A shot at Vater sticks

[DWfan20005]

My zildjian sticks did not please me at all and regal tip and ahead just feel uncomfortable. I am thinking of trying vater brand sticks. Does anybody have any positive or negative commens about vater sticks?

[Class A Drummer]

I think they are decent sticks, i havent had enough experiance to say if they are really good or not. I do have to say that the 5A and 7A sticks are not my favorite.

I would personally suggest trying out Vic Firth and Pro Mark sticks.

[rendezvous_drummer]

I would personally suggest trying out Vic Firth and Pro Mark sticks.

Don't go that route. Vater does make the best quality sticks without a question. The stewart copeland sig. stick is a godsend and I won't be using anything else unless some other cool stick comes out or else I get an endorsement dammit!

[sloppyn9ne]

my say is Vater fat back 3a's.

nylon or wood tip.

they're pretty beefy sticks and I am in marching band so that doesnt bother me at all. but for me they last so much longer than 5a, especially from vic virth.

[sticksnstonesrus]

I use Vater 5A, 5B, and 2B....depending on the "weight" of the song. I've found that the Vaters are consistent...by that, I mean tone based on density/weight is more consistent than everything else I've used lately.

EXCEPT Pro-mark Tommy Aldridge sigs....do they even make those anymore? I used to use those cause they were the Japan Oak with much-laquer applied...and 17" long. Taste has changed and I've learned to be selective about which kind of stick works better for different songs.

Andy

[O Baterista]

I have been hooked on the Vater Fusions for some time now. I've never broken one although the ball tip does seem the chip but that's something I've run into with any manufacturer.

I tried Regal tip in high school and the ones that were comfortable for me to play had the durability of toothpicks. Vic Firth makes some classic percussion mallets but between them and Pro Mark I have never been able to find a drumstick that feels good and sounds good. At least one that's any better than my fusions.

I keep both the wood and nylon tips on hand and switch between them depending on the songs I'm playing. Have never had one of the nylon tips come off which is something I've run into with other brands.

[mind_drummer]

My zildjian sticks did not please me at all and regal tip and ahead just feel uncomfortable. I am thinking of trying vater brand sticks. Does anybody have any positive or negative commens about vater sticks?

What type of sticks you like - diameter - length - tip (wood - nylon - round - acorn - bullet etc...) ?

[DWfan20005]

I'm lokking for a stick that has a big tip along with medium diameter and length. Plus comfort does help. I just dont get comfort from Regal Tip.

[mind_drummer]

I'm lokking for a stick that has a big tip along with medium diameter and length. Plus comfort does help. I just dont get comfort from Regal Tip.

In this case, look at the Vater Fusion or if the diameter sem too large then the Vater Studio-2 should do the job. Maybe even Vater Recording or Pro Rock series...

[masonni]

Don't go that route. Vater does make the best quality sticks without a question. The stewart copeland sig. stick is a godsend and I won't be using anything else unless some other cool stick comes out or else I get an endorsement dammit!

Don't take this the wrong way, but why not shoot for a Vater Endorsement? Why would you take any old endorsement deal from another company when you just said you like Vater? One thing I really feel stongly about is loving and believing in what you play. I could never endorse a company justbecause they offered a deal. I have had offeres from more "well known" drum companis than Peace, but I told them all no because I believe in Peace Drums. It's the same thing with all my companies, the only way I would leave them is if something went wrong with my relationship with them.

[KzSgDrummer]

I have been hooked on the Vater Fusions for some time now. I've never broken one although the ball tip does seem the chip but that's something I've run into with any manufacturer.

Me too. Although lately I've been using the Vic Firth Boleros, those are soft-density maple and can't be used on hard hitting gigs, so my Fusions are the de facto stick choice. An all around great stick that lasts.

[DWfan20005]

Is there any major downsides to vaters?

[Zildjian 242]

I personally did not like there butt ends. Its cut right off and dosent like fade away like vic and Pro mark

[mind_drummer]

I personally did not like there butt ends. Its cut right off and dosent like fade away like vic and Pro mark

It does that only on the Fusion series not all of them...

BTW my soon love your Avatar, it's his NHL prefered team and he love Daniel Brière :-)

[rendezvous_drummer]

Don't take this the wrong way, but why not shoot for a Vater Endorsement? Why would you take any old endorsement deal from another company when you just said you like Vater? One thing I really feel stongly about is loving and believing in what you play. I could never endorse a company justbecause they offered a deal. I have had offeres from more "well known" drum companis than Peace, but I told them all no because I believe in Peace Drums. It's the same thing with all my companies, the only way I would leave them is if something went wrong with my relationship with them.

I see what you're saying and you're right. I love Vater sticks and that would be my first choice of endorsing, but say they never do offer me a deal and promark comes along, then it gets difficult. I either take the endorsment and settle for less (imo), or wait it out, keep using vater and their quality sticks and hope for a deal...sticks aren't that expensive.

Masonni, thanks man, you made me look at this a whole new way.

[wy yung]

[Side note first] What's this obsession with getting endorsements??? :-)

One would think it's the only reason some guys take up the drums.

Just havng fun. ;-) [End side note]

One wonders what vater sticks are like?

There is a simple and easy answer to this very sticky dilemer. :-o

Buy a pair and find out. ;-)

[Bottom note] I've turned down endorsements. I must be weird.[End note on my bottom.]

Sorry. Feeling a little cheaky. Just had a wacky conversation with a friend. It's done my head in. :-)

[DWfan20005]

[Side note first] What's this obsession with getting endorsements??? :-)

One would think it's the only reason some guys take up the drums.

Just havng fun. ;-) [End side note]

One wonders what vater sticks are like?

There is a simple and easy answer to this very sticky dilemer. :-o

Buy a pair and find out. ;-)

[Bottom note] I've turned down endorsements. I must be weird.[End note on my bottom.]

Sorry. Feeling a little cheaky. Just had a wacky conversation with a friend. It's done my head in. :-)

Maybe I do not wanna waste money,thats why I havn't just bought a pair,besides i wanna get some opinion on them.

[wy yung]

Maybe I do not wanna waste money,thats why I havn't just bought a pair,besides i wanna get some opinion on them.

Well in that case I can say that they have offered me my best value for money. ;-)

They've lasted me longer than any other brand. I really like them. They sound as good as any stick I've used.

[DWfan20005]

Well in that case I can say that they have offered me my best value for money. ;-)

They've lasted me longer than any other brand. I really like them. They sound as good as any stick I've used.

How long did they last?

[mapexmaster911]

cyrus balooki Commander series. Awsome stick my favorite. highly recomended to anyone

[wy yung]

How long did they last?

I've had one pair of 2b's for 12 years.

But that's a practice pair.

I can honestly say that they last 3 to 4 times longer than Pro Mark, for example. At least in my own experience. About 2 to 3 times longer than Vic Firth.

Sorry about my earlier flippant answer. Just had the strangest phone call. :-)

[mind_drummer]

I have my pair of Vater Studio for about a year and three month and use it.

[punkdrummer1]

I tried a pair of Vater 5a Nylons, I hated them! They broke in 2 weeks, and they chip alot! I usualy use Vic Firth 5b's, they last me a good month and a half. Right now im trying aheads, and i like em'. Im still scared about breaking my cymbals though!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I have used Vater, Vic Firth, Pro Mark and they have all done well. I havent used Zildjian, but have heard many negatives on this site, and I havent used Ahead, but they seem too expensive. And if you have sticks that you are "scared to break your cymbals" its time for a technique check. Cymbals do not sound better just because you smash the crap out of them. A little finesse may be in order.

[drummguy731]

I would try Vater and Vic Firth. The two best stick companies in my opinion. The Pro Mark Hot Rods are good, but that's about all I've tried from Pro Mark that I like.

[DWfan20005]

I've had one pair of 2b's for 12 years.

But that's a practice pair.

I can honestly say that they last 3 to 4 times longer than Pro Mark, for example. At least in my own experience. About 2 to 3 times longer than Vic Firth.

Sorry about my earlier flippant answer. Just had the strangest phone call. :-)

Thanx for the info and apology accepted.

[Gene Smasher]

Vater sticks are really durable and smooth. Really love 'em.

[Fat Elvis]

i am a fan of the fusions as well. They last a long time, and i cut out the tip chipping by playing nylon tips. I have only had one tip break off. They will break occasionally, but they do last MUCH longer than the VF Steve Gadd sigs i used to play. Plus, their size and tip (ball) allows for much more volume than the gadd's did.

highly recommend the vaters.

[Ozzy Biz]

I tried a pair of Vater 5a Nylons, I hated them! They broke in 2 weeks, and they chip alot! I usualy use Vic Firth 5b's, they last me a good month and a half. Right now im trying aheads, and i like em'. Im still scared about breaking my cymbals though!

Well, playing a size down in thickness is going to have an impact on durability; why not go Vater 5Bs, 3As, Fusions or something of similar diameter instead? Seems much more logical.

I also recommend avoiding ahead sticks in preference to wood sticks and good technique. Buy your sticks in bulk so it's cheaper. Also you could check out the Pro-Mark oak sticks; I haven't used them but they are apparently much more durable than then their Pro-mark hickory sibblings.

[gusty]

as we're on the topic of vater, are the Goodwood sticks made by vater? i got a pair of 7a's for about 13-15 dollars, and so far i think they're pretty good. just wondering as they have "made by vater" on the stick, but am wondering why it is under the name goodwood?

[mofle]

as we're on the topic of vater, are the Goodwood sticks made by vater? i got a pair of 7a's for about 13-15 dollars, and so far i think they're pretty good. just wondering as they have "made by vater" on the stick, but am wondering why it is under the name goodwood?

Goodwood is to Vater, what Nova is to Vic Firth. They are the B-selection (?) type stick. Or the ones that are not as good as the main brand. Like the grain might be wierd or the stick might not be 100% straight. They are good though... Man, sticks are expensive down under!

[gusty]

Goodwood is to Vater, what Nova is to Vic Firth. They are the B-selection (?) type stick. Or the ones that are not as good as the main brand. Like the grain might be wierd or the stick might not be 100% straight. They are good though... Man, sticks are expensive down under!

well ive never heard of nova, but i get wat ur saying. they're pretty good for b class! might have to get me a pair of the real deal. and everything is more expensive here, for instance sticks (vater, vic firth, pro mark) range from about 22-25 bucks, which is USD 17-19.

[Ozzy Biz]

well ive never heard of nova, but i get wat ur saying. they're pretty good for b class! might have to get me a pair of the real deal. and everything is more expensive here, for instance sticks (vater, vic firth, pro mark) range from about 22-25 bucks, which is USD 17-19.

Not if you know where to get them. Revolver drums in Prahan in Melbourne will sell you two pairs of Vater sticks for around $32, which is the same per stick cost as buying a brick. Also, it's cheaper to buy standard sticks, not signature models so that helps too. Most sig sticks are just a slight modification of another model anyway.

[gusty]

Not if you know where to get them. Revolver drums in Prahan in Melbourne will sell you two pairs of Vater sticks for around $32, which is the same per stick cost as buying a brick. Also, it's cheaper to buy standard sticks, not signature models so that helps too. Most sig sticks are just a slight modification of another model anyway.

yeah, but thats melbourne. im talking noosa, one of the most expensive places in australia for anything. i could get them off ebay, but its only worth it if you buy in stock, is a small variety. i got some travis barker sticks off ebay for 22 or 24 bucks, which is pretty good. and they're nice sticks.

[Gene Smasher]

I'm lokking for a stick that has a big tip along with medium diameter and length. Plus comfort does help. I just dont get comfort from Regal Tip.

You could try XD-5A though it is quite lengthy. Barrel-tip, strong neck, thickness 0.580".

[nhzoso]

I am taking a motorcycle trip to Vermont this summer and plan on stopping by this factory and buying a few pairs.. I have heard great things and they look very comfortable. Plus Billy ward uses them : )

Check it out
http://www.truelinedrumsticks.com/

[skippy]

try the fusions...20

[jollymosher]

I have been using the XD 5b for some time now, great feeling stick, But i have been breaking them left and right latly.

[fourstringdrums]

Vater is all I use in regards to wood sticks (I still use Vic Firth Rutes and Brushes). I find that most of their models feel very comfortable to me, and they just feel right at home in my hands. Currently I'm using the 8A but I also like the Fusion. I'm probably going to go back to them fairly shortly.

[Kosta]

Vaters are beautiful. My favourites are the sugar maple blazer, and piccolo models.

[Gene Smasher]

I generally try to avoid maple sticks as I'm quite a hard hitter. But the weight's nice. I use Vater Los Angeles 5A, but I'm thinking of choosing a thinner stick like Vater Excel, Vater Manhattan 7A or Vater Pro-rock.

By the way, you guys prefer nylon tips or wood tips?

[Baskoro]

I generally try to avoid maple sticks as I'm quite a hard hitter. But the weight's nice. I use Vater Los Angeles 5A, but I'm thinking of choosing a thinner stick like Vater Excel, Vater Manhattan 7A or Vater Pro-rock.

By the way, you guys prefer nylon tips or wood tips?

Wood tips: they produce more focused sound, and I don't like some extra "unnecessary" (imo) wash on my cymbals caused by nylon tips, since I'm a fusion guy (at times I can be a metal guy, but I still prefer wood tips).

But if you're a hard / punk rock kind of guy, I recommend nylon tips, because you're needing that wash.