My favorite sticks

One thing I'm realizing as time goes on is that it's not the just the length and diameter of the stick that matters, but overall balance. I'd even say that matters more than either the length or diameter. I've been really liking the VF 55a recently. Even though it's in between a 5a/5b and only 16", it feels great. I normally use 5b or 2b but the 55a is really nice well-balanced stick. Very versatile too.
 
I've gone through all kinds of phases (2S,2B,747,3A,420,707,5B,5A,7A,etc.) but my favs at this present time are Vic Firth 5B nylons (btw always liked nylon tip sticks) and for a lighter stick IMO nothing comes close to Regal-Tip 7A's that's always been my favorite light stick. Glad Regal-Tip are making sticks again.

keep swattin'
Bonzolead
 
bonzolead said:
I've gone through all kinds of phases (2S,2B,747,3A,420,707,5B,5A,7A,etc.) but my favs at this present time are Vic Firth 5B nylons (btw always liked nylon tip sticks) and for a lighter stick IMO nothing comes close to Regal-Tip 7A's that's always been my favorite light stick. Glad Regal-Tip are making sticks again.

keep swattin'
Bonzolead
Click to expand...
Regal is up and running?? Was on their website last weekend and they didn't have much of anything.
 
I-P said:
Nearly 20 years later; still?
Click to expand...
Holy cow, three months shy of twenty years and I'm still "sticking" with my old favorites. I am in the market for a new type of brushes, and my collection of rutes/rods/bundles has expanded a bit, but I still love the old favorites. You really can't teach an old dog new tricks I guess.

Just yesterday I swapped out my old Pacific double bass pedals for two year-correct individual bass pedals that I grabbed off Reverb, and I replaced the "new" (used) beaters with my two old beaters, which somehow were in better condition.
 
Thomas said:
Holy cow, three months shy of twenty years and I'm still "sticking" with my old favorites. I am in the market for a new type of brushes, and my collection of rutes/rods/bundles has expanded a bit, but I still love the old favorites. You really can't teach an old dog new tricks I guess.

Just yesterday I swapped out my old Pacific double bass pedals for two year-correct individual bass pedals that I grabbed off Reverb, and I replaced the "new" (used) beaters with my two old beaters, which somehow were in better condition.
Click to expand...
If it ain't broke...
 
I recently had to throw out an old set of Ludwig brushes that I loved, but had been put away for a long time because I didn't have a need for them in the projects I was in. I got them out of a dresser that I keep lots of percussion odds & ends in, and wondered why I suddenly had ink on my hands...?!? Turns out the small black caps where the metal rod telescoped into the handle were kinda "melting" - they were behaving like the tip of a marker! Weird. :unsure:
 
My favorite drumsticks:
Vic Firth American Classic Hickory 5A Drumsticks:
Tear drop tip for rich cymbal sounds. The #1 stick in the world — great for every style of music!
SPECS
Diameter: 0.565” | 1.44cm
Length: 16” | 40.64cm
Family: American Classic
Wood Type: Hickory
Taper: Medium Taper affects the feel and balance of a stick. A long taper produces a back-heavy feel with more flex and a faster response. A short taper provides more power and durability with a front-heavy feel. A medium taper gives you the best balance between the butt and the
tip.
Stick
Series: American Classic
Finish: Lacquer
Tip
Material: Wood
Shape: Tear DropIMG_20250422_172554.jpg
 
Like many, I have gone back and forth with sticks, even going from one extreme to the other.

I think I’m finally realizing that, for myself, it’s not necessarily choosing the right stick for the music per se. It’s about using something that fits me.

What’s in my bag right now- Vic Firth 2Bs, Vater classic 2Bs (current favorite),Vic Firth Rock, Vic Firth Metal. I’m a big guy, these larger sticks seem to fit my hands. I’ve gotten very comfortable with the bigger sticks; I even played a fairly quiet gig 2 weekends ago where I had to keep the volume low. I used 2Bs (would never have even thought of using big sticks on a gig like this in the past) and had no issues; I played well and was complimented by my bandmates for playing so softly.

I guess I’m like a big kid more comfortable with fat crayons to color with!
 
Lately been rocking out with Vater Carl Palmer signatures. Super solid, fast. Rebound is incredible. Only downside is tip that is too small for my liking. I kind of like some wash in my cymbals for rock playing. But still a great stick overall.
 
At the moment it's the Vic Firth Freestyle 5a. I also like the Modern Jazz 4. They're very light, maple sticks I think, but the relatively large diameter makes up for it in a way, in terms of the feel/control.

Also, the old regular 5a. I'm never unhappy with those.
 
I'm a recent Ahead convert. I've been playing wood sticks for the past 20 years (since I'm drumming), mostly Pro Mark (and in recent years sometimes Meinl) 5B sticks.

I always had the problem that after long, multi-hour rehearsal sessions my arms would ache (not really hurting, but feeling that kind of uneasy ache like after a good workout) the whole day after.

So a few months ago I decided to try a pair of Ahead 5B "Light Rock" sticks for their builtin shock reduction after reading quite a few comments by users here that Ahead sticks really helped them battling with wrist and arm fatigue.

And what can I say? It really works for me, too. No more aching arms after a long rehearsal session. Just a week later, I ordered two more pairs to keep them all in rotation for even wear (and replacement sleeves for my stash) and now I'm using them exclusively.

I still have quite a few (unused) Pro Mark 5B sticks in my stash, but currently I cannot imagine going back to wood sticks anytime soon.
 
Last edited:
Backing away from my "Maple obsession" of the past few years ("doggone you" British Promuco $3.50 maple pairs at DCNH) and
back into a Hickory groove. Thankfully have old stock and supply of most of these because pretty much NA (not available +/-

Elvin Jones JZ Hickory Drumstick, Wood Tip | ProMark Drumsticks | D'Addario

The ProMark Elvin Jones drumstick is a great choice for intricate ride cymbal work. This drumstick features a long, thin neck and an oval wood tip, which produces a warm tone.
www.daddario.com

Sticks I've used and loved in the past and still have pairs some yet used..

zildjian.com

Roy Haynes Drumsticks | Artist Series

Roy Haynes Artist Series Drumsticks ZASRH
zildjian.com zildjian.com

Especially digging the Roy's and the Elvin's again.

Kinda miss Promark I have one plain 5A pr. and lots of little 7A's. left over hanger on-ers

Classic Forward 5A Hickory Drumstick, Oval Wood Tip | ProMark Drumsticks | D'Addario

The ProMark Classic Forward 5A drumstick features an oval tip shape and a short taper, producing a forward-weighted feel for increased power.
www.daddario.com
that feel so nice. And I have some Regal Tip black label Jazz wood tip.

So been Revertin' BACK

😁 ...wards...but forwerds...
~~~~~
what else do I have around here hickory..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's an Oddity I have two unused of..
Promark Elvin Jones OAK
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top