Tapered Stick

[scovit]

Here's a great trick, tip, or better yet, one that could be put into the "hope chest" for all drummers out there. 35 years ago these tapered sticks were made by a little known company at the time called Pro-Mark. The model was Louie Bellson and they were tapered at the butt end of the stick, right at the fulcrum point. The purpose.......increase stick bounce and strengthen the wrists, both hands, no matter what the grip.

In '96 I contacted Pro-Mark directly and asked if they still had the dies for these sticks and unfortunately they didn't nor did they have any plans to reintroduce this great product. I was ready to pay a fee to have a bunch of sticks custom lathed, but no dice.

Now the naysayers may go at me on this one, but think of the baseball batter and the "donut on the bat concept". What I will periodically do is practice with the tapered sticks for about 5 minutes and then switch to my normal Regal Tip Jake Hanna model. I become loose strong and ready to go!

Note the pic attached....

Thanks.

[matt949]

The Vic Firth Danny Carey sticks do that, although my guess is they are fatter than what you would like.

[xush]

I think Hornets might give some of the same benefits, though the concept is a little different

http://www.hornetsdrumsticks.com/images/803/500-500/132950.jpg

www.hornetsdrumsticks.com

[Class A Drummer]

Not sure but i think xcell drumsticks do somthing like this.

[scovit]

Wow, those things look like lightsabers! Cool looking.

I think you are right though, the idea is to have a pair of sticks that closely matches your regular playing sticks in weight and size, (length), but are tapered-thinned out a bit at the focal point, enough to alter the physics of the stick.

It's not like taking a pair of 2B's, practicing with them and then switching to 5A's. That won't work.

One more thing, I wouldn't use these sticks if produced for regular playing. It would defeat the whole purpose.