BREAKING STICKS

[drozzy]

I have only ever broken one stick in around 3 years of playing. That was a 6 year old Vic Firth 5a stick i got with my first kit.

I play mainly jazz, but i also use a lot of metal and heavy rock to vent some unwanted rage, and i do tend to hit things pretty hard, but i guess never hard enough to crack a stick. I ding and chip them, but never anything else.

Another key area to consider is the cymbals and hoops on your snare drum. I use quite curved triple flanged hoops, which dont attack the stick too much on rim shots, and all my cymbals are medium-heavy, so dont rip the sticks open like sharper thin cymbals.

[Shaneth]

I've played with 2B Vic Firths for around 10 months and they still haven't broken on me. I'm not too much of a hard hitter, but my sticks do have the normal indents in them from rimshots and my hi hat. I'm pretty sure that they'll break within my next couple practices or so.

I'm looking into getting some thicker sticks. Has anybody tried out Zildjian sticks yet? If so, are they of good quality?

[Latin Groover]

I'm looking into getting some thicker sticks. Has anybody tried out Zildjian sticks yet? If so, are they of good quality?

Thicker than 2Bs! God your hands must be huge. And in this thread theres been countless posts of the porr quality of zildjian sticks, but there is the occosial person that loves them.

[Shaneth]

in this thread theres been countless posts of the porr quality of zildjian sticks, but there is the occosial person that loves them.

Yeah I was looking around different topics and I saw a lot of awful reviews on Zildjian sticks. It appears that people seem to like ProMark and Vic Firth. Since I'm already on the Vics, I may try out one the ProMark brands.

My hands aren't THAT huge. Haha! They're wide, but not bulky.

[hauk]

i got some zildian DIPs a while back, they felt horrible and broke quickly. now i'm using vic firths, i had one defect stick that had the top inch or two break clean off diagonally after not too much use, but the pair i'm on now is holding up well. i'm thinking i may try promark oaks next time, just for a change

[my sacred music]

heres the thing, you break sticks or cymbals it reflects teqnique. if you break a drum head before its supposed to, then idk BUT! really dont worry about sticks to much there cheap, and as you get better and your teqnuqie improves you'll break less n less sticks. starting out, i used to go through a pair a week. now im going through a pair like every other month.

stay with vic-firth and pro-mark. they are pretty good.


i would maybe suggest some ahead sticks.

[laurence_drummer]

Brought a pair of Vic Firth - Steve Gadd sigs for practice use..

Stupidly played a gig with them. Broken after the first song =(

shameful.

Laul.

[drummerchick435]

I used to use Vic Firth sticks but I broke a brand new pair with probably 1 to 2 months of drumming then I switched to Pro Mark and they haven't broken since. I have them for about 4 months. So I would suggest Pro Marks.

[Shaneth]

I used Pro Mark Japanse Oak 2BNs and they haven't broke on me yet. I had a pair of Ludwig 7As that came with my drumset, but they lasted about a week. Pro Mark 2Bs are thick, so I guess that's why I haven't broken one of those yet.

My Vic Firth 5Bs lasted about 4 months. If I didn't cover them in electrical tape, they probably would've lasted around 2.

[fusssion]

Hi everyone, ......I dont' have a ton of time to search for EXACTLY what my issue is, so I hope you don't mind if I ask here real quick.

I use Vater Fusion (wood tip), I love them. Perfect size for me, ....they're light, and pretty strong, and usually hold up pretty well.

I am self taught, (90% self taught) ....and I see people saying...."your technique is wrong if you're breaking sticks" ...........well, I'm not too sure if I buy that rationale, but, if someone would like to expound a little, I'll certainly listen ;)

I just broke out a brand new pair last night at practice, and where the stick catches the snare rim, I'm getting a "decent" amount of [call it splitereing for lack of a better term]. Now, mind you, the stick isn't ruined by any stretch, but.....in 3 hours they don't look new anymore, let's put it that way.

Am I sitting too low, is my snare too high, vice-versa? Am I trying to hit too hard.

Hhhmmmmm....anyhow.......anything would be nice! Respond or PM me...thanks

[=J=]

Happens to me all the time. I cant play sticks for more than 30mins without them looking smashed up.

I used to play with my snare flat (at 90 degreed to the floor...if u get what i mean) it was alot easier to play rimshots but it destroyed my sticks. I got through at least a pair a day. I tipped the snare towards me more and i played accidental rimshots much less and my stick life rocketed. Im also self taught and i also get all the stuff about bad technique (although no one can point out what im doing wrong).

Even though i get much longer from a set of sticks now iv given in to the fact that i break alot and just buy Stagg 5As in bulk and have 2 good pairs for gigs.

Basically dont hit the rim :| theres no way wood can beat metal!

[mikeladrummer]

dear, stickbreaker

I've been playing drums for about six years total, and it wasnt till about one year ago that i was able to "break" this habbit. these a a few things that seemed to help me.

* cymbal angle, if you play with your cymbals tilted inward you will mostly cease you stickbreaking problem , but at the same time it will create a lot of stick definition and you will loose sound from your cymbal

* if you play with your cymbals horisontaly, then your problem probably comes from not having the right form, you are probably creating a pushing motion , as if you were pushing the stick towards the cymbal, For this i recomend, imagining yourself coming in from the top of the cymbal, and hitting it with a glancing blow just off center, and use your wrist.

* as far as sticks go , i have had a lot of luck with the pro mark 5A , they are a lighter smaller stick that seems to let me play smoother and faster , instead of using the heavier 2B which makes me want to destroy the drums since they are heavier

* and if you can, stay away from aluminum sticks, like ahead, and others, they have a plastic covering that wears off in about the same amount of time and if you dont replace the covering , the aluminum will crack your cymbals

overal, you should probably invest some time in looking up videos on drummerworld, or other instructional sites to see what they have to say

sincerely
mikeladrummer

[<<L3o Luk@?>>]

hmm....
i've got my ahead sticks for 2 1/2 years now and and my cymbals are still conmpletly safe.
but once i've break the ahead sticks^^ (by the way, they're not aluminum but carbon)

[Rebige]

I haven't broken sticks in over 6 months and i play alot!

[Rickk]

I have dozens of sticks, tried them all, I play hard when the music calls for it, never broke a stick?
They wear out but have not broken one yet.
The Best stick I have in my collection is Sound Percussion 5A, dont know where I got them or what they are made from , but they have the best weight and feel of any stick I have picked up.
Have a lot of Pro Mark and some VF and Regal. Vater is nice but the 5b I picked up at a Dave Dicenso clinic feels too heavy for my taste.

[lovemysonors]

i've been playing with VF 8Ds and finding that they'll break from rimshots after a couple of weeks.

VF 5As are too heavy for my taste, and the 7As are too short.

a friend swears Vaters are more durable than VFs. any suggestions of a Vater equivalent to a VF 8D?

[Pearl Player]

Stand By, Activate Anti Slamming filters.!!!!!

I have several kinds that I use. I have aheads both the 5a and the 7a depends on what im playing. As for wood sticks. LOL (prepare for the slam) Promark 747's Nylon tip. Point here is. Japanese oak. Harder than american oak. (key here is japanese oak or as some companies call it imported oak) I dont break sticks havnt in years. I just slowly whittle em away. The covers on my aheads last me several months. a pair of 747's last me about 5 or 6 weeks... Im a relativly hard player.

my 2 cents.

Mike

[Gene Smasher]

I really dont understand how people break so many sticks. I've had the pair I'm using for at least 4 months.

Your sticks must be real durable. What sticks do you use?

[pmsknives]

That is about normal for me too because I am a hard hitter. I buy 48 to 50 pair at a time.
Danny Meazell

Firth sticks I thought sucked...PROMARK all the way for me...Japanese oak last a bit longer for me....I hit hard and go through a pair every couple of weeks and I normally only play on the weekends...Play a lot of RUSH, CLUTCH,LIVING COLOUR....easy listening kinda music!! ha

Mark

[Rick_Strong]

Your sticks must be real durable. What sticks do you use?

I havent broken a set in 3 years lol
I play every wekend

[TheMattador]

I broke my first stick last practice (about a week ago) and didn't have any others on hands so I just duct taped it up. Hasn't failed me yet...although I have a sneaking suspicion that it might pretty soon :(

[furbeedog@gmail.com]

I use the Vic Firth 5As and break a stick every two weeks or maybe a month, I broke like 5 in January/February, which were my 2-3 year old ones I hadn't played with in a while, I bought new ones and haven't broken one yet.

[tooldrums1000]

I got a 6 pack of vic firth 5AN for christmas for $30. I broke 2 sticks/week. They stink! i like my 5BN vaters better,their heavier than my vics and they last longer

[tooldrums1000]

I reccemond vater 5BN to anyone. They never break.

[EternalArcadia]

I had a pair of SD1's and they broke on the 8th day i got them and the only time I used them was on the practice pad..

[max77]

I have a pair of Vater Manhattan 7A for 4 months ...

I play progressive rock and soft rock music.

I broke sticks in the first 6 months of playing drums ... but now I play for 3 years so ...

[Latin Groover]

I have a pair of Vater Manhattan 7A for 4 months ...

I play progressive rock and soft rock music.

I broke sticks in the first 6 months of playing drums ... but now I play for 3 years so ...

Yes, best sticks ive ever played, i still have my first Vater pair! Ive had them for about 10 months i think. Not even a chi[, absolutley amazing! They arn't even shredded or anythiung, they are indestructable! Im only on my 2nd pair because the others got so slippery! Even my second pair though i've had them for 3 months and they are starting to show dents, but still no chips etc. Just small indentations, i mean minor dents. I thought i'd break them today actually but i just got back from a gig and they are fine! I've had the best stick luck ever, or i have good technique, hoping it's technique here. :-) I've broken 2 sticks and 1 tip in four years. I only ever get new sticks because they lose there finish/grip.

[Budiesel]

The longest I've gone without breaking a stick was about 8 months or so. I played just about everyday (maybe a few sundays off). They were Pro-Mark American Hickory Millenium II 5A's suprisingly. Just thought I'd share

[jnqt]

my favorite sticks are by far VF 5b's, but theese are not the most dourable stick. Also in general i like a lighter stick, so i have found two sticks that are not to heavy but that are dourable. VF dave weckle's(this hold up along time for such a light stick)
and the promark neil peart customs, in my oppion one the the toughest sticks to break ever

it took me around a month to break those sticks (which is quite some time for me, i go through around a pair of 5b's ever week or two)

[drumminbro23]

I use Vic Firth Dave Weckl Signature Drumsticks maybe you should give them a try they are pritty good sticks. and if you need some sticks just for practise you should get a pair of those plastic colored sticks, the hallow ones (idk what they are called sry) iv never broken one of them

[Shaneth]

I still have my pair of ProMark Japanese Oak 2BNs and they still have not broken on me.

I suppose it's the cymbal angles that mostly determine the habit of breaking sticks. Since I have not broken too many pairs within my practices, I thank the positions of my cymbals (partially slanted, not horizontal).

[maddrummr]

No matter what stick I buy, the tip just gets chewed up like no other.

I have only split 2 sticks in the 2 years i have been playing but i dont know how many ive gotten rid of because the tip was deformed.

[Latin Groover]

No matter what stick I buy, the tip just gets chewed up like no other.

I have only split 2 sticks in the 2 years i have been playing but i dont know how many ive gotten rid of because the tip was deformed.

I've broken 3 sticks in the past 4years. I haven't broke a stick in over 2 years. I only get new sticks because a)the tips start to flatten, or B) usually what happens is the finish gets rubbed off from playing, to the point where they are just too slippery. I just guess i have bloody good luck.

[punkdrummer1]

I'll join the list of people who are tired of there sticks breaking.

Why not invest in some Ahead sticks. So far, I havent had any problems with them.

[Big_Philly]

In 11 years of playing, I have only broken two (2) sticks. And I am not the softest of players. I mostly use VF 5A or X5A.

[tomtom]

I don´t break many sticks, but I chew them up (around one pair a gig) from playing rimshots. Then they start to splinter up.

[Ruby_Faded_Pearls]

I would really go with the Ahead sticks. I have only broken one and it was only because of something stripping out that held on the cover

[tkillian]

I've totaled three pairs of sticks so far on my new drumset since I got it, probably around two months back. Is that too often? I use vic firth 5B's, and I'm thinking I've trying Vater to see if they're more durable ... either their 5B or the Josh Freese signature

what do you think? Am I breaking (they don't actually break, they just fray and split to impossible-to-play degrees) these things too often and I should try tougher sticks? I know there was a thread a while back about vic firth losing quality and stuff ....

My sticks (http://photobucket.com/albums/y186/aahznightsky/sticks%20all%20breakin/)

If you break sticks that often you are playing wrong. Learn how to play correctly. You can still get lots of volume, even doing rim shots, without breaking sticks.

[drumbuddy105133]

I had a pair of SD1's and they broke on the 8th day i got them and the only time I used them was on the practice pad..

really?? have same pair, VF SD1's, and they have lasted me two years. I really need to get new ones, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[Gene Smasher]

Actually I have never really broken sticks up to this point since I change sticks so often. I used Vic Firth American classic Rock in wood-tip, and I didn't hit hard either as I was playing a soft rock song. But crashing on a Avedis Zildjian medium crash was enough to cut a deep grove in the stick's shaft, and I was seriously disappointed.

So I didn't wait for it to break. I bought myself a pair of Vater 5As (0.570"), in wood-tip, and the groves weren't as deep even though I was crashing harder. Some more its so much thinner than Vic Firth Rock (0.630"). Says much about durability.

If you ask me, Vater's consistency and durability is way better and you'll break sticks less often. But then if you use the wrong technique the sticks won't help much, being wood, after all. So...

[spartacus1989]

I am sure I have read somewhere that Neil Peart breaks his sticks in his gigs because of an old drumming tradition, something to do with good luck!!

[fijjibo]

I swear by Vater Power 5AW's.

They never break, but sometimes they get chewed up so I get more. I like a fresh stick.

lol

[Beginer]

do your sticks get bent after some time of playing?? my sticks do.. first time I noticed it..

[NIMBY]

i have been playing my Vater Los Angeles 5A wood tips for about 6-7 months and they are brilliant! but they are getting a bit slippery now so i think it could be time for a new pair.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

do your sticks get bent after some time of playing?? my sticks do.. first time I noticed it..

Hmm... Do you happen to be playing very fast in fairly wet conditions? I've seen trees bent because of that... but I've never bent a drumstick. :)


Currently I'm going back and forth between Vic Firth and Pro Mark 7As. They are both a little different. I'm still searching for the perfect 7A. I've had these for maybe a month. Pro Marks are still fine. One of my Vic Firth's has two little chips in the tip. I hate that. I don't really break sticks any more other than the very tips- I guess from my rides and bells?

[Beginer]

Hmm... Do you happen to be playing very fast in fairly wet conditions? I've seen trees bent because of that... but I've never bent a drumstick. :)
yeah, sometimes I play fast and its sometimes rainy in our climate..
maybe..

[RUSTE]

I use pro mark's & ahead sticks. Ive only broken a pro mark once or twice & play pretty hard. Believe it or not i broke the metal in the joey jordison ahead stick in half on the rim of my snare doing rimshots!

The worst sticks ever are unigrips. Really good designs, cheap & loved the feel of them. But they dont last. In fact there so bad id break one every other song! Thats if the tips didnt come of first... On word., Pants

[jollymosher]

I really dont understand how people break so many sticks. I've had the pair I'm using for at least 4 months.

im lucky if i only break 1 pair every band practice, and 3 pairs at a show. i want to buy like 6 pairs of aheads, but thats a large investment.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

yeah, sometimes I play fast and its sometimes rainy in our climate..
maybe..

Aha! YES!!! It would be funny to make a video like that- you playing extremely fast with wind driven rain smacking you in the face, and piece by piece little tornadoes pick up pieces of your kit until all your are left with is the snare drum.

[Motley_Drummer]

I've totaled three pairs of sticks so far on my new drumset since I got it, probably around two months back. Is that too often? I use vic firth 5B's, and I'm thinking I've trying Vater to see if they're more durable ... either their 5B or the Josh Freese signature

what do you think? Am I breaking (they don't actually break, they just fray and split to impossible-to-play degrees) these things too often and I should try tougher sticks? I know there was a thread a while back about vic firth losing quality and stuff ....

My sticks (http://photobucket.com/albums/y186/aahznightsky/sticks%20all%20breakin/)



Vic Firths are ok but i just got a pair of 5b's about 2 weeks ago and they busted.
All there sticks break on me to fast and so do vaters.They last about a week but
if you want a good stick ill tell you Pro Mark makes the BEST! ive had 4 tommy aldridge pairs since febuary and they have not broke. i use the shira kashi oak but on the stick it just says japan oak.
i like the tommy sticks but there a little to big.So i just picked up a pair of neil pearts there as strong and lighter and the tip is a lil better.

[Victor_se]

I use Thomas Lang Signature sticks and I break about one stick every one or two practices. My record so far is three sticks in less than 10 minutes.

In response to your problem though it may be because of the way your cymabls are posistioned or if your using too much rim when you hit the drums.

Breaking sticks is normal. But expensive...


I use the same stick and for me theay are really durables

I play really hard sometimes and they still there and in good shape


Maybe the position of the cymbals on both have the problem

[Big_Philly]

The other day I was playing in church using my Roland, but the sound guy hadn't turned my volume up enough so I had to play as loud as I can. I was using maple sticks for a change, I like their feel. During the last song I managed to break one stick on a cymbal pad...

Yes, you read that correctly, I broke a stick on an electronic drum kit.

Did this ever happen to somebody else?

[fijjibo]

The other day I was playing in church using my Roland, but the sound guy hadn't turned my volume up enough so I had to play as loud as I can. I was using maple sticks for a change, I like their feel. During the last song I managed to break one stick on a cymbal pad...

Yes, you read that correctly, I broke a stick on an electronic drum kit.

Did this ever happen to somebody else?

Yeah, people think that its impossible to break a stick on an electric kit.
Why?

Your hitting exactly the same force, only on a less forgiving surface, Ive totaled loads of sticks on an electric kit.

[Big_Philly]

Yeah, people think that its impossible to break a stick on an electric kit.
Why?


Because of the rubber padding rather than hard metal rims...
Well I don't think I'll ever be using maple sticks again, Hickory is a lot tougher.

[de Nick]

I use Vic Firth 5a sticks and they last very long, even for about 2 months!!

[fijjibo]

Because of the rubber padding rather than hard metal rims...
Well I don't think I'll ever be using maple sticks again, Hickory is a lot tougher.

I suppose, but In my experiance people hit alot harder on electric drums anyway, as they believe they can get more sound out of them by whacking them to death.

*volume switch*
lol

[Halidman]

I am sure I have read somewhere that Neil Peart breaks his sticks in his gigs because of an old drumming tradition, something to do with good luck!!
i used his sticks a while back, their not too bad actually.

You guys gotta try out the promark funk bats though. their heavy, but not too heavy, just right, if ya know what i mean ;)

[Halidman]

I am sure I have read somewhere that Neil Peart breaks his sticks in his gigs because of an old drumming tradition, something to do with good luck!!
i used his sticks a while back, their not too bad actually.

You guys gotta try out the promark funk bats though. their heavy, but not too heavy, just right, if ya know what i mean ;)

[Victor_se]

Has somebody used mike portnoy sticks?

[fijjibo]

Has somebody used mike portnoy sticks?

Yeah, they are quite small, right?


Im going through a stick breaking phase.

Ive been playing intensely over the past month, building up arm strength, so my sticks are suffering......

I might switch to a bigger stick in fact.

[Odranaz]

portnoys stick is actually my main stick, and ive been doing okay with them as of breaking them. im some what of a hard hitter, but not crazy hard. i just love the diameter of them.

[Latin Groover]

God will this thread never end.

[fijjibo]

I want to maybe give a Dave Weckl stick a try - I like the feel of them when I have tested them in a shop.

But.... Im used to my trust Vaters holding up well - would Vic's stix break more easily?

[ULTIMATEDRUMMER]

Well I use Vic firth
I try to make them last as long as possible.
but I do to many rim shots.

[BadMuthrFingr]

I have Vic Firth B5s and they have never broken. Theyre all chipped and about half of the tips are missing. They can survive anything and on a couple of occasions Ive even tried to break them to test them. Both sticks are in one piece.

~BMF

[Victor_se]

God will this thread never end.

I know! I've edited the first post to reflect more recent experience (I think I started this thread two years ago hehe)

edit: a day less than 2 years! That's odd huh.



xD

this thread started in 08-24-2005!

[Big_Philly]

I have been using VF 5a as my default stick for over 5 years now, and I've only broken about two pairs of them, a pair usually lasts me two three months. Then they're pretty chewed up so I just replace them. Am I hitting too soft?
A friend of mine hits like a neanderthal and breaks about one pair of VF2B's every 4 weeks :D

[Mystic]

ya hitting hard really doesn't do too much except damage your equipment but I just broke a pair of VF's after about a year maybe but yea they last. Not my favorite but they do last my favs are pro mark 7A atm because they are light durable and made of maple :D VF's are usually bigger in diameter as well

[trysthedrummer]

I've never had, in my 5 years of playing, a stick break whilst Im playing. All that happens is the middle frays due to rimshots. I've always gone back to Fic Virth's!

[tomk]

I've read some comments and stuff about sticks breaking. Here'e my thoughts about it.

Stick breaks depend on a few things: frequency, velocity, technique.

Someone who plays more frequently at shows and practices alot will break stick more frequently.

If this person hits with great velocity, the sticks will be prone to breaking at a faster rate.

Technique...well you all know that.

The point is, choose the right stick for the job if you don't want to keep paying for sticks. There's a guy in one of the first posts that said he breaks thomas lang stick like every day or something like that....thats just nuts. He should be using marching band drumsticks. I'd hate to see his kit. He must change drumheads just as often as he does sticks if you think about it.

[Bob Smith]

last pair i broke just broke clean in half for one and then the other splintered just like a

tooth-pick they were Vic Firth 2B's by the way 2B's suck never buy a pair of them.

[nick_bailey]

Carbon Fibre sticks do the trick, I must say.

Carbosticks to be precise, strong as, to strong.

[Mach21andy]

really?? have same pair, VF SD1's, and they have lasted me two years. I really need to get new ones, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I have 2 pairs of the same--- haven't failed me yet!

[bonzolead]

Carbon Fibre sticks do the trick, I must say.

Carbosticks to be precise, strong as, to strong.
IMO nothing has the same feel as wood.get the finest grain & straightest wood drumsticks regardless of brand and they should last a long time you just have to pick thru them.

Bonzolead

[chrisobrien54]

In my experience what will break a stick;

Hats not settling properly, causing a lip which wears the stick down over (a long!) time, coupled with hard hitting will eventually break the stick

Playing like an idiot and hitting the rims, rather than the drum head, hard

Using cheap nasty light sticks, and playing like an idiot

Id consider my self a hard hitter yet have only broken 4 or 5 sticks in my three years of playing seriously. I know other local drummers who break sticks every week! In my experience its all down to technique, and lack off. Sorry if this offends but it winds me up when I see drummers battering the hell out of their drums - they achieve no greater volume and, in my opinion, only demonstrate a lack of understanding of how a drum works.

[Ben Tormey]

I have to agree with Chris, I rarely replace my sticks, and it annoys me to see people breaking sticks, heads, and maybe even cymbals because of poor technique. Not only that, they injure themselves too.

[-Nirvana-]

I have never broken a stick but its true that if you have really bad technique then you will be more likely to brake your sticks. I use vic firth 5A ROCK and some times 2B and one pair of my 5A have last me like 5 months. For me i think vic's are the best but thats me.

[Joecool1010]

well i broke a pair of Regal Tip sticks over the summer. my dad also bought me a pair of sticks from this company named Century when he went to the Philippines. they were 5A nylon tip but the tips were quite weak and really big. well i broke both sticks the first one had the tip fly off it and the second one had a nice clean cut down the middle. and just yesterday i broke one of my Steve Gadd Signature Sticks in the exact same form :(

[drummerbobby7001]

I've started using Vic Firth Extreme 5AN's and I really like the longer stick length because I play with a more open kit. Just one question. For some reason, when I've been playing on these sticks lately, they don't break where the shaft starts to taper like sticks usually do, they break over the logo of the stick. It's really weird. I do rim shots sometimes on my snare drum so I thought it was that, but it happens to my other stick to. And this has never happened to me before. I usually break sticks rarely. Is it the type of stick? My technique?...

[Hit Hard & Fast]

I've started using Vic Firth Extreme 5AN's and I really like the longer stick length because I play with a more open kit. Just one question. For some reason, when I've been playing on these sticks lately, they don't break where the shaft starts to taper like sticks usually do, they break over the logo of the stick. It's really weird. I do rim shots sometimes on my snare drum so I thought it was that, but it happens to my other stick to. And this has never happened to me before. I usually break sticks rarely. Is it the type of stick? My technique?...



It could also be a problem with a batch of VF sticks?

[Bob Smith]

well i just broke every stick in my bag becaue i bought them all at once and they were about 2 years old so now i have to spend like $40 to restock my bag

[ArmedTadpole]

I have been playing drums for about 3 years now and i have broken only a couple of pairs of sticks, everyone else i know breaks about a pair a month. i normally wear out the wooden tips until they are non-existant before they will break.

[chipritter]

the day after I saw Mike Terrana's video "DOUBLE BASS MECHANICS"
in which he talked about how he learned to swipe cymbals etc... which makes em even louder than forceing the cymbal into the post with a direct hit, Keeping that advice helped me to all but stop breaking sticks alltogether because the video also talked about pullintg the sound up and out of the drum rather than forcing power down into it.
whipping off the top of the head via the grip allowing the rebound in controlled motion.
Just work on glancing and whipping more than crushing and you will find LOUDER "cymbal ability" for lack of a better word and clearer strokes on the toms and snare if you try it enough.
working on the basics more, helped me as well.
The best drummers I have seen play rarely break sticks at all in my opinion

[Fiery]

The last stick I broke was a Vic Firth Rock and it lasted me three 2-hour rehearsals and a gig. It's all due to heavy rimshots, sticks used to last me up to a year or more before I started hitting rimshots. When you have to be heard through amps with no PA help of your own, something's got to break.

[Namaan]

i have used several different types of sticks, from loads of makers, i've been playing for about 4 years oan and off due to injuries, and have broken 3 pairs of sticks...

i've recently started using Vic Firth 5a's.. a good stick for me...my old pro-mark ones were pretty good too

[Tintenfisch]

Well I was looking up some tricks to do and I saw on youtube of a guy throwing his sticks at the ground and catching them as they shot back up. And as they say "monkey see monkey do" and...well



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/destinsbattle/?action=view&current=Drumsticksnap.jpg

[branflakes992]

Here is the formula for stick breaking.

Poor Technique+Hitting Like There Is No Tomorrow =Sticks breaking a lot

I have been playing drums for almost 2 years now and I have broken 2 sticks only because they were shredded by my teacher's Sabian Paragon hi-hats wich are EXTREMELY thin.
Position your cymbals slightly tilted down so when the shoulder of the stick hits your crash it will leave a minor mark or none at all. With good technique you'll save money on heads and sticks. Don't even get me started on breaking heads haha

[Drummerboy30]

Please dont try to tell me I have poor technique, because I know better, but the honest truth is I go through drumsticks quite often. Yes, I play rock and metal as you may have guessed. But ya know, I play my cymbals in such a way to reduce shock to the cymbal and due to this it sort of gives the stick more of the shock, but its pretty simple. Stick begins to shave a some, then its shaved a lot, and eventually it just breaks from being very very thin. But when it comes to just literaly snapping a good stick...now that IS due to poor technique. Peace
D.

[Drummerboy30]

I've started using Vic Firth Extreme 5AN's and I really like the longer stick length because I play with a more open kit. Just one question. For some reason, when I've been playing on these sticks lately, they don't break where the shaft starts to taper like sticks usually do, they break over the logo of the stick. It's really weird. I do rim shots sometimes on my snare drum so I thought it was that, but it happens to my other stick to. And this has never happened to me before. I usually break sticks rarely. Is it the type of stick? My technique?...

Hey drummerbobby,
If your breaking sticks around the logo (mid shaft) of the stick, this means that you are hitting WAY too hard, i guess thats all there is too say, so work on pulling the sound out of the drum rather then smashing it into it. Peace man
D.

[MartiniDave1121]

i have only broke one stick, it was a Zildian 5b nylon dip and i was very intoxicated.

pro-mark 747 can withstand anything i can throw at them and the vic firth Buddy Rich sig seems to be built well for heavy hitting.

[sabian0311]

i use Vic Firth 5a wood tip sticks. my first one broke were the stick starts to tapper to the tip, is this good? also my other stick hasnt broke but the tip of the stick is no longer round. its a square, so should i junk this stick? the drum shop recomended using oak sticks so i have a pair of Pro mark 5a oak. my left stick keeps breaking at the middle (i have my snare set so i hit rim shots 100% of the time.) but my right hand stick like said either breaks at the taper point or the tip just goes to crap. any help would be great.

[TheIronCobr4]

i have only broke one stick, it was a Zildian 5b nylon dip and i was very intoxicated.

pro-mark 747 can withstand anything i can throw at them and the vic firth Buddy Rich sig seems to be built well for heavy hitting.

I'm a pro-mark fan and while the 747's are great I have broken tons of them. If you want some good pro-mark sticks get either their 5b's (which are fantastic) or their 2b's which I haven't been able to break yet.

[uhoh38125]

buy oak sticks...problem solved

[ikillau]

i use to break all sorts of size sticks doing rim shots on the snare , a temporary solution i found was raping the stick with duck tape , it makes the stick last a little longer and doesn't really effect the sound

[asht89]

I agree that nothing seems to have the same feel as wood sticks (as apposed to carbon fiber). I use vic firth 5a's and they do break, but only through wear and tear as any stick would. I swear by vic firths now days as they never let me down. Vater's sticks seem pretty good too, i used the funkblasters for a while and they hold up really well. I tried some 5A (i think) zildjian sticks. Don't buy them, i had a few pairs and they didnt last 5 minutes, the wood seemed very weak to be honest. I tried some other type of zildjian stick, and that seemed to be ok though. I tried a pair of mike portnoys pro mark signature sticks once and i sliced the one stick in half, but that was my fault due to how i hit the cymbal.

[CASP3Rdrummer]

ive been playing around 6 years drums. since then i havent broken a single stick. the only problem ive noticed lately is that my favorite sticks VF 5A chip like hell. has anyone else noticed this or am i going crazy. if you also think as me do you know any simmilar stick from other brand that might chip less cause im tired of buying new ones when i already have like 2 weeks brand new chipped stick :(

[Tylerdrums109]

When i started playing i used to break sticks every once and a while but after a few months into my playing once my technique was more proper i stopped breaking them so easily...now i have been using a set of extreme 5A vic firths for the past two months and they are in great condition....its wierd because i used to use heavier sticks and was breaking them...now that im working my way down in size im breaking sticks less

[Philippe]

it's so funny, I have never breaked a stick once... whatever the reason. maybe it's cause I change them after 3-4 weeks. I like the tips being round, that's why.

[baron.von.tito]

i broke some local crappy stcks, but travis barker sign stick is workin great for me, i heard people sayin its not good, but workd great for me :P

[Drumsword]

When I practice, A pair of Vic Firth 5A nylons last me about 6 months.

Playing live I usually end up breaking 3 or 4 sticks a show because I wind up playing harder as the adrenaline gets going. Heavier songs I do alternate and go to a pair of Ahead 5a's.

[Warheart]

I've annihilated a substantial amount of sticks in my time. Always either from rimshots or RAGE.

Some are more resilient than others, but I never keep track.

[samd]

in my experience, nothing comes close to pro-mark sticks.
i use pro-mark 5B nylon tips. they're great and last for ages compared to any other makes i've bought.

[-tarek-]

well i bought a pair of $10 no name, scrappy, crappy sticks and they are the bomb!


$10 for one pair! Holy hell that is expensive!!! A pair of Vic Firths about $6.50 here. Try the Danny Carey Signatures sticks. They are huge, but tapered in where you grip. Truly amazing sticks!

[joshisaces]

I break a stick a week, having about 5 hours of practice a week. Of course, I'm just 13 and I'm not very strong XDDD

[Fiery]

Try the Danny Carey Signatures sticks. They are huge, but tapered in where you grip. Truly amazing sticks!
They feel great and sound great, but they break way too easy.

[joshisaces]

I've noticed that parts of a stick gets skinnier when riding on a crash or something. That part of the stick becomes week, and finally gives in, and if you tighten your snare super tight, like when you press your finger on it hard, it doesn't go down, it's just like hitting it on a piece of concrete. With a looser snare, the head absorbs the stick.

[drumguyfromWI]

I don't break sticks as often as most... (maybe a "thank you" to Pro-Mark is in order???)

but when I do break sticks, it's usually not the whole stick snapping in two. what usually happens to my sticks is the middle of the shaft gets splintered from hitting the rim of my snare from doing rimshots, or the top half of the stick kind of cracks in a diagonal line down the stick, rendering the stick useless. that kind of sucks, I'll be playing and all of a sudden my stick feels weird and wobbly, and I'm like "crap."

also, I use nylon tips, and I've only had the nylon part break off once.

[dkerwood]

Since I switched to the Pro Mark Japan Oak sticks (7A, 747, and 5A), I've broken 2 sticks. That's been about 5 years ago.

The first was about 2 years old and had been chopped up pretty badly from hi hats and rimshots. I replaced it and gave the pair to one of my students. He took them to a high school basketball game intending to break them (I told him I had been unable to break them), and he finally did.

The second was my first and only pair of Japan Oak nylon tip sticks. Straight from the store, I pulled them out of the sleeve, start playing for a church youth group, and the tip snaps off about 15 minutes later. I don't know if it was a faulty stick or what, but I've not had problems with the Japan Oak sticks aside from that.

I did just buy some coated sticks for practicing, and I'm chewing through them pretty quickly, since I love rimshots and heavy hats.

[LeeLovesSabian]

A good way to resist breaking sticks is to use Easton Ahead

[Fiery]

A good way to resist breaking sticks is to use Easton Ahead
Not if you play rimshots.

[LeeLovesSabian]

They've never broken from a rimshot from me.
But I don't rimshot that much

[luke.drummer]

hey i like playing along to mars volta tracks
.........can anyone say trash set.
well my sticks sure can, though they dont break much they chip away nice and good and i think that along with plenty of rimshots is a perfect recipe for broken sticks
im usin dw and vater 5A's

[watersunderground]

Yeah it really depends on the grain because ive had vf 5a's that break in one practice then ive had them last me 3 or 4 months. it seems its kinda luck of the draw.

[Blue/Olive Badge]

In my experience what will break a stick;

Hats not settling properly, causing a lip which wears the stick down over (a long!) time, coupled with hard hitting will eventually break the stick

Playing like an idiot and hitting the rims, rather than the drum head, hard

Using cheap nasty light sticks, and playing like an idiot

Id consider my self a hard hitter yet have only broken 4 or 5 sticks in my three years of playing seriously. I know other local drummers who break sticks every week! In my experience its all down to technique, and lack off. Sorry if this offends but it winds me up when I see drummers battering the hell out of their drums - they achieve no greater volume and, in my opinion, only demonstrate a lack of understanding of how a drum works.



I find most sticks I've broken are from flaws in the stick themselves. A small knot or bad length of wood grain can cause a stick to split. The wood type itself can be the biggest cause. I try to play oak sticks for obvious reasons that it's a harder wood.

[ddamm27913]

maybe its because i love to buy new sticks

but ive been playing for 10 years and have never completely broken a stick while playing. you guys hit too hard or something....

[Benmalka]

I also love buying new sticks just because there so clean and well new, but mine do break like once I've had a stick snap straight through the middle during practice but that was after about 2 hours of intense practice and hard hitting. But using the rim does ware down your sticks a hell of a lot.

[elliotdrummer7227]

Sounds like you've got some good advice here, let's review...

1. you play A LOT for long periods of time...breakage increases
2. you play fairly hard, with lots of rim shots
3. you're using a large stick...

When I was younger, I broke a lot of sticks, so I'd bought those "bucket" sticks for dirt cheap my shop had on sale, usually no-namers.

However, once my playing got better, and I began to mature as a musician, I found I stopped hitting so hard, and started pulling the sound out of the drum, which sounded better, fit in better with the band, and saved on sticks.

I also noticed I broke most of my stick because I was hitting the shoulder hard on the bell of my ride, trying to cut through the wall of sound my guitarist was putting up. One well placed hit was all it took to snap the shaft. Watch out for that...

The other thing you might try, is using little or no muffle on your drums. This will make them much louder, but also increase the ringing, which may cause you not to hit the rim so hard, if a tap gets your sound...

Good luck

ye that ride thing happened to me with my pro-mark 5b the tip just split in two!i now use VF 3a best sticks i have used:)

[ascreamingYeti]

terry bozio sigs FTW!!!

[topgun2021]

I have something, I can not figure out how the head are chipping.


Now, I was playing with some Zlijdian 5A anti vibes, and it seems after a few times playing. the heads chip. I have also noticed any time I use pro mark 5A's on a drum set (I like their drum line sticks though) the heads chip and the necks splinter really fast, within minutes.

I think it might be how I hit the cymbals, I hit the cymbals right under the head mostly. On a high hat I usually use the head.

I don't like this at all.

[Karma Killer]

I can't say I have ever broken any sticks myself.

Although the guitarist from my band had a go on the drums and got a little bit excited and managed to snap one of mine the other week haha.

[elliotdrummer7227]

this is what happened to my VF 3a

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq349/drummer7227/IMG_3371.jpg

[Funky Crêpe]

if you break the tips it meand nothing.....just get new ones!...its bound to happen sometime with wood tips...
but if they break in the middle!....re-evaluate your noise level!....your supposed to make the drums sing, not take their breath away!

[Fiery]

Sometimes noise is a necessity. This is what my sticks tend to look like after a few weeks if they don't break sooner:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/TheFiery/sviranje/DSC00464.jpg

[Funky Crêpe]

Sometimes noise is a necessity. This is what my sticks tend to look like after a few weeks if they don't break sooner:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/TheFiery/sviranje/DSC00464.jpg
haha! how does that even happen???!!!!
do you hit the kit with the body of the stick or what!

[trysthedrummer]

Lots of rimshots! That's what mine look like but definitely not after 2 weeks!!

[Fiery]

It takes more than two weeks for me too. I'd say the one in the picture was at least a month old, probably more. But it's worth mentioning that I play 2-3 hours a week on an actual kit on average.

[kzdruma]

I way breaking sticks left and right back in the day. I tweaked my control and repositioned my cymbals... much less breakage now!!!

[flintii]

I Don't Know If Anyone Has Suggested This Already Or Not (Im To Lazy To Look Through All The Pages).

I bought some Hockey Stick Tape (fibre glass tape) and i wrapped it thinly around where i was breaking my sticks by rim shoting them and now they dont break! + the sound hardly changes!

def recommend it!

[tribal13]

good idea! my opinion, zildjian makes great cymbals, bad sticks. i bought a pair of 5b's and splintered them right down the middle on second practice.

[Seebz]

I must say Stagg sticks and some other low budget sticks, just don't work, also I have bad experience with zildjian sticks, and carbo sticks have a tendency to have one great stick, and the other one in pair is faulty... so if you buy carbo sticks, buy two pairs and then you get one great pair:)

[rjvsmb]

Hey Drummerworld,

I was checking out Steve Smith's web site and I came across some clips of him talking about the gear he uses. One of the clips is him talking about his signature sticks.

At about the 1:50 mark he talks about how improving his technique allowed him to move from the large 2b's he used with Journey down to 5a's (his sig stick is essentially a 5a with a elogated tip) and still maintain a big sound when needed and dramatically reduced the frequency of breaking sticks.

http://vitalinformation.com/store/vi.htm

Hopefully this adds some insight for an experienced pro.

All the best,
rjvsmb

[metallica246810]

I don't care what anybody says, there's no such thing as playing too hard, and promark 2b oaks are the balls. the harder you play, the better it sounds, as long as you know what you're doing and it's appropriate for the song. I don't break many sticks these days, but they're usually on their death bed at the end of 3 hours of total play.

[merita]

I've only been playing a year or so and I'm still at the point of breaking sticks all the time. Husband complains everytime I break a pair... so I think I might look into that hockey tape theory of yours. But wait, how often does one break sticks..I find myself needing a new pair at least once a month..too me..that's not that bad, but like I said, Husband thinks thats ridiculous..LoL. I've lowered my hi hats even, and repositioned cymbals..but the truth of the matter is.. they're just wood..they're GOING TO BREAK..LoL...


I Don't Know If Anyone Has Suggested This Already Or Not (Im To Lazy To Look Through All The Pages).

I bought some Hockey Stick Tape (fibre glass tape) and i wrapped it thinly around where i was breaking my sticks by rim shoting them and now they dont break! + the sound hardly changes!

def recommend it!

[merita]

I've seen sticks like this... she tends to pop the rim a lot on snare hits... it gives a different sound....some extra flare but its HECK on her sticks.


I Don't Know If Anyone Has Suggested This Already Or Not (Im To Lazy To Look Through All The Pages).

I bought some Hockey Stick Tape (fibre glass tape) and i wrapped it thinly around where i was breaking my sticks by rim shoting them and now they dont break! + the sound hardly changes!

def recommend it!

Sometimes noise is a necessity. This is what my sticks tend to look like after a few weeks if they don't break sooner:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/TheFiery/sviranje/DSC00464.jpg

[flintii]

Sticks will always break! there wood and your hitting things with them!

I rim shot hard and used to break sticks within afew hours of heavy gigging.

now my sticks dont really break! now after afew weeks they start to feel abit flimsy nearer the tip so i just replace them!

Hockey tape will only cost afew £'s but will prolong the life of your sticks by a hell of alot!

[HOUSTON 94]

Im new to drumming. A lot of you guys speak of rim shots. How do you do them properly to not f up your sticks so much? I havent really used them all that much. I also just bought some Pro-Mark 747b's, jap oak.

[beastdrummagirl]

I use Thomas Lang Signature sticks and I break about one stick every one or two practices. My record so far is three sticks in less than 10 minutes.

In response to your problem though it may be because of the way your cymabls are posistioned or if your using too much rim when you hit the drums.

Breaking sticks is normal. But expensive...

I broke two pairs of sticks last week at youth group but I had been playing heavy metal which is mostly well... hitting the rim of the crash repeatedly. I don't know bout you but my goal is trying not to break sticks, but every time I break sticks, which isn't often, the sticks are always EXPENSIVE zildjian!!!!! Plus the rim thing, SO TRUE!! I was giving lessons to a girl in my nieghboorhood and she kept hitting the rim of the snare which I also think contributed to the crack in the tip.

[joshisaces]

Im new to drumming. A lot of you guys speak of rim shots. How do you do them properly to not f up your sticks so much? I havent really used them all that much. I also just bought some Pro-Mark 747b's, jap oak.

There is no way. Rimshots will always cause them to break.

[zafrothunder]

lol my friend was playing one time, and he felt something hit him in the chest, and then he realized half of his stick just completely snapped, ricocheted off the ride, and tried to stab him basically.

made for an interesting "break" in the beat...




man im so freakin funny

[joshisaces]

lol my friend was playing one time, and he felt something hit him in the chest, and then he realized half of his stick just completely snapped, ricocheted off the ride, and tried to stab him basically.

made for an interesting break in the beat...




man im so freakin funny

That happened to me before. I was bleeding.....

[zafrothunder]

That happened to me before. I was bleeding.....

LOL its a contact sport

i've hit myself in the face with the sticks one time. I was doing a roll, and i put my face too close to the snare...it was all a reddish blur after that...

[zephead19]

lol my friend was playing one time, and he felt something hit him in the chest, and then he realized half of his stick just completely snapped, ricocheted off the ride, and tried to stab him basically.

made for an interesting "break" in the beat...




man im so freakin funny

Haha thats a knee slapper! Nice pun

[coasterbeats]

I've been playing for two years, I've never actually broken a stick, and I play quite hard. I have pro mark 5 B "Sumo Sticks". While they aren't broken, they have definitely succumbed to their fair share of war wounds...

[Fiery]

Im new to drumming. A lot of you guys speak of rim shots. How do you do them properly to not f up your sticks so much? I havent really used them all that much. I also just bought some Pro-Mark 747b's, jap oak.
Don't bury the stick into the drum. Stop your arm movement before the stick hits the drum and let the momentum bring your hand and the stick the rest of the way, and then rebound freely. It's basicaly like a flick of the wrist, like cracking a whip.
Perform every stroke like this, even the soft ones, and your sticks, heads, cymbal and hands will thank you, and your drums will sound better too.

[bamdrummer]

i love rimshots.
this is after one gig...its a vater 5a.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/february1009.jpg (http://photobucket.com/albums/y290/nuthajason/?)

Vic Firth Dave Weckl Signature sticks. Just thought it looked cool.

[airsmunch1]

My advice:

Buy sticks that break, so you don't break heads and cymbals as regularly!

John "Crash" Jones
www.wolvesatthedoor.net

[♪♫Aaron♫♪]

good idea! my opinion, zildjian makes great cymbals, bad sticks. i bought a pair of 5b's and splintered them right down the middle on second practice.

from what i've experienced, thinner sticks like 5a's and even more so 7a's break far less for me than the 5b's do; no matter what make zildjian, vic firth etc.

[bonzolead]

Everybody it's not the brand,type,wood,etc. count the grains from the but end of the stick the more grains and straighter grains the stronger the stick it's basic physics.

Yon can get a Regal-Tip 7a with 7+ straight grains and it will last longer than a Pro-Mark 2S with 2 crooked grains.......really.

The finer & straighter the grain is what you look for.

Bonzolead

[arthurk1]

I play with 2B's and break at least two per night and that is a club gig. If I don't have a mass of woodchips under my kit when I am packing up, I wasn't wailing enough! I feel you should be exhausted after a night of playing!

[DSCRAPRE]

The sticks at my local music go round are awesome. They are 4 bucks v.s. the $8 vic firths. And it turns out that Vic Firth MAKES the generics. It says so on the little sleeve and recently, right on the stick. its awesome.

[Heyweston]

I hardly ever break sticks I play the quads in the marching band and my friend breaks sticks all the time it frustrates me so much

[Fiery]

Everybody it's not the brand,type,wood,etc. count the grains from the but end of the stick the more grains and straighter grains the stronger the stick it's basic physics.

Yon can get a Regal-Tip 7a with 7+ straight grains and it will last longer than a Pro-Mark 2S with 2 crooked grains.......really.

The finer & straighter the grain is what you look for.

Bonzolead
It's the exact opposite in my experience, concerning the number of grains. Less grains means more solid wood. Such sticks are also generally heavier than sticks with finer grain.
(In general, the heavier the stick, the longer it will last.)

I've had two pairs of Vic Firth Tomas Haake signature sticks - .645 in diameter - with very fine grains, ten+ lines per stick, and they lasted around six weeks before I was left with only one whole sticks. They were also lighter than a typical 5B. On the other hand, a single pair of Vic Firth 2B - .630 in diameter - with three grain lines had lasted me three or four months (more than twelve weeks, or double the time the Tomas Haake sigs lasted). They were also the heavies pair of the whole batch in the shop. Really.

Of course, the grains should be as straight and regular as possible.

[topgun2021]

What I hate is that I never break sticks on my drums, but my cymbals will chip my tips so often.

[nick.bedford]

I really dont understand how people break so many sticks. I've had the pair I'm using for at least 4 months.

I play alternative rock and I do rim shots as much as possible. Basically I have to play loud, as it also improves my performance and sounds better. But even then it takes me a little while to get through a pair of sticks.

[airsmunch1]

I would rather break sticks than cymbals or heads! In my humble opinion.

I go through about 3 or 4 sticks a night.

John Crash Jones
Wolves at the Door
www.wolvesatthedoor.net

[Phil Brodermann]

Has anyone had any experience with S-hoops, and the difference they make to the average stick life, in terms of rim shots? cheers.

[Just Another Drummer]

Vic firth 3A Rock!! They have a barrel tip for nice cymbal sounds and a beef-up neck, good for recording. And about durability....FOREVER

[Music is Awesome]

I keep breaking my sticks and denting my toms' head. Now it's is just getting annoying and costly to keep breaking my sticks.

[MikeM]

I keep breaking my sticks and denting my toms' head. Now it's is just getting annoying and costly to keep breaking my sticks.If you're denting the tom heads, then the toms are probably angled too much. This will also cause your sticks to break off up at the tips.

[bonzolead]

It's the exact opposite in my experience, concerning the number of grains. Less grains means more solid wood. Such sticks are also generally heavier than sticks with finer grain.
(In general, the heavier the stick, the longer it will last.)

I've had two pairs of Vic Firth Tomas Haake signature sticks - .645 in diameter - with very fine grains, ten+ lines per stick, and they lasted around six weeks before I was left with only one whole sticks. They were also lighter than a typical 5B. On the other hand, a single pair of Vic Firth 2B - .630 in diameter - with three grain lines had lasted me three or four months (more than twelve weeks, or double the time the Tomas Haake sigs lasted). They were also the heavies pair of the whole batch in the shop. Really.

Of course, the grains should be as straight and regular as possible.

you just got a freak pair.................really LOL

keep swattin the finest grain sticks possible,
Bonzolead

[bonzolead]

I keep breaking my sticks and denting my toms' head. Now it's is just getting annoying and costly to keep breaking my sticks.

quit trying too kill your drums........they are your friends.

Bonzolead

[bonzolead]

Vic firth 3A Rock!! They have a barrel tip for nice cymbal sounds and a beef-up neck, good for recording. And about durability....FOREVER

I love the 3A size I use a Vator 3A through

Bonzolead

[Music is Awesome]

Thanks Mike, I'll try a diffrent angle for my tom tomarrow.

Bonzo I don't try to kill my drums......most of the time.

[bonzolead]

Thanks Mike, I'll try a diffrent angle for my tom tomarrow.

Bonzo I don't try to kill my drums......most of the time.
I was just messing with you, I'm guilty of killing my kit once in awhile also.

it's all about emotion rather it be intense or mellow.

people don't. want too see a jukebox on stage LOL

Bonzolead

[thatguykalem]

I keep breaking my sticks and denting my toms' head. Now it's is just getting annoying and costly to keep breaking my sticks.

Woah. There are two things you have to do:

1. Angle your toms less.
2. DON'T HIT AS HARD!

[Abbruzzese1981]

I use Lars Ulrich signature sticks. Thirty five bucks, but the taper covers are only about four bucks. My taper covers lasted a good four months before they needed dire replacement. Plus the tips hardly ever need replacing.

[east coast drummer]

Canada's Los Cabos Drumsticks have a great record for longevity. I find their red hickory line is particularly strong without being over heavy. If you haven't heard fo them, check them out. www.loscabosdrumsticks.com

[beastdrummagirl]

Probably my favorite unbreakable sticks, so far, would be the Zildjian Back Beat Dipped (purple)
32982

[spantney]

I used to soley use Zildjian 5A sticks but they always kept breaking at the taper, must just be something to do with the way my drums/cymbals are angled. I would go through them at a rate of probably about a pair a week but in the 6 months or so since I switched to Vic Firth 5A's I've killed 2 pairs in total!

[Fiery]

you just got a freak pair.................really LOL

keep swattin the finest grain sticks possible,
Bonzolead
It was two pairs and it was just one example I gave out of many. This consistently happens whenever I'm buying new sticks - the more grain lines, the lighter the stick and the sooner it breaks. Sticks with very few grain lines are a rare find in a bunch, but they have always lasted me a lot longer than the average stick.

If your experience is different for whatever reason, by all means carry on accordingly; for me it's the way I described, and I've gone through quite a few sticks to come to that conclusion.

[yesdog]

I use Vic Firth SD9 drivers or Pro Marks Sucherman sticks. I love the feel of them but they break very easy, They don't like rim shots or the bell of the ride cymbal. I recently played a show at a club that has a very bad sounding room. I used Vic Firth AC SD4 Combo's. One pair lasted all night 4 hours off playing. Those sticks are very tiny. I am confused I bought three pairs thinking one pair would not make it through one set.

[A-customs]

I really dont understand how people break so many sticks. I've had the pair I'm using for at least 4 months.Im guessing you dont do any Rimshots????Another common thing when guys break alot of sticks,is Hi Hats being set to high ,where the stick is always hitting them on the side.I still break them ,but not nearly as many as i used to.....

[larrylover]

Probably my favorite unbreakable sticks, so far, would be the Zildjian Back Beat Dipped (purple)
32982


EWWW! dips!!! talk about callus burners.

on a side note, I made the mistake of rotating sticks for the past year, and now my 12+ pairs of sticks have been breaking every time I play them lol. down to about 5 sticks, and one new pair for emergencies.

(vicfirth 5AN)

[akasticks]

I buy a six pack of Vader 5b's about every two weeks. I don't break all of them though, I put them aside once there looking like they might break soon,I just like the way new sticks feel 'like new socks'.

I LOVE NEW SOCKS!!!!!!

[Rabbit Foot]

Every drumstick i ever break i just glue and duct tape back together, lasts me for a decent amount of time. But then again i cant afford sticks, yet alone drum head. :P

[McShmoopy]

Ive been using Vic Firth Metal N Nylon tipped sticks for about 5 months, DESPITE me doing Rimshot after Rimshot theyre still kicking! Sure they're worned fairly but these are some immense sticks for only £9! I would highly reccomend these if you are breaking sticks too often.

[redsky20]

Since I'm pretty broke I make my sticks last as long as physically possible, my Vic Firth American Classic 5AN's have lasted a good 7 months and they've only finally decided to put them away after a good few splinters in my eyes... ouch...

[JoeLackey]

Stick breaking all comes down to proper technique. There is no need for stick breaking. Honestly. Get you're technique down and you'll see a difference. I promise.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Stick breaking all comes down to proper technique. There is no need for stick breaking. Honestly. Get you're technique down and you'll see a difference. I promise.

Sticks break because they're made of wood, they continually hit things and they are not made to last forever.....it's pretty simple. Now it's worth saying that I'm not talking about breaking a stick every 15 mins here. But to suggest that they should last forever? Just not true....whichever way you try and spin it.

This constant "bad technique" line that I continually read here on DW is a bullshit 'easy cop out' for mine. It depends on the level and consistancy of breakage. 13 sticks a night (as per a recent thread)....way too many and yes, technique needs to be called into question. A stick that breaks as a matter of course....nothing more than the cost of doing business.

Drums are made to be hit. As a result, some things are gonna wear...sticks are one, heads are another.

[Homeularis]

Drums are made to be hit. As a result, some things are gonna wear...sticks are one, heads are another.[/QUOTE]

+1

And it goes for cymbals too.
The whole "technique" thing has some truth but alot of it is BS.
To say, if someone hits hard enough to break things sometimes, he or she has bad technique, doesnt make sense.
Some people just like to hit hard. I really used to pound and still do sometimes.
Oh, and you can save the whole "glancing blow" thing too. Like I have the time and extra energy for that. Just sayin.

[Rick H.]

Apparentally now they have those metal sticks coated in wood and you just change the heads or whatever but i hear theyre not all their cracked up to be, i like my 7A's they break every now again but what are you gonna do? drum sticks are gonna break, all you can do is prolong it, by moving to 2B's if youre willing to change stick sizes but either way in the end your gonna have a broken stick.

[nikole.957]

you just got a freak pair.................really LOL

keep swattin the finest grain sticks possible,
Bonzolead

Online or DVD course would be cool. I've tuned plenty of old school rods. I want to learn how to do it the 21st century way. I too don't plan on doing this as a business, but would like to learn all I ca

[specgrade]

I use nylon tips and either they break off or just fly off. If I can find the escaping tip I'll glue it back on. I used to use wood tip but they seem to wear down quickly or split.

[PearlMasters]

I have been playing with Vic Firth 5A wood tip for years and I would always hate how fast they would break, especially when I was playing live. Im not much of a heavy hitter but I do crack the rim alot. Regardless, the tips would always split. I was so reluctant to switch to another stick because I've been using Vic's since middle school and Im now 26 but something had to happen. I tried different pairs and finally I came across the Los Angeles 5A wood tip from Vater. These sticks feel so good and are so very strong. I have been playing with the same pair for about 20 days now and I love the feel of them. I am now a Vater user for the time being. I think it was my own fault that I was never open and too stubborn to try new sticks.

[PearlMasters]

What I hate is that I never break sticks on my drums, but my cymbals will chip my tips so often.

Are your cymbals straight across? Be cause if your hitting then at a straight angle its brutal for your sticks.

[PearlMasters]

Since I'm pretty broke I make my sticks last as long as physically possible, my Vic Firth American Classic 5AN's have lasted a good 7 months and they've only finally decided to put them away after a good few splinters in my eyes... ouch...

7 Months? No way. What do you play? The softest jazz?

[Mr.L]

I've been playing for almost a year, and I haven't broken a single pair of sticks... Maybe I'm just a wimp with the things. Or maybe they have iron built into them. You never know.

[Sonorforce3007user]

I have been playing with Vic Firth 5A wood tip for years and I would always hate how fast they would break, especially when I was playing live. Im not much of a heavy hitter but I do crack the rim alot. Regardless, the tips would always split. I was so reluctant to switch to another stick because I've been using Vic's since middle school and Im now 26 but something had to happen. I tried different pairs and finally I came across the Los Angeles 5A wood tip from Vater. These sticks feel so good and are so very strong. I have been playing with the same pair for about 20 days now and I love the feel of them. I am now a Vater user for the time being. I think it was my own fault that I was never open and too stubborn to try new sticks.

Welcome to the club! I think those Vic Firth sticks are awful - I never had a full tip on my 5A's for more than a week and once I had a pair that lasted 3 days before the stick broke in half. Now playing zildjian 5A's with plastic tips and although people have been saying how weak they are, they have lasted about 2 months now and the tip just won't break!

[danplaysdrums]

Here's a bit of information for those looking into their first pair of sticks or those thinking about trying a new brand/tip/model/wood type sticks.
The first thing to consider is the wood. Personally I don't think there are good woods and bad woods, different woods are suitable for different styles. Here is a quick overview of the 3 main types of wood used in drum sticks.

Oak
Oak is very heavy for it’s size. Oak sticks have a heavy feel, so they feel good in smaller diameters. Oak absorbs much less shock than Hickory, which means it passes the shock on to your hands, therefore Oak should be played on softer surfaces (i.e. snare drums not turned too high, rack and floor toms, and thinner cymbals) and at lower volume levels.

Maple
Maple is lighter feel than the other two woods, so you can have a much larger diameter stick in your hand without a heavy or slow and sluggish feel. Maple sticks are great for orchestral or Symphonic playing. Maple, like oak, has a lower shatter point, so when Maple sticks are taken to a drumset, rimshots with lead to quick failure on the sticks, unless playing low volume applications like soft jazz.

Hickory
The benefits range from very durable wood with a high shatter point, meaning it can take a get deal of abuse before breaking. Hickory sticks tend to chip away as they are played on cymbals or rimshots, as opposed to Maple and Oak, that can merely snap in half when the much lower shatter point is reached. The most important benefit is how Hickory sticks absorb more than twice the about of shock as the other woods. This means more of the vibration that stick occurs due to contact with a rim as in rimshots, or cymbals, is keep within the stick as opposed to transferred on to your hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows.

The next thing do think about is the tip, nylon or wood?
Wood tip sticks offers a warmer and quieter sound, thus they tend to have thicker necks.Nylon tip sticks due to the louder projection of the nylon tip tend to have thinner necks, and offer a very consistent sound during the lifetime of the stick.

Another vital parameter for a great stick is the tip shape.
Round, acorn, and arrow are the most common shapes for drumsticks. There are probably 20 or more variations on these 3 main shapes due to slight preference drummers will have for their performing situations or styles. Most of these variations can be seen on each drumstick Manufacturers’ Endorser Signature lines of sticks.
The acorn bead offers the great versatility as opposed to the round bead which offers the least versatility. The round bead offers a cleared articulate less warm sound than an acorn bead, and more uniform sound since despite the angle striking a round bead to a surface it will be the same. An acorn bead offers 3 clear positions of shape of the bead for different sounds. The arrow bead offers the warmest sound when propely played on the flat or large surface of the bead, but requires more advanced training to play acorn beads correctly and consistently.

Drumming beginners may become confused about all of the markings on drumsticks (5A, 5B, 2B etc.) However, the markings are rather simple.
A stands for orchestral, or symphonic style of music therefore narrower necks and small beads for quieter style of playing.

B stands for Band, therefore needing more neck and bead size to perform within a louder and larger performing group.

S stand for street, or marching band style of performing, therefore a thick diameter stick for projection and volume needs.


Hope that helps guys :)

Dan x

[RudimentalDrummer]

Thank You Dan for the Value Ifo here......


Regards


Eric

[DanEscapingVendetta]

I play alternative rock and I do rim shots as much as possible. Basically I have to play loud, as it also improves my performance and sounds better. But even then it takes me a little while to get through a pair of sticks.

I play in a band that's quite active and regularly gigs at venues such as the o2 Academy, HMV etc... We practice twice a week, 6 hours a session. A pair of Vic Firth Classic 2b's will last me around a month, sometimes longer.

[konstantin]

yo, i used to have stick breaking problems one pair broken a month, but a little thing i learned to help fix some of that was good rebound

Just make sure you let your wrists move freely and don't clench the stick, i play pretty hard and i've had my current two pair for about 6 months now, the sticks don't break any more

plus if you use nylon tips they are more likely to pop off than a wooden tip

FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION

if you do not allow the stick to bounce back, well what happens to your knees when you jump and land on your feet with out bending them?

[konstantin]

I play alternative rock and I do rim shots as much as possible. Basically I have to play loud, as it also improves my performance and sounds better. But even then it takes me a little while to get through a pair of sticks.

playing loud does not improve performance, trust me, just experiment is it harder to play fast and soft or fast and hard? try it i promise you there is more skill in playing fast and soft

[Nuka]

If anyone likes their heaveir sticks, I'd definately recommend the Vic Firth Buddy Rich Sig sticks. I normally snap a pair every practice of the REALLY cheap 2B's, Vic and Promark 2B's normally last about 3 or 4 months. But my Buddy Rich's have lasted me near on two years.

I think the problem with snapping sticks, is finding the stick that matches your playing style. Of the standard ones, 2B are definately the more suited to me, but not quite right, the BR's are almost perfect. I think if you're going for 5A's just because, or because that's what you like, but keep breaking, maybe you should try either a 6, or a jazz/rock type stick. Just the small weight and shape changes that are subtle can help...

[DynaVox]

Verry durable sticks you can get from DynaVox manufacturer ; Slovenija Europe.
In case that sticks are produced from Rimm Shot Cornus wood they can be one of the strongest on the global market.

[tard]

Welcome to the club! I think those Vic Firth sticks are awful - I never had a full tip on my 5A's for more than a week and once I had a pair that lasted 3 days before the stick broke in half. Now playing zildjian 5A's with plastic tips and although people have been saying how weak they are, they have lasted about 2 months now and the tip just won't break!

if the nylon tips come off of a vic firth stick they will replace it, guaranteed!

[zildjing]

ive been drumming for only about a year now and ive found that having to pairs of sticks for different perpouses works good. i started out playing with vic firth 5A's and thoses would splinter and brake to easily. now i use zildjian trilock gurtru sticks for fast and light songs and i use promark 747 japaneese white oak sticks for heavier songs and rock songs. so far i havent broken a stick since i use two pairs

[audiotech]

ive been drumming for only about a year now and ive found that having to pairs of sticks for different perpouses works good. i started out playing with vic firth 5A's and thoses would splinter and brake to easily. now i use zildjian trilock gurtru sticks for fast and light songs and i use promark 747 japaneese white oak sticks for heavier songs and rock songs. so far i havent broken a stick since i use two pairs

I was given several pairs of the Zildjian Trilok Gurtu sticks to try, they are very interesting to say the least, especially with the dipped indented grips. I find them useful with most genres of music and find that they balance beautifully. They're great for when your hands start to sweat, lol.

Dennis

[zildjing]

I was given several pairs of the Zildjian Trilok Gurtu sticks to try, they are very interesting to say the least, especially with the dipped indented grips. I find them useful with most genres of music and find that they balance beautifully. They're great for when your hands start to sweat, lol.

Dennis

the dipped ends really give a good grip when sweating. these sticks have lasted me about 8 months and im just about to replace them

[matt2hyc]

vic firth 5a ! last me about 6 months every time and i hit hard

[bigiainw]

A good few years back, I was trying to make my sticks last longer and decided to adjust my hihats so that the natural movement of the cymbals would not expose the stick to the open edge of the bottom cymbal to axe away at it. I got 2 results; my sticks lasted longer and I cracked the top cymbal of my 13" K/Z hihats. I don't worry about stick wear now, I'd always rtaher break a stick than a cymbal.

Incidentally, I use vic firth nova rock size with nylon tips. I previously used premium vic firth sticks of the same size and type and found that they were inferior in terms of lasting and lost tips much more regularly than the novas. I've never had any quality issues with the novas either.

Just saying...

Iain

[Diamond6893]

Do any of you guys know how the Vinnie Colaiuta sticks hold up for hard hitters?

[tard]

A good few years back, I was trying to make my sticks last longer and decided to adjust my hihats so that the natural movement of the cymbals would not expose the stick to the open edge of the bottom cymbal to axe away at it. I got 2 results; my sticks lasted longer and I cracked the top cymbal of my 13" K/Z hihats. I don't worry about stick wear now, I'd always rtaher break a stick than a cymbal.

Incidentally, I use vic firth nova rock size with nylon tips. I previously used premium vic firth sticks of the same size and type and found that they were inferior in terms of lasting and lost tips much more regularly than the novas. I've never had any quality issues with the novas either.

Just saying...

Iain

When Vic Firth first put out the deal that if you bought 12 pair they would write your name on them, so I said what the hell but to my supprise they were not american classic and were the novas. Now normally I dont break sticks I just wear out the vic firth 5bn's on the hats till they get so thin that the ends just fall off and have only lost one tip in 12 years and they replaced the pair when complained, but I broke all but a few of the nova in only 3 gigs, even broke 3 in one song, lost some tips on a couple others. I dont know if they make them any better now but the problem was the grain went on an angle thru them about an inch from the tip to just in front of your hand and it would let go on the grain and usually on rim shots. I was later told that the novas are made from the wood they reject for the american classics.

https://skydrive.live.com/?sc=photos&cid=b39ab1ee86491b00#!/?cid=b39ab1ee86491b00&sc=photos&nl=1&uc=3&id=B39AB1EE86491B00!188!cid=B39AB1EE86491B00&id=B39AB1EE86491B00!190&sc=photos

[Anto]

I don't get how people break so many sticks... I'v been playing for about 5 years and only broke 2 pairs of drum sticks, and I hit HARD! The Vic Firth American Custom sd10 swinger "Rock maple" drumsticks i used broke extremely fast and left the floor with bits of sawdust all over the place.. I was given ziljian sticks, im not sure what the model is but they're quite short and narrow made of heavy wood. they have never broken and the only marks on them are little bumps, no wood shavings at all. The tips started breaking today, leaving dents in my heads :/ iv been using them for so long the tips were 2mm less in diameter.. If you break your sticks fast just try out new ones, my first pair of drumsticks are still unbroken, i dont use them as much anymore as they lost their flexibility, vic firth nylon 5a sticks

[bigiainw]

I don't get how people break so many sticks... I'v been playing for about 5 years and only broke 2 pairs of drum sticks, and I hit HARD! The Vic Firth American Custom sd10 swinger "Rock maple" drumsticks i used broke extremely fast and left the floor with bits of sawdust all over the place.. I was given ziljian sticks, im not sure what the model is but they're quite short and narrow made of heavy wood. they have never broken and the only marks on them are little bumps, no wood shavings at all. The tips started breaking today, leaving dents in my heads :/ iv been using them for so long the tips were 2mm less in diameter.. If you break your sticks fast just try out new ones, my first pair of drumsticks are still unbroken, i dont use them as much anymore as they lost their flexibility, vic firth nylon 5a sticks

I don't break a lot of sticks, I've probably broken only 4 or 5 across my drumming career, but i do wear through them. I think it has a lot to do with the height of my hihat and my technique, good or bad I'm not sure, I get so much sawdust it looks like the termites have been visiting, but like I said, rather a stick than a cymbal.

[tard]

I don't break a lot of sticks, I've probably broken only 4 or 5 across my drumming career, but i do wear through them. I think it has a lot to do with the height of my hihat and my technique, good or bad I'm not sure, I get so much sawdust it looks like the termites have been visiting, but like I said, rather a stick than a cymbal.

lol, same here, Ive had other drummers get behind my kit and say it looks like a saw mill back here...but I agree with you. sticks are cheaper than cymbals...

[StephensDrumShed]

Ok, so I've gotta throw my two cents in. I used to break 1-2 pairs of Vic Firth 5A's per 45 minute set with my band when we were on tour. I started using Silverfox Sticks because I had heard how durable they were. Seriously, they're awesome. They coat the stick with a thin coat of Duracrylix, which make them less likely to splinter.

The only way I approve a piece of gear is if it passes the gig test...and the Silverfox Sticks kill it! I was so impressed that I made a review of them on my YT channel. You can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NhbdFJiwU

[dRummmmmmm]

I had Pro-Mark 5A Hickorys. I wasnt happy at all because they were very heavy sticks and I thought that they wouldnt break for a long time but yeh, they broke within a week. Now I use Regal Tip 5B Hickorys and Im happy with them. They havent broke for now and they are very light sticks.

[oBIGxREDo]

Ok, so I've gotta throw my two cents in. I used to break 1-2 pairs of Vic Firth 5A's per 45 minute set with my band when we were on tour. I started using Silverfox Sticks because I had heard how durable they were. Seriously, they're awesome. They coat the stick with a thin coat of Duracrylix, which make them less likely to splinter.

The only way I approve a piece of gear is if it passes the gig test...and the Silverfox Sticks kill it! I was so impressed that I made a review of them on my YT channel. You can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NhbdFJiwU

What size Silverfox sticks do you use?
I usually play 5B sticks but I bought 5A Silverfox and I'm also a hard hitter and they last me about 2 months. And I love how light but durable they are.

[Drumfy]

As for the sawdust, a brush like this is great for cleaning drum rugs. It can also be used with a carpet shampoo.

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1030&pictureid=6457

[Paulpap]

I think it all depends on the batch. In the past I've bought Vic firths in pairs of 12 and I've had 1 batch last months and one batch last a couple of weeks.