Design your own stick?

Jeremy Bender

Jeremy Bender

Platinum Member
Has anyone ever designed their ideal stick shape and size and had some made for you?

I've been narrowing down exactly what I think I want.
 
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i prefer designs being brought to me.

rather I mean ..offered to us.
zildjian.com

Roy Haynes Drumsticks | Artist Series

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

one never knows exactly what will work- so like "designing your own cymbal" there's more out there than one could ever think of;
so let someone else come up with it
Zildjian Designs in Sticks - back pre-internet early-internet- were very good don't know (or care who made them
If everyone clicks on "notify me when again available" on the Roy Haynes stick maybe it will motivate them to make/request more : )
and not disappear..

zildjian.com

Artist Series Drumsticks | Zildjian

Shop the official Zildjian online store, featuring cymbals, drumsticks, and percussion mallets.
zildjian.com zildjian.com

but no I don't want to design my own -too many factors - ...Good luck on it
 
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I've been trying a lot of sticks in the ballpark of what I'm looking for for a long time. At this point I have a small number of stick models that I really like, and I just rotate through them.

What I've found is it really helps to try out a pair. Weight, density, and overall feel aren't on a spec sheet and I've bought numerous sticks that look like they'd be perfect on paper but in the hand they're not quite right. On the flip side I've tried some sticks that seemed like a long shot because one detail was pretty far from what I thought was my ideal, only to be happily surprised by how much I liked them after playing a bit.

I've also learned over the years to try to find what works from the major brands. I've gone the small company custom stick route before and been let down every time. One place made sub-par sticks, and the other one made really nice sticks but seems to be out of business. Even with the major brands I've been dealing with certain sticks becoming really hard to get but at this point I have enough models I know I'll like that if I can't get one, I'll just get one of my other "close enough" models.
 
I am quite OK with the ones already made. Peace and goodwill.
 
At one point Regal Tip did a few samples for me, I later had a batch made by a custom company, no longer in operation. They were basically the Kenny Aronoff model, but a bit longer. After trying them I realized that I actually preferred them shorter, and 16.25" is my ideal length. Last year Ahead, whom I currently endorse, did a batch of custom sticks for me that were absolutely perfect to my specs. The right diameter, length, and weight. Unfortunately, my design compromised the integrity of the stick. I've since just stuck with their 5AB Concert model. It's like 95% perfect for me.
 
I know nothing of stick design and I also don’t have any ingrained likes and dislikes, except I go back to 5a often.
 
No and I don't think I'm too picky for that, I use different brands and models of sticks (5B).
Wether the tip is shaped like a teardrop, acorn, unicorn or whatever doesn't matter much to me.

I do think weight is important and that seems to be inconsistent (these days), even for expensive sticks from the better brands.
Maybe custom made sticks perform better in that regard though.
 
I did when I was with my previous stick company. It was basically an unlacquered longer, slightly thinner 5A. Now I use Los Cabos 5A Intense (a 16.5" 5A) and love it.
 
I had a now-defunct builder make me some 16.75" long 7As in about 2006. By the time I went through all of them and reached out to get some more all phones and emails were deactivated. Definitely a chance you take with that sorta thing. Really enjoyed the sticks for the few years I had them. I found the Vic Firth Steve Jordan to be a suitable replacement and now I use the Wincent 7AXLBT which I really like. Before finding the Wincent, I had some great conversations with http://www.louisianabackbeat.com/ about getting something made for me but at the time he was dealing with hurricane damage and had stopped building for a bit. It seems he is now back up and running. Really nice guy and very knowledgeable, if I decide to get sticks built for me again, he will be my first call.
 
I don't see how I could improve upon the ol' standard Vic Firth 5A with a nylon tip, so my answer would be no.
 
So after (Last Friday at a gig) allowing hickory back into my drum set Life (before start last Friday I took a pair of Roy Haynes Zildjian from the Stick bag (not a glamorous but a clean functional working black Vic Firth logo stick bag) and re birthed myself into hickory again..

So I decided to look in some old boxes. Where 25 year old sticks and other memories (oh I have Promark SD9? I knew that...)
and took out two Stick models I must of acquired long ago pre internet drive to a store days. Simpler times (maybe). Barely sampled can't recall playing them slid back in their sleeve to be unearthed in 2025...

And here they are:
The Ride Stick is awesome
the Short Set Stick (hasn't a model name inked on it)

So a 30 year belated thank you out to Pete's Design and VF

VFsticks 001.JPGVFsticks 002.JPGVFsticks 003.JPG

let's see if the Ink's changed (nice green.) and if still on offer..
Yep both are still offered... the green ink has gone and the other PE stick is just called stick

vicfirth.com

Signature Series - Peter Erskine

Signature Series - Peter Erskine
vicfirth.com vicfirth.com

vicfirth.com

Signature Series - Peter Erskine "Ride Stick"

Signature Series - Peter Erskine "Ride Stick"
vicfirth.com vicfirth.com

look in your 'old box (es
 
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Gentle reminder
PETER ERSKINE has THREE Vic Firth Signature sticks.

*SPE (piccolo ball tip) doesn't really have a name was his 1st
*Ride Stick
Big Band Stick

*those two I found in-hiding for years confused me at first

vicfirth.com

Signature Series - Peter Erskine

Signature Series - Peter Erskine
vicfirth.com vicfirth.com
vicfirth.com

Signature Series - Peter Erskine "Ride Stick"

Signature Series - Peter Erskine "Ride Stick"
vicfirth.com vicfirth.com
vicfirth.com

Signature Series -- Peter Erskine -Big Band- Drumsticks

Designed with the iconic Peter Erskine, this stick combines the shaft dimensions of a 5A and 5B with a long taper for effortless rebound.
vicfirth.com vicfirth.com

till I realized there are 3 models.
 
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I do love the Goodwoods 7A but I wouldn't complain if they were a tad longer. Other than that, I don't think I ever stopped to think about having a custom-made drumstick for me at all.
 
I'd love to because Promark discontinued my two favorites (707 and 808 nylon, both hickory and oak). 😕 But from what I've found from admittedly little research, it'd be too cost prohibitive.
 
In all honesty no. I change my mind about size too much for that. I'd go for a stick with a specialised roll ( eg. Chunky with big tip for cross-stick ) and use off the peg sticks for general playing.

You have an endorsement?
 
I can get one from my local brand Hun. One bespoke pair would cost about the same as 2 normal pairs.
My current favourite sticks are the Vic Firth Keith Moon model. It's just a bit smaller than normal 5A, and I've always wondered if there are "metric" sized drumsticks in China that are similar in size but not as expensive. It seems that the only option is MORE expensive than what I'm trying to replace, and I'll likely only custom order from them if I need a different tip shape.
 
I've had a couple custom sticks made over the years but their main drawback was wood density, and they wore/broke easily.

All things considered, the big guys really do a good job with durability and consistency.

I sure would love a stick .575" thickness, 16" long, with a smallish barrel tip, gloss lacquer finish, and wood and nylon tips, but I guess I'll just keep dreaming, and keep buying Keith Carlocks. I may also give the Ash Soan stick a try...
 
Yep, I have my sticks made by Pellwood. Cost £25 to have the design which was one of their models but with a rounded wooden tip.

I just contact the rep if I need some and buy in bulk, it's a lot cheaper than going to a store and getting fleeced. They're very good quality hickory sticks. Used Pellwood for about 15 years now with no trouble and had my own sticks made for about the last 5. They'll make anyone a custom stick.

The Michael York stick, only from Pellwood :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
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