many others share).

[seibert]

C. Ibañes 902 pop
C. Ibañes 911 rock

[MerDeNoms]

I use the Assaults, I like the rounded tip and the length. They are awesome :D.

[yyzke]

Long time user of Pro-mark 5A's recently been trying Vater Josh Freese model I think it's the 220. Just slightly fatter than the 5A's and I like 'em.

[C.J.]

They're not my favorite stix but since I can't find a decent pair of VD Assaults, I'm using the Vic Firth Classic Rock righ now.

[Markdude465]

Personnally I do not put effort in to playing hard... But I would be if I was using chopsticks to play hard. I did say that was MY way of seing things (that many others share).

*cringes* eek, sorry, sorry, it wasn't an attack! I haven't but the utmost respect for you and yours, C.J., please don't take that the wrong way...
:eek:

Perhaps it would be best to phrase it in the form of a question: What's the difference between hitting the drums hard to achieve a higher volume level and just playing soft and micing the drums such that they're adequately loud?

[C.J.]

Ah... No, I'm sorry, that wasn't meant to be a "bad attitude" answer at all, and I didn't take your post as an attack.

You don't have to put an effort in hitting hard woth bit stick since they already make a lot of noise. Put you'd have to put an effort in hitting hard with small stix. That was my point.

During rehearsals, you do not necessarily have mics to rely on. The idea here is dynamics, if you just play soft and mike the drums loud, I'd think it would be a little bit problematic.

Cheers,
Me.

[Funkifized]

I personally find that Virg's Assaults have a sort of "discipline" effect on me... I find myself muscling my rolls more often. I'm also forced to make precise hits on the toms, hitting it almost on the centre as the barrel tip makes it really obvious when you hit it at the wrong place...

It's the ultimate stick. Great for practice, heavy enough for a great recording sound, and thick enough to withstand the hardest playing. And, when you switch to other sticks, you'll probably find that your doubles are cleaner and you take note of things like tone quality.

I do own a pair of marching snare sticks (the trees), but in terms of versatality they just don't cut it. I can play some marching snare with the assaults and still get a decent sound, as long as the heads aren't full-on kevlar.

[C.J.]

Snif... I want some Assaults!

[The Art of Ruin]

Ive have always liked Vic firth american classic 5b's but now I use extrem 5b's for little more reach and power.

[bmass82]

The VF Weckl Evolutions have a great feel to them.

[yamadrums]

Vic Firth SD2 Bolero sticks for me

[davidseung]

i use a whole range of vater sticks for different sounds... but my two main models are 5B Nylon and Super Jazz wood Tip.. I also use the splashsticks and the wire tap brush a lot.


im going to test out some regal tip sticks soon though.. theyve got me interested and if they're as good as people make em out to be, im going to switch.

[drumnut20]

Hey guys,

I really like the vater power house and virgils stick but none of them come in nylon tips. I mean i cant be wasting 15 bucks on drumsticks if the tips will chip in a day.

Does anyone know of a stick with a nylon tip that has a 620 or 625 diamiter and roughly around the length of the two sticks i've mentioned above.

Thanks,

drumnut

[drummaman1]

I've tried plenty of sticks, and these ones are the main ones in my bag:

VF Jack DeJohnette - the stick I use for everything, except Rock
VF Dave Weckl Evolution (The original Dave Weckls are nice too, but in nylon tip)
VF Kenny Aronoff - nice big rock sound without the heavy stick feel
VF Extreme 5A - Great 5A feel with a little extra length

Vater:
7A Manhattan - the best 7A stick ever made by ANY company, bar none!
5A Los Angeles - great stick when the choices are endless...
XD-5A - My absolute FAV for Rock. I can play all night and not have my hands go tired or numb.

Zildjian:
Super 5B - Great Rock stick, but breaks so easily!!!!
Gary Chaffee (Contemporary Jazz) - thinner stick, but not too thin. Gives just the right volume for playing jazz.

Pro-Mark:
747 Rock - Hickory - great balance
747 Rock - Shira Kashi Oak - nice weight, but hurts my hands after a while (CTS). Maple has the same effect on my hands as well.

Regal Tip brushes are IT for me, though I have the VF Heritage Brush, and I must admit, it's growing on me...now if they would change the color of it...

Mallets...I like marimba mallets on drums, as opposed to timpani mallets, for some odd reason...it's more of a feel thing. Plus, marimba mallets sound better for cymbal swells than timpani mallets do.

Practice sticks:
VF Ralph Hardimon
VF Tom Aungst
VF Tom Float
VF SD1 General
Pro-Mark X-Beats - Matt Savage XB1
Zildjian Session Master
Vater Donati Assaults

Everything is wood tip, unless specified.

Sticks to avoid:

I dont like 'second-line' sticks, like L.A. Special, or JoJo. IMO, I'd rather buy the good stuff and know what I'm buying, and that it won't damage my hands in any way. Caveat Emptor.

Thanks for reading!

[davidseung]

Hey guys,

I really like the vater power house and virgils stick but none of them come in nylon tips. I mean i cant be wasting 15 bucks on drumsticks if the tips will chip in a day.

Does anyone know of a stick with a nylon tip that has a 620 or 625 diamiter and roughly around the length of the two sticks i've mentioned above.

Thanks,

drumnut


Try a Promark 2BL.... The Dave Abruzzeze Autograph model is the nylon tipped variant of that stick.

Its slightly thicker, .630" but still has the 16.25" length of the powerhouse...


However, having said that... don't shop by diameter and length. i think if you want the same feel as the powerhouse, a Regal Tip 2B might give you the same feel, even though they have completely different dimensions. try to go out to the store and feel which ones feel similar to the powerhouse.

[beartracks]

Vic Firth 5a Extreme is a very a good choice.

[MasterEmmicy]

Vic Firth Extreme 5B for kit
VF Ralph Hardimon for marching

[insomnia]

i really like the feel of vicfirth gadd stix and pro mark 747b barrel tip, but i like the shoulder of a vater funkblaster :)

[UpTheIrons]

I use Carbosticks 5b with a classic tip and I could not be more happy. I'am an extremely hard hitter and they have not broken in 11 months now. Also I don't feel the trembling when i hit which I felt with other sticks.

[cjcdrums]

Those poor ZBTs.

[Markdude465]

Those poor ZBTs.

Haha!

Carbo-whatzits sound like a very good idea, but then there's the whole tone thing... (not that a ZBT owner like myself would be worried about that :D )

[ryan]

my stick that i love are my vicfirth 5a nylons and my 5a wood tips

[Bostic]

Depends on the sound that I want.

Zildjian Mike Mangini model
Vic Firth Extreme 5B Nylon tip
Regal Tip 5BX Nylon Tip

[bor31]

Depending on the job, or whatever type of band it is I play in:

Traditional grip:
Assaults, big fat ones or any 2 B's (I'm curious to what Thomas Lang's sig. play like btw)
Steve Smith's, they are pretty much standard but a lil longer
Jack DeJohnette signature for practice...they are laquered and they tend to slip too much when I play live

Match grip:
Promark Mike Portnoy's signature, although they have an odd balance I like the feel though...

But in general its like my pants: I wear em cos they fit :D

[roxz]

Ahead 5A and 5B

[sic_joey666]

mmm i use da Vic Firth Signature Model Dave Weckl sdw....
great grip...but kinda short...i would like to be a 16" 1/4

[alencore]

the cheapest yet straight and weighs fine enough are my favs sticks!

[Raphsta]

My fave sticks are my dad's old Regal 5Bs. They're about 25 years old - although I mainly just use them on the practise pad and electronic drumkit..
I recently bought a pair of Dennis Chambers signature sticks again, as I used to have a pair and really like the feel - although I destroyed them within no time.

So now i'm switching between the Dennis Chambers sticks (similar to 7A i think?), and NEW Regal 5Bs I bought the other weekend - although think I prefer the OLD Regal 5B a they're a bit lighter.

[cjcdrums]

the cheapest yet straight and weighs fine enough are my favs sticks!

Guitar Center's Vater Factory Rejects 12 pairs for 12 bucks! W00t! :D

[stefan_vortex]

promark 747rock-i've tried 3B(regal tip) ,5B (vic firth and promark(and some bulgarian shi t that sux(of course))) and even Bobby Rock's signature...I would not call this tree drumstick :)
1931 posts!! maan you're up to 2000 soon! are you the guy with most posts around here?

[TimeConsumer]

I really do!:)
Seriously, the last year I've been breaking sticks like hell. I switched from 5A to 5B, Extreme 5B's, but none of them lasted longer than 3-4 hours..
So I switched to 2B's, but THEY .**%*$^$= BREAK aswell, and to darn fast!
So I've been spending around 50euros a month buying sticks lately = simply to much..
Now the guy from our musicstore say's: How 'bout buying "ahead sticks", they "DONT" break.
so I bought them, played about 15hours with 'em and they broke.. GRMBL...
anyway, I'm sticking with the aheads now cuz I get 3 months guarantie on them, but I'd really like some custimized sticks with 3layers of iron on the inside or something, whatever it takes to make them last a bit longer :)

Anybody who has some good advice?

[DD_Timekeeper]

A good advice... it depends: how do they break? which point? always the same?

[TimeConsumer]

allmost always it's in the middle of the stick, cuz I dig rimshots:)
But I guess I had all the breaks now that you can have on a stick.. only the tip, straight trough the middle (horizontal AND vertical), the part between top and middle (don't know how you should call this one:) ).

The guy who sells me the sticks says I should just try NOT to hit the drum so hard:)

[roxz]

Hello Time,

I play in a metal band and I play loud too. I rarely break a stick, last time could be almost 2 years ago..

Thing is that all the energy can get soaked up in the stick (that's what you don't want..) and that will cause it to break..
When you're about to hit the drum don't hold on to it too tight, Kenny Aronoff is a hard hitter too and he says when he hits the drum he almost lets go of the stick..

You are the problem and not the sticks 5A or 5B's etc. Play them sticks

[Images&Words]

I used to use Vic Firth 5A's but now I'm using the AJ3's. I break sticks maybe twice a year.

[TimeConsumer]

hey Roxz,

I'm well aware of the fact that I'm the cause of the stickbreakingproblem, but hey, I don't wanne change my hitting technique al over again :)
The problem is when gigging, I don't think 'bout anything at all. I'm one of those drummers than will NEVER play the same song two times exactly the same. I fit in fills and accents everywhere I can while playing live, and really want to put full power in every stroke (some people like this, other say I haven't got a **** technique, like I care:) )
Anywayz, thanks for the advice. Could be helpfull,but I don't want to risk looking less powerfull when gigging, cuz if there's one thing I hate it's a drummer who's playing live and sitting there behind his kit as if he doesn't likes his own music.

Edit: maybe I should just find a sponsor :)

[DD_Timekeeper]

TimeConsumer, usually there's no need to break sticks instead of playing drums, but if this fits your way of playing, well, get ready for a christmas gift from Vic Firth! ;)
Anyway, I'll keep on learning from the "V" man: great chops, no sticks broken... cheaper way...

[mofunkle]

Wow, my first post, but maybe i can help here. I have to agree with everyone though about fixing the technique, it is WELL worth it, I myself, switched from rock to metal a few years ago.I noticed I would break sticks about three times a week, (sometimes once a practice), this gets VERY expensive. So I researched for better sticks, I broke a few pairs of aheads also, I hated those anyways.. LOL. I discovered Mainline sticks(their logo was looks like wood, tastes like wood, smells like wood, feels like wood, even plays like wood, but they're not wood) that I couldn't find anymore because they'd been discontinued (didnt know why at the time), I found a drummer online (Weird Al's drummer), that replied to my posting on that forum that he had switched sticks but had a surplus of Mainline before he became endorsed by someone else. He sent me 6 pairs of Mainline 2Bs for free. I used them, liked them, I'm YET to break one of these sticks, so I was like perfect, the unbreakable stick... However, since my technique was the problem and not the stick, i've broken probably 9 cymbals, quite a few dozen drumheads, and almost a few fingers with those "unbreakable" sticks. So after working on technique I can now play Pro Mark 5Bs and be happy, still breaking sticks maybe once every two months (still working on it, live show adrenaline gets to me), and my stage presence hasn't dropped any levels since learning more correct technique.

[C.J.]

I never break my stix, they just chip off from where the stick hits the rim (I'm a heavy rim shotter!), but they don't break... On the other hand they are prettey fat: 0.630 inches.

Anyway, I'll keep on learning from the "V" man: great chops, no sticks broken... cheaper way...
What to do you mean?

[DD_Timekeeper]

C.J. it was for TimeConsumer: I was meaning that if Virg doesn't break sticks every time he plays (and we know how much power he use when hits drums!), probably there's something in TimeConsumer's hitting technique... however he don't want to change it anymore, so... peace! :cool: Vic Firth will be very happy of his way of playing!! :)

I also hit hard while playing (someday I'll post a video...) but I don't break sticks... it may happen after 5 or 6 gigs with the same pair of sticks... and I talk about playing Iron Maiden and Symphony-X cover (not exactly jazz!)

Anyway, drumming is beautiful because everyone plays in 'his way'...

[roxz]

I recently stepped over from ahead 5B to vic firth 2B and thomas lang's sticks

A thicker stick made from hickory. My new discovery!!!
Handling is great and sound punchy and it's easier to play fast with a thick heavy stick.

I'm the demon against the law of drum physics!!! :mad:

[ProgrockD]

I used to play with Vater Los Angeles 5A's but I like the length that the Power 5B's cuz they have a great feel for me, Balance and rebound, and I can play dynamicly with them still.

[PeteA]

My hands are too small for 2B's. I use Vic Firth 5B's and play on a Roland kit so they could last me for years...I just replace them when they get dirty and start feeling heavy.

[Blast_Duck]

yay carbo sticks. I used to go with Ahead but they are so sluggish. Wood feel best but are too expensive to replace and are a bit unreliable playing live. Carbon last just as long as aheads and are much cheaper.

[GreenPremier]

I tried the 55A's today, I liked 'em, just right for blasting and fast playing, other than that I like plain ole 5B's, used to play 2B's but then evolved into 3A's, then to 5B's

[ShadowDrummer]

I use Ahead 7As. Typically I wouldn't go for such a thin stick, but the toughness, combined with the light weight allows me to blaze around the set a LOT better than a wood stick at a larger thickness. The only drawback is that the standard 7As aren't very long. It would help if I had an extra 1/2 inch, to an inch.

[TimeConsumer]

C.J. it was for TimeConsumer: I was meaning that if Virg doesn't break sticks every time he plays (and we know how much power he use when hits drums!), probably there's something in TimeConsumer's hitting technique... however he don't want to change it anymore, so... peace! :cool: Vic Firth will be very happy of his way of playing!! :)

I also hit hard while playing (someday I'll post a video...) but I don't break sticks... it may happen after 5 or 6 gigs with the same pair of sticks... and I talk about playing Iron Maiden and Symphony-X cover (not exactly jazz!)

Anyway, drumming is beautiful because everyone plays in 'his way'...


To Hell with Vic Firth! I recently switched to the Vaters! I think it's called the XD Rock design stick, and it's a pretty good one (it lasts for about 10-20 hours) + I love the feel of them.
Now tell me, those of you that know all about Vater's (I've never used them before simply because the local music store never ordered them 'till now), those 'Shredders', are they even thicker than the XD's? And wich one is your favorite Vater stick for VERY HEAVY playing? :)

[kamelot811]

looks like im a little different to evry1 else, i picked up a set of aluminium coated AHEAD Joey Jordison signature series sticks, which although heavy, are more of a hybrid. however, for my electric kit, a smaller ball-tipped stick would improve my speed rather than wear out the pads :S

[DD_Timekeeper]

To Hell with Vic Firth! I recently switched to the Vaters! I think it's called the XD Rock design stick, and it's a pretty good one (it lasts for about 10-20 hours) + I love the feel of them.
Now tell me, those of you that know all about Vater's (I've never used them before simply because the local music store never ordered them 'till now), those 'Shredders', are they even thicker than the XD's? And wich one is your favorite Vater stick for VERY HEAVY playing? :)

Sometimes I play quite heavy (Iron Maiden covers, or Symphony-X...) and as said in my post#1 of this thread I love my Power 5B...
About Vater itself, all I can tell you is that they seem to last more than other drumsticks... let us know if they resist to your chops more than the 'dear' Vic Firth :)

[evildrummer]

Very simple for me. Pro-mark 2b. 3s for practice(on a pad that is, not drumset...those sticks would wreck a drumset very quickly...I had to find that out the hard way..lol)

[C.J.]

Now tell me, those of you that know all about Vater's (I've never used them before simply because the local music store never ordered them 'till now), those 'Shredders', are they even thicker than the XD's? And wich one is your favorite Vater stick for VERY HEAVY playing? :)

It all depends on what XD model you have. And Shedders are 0.650" in diameter.

Check out the Vater website, everything is there.

[C.J.]

Second thoughts, all the XD models are smaller than the Shedders. Duh!

[bateria]

I've had a pair of Vic Firth Dave Weckl signature sticks (the red ones) for about 5 years now that are still going strong (I usually break several sticks a year). I don't know if they're made from a different wood or something but they're not even splintering, which usually happens to every stick of mine after a few months. The Weckls are by far my favorite stick; very dense with a lot of heft, but still swift and precise. So my vote goes to Vic Firth.

[ataraxia]

Vic Firth, or Vater Fusions. I like the feel of the fusions, and the tip. and they last.

[VeNoM]

Call me a poser dont really care but I love my 7a ahead sticks really light and strong plus they look great.

[cjcdrums]

Heh.. I've been using the Ralph Hardimon Jr's for a few months now and I love them.

Big sticks!

[C.J.]

I keep on getting teased at my drum school because I use the VF classic rock sticks (0.630 diameter) as soon as I start playing my teacher would yell "AND HERE COMES THE PANZER DIVISION!!!".

[Fiery]

It's funny how different brand "Rock" sticks have different sizes. Pro Mark "Rock" stick is something between 5b and 5a if I recall correctly, and Regal Tip "Rock" stick is even smaller than 5a.

[Ludwig]

VF-Steve Gadd!

[TimeConsumer]

I'm gonna order some VF Thomas Lang's tomorrow, see what's that gonna give. I had a real blast with the Vaters, but I'll guess I'm gonna need the extremes if I keep being such a hard-hitter.

Edit: And they might give me the same arm muscles T.Lang has :p

Or maybe not..