Updated Regal Tip Thread October 2022-Latest News?

Still have 12pr of my main Regal Tip stick - 5A-X so good for another year.
Trying a few Vater options, but do miss the Regal Tip coating.

Mick

Living Dead Drummer said:

They shut down in mid-2019 in order to change the machinery over to the new grinders. First time I tried the new sticks was around June 2020 when they briefly reopened.
I was unaware of the black dot missing from the butt end. The last couple years I was with them I had a custom black stick, so there wasn't a dot anyway. I can honestly say the grinder sticks were the best quality I had ever seen from them!
Sadly that was also the last order I ever got. Spring 2021 it was time to place another order. I got a series of excuses as to why my sticks never showed up. None of my phone calls or emails were ever responded to. My only communication was oddly through Instagram. Six months later I did get a long text message basically saying the company was at a stand still and no production was happening. Lot's of internal family drama.
And now here we are...

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It's interesting that endorsers have similar issues as regular customers... No communication at all.

I met a former RT endorser recently, who moved on to Innovative Percussion. (It seems a lot of them did...) We chatted about a lot of music he played but never got to the Regal Tip fiasco. I was curious what it was like from a professional's standpoint. It sounds like RT was just as off-grid with their endorsers. Crazy!

brady said:

It's interesting that endorsers have similar issues as regular customers... No communication at all.

I met a former RT endorser recently, who moved on to Innovative Percussion. (It seems a lot of them did...) We chatted about a lot of music he played but never got to the Regal Tip fiasco. I was curious what it was like from a professional's standpoint. It sounds like RT was just as off-grid with their endorsers. Crazy!

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And that ghosting just pissed off a lot of those who signed deals. Living Dead Drummer right here on this forum was endorsed by them and he told us many stories just like the one above. Got a brick of them, then nothing. When communication was attempted, crickets.

I loved their sticks since the 80's and no one IMO has duplicated their grippy lacquer. Must've been some weird, space alien juice used because I can't even do it at home.
Oh well. All good things... as they say.

Cmdr. Ross said:

And that ghosting just pissed off a lot of those who signed deals. Living Dead Drummer right here on this forum was endorsed by them and he told us many stories just like the one above. Got a brick of them, then nothing. When communication was attempted, crickets.

I loved their sticks since the 80's and no one IMO has duplicated their grippy lacquer. Must've been some weird, space alien juice used because I can't even do it at home.
Oh well. All good things... as they say.

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I just had to have the Porcaros. Not my perfect stick but I fell for the feel of their lacquer. I want more Regals. I'll get a two year supply. Please Regal..come back!.

Bozozoid said:

I just had to have the Porcaros. Not my perfect stick but I fell for the feel of their lacquer. I want more Regals. I'll get a two year supply. Please Regal..come back!.

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Amen!
They're the ONLY stick that would pull me off the Ahead train. I found a couple pairs of the Quantum 9000's over a year ago & they were great for pad work. Loved the ball tip, sturdy feel & grippy lacquer.

I still have a pair of their 5bX and they're never to be played. Like that guitar on Spinal Tap.

vyacheslav said:

You are correct-Everything on the website is bascially "Coming Soon". The only in stock items as of 08/13/2024 are:

5A But Naked
Gripped Thai Sticks
Gripped Fatty Thai Sticks
3/8" Timbale Sticks
Yellowjacket Retractable Brushes
Yellowjacket Throw Brushes
Aluminum Retractable Brushes
500-PLB Throw Brushes


That's it.

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Looks like NOS whatever was left over. These items listed would be leftovers that never sold well to begin with, hence the last of the last.

But since VF started selling double glaze, I am happy and can find suitable replacements. I always used RT Maple. VF doesn't have a maple double glaze, but their hickory is pretty light and with similar dimensions. With my eyes closed I don't know if I could tell the difference. Happy VF customer here.

Update as of 09/27/2024:

All the products that were available in my last update (on August 13 2024) are still available, with the addition of the items in Bold & Italcized now available. For those who like the classic Regal Tip retractable brushes, now's your chance to grab some (I stocked up on some New, Old stock pairs I found about a year ago, so I am good for now). Hurry before they are "Coming Soon" for another 6-12 months!

Everything else on the website is "Coming Soon" (aka Out Of Stock or "Coming Never"?). Here's a list of what is currently available on the website (As mentioned above, Bold and Italicized items are newly available within the last 4-6 weeks).

5A But Naked
8A But Naked
Gripped Thai Sticks
Gripped Fatty Thai Sticks
3/8" Timbale Sticks
Classic 583 Retractable Brushes
Yellowjacket Retractable Brushes
Yellowjacket Throw Brushes
Aluminum Retractable Brushes
500-PLB Throw Brushes

Update as of 12/30/2024. The following items are available on the website. Everything else is "Coming Soon":

5A But Naked
Gripped Thai Sticks
Gripped Fatty Thai Sticks
3/8" Timbale Sticks
Yellowjacket Retractable Brushes
Yellowjacket Throw Brushes
Aluminum Retractable Brushes
500-PLB Throw Brushes

As you can see, this is the same stuff that has been available for months and months, and all of the other products that are "Coming Soon" have been "Coming Soon" for almost a year. Some items, in my post above were briefly available like the Classic 583 Retractable Brushes and the 8A But Naked, but were quickly sold out.

All in all, this isn't a good sign. The only available items are obviously items that aren't selling, and the rare different product that is available sells out quickly. I don't know if 1 person is making them in their garage from 2-3pm every other Sunday or what, but it looks like this is going to be the Status Quo indefinitely. To say they are back up and running is simply incorrect. This seems, at best, a one person, very part time endeavor.

vyacheslav said:

Update as of 12/30/2024. The following items are available on the website. Everything else is "Coming Soon":

5A But Naked
Gripped Thai Sticks
Gripped Fatty Thai Sticks
3/8" Timbale Sticks
Yellowjacket Retractable Brushes
Yellowjacket Throw Brushes
Aluminum Retractable Brushes
500-PLB Throw Brushes

As you can see, this is the same stuff that has been available for months and months, and all of the other products that are "Coming Soon" have been "Coming Soon" for almost a year. Some items, in my post above were briefly available like the Classic 583 Retractable Brushes and the 8A But Naked, but were quickly sold out.

All in all, this isn't a good sign. The only available items are obviously items that aren't selling, and the rare different product that is available sells out quickly. I don't know if 1 person is making them in their garage from 2-3pm every other Sunday or what, but it looks like this is going to be the Status Quo indefinitely. To say they are back up and running is simply incorrect. This seems, at best, a one person, very part time endeavor.

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Could be. BTW, I got a pair of 583’s because they’re thought of so highly, and I can’t decide if I like them. I always get those thin wires stuck in the coating when stirring, and the gum rubber feels odd to me.

It’s probably me and my brush game being lame, but I would like to blame it on Regal

I really miss Regal Tip, but I (like so many others) have found that the Vic Firth Double Glazed 5A sticks at Sweetwater are close to RT. The feel is right, not sure about the dimensions.

JimmyM said:

Could be. BTW, I got a pair of 583’s because they’re thought of so highly, and I can’t decide if I like them. I always get those thin wires stuck in the coating when stirring, and the gum rubber feels odd to me.

It’s probably me and my brush game being lame, but I would like to blame it on Regal

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Is there an accurate comparison somewhere of the old RT brushes and the new ones? I wonder what the differences are.

That's what I started buying:

ZDrumMan said:

I really miss Regal Tip, but I (like so many others) have found that the Vic Firth Double Glazed 5A sticks at Sweetwater are close to RT. The feel is right, not sure about the dimensions.

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The VF Double Glaze. By measurements they are ever so slightly thicker but I cannot tell any difference. I use them interchangeably with the RT's I still have and I can't tell a difference - if blindfolded I'd not be able to discern VF from RT.

brady said:

Is there an accurate comparison somewhere of the old RT brushes and the new ones? I wonder what the differences are.

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I saw one, only one, but the guy comparing them said the only difference he could spot was that his old pair had bristles that were slightly worn down over the years, but were otherwise the same.


Btw, I finally figured out how to keep them from digging into the coating…I was pushing them into the head and not letting them glide.

JimmyM said:

I saw one, only one, but the guy comparing them said the only difference he could spot was that his old pair had bristles that were slightly worn down over the years, but were otherwise the same.

Btw, I finally figured out how to keep them from digging into the coating…I was pushing them into the head and not letting them glide.

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Ah... Yeah, just sweep the head. That's all you need. However, you can push the brush into the head for an accent.

JimmyM said:

I saw one, only one, but the guy comparing them said the only difference he could spot was that his old pair had bristles that were slightly worn down over the years, but were otherwise the same.

Btw, I finally figured out how to keep them from digging into the coating…I was pushing them into the head and not letting them glide.

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Like Brady said, just sweep. Plus, as you use brushes on that head for awhile, the coating will smooth up a bit.

brady said:

Ah... Yeah, just sweep the head. That's all you need. However, you can push the brush into the head for an accent.

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Crick me iffen I'm wrong, but are those types of accents better if you push into the back of the wires by the handle rather than the tips? When I do it with the tips, it sounds kind of odd to me. And of course I get them stuck. I'm a little better with the Vic Firth WB's because the wires are thicker, but I have neglected brush work for a while and it shows.

JimmyM said:

Crick me iffen I'm wrong, but are those types of accents better if you push into the back of the wires by the handle rather than the tips? When I do it with the tips, it sounds kind of odd to me. And of course I get them stuck. I'm a little better with the Vic Firth WB's because the wires are thicker, but I have neglected brush work for a while and it shows.

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A little bit of both. You're correct thinking most accents are probably pushed using the back of the brushes, closer to the handle. But, depending upon the stiffness of your brushes (like your heavier gauge WBs) you can get an accent pressing down mainly towards the tips of the brushes as well.

The key is to not play with too steep of an angle with the brushes. That may be why your brushes get caught on the coating? It's tough to see without pics or a video. I once had a quick lesson with Clayton Cameron, and he emphasized the importance of keeping the brushes low to the head. It also results in a smoother, fuller sound.

Also, everyone plays brushes differently, but I have noticed my brushes can get caught on the coating (the coating on new Aquarian heads are pretty rough for a while) if I'm sweeping both hands away from me; left hand counter-clockwise, right hand clockwise. I play both directions, but sweeping both hands inwards tends to be a little smoother for me on ballads and stuff. Just watch out for your brushes colliding with each other. It's tough to explain without a demonstration...basically, try to avoid situations where you're moving the brushes in a forward, tips first, direction.

Update as of 03/24/2025. The following items are available on the website. Everything else is "Coming Soon":

5A But Naked
Gripped Thai Sticks
Gripped Fatty Thai Sticks
3/8" Timbale Sticks
Yellowjacket Retractable Brushes
Yellowjacket Throw Brushes
Aluminum Retractable Brushes
500-PLB Throw Brushes

Again, this is the same exact stuff that was available back when I did my last update near the end of the year. Three months and no new inventory. "Coming Soon" should just be replaced with "Coming Never".

I wanted to check in to see if anyone had any news, sounds like they are still stuck in a purgatory.

I want another pair of 550w brushes man. I miss them. I can't find brushes anywhere that have a thin handle (preferably wood) and are non retractable.

roncadillac said:

I wanted to check in to see if anyone had any news, sounds like they are still stuck in a purgatory.

I want another pair of 550w brushes man. I miss them. I can't find brushes anywhere that have a thin handle (preferably wood) and are non retractable.

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The Meinl Fixed 7A brushes are pretty close. Wood handle and the size of a 7A stick.