I hate buying sticks.

[Steady Freddy]

Kinda hard to play a drum set without them. I've gone through about 50 pair in the last couple of years. The hi hat really gnaws through them. They get a rubbery feel and some times break as they thin out. Rim shots tend to take a toll also.

I don't play on the edge of the hats all the time, but use a lot of edge accents. I'm down to three pairs.

Here's what happens:

[rhydianjlewis]

Yeah, so do I... its just one of those annoying expenses that eats away at you.

Mine wear in the same places as well, more on the rim shots recently. My last stick actually broke in the centre where i hit my rimshots.

[Steady Freddy]

Yeah, so do I... its just one of those annoying expenses that eats away at you.

Mine wear in the same places as well, more on the rim shots recently. My last stick actually broke in the centre where i hit my rimshots.

I've broken a few like that. I'm probably catching more rim than head, My technique isn't the greatest to be sure.

If they break they'll hit me in the face every time. I could be standing outside of the house with someone else playing my kit and they'll still hit me.

I'm starting to think my drums are trying to do me in. I've started wearing eye protection.

[Joe P]

Why not try lowering your hi-hats? Anyway, I love buying sticks. Maybe be just a stage of finding my best-suited sticks, but I love changing things up and playing with different kinds of sticks, whether it be shorter or longer sticks, thicker or thinner (but each stick I buy seems to get thinner...hmmm), shorter or longer taper, different shape head, etc. Anyway, I'm just rambling. I don't like having to spend all the money on sticks though...

Also, I don't know if I'm onto something here, but it seems that only the painted sticks wear as your pictured ones do. Or at least that's my experience. Not to mention the stick paint [shavings] getting on drums and cymbals. :( Try using a regular au natural stick (no paint) and see if it does anything different.

[Steady Freddy]

Why not try lowering your hi-hats?


Yeah, I've tried that. It's about as low as i can get it without trapping my left hand. I'm also trying to lighten up some. I tried a lot of different sticks, but the Gadd sticks just felt really good to me. It's a light stick and easy on the drums.

I'll probably try out some others before I make another bulk purchase.

[bojangleman]

buy Vater 5B nylon tips. that'll solve your problem.
they will still do that over a period of time...but it will take alot longer...i shred Vic Firths like no other...

Alex

[Steady Freddy]

buy Vater 5B nylon tips. that'll solve your problem.
they will still do that over a period of time...but it will take alot longer...i shred Vic Firths like no other...

Alex

Thanks. I used to play Pro Mark 5Bs back in the day. I've noticed that when I broke the Gadd sticks on the shank that some of them had some dark colored wood in them. Those sticks usually broke quickly.

I'll try some other brands also. I had a pair of Vater power 5As and liked them. I'll give them a shot next time I'm at GC. I'm trying to stay away from that place. I spend way too much money every time I go there. I go to buy a couple of heads, and end up with another kit.

[Salicete]

It is the cost of doing business as a drummer.

By your sticks in bulk as they are usually cheaper that way. Many brands come in bricks of 12 pairs or more.

When a stick gets chewed up or does not feel right, toss it, and go to the next one in the bundle.

[Class A Drummer]

I hate that i ware out sticks alot, but the process of actually buying i love lol.

Once i broke one stick each 3 different pairs of sticks in one day, all within about 5-10 mins. All of them were pro-mark sticks and all broken just from me doing a few rim shots to em.

Only broken 1 pro mark pair since then.

At the moment ive been tearing apart my Neil Peart signatures because my school has been putting on a Huge show where we perform about 40 different 70's-80's pop songs. We have had practices up to 6 hours before and my Neil Pearts still havent broken.

[Polymetrix1618]

Steve Gadd signatures are the only sticks I've ever completely destroyed, I'd get some bigger sticks like 5B or 2Bs. I play Vic Firth mostly, but the Vater Stewart Copelands are unbreakable. Try the Thomas Lang signatures as well. They're super thick, but they're the ultimate practice sticks and last forever.

[Steady Freddy]

Just back from GC. I got some Vater 3as and a pair of power 5As.

Thanks for the input guys.

The Yammie MCAN I looked at a while back is on the floor for $2300.00. It's a 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22.

I was in the Jeep.

This is killin me!

[volvoguy]

Pro-Mark White Oak sticks last a loooong time.

-Ryan

[Wavelength]

Why use light sticks if you play so hard? Sticks that are too light for your applications are bound to break. Get a pair of 2Bs and play softer... :-)

[Steady Freddy]

Why use light sticks if you play so hard? Sticks that are too light for your applications are bound to break. Get a pair of 2Bs and play softer... :-)

Good advice. Some times it takes a while for things to sink in. I was using heavier sticks before and had some issues with cramping up. I've learned a lot since then thanks to you guys. You guys have been really awesome.

I ended up going back to GC. This time I left the Jeep at home and took a bigger ride.

I picked up a few other items that looked like this.

I'll post a thread once I get this thing up and running.

Thanks for all your advice gents!!!

[Big Chris]

Pro-Mark White Oak sticks last a loooong time.

-Ryan

Yeah. ^^^^What he said^^^^

I used to break various brands of Hickory and Maple sticks quite regularly, but since i switched to Pro-Mark Oak, I've not broken anywhere near as many. I like the extra weight too.

[Cymbalrider]

The toughest sticks I have seen yet are my Vater Super Jazz (like a long 5A really). These things have kept going longer than any Promark or Vic Firth model I've tried. I just don't particularly care for the tone they have though. If it weren't for that, I would be buying Vater Hickory sticks a lot. (They have a denser feel and sound than most hickory sticks without being bigger). Give Vater a try though...

[FunkyJazzer]

I'm using the Vic Firth Peter Erskine Ride Stick at the moment, which I'm loving.

In my whole (nearly) 11 years of playing, through all different styles of music and volumes, I've only ever snapped ONE stick. And that was a 7A. So I don't really have to spend much on sticks. Although admittedly I will replace sticks when they get so worn that they practically become a different set of sticks.

Lloyd.

[volvoguy]

Yeah. ^^^^What he said^^^^

I used to break various brands of Hickory and Maple sticks quite regularly, but since i switched to Pro-Mark Oak, I've not broken anywhere near as many. I like the extra weight too.

I haven't broken a pair of sticks, hickory or otherwise, in probably 15 years. I like the oak sticks because the wood tips just keep on going, so cymbals and snare always sound crisp... but not nylon tip "pingy". FYI, once you find a pair of sticks you like, just buy a box of 12 pairs. Saves a bunch.

-Ryan

[jonescrusher]

I'm with Wavelength - judging by the pics, you're a heavy hitter, and Steve Gadd signatures just aren't the right stick for you.

[Vinnysimmo]

I would try getting some pro-marks with a simular style to the gadd sticks. In my experience the pro-marks are slightly more durable that the Vic Firths.

[frank0072]

Good advice. Some times it takes a while for things to sink in. I was using heavier sticks before and had some issues with cramping up. I've learned a lot since then thanks to you guys. You guys have been really awesome.

I ended up going back to GC. This time I left the Jeep at home and took a bigger ride.

I picked up a few other items that looked like this.

I'll post a thread once I get this thing up and running.

Thanks for all your advice gents!!!

DUUUDE, that is just not fair. Why do you have those gorgeous drums ánd the sticks?

[kellycurrie]

Pro Mark Japan Oak! Durable with nice weight.

[Mendozart]

Pro-Mark White Oak sticks last a loooong time.

-Ryan

These are what I use also. That is the Japanese oak, correct?
Edit: Yeah, what Big Chris and kellycurie said. (I didn't scroll through the whole thread)

[Steady Freddy]

Pro Mark Japan Oak! Durable with nice weight.

Do the oak sticks feel heavier than the same size in hickory?

Again, Thanks for all the info guys.

[Mendozart]

Do the oak sticks feel heavier than the same size in hickory?

Again, Thanks for all the info guys.
They might be a hair heavier, but they are much more solid feeling and last way longer. I purchase about four different sizes, the 747, 5A, and a couple others that are a little lighter.

[volvoguy]

The white oak sticks are definitely a pinch heavier than hickory. I've been using the thinner sticks: 727's, 7A's, and will probably try the "jazz" model next. The difference in weight isn't that pronounced with these.

-Ryan

[Steady Freddy]

I tried out some heavier sticks today (the Vater 3A and 5A) and it made a big difference.

My rebound strokes were much better using my fingers and letting the sticks do the work instead of trying to use my wrists.

I was able to lighten up and still get decent volume and that saved some energy.

I'll be trying many of your reccomendations over the coming weeks.

[Polymetrix1618]

I tried out some heavier sticks today (the Vater 3A and 5A) and it made a big difference.

My rebound strokes were much better using my fingers and letting the sticks do the work instead of trying to use my wrists.

I was able to lighten up and still get decent volume and that saved some energy.

I'll be trying many of your reccomendations over the coming weeks.

Another stick model you should try is the Vic Firth Danny Carey signature. They have a groove cut in and you barely have to grip the stick. And they're big while staying light. They're a lot like Truelines except they're in stores.

[dmb_drummer]

the biggest contributer of breaking sticks for me is rimshots. i rimshot all my toms and my snare. in marching band, i broke 3 pairs of marching sticks within one season due to rimshots.

[bojangleman]

3 pairs the whole season?! thats nothing...i broke 3 pairs in one night......

the biggest contributer of breaking sticks for me is rimshots. i rimshot all my toms and my snare. in marching band, i broke 3 pairs of marching sticks within one season due to rimshots.

Alex

[Tauwolf]

What about Nova 5A's? I was quickly tearing up expensive Vic Firth's on my hi-hat (what can I say, I love that trashy, sloshy shoulder-on-the-edge sound haha). For practice, I picked up a 12-pack of Novas for about $25. I'm still on my 1st pair after a month!!!!!

[Steady Freddy]

What about Nova 5A's? I was quickly tearing up expensive Vic Firth's on my hi-hat (what can I say, I love that trashy, sloshy shoulder-on-the-edge sound haha). For practice, I picked up a 12-pack of Novas for about $25. I'm still on my 1st pair after a month!!!!!


I've tried the Nova 5A sticks. Those are the heaviest 5As I've ever used. Didn't like them at all. They were heavier than the 2B or Rock vic Firths. Thanks for the suggestion.

[oikroitnik]

I've broken a few like that.
I'm starting to think my drums are trying to do me in. I've started wearing eye protection.

Do you feel as bad as this guy?

http://www.filecabi.net/video/adb_prod.html

woah......

[Big_Philly]

Do you feel as bad as this guy?

http://www.filecabi.net/video/adb_prod.html

woah......

I've seen that one before but it still hurts even watching it.
I hit myself in the face with a drumstick a couple times, but this is much worse...

[Steady Freddy]

Do you feel as bad as this guy?

http://www.filecabi.net/video/adb_prod.html

woah......

Yeoooouch! That's gonna leave a mark.

[Sirwill]

I finally made the switch to the new Ahead Hybrid 5AB stick and will never go back. It will solve your troubles. And the new Hybrid model fills as good if not better in my opinion then wood.

[Fiery]

You can't play rimshots with Ahead. Well, you can, but they won't sound too good, and they will break the (pretty expensive) sticks.