The strongest stick

[Zildjian 242]

Hi, I like to use 5a's and 5b's. I need to find a stick that will last a long time. Im kinda low on cash and I need a stickthat will last. any advice?

[Class A Drummer]

Well, i have had my SD1's for the past 4-5 years. But the reason they havnt broken is because i dont use them that often. I always use pro mark 747 rock sticks, and i seem to break them alot. But only when doing rimshots.

[Zildjian 242]

yea I do alot of rimshots. Funny thing is I play traditional

Hows vater? Think there as good as Pro Mark and Vic's?

[Ozzy Biz]

I haven't really used Pro-Marks enough to comment, but Vaters kick Vic Firth's arse. Also, don't even bother looking at Zildjian.

[Chip]

I use VF mainly because no shops have Pro-Mark or Vater around here. They last me 2-3 months each. I have had to put up with nylon-tipped Dipsticks (Zildjian), they are terrible. They lasted as long (I must have an alright technique?), to my annoyance. They gave me blisters, they hurt, I didn't (couldn't) practice as much.

I want to switch to Pro-Mark or Vater, but I can't...

[Bttl]

You Zildjian stick bashers!

Dave Weckl Vic Firth Sticks lasted me a while but they were wood tip and the ends started to break off. These in nylon tip would be an excellent choice.

[gringo998]

pro mark japan oak's last a while,

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

i've tried the 5a's of pro-mark, vic firth and vater, and vater lasted the longest.

two days ago, i had to stop using a stick because it was too light... the rimshots had

taken a toll on the stick, and had worn off probable half the diameter... but would not break.

good sticks.

[emmerson]

vic firth 2B or vater Nightstick i think their both heavy duty but the nightsticks seems to be more of a marching stick

[masonni]

I use Regal Tip's Metal-X
It's a big stick, but they last me longer than most other things. Or you could try a pair of Ahead's. Those will last a while.

[T.Underhill]

The Pro Mark Japanese white oak sticks are very durable, more than hickory. I use them and they last a good while.

[rendezvous_drummer]

I must say that the chad smith funk blasters from vater are the strongest sticks I've ever used. Give them a shot.

[toxegendrummer]

Vic Firth Metal Sticks...they are so thick and bulky that you definately will not break...i use them for practice...i go from a heavy stick for practicing and a light stick when i actually play....just like when a baseball pitcher practices with a heavier ball than a real one so he is fully stretch and gives the feeling of more power when pitching

[PreppieNerd]

Pro-Mark Oak, a denser wood. Rather than fraying, they just get small dents. I Use the 707's (close to 5a)

[Will_Drum_For_Skittles]

I must say that the chad smith funk blasters from vater are the strongest sticks I've ever used. Give them a shot.

Yes. Those sticks are nigh indestructable. Great feel too (beefy 5b). I have found Vater to be putting out some quality sticks.

Any way, Vic Firths do have the potential to last forever (call me crazy) but it is very complicated. I got some VFs from a friend, who barely ever used them (only lightly in school). They were about a year old, and only ever-so-lightly used. They have taken a beating like no other. I think that vic firths just need some prep time, to get slightly worn in, enough so they aren't as new looking, but still practically scrape free. After that complicated pre-drumming routine, they will last forever.

If you really want sticks that will last FOREVER, try marching sticks. I can guarantee 100% that everything else will break, but most positively not the sticks.

[2sticks4strings]

I used a set of Vic Firth 2B for @ 6 months and thats saying a lot. I have to travel to get them so I go with Pro Mark the the local shop carries and they will last about a month. I had a set of the Zildjian dipped sticks and they caused a lot of blisters in the 2 weeks they lived.

[parser]

I've tried a bunch of sticks, the most durable seem to be Vater for me. They'll chip away at the rimshot part, but I've only broken 1 stick. I use the ROCK sticks, pretty long and meaty, good for loud rock playing for sure. Me and the bass player just "convinced" the guitar player to keep his volume to a reasonable level, so maybe I'll try a lighter stick. It will be Vater though.

[Mudslide]

Keep in mind that the energy transfer has to go somewhere. If it is enough to break the sticks, and you switch to a more durable stick, you may end up breaking crashes or wearing out heads faster.

Play to the drum not through the drum.

[Kenny Aldrich]

Keep in mind that the energy transfer has to go somewhere. If it is enough to break the sticks, and you switch to a more durable stick, you may end up breaking crashes or wearing out heads faster.

Play to the drum not through the drum.


excellent advice! I totaly agree!

[foursticks]

yea I do alot of rimshots. Funny thing is I play traditional

Hows vater? Think there as good as Pro Mark and Vic's?

I love traditional grip rim shots, they look and feel so good. As for a strong stick, I really like the Pro-mark oak jazz model (it's the Elvin model in Japanese Oak), unbreakable and really light!

[bonzolead]

I've broken 2b's and i've broken 7a's when ever I get a pair of sticks I will grab the whole bunch of what ever type of stick i'm getting and i'll look at the but end of the stick and single out the sticks with the most layers the more layers you have the stronger the stick will be.for personal preference I use 3a & 7a Vaters & 420 Pro-marks all nylon tips.depending on what tune i'm playing.

Good Luck

Bonzolead

[grahamo87]

pro mark japanese oaks, they're great. I use 2b's and they last quite a while, and i hit VERY hard.

[stevyc]

Hey i recently bought a pair of *unbreakable* sticks while i was on holidays. They are made from carbon fibre and are hollow on the inside. The guy at the counter said they lasted him 14 years, they seem real sturdy but personally i dont like using thenm as they leave black marks on the heads and cymbals, they are also too thick and heravy for my liking when i get home ill let you know what they are called * sorry cant remember off hand*
-Stevy C-

[bonzolead]

Hey i recently bought a pair of *unbreakable* sticks while i was on holidays. They are made from carbon fibre and are hollow on the inside. The guy at the counter said they lasted him 14 years, they seem real sturdy but personally i dont like using thenm as they leave black marks on the heads and cymbals, they are also too thick and heravy for my liking when i get home ill let you know what they are called * sorry cant remember off hand*
-Stevy C-I've used fiber-type sticks they never break but the sticks I used the tips of the sticks would fray.disapointing.

Bonzolead

Keep Swatting

[stevyc]

Yea i havent used them that much to be perfectly honest the guy at the counter had recommened them but after a few hours i began to get sick of them*if thats how you would put it!

[shuffle]

I am not a heavy hitter, so I don't break many sticks. God knows how, I managed to break a few Zildjian anti-vibe sticks very quickly, and I don't buy them anymore.

However, I bought a pair of their Travis Barker sticks (for my son...) about a year ago. I started using them a few months ago, for heavier songs. I am not sure why, it is hickory, just as their anti-vibes, but those sticks feel so solid. Not a sign of fatigue, after all the punishment (!) from my son's. Tough sticks.

[kickit100]

I would recommend lookin at pro-mark or vater nylon tip sticks. from my expirience with them they're the most durable, but its really up to your preference because the majority of sticks last the same time and it depends on how you play.

[wnameth]

I use VF mainly because no shops have Pro-Mark or Vater around here. They last me 2-3 months each. I have had to put up with nylon-tipped Dipsticks (Zildjian), they are terrible. They lasted as long (I must have an alright technique?), to my annoyance. They gave me blisters, they hurt, I didn't (couldn't) practice as much.

I want to switch to Pro-Mark or Vater, but I can't...
Agreed, got a BAD blister while playing a show and couldn't apply pressure with my thumb on my right hand!
Go with promark signature Pert 30th anniversary sticks, best feeling sticks and have out lasted all my others.
-Wes

[rendezvous_drummer]

I am really surprised with my pair of Promark 747 rock natural sticks! They've lasted for such a long time, and I've been beating these things much more severely than my 2B's, which broke and I got these two sticks at the same time, and have been using these 747's much longer than my 2B's...IT'S WIERD! I love these sticks.

[Slimeball]

Vater Fusion sticks are great, I've had a pair for about 2 months or so.

[drummer625]

Well,

I use the AHEAD Sticks for three reasons...

One...You can do pretty much anything with them. You can turn them into mallets, put differents tips on for different types of music, ect.

Two... They will almost never break. When I use wood sticks I always use 5B because if I use 7A then they will break fast. I prefer 7A and with metal sticks you can use 7A. I did break a pair once but that was just because I didn't replace the plastic cover soon enough. I had used all of my extra covers and I couldn't find anyone to take me to Samash to buy more. But, its was worn down pretty bad.

Three... They are only $30. I hear a lot of people complain about the price. I don't know why they're complaining so much. I saved a lot of money by using them. If you add up all the money you would spend on wood sticks in the time you use one pair of metal sticks you will realize how good the price is.

Oh and...

They don't damage your cymbals unless the plastic is worn down A LOT and the sticks haven't broken yet for some reason. By the time the plastic gets down that much the sticks will probably brake before you damage your cymbals. A lot of people complain about that too.

_Cody

[atomicsoy]

are those ahead made of fibreglass? i have one fibreglass sticks. they are heavy n sliperry. n everytime i hit my drums, i feel like im gonna punch a hole in it. aarr... hmm maybe it was a crappy one.

[Drum Monkey]

If you want a strong pair of sticks try some Pro-Mark Japanese Oak sticks. I use Neil Peart Signatures and they don't break until the neck of the stick has worn down considerably!

-DM

[atomicsoy]

the drum sticks that i used the most n had the most life was the peter ernsike ride sticks. i had to ducktape the neck. lol... but finaly it broke, then broke my evolution dave wack stick a day after .... sad. :'(

[Tama Player]

Mike Mangini Signature Sticks are pretty good, Iv had my pair for 26 years and they havent broken yet!!

[Jeremy]

I hate the ahead sticks, but they look impossible to break. Vaters and pro-mark are both long lasting hickory sticks, but the best wood ones are the pro-mark oak. i've been playig 10 years, had one of those as my first pair, and played with them for 8 years before i needed a new pair of sticks. And by that time all that had happened was a little flattening of the tips, which made them sound a bit weird.

[Hasselhoff]

Thomas Lang signatures from Vic Firth can take some bashing (maybe because they are built like tree trunks L = 16 1/8", Dia. = .650” )

[Class A Drummer]

Mike Mangini Signature Sticks are pretty good, Iv had my pair for 26 years and they havent broken yet!!

no way. Thats amazing. I didnt evenknow Mike Mangini has had Signature sticks for that long. Man if i were you i would be afraid of using em because of the risk of breaking antiques like that from 26 years ago.

[MagnZ]

Mike Mangini Signature Sticks are pretty good, Iv had my pair for 26 years and they havent broken yet!! I tried them for a while and they are durable yes. 26 years:O hehe I stopped using them tough. They are waaaaay to heavy for my hands.

[MagnZ]

I hate the ahead sticks, but they look impossible to break. Vaters and pro-mark are both long lasting hickory sticks, but the best wood ones are the pro-mark oak. i've been playig 10 years, had one of those as my first pair, and played with them for 8 years before i needed a new pair of sticks. And by that time all that had happened was a little flattening of the tips, which made them sound a bit weird.
Ahead sticks are not unbreakable. A friend of mine have broken two sticks. Not just the covers, but the hole stick into two pieces. And he did that in about two months. He is insane tough.

[Tama Player]

no way. Thats amazing. I didnt evenknow Mike Mangini has had Signature sticks for that long. Man if i were you i would be afraid of using em because of the risk of breaking antiques like that from 26 years ago.

Nah man, i do use them use sometimes, but just for warming up. There to heavy to be used during normal playin. Yeah, i kinda hesitate now even IF i even use them ; )

[Bad Drummer]

Yes. Those sticks are nigh indestructable. Great feel too (beefy 5b). I have found Vater to be putting out some quality sticks.

Any way, Vic Firths do have the potential to last forever (call me crazy) but it is very complicated. I got some VFs from a friend, who barely ever used them (only lightly in school). They were about a year old, and only ever-so-lightly used. They have taken a beating like no other. I think that vic firths just need some prep time, to get slightly worn in, enough so they aren't as new looking, but still practically scrape free. After that complicated pre-drumming routine, they will last forever.

If you really want sticks that will last FOREVER, try marching sticks. I can guarantee 100% that everything else will break, but most positively not the sticks.

WRONG! Playing in several drumlines I have broken countless sticks. Ralph Hardimon sticks may look big but aren't terribly durable. Tape your marching sticks with white electrical tape (or black) to make them last longer.

Anyways, in my experience when you do leave vic firth sticks alone for a while they become more durable over time, I don't know why that is. Also Vater is extremely durable, I love the Manhattan 7As.

[bonzolead]

look at the grain and straightness of the stick,more grains make a stronger stick along with a straighter stick is always stronger.you can pick the strongest pair if you know what to look for like me.

Bonzolead

[AronMapex]

I have had the same pair of vic firths 5A for a year and they havent broke

[JAHdrumming]

I have been looking for a pair of sticks all my life that will last. I think there are almost too many variables to determine what makes an across the board great long lasting stick. I play 6 or 7 hours every day and I have never had one set of sticks last longer than one week. I play everything from jazz to rock in the studio so the sticks are getting exposure to about as many different styles as possible and Vater 5b nylons are about the longest lasting stick that I have tried. I am not partial to any single brand, I like promarks of all sizes as well as vater, sometimes I just play whatever they have in the studio...The best choice of stick is not looking at the brand...look for a tight straight grain and roll the stick on a smooth surface before you buy it to ensure the sitck is absolutly straight and true.

[Zildjian 242]

Right Now Im using Vic Firth HD9's... I love the size of them (in between 5b and 2b)

They seem to be going strong, Im considering buying a brick of them

[osamasgoat5467]

A pair of Ahead's will last you a while if you're a hard hitter. I used to use Vic Firth Metal N's, which are really durable but now I stick to the Ahead Joey Jordison sticks sometimes, but mainly the Danny Carey signature sticks. The Danny Carey sigs have as much power as the Metal's, but have a longer taper so they feel lighter and a cool grip thing in them so you can hold the sticker looser without it slipping. And the Joey Jordison's for some reason are good if you have blisters or if you want to prevent them, I think it's the metal grip it has. Idk, but go to a music store and grab a few pairs of sticks and try them out, hitting their drums, cymbals, playing the little practice pads they have glued to the stick areas etc. until you find your perfect stick.

[JoeLackey]

Of course Ahead sticks would last the longest. They shouldn't be categorized under this thread. I would like to hear what the strongest wooden stick is..

[evans_69]

Tried loads and always go back to Promark 747 Oak;s

[Ludwig Fan]

look for sticks with straight grain. also make sure they "feel solid". Wood is wood.....is not a true statement. I know the drum stick companies pick out the bad quality stuff

I really don't like the painted sticks because I can not SEE the grain.

also sticks with thicker necks and shorter tapers have a longer life span....but you give up response from the stick...

I feel it is sort of a trade off...durability vs a good playing stick....in many cases.

[brianbags]

Tre Cool signature. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think they're one of the biggest if not the biggest sticks out there (super 5b)

[JacobV]

fic virth american hickory 5bs. They are readily available at any drum shop and have lasted a minimum of 1 1/2 month a pair and @ about 8 bucks a pair, definatly worth it. PS i am a heavy hitter.

[Jessiah331]

Hi, I like to use 5a's and 5b's. I need to find a stick that will last a long time. Im kinda low on cash and I need a stickthat will last. any advice?

I've had the same pair of Pro Mark's for a year and some change. Just now started to crack.




Has anyone mentioned Ahead yet?!


...couldn't resist.

[Riot]

I've had the same pair of Pro Mark's for a year and some change. Just now started to crack.




Has anyone mentioned Ahead yet?!


...couldn't resist.

actually, ive never been able to get my hands on some Ahead's, as much as i would like to

Ive got both Pro Marks and Vics and ive broken a Vic but never a Pro Mark.
You want to go for the ones made of Hickory, not pine.

[thtst]

Anyone remember those ?kevlar" or whatever synthetic sticks back in the 80's. Those things were ALMOST indestructable.

[Jeff Gordon #24]

Pro-Mark hickorys in my bag. I've used 'em for years. Not gonna fix what ain't broke. Ha!! I could't resist that one guys. I apologize if that wasn't a good one.

[secondXheartbeat]

WRONG! Playing in several drumlines I have broken countless sticks. Ralph Hardimon sticks may look big but aren't terribly durable. Tape your marching sticks with white electrical tape (or black) to make them last longer.

Anyways, in my experience when you do leave vic firth sticks alone for a while they become more durable over time, I don't know why that is. Also Vater is extremely durable, I love the Manhattan 7As.

Haha, I was going to say I don't even know how many marching sticks I've broken, we would go through a good 5 or 6 pair each per season, even with the tape.

I've also experienced the same Vic Firth phenomenon...I bought a pair of Steve Gadd signatures when I first started drumming at about age 11 and they kept going until I got really serious at about 15, at which point they were indestructible until I finally broke them at a show a few months ago. (I had been using them as backups). On the other hand, I've bought a pair of the same model new and broke them within a week,

I think it has to do with technique. Some people break heads, some crack cymbals, some break sticks all the time, some never scratch a thing and most of us don't know exactly why that happens. Its just minor subtleties that we don't realize.

[Nickropolis]

The strongest stick I've come across has to be the 3A Fatback by Vater. Nylon tip, very thick barrel...I think these are the reason my china is bent, along with my lapses in sanity when I turn into a gorilla behind the kit. My roommate has a pair of Vater 5A, round wood tip, I've only used them on a pad but they feel very durable as well.

I don't have access to much of the Pro Mark line, I'd like to try out these oak sticks you speak of.

[Ian Williams]

The two oak logs, that John Bonham used to play on Presence album - mainly on the fills of Achiles Last Stand.

[Jessiah331]

The strongest stick I've come across has to be the 3A Fatback by Vater. Nylon tip, very thick barrel...I think these are the reason my china is bent, along with my lapses in sanity when I turn into a gorilla behind the kit. My roommate has a pair of Vater 5A, round wood tip, I've only used them on a pad but they feel very durable as well.

I don't have access to much of the Pro Mark line, I'd like to try out these oak sticks you speak of.

I mean, honestly their good ole American Hickory sticks are extremely durable and versatile.