My favorite sticks

[redsky20]

Uptil recently I've been using mainly 5AN American Classic's but recently I decided I wanted a lighter stick so I finally decided on a pair of 7A Vater Sweet Maple's with a wood tip and I love them!

[austin412]

pro mark 747 rock sticks hickory with wood tip and natural finish

i live the feel of an unfinished drum stick the dryness of a wood tip and the control i get from a longer taper

[kevnak]

Vater 5a Los Angeles and Vater 5b. All wood tips.Been using this stick for years. They're somewhat heavier and the tips last a long time.

[foxy33roxy]

vater 5a los angeles and vater 5a color wrap their nice and light and an awesome feel

[Andrewski]

Just switched from Pro-Mark Oak 7A's to Vater Recording Hickorys - got a lot of old 7a's lying around now.

[jamest]

Used to be a fan of Vic Firth Hickory 5A's, now using Pro Mark 5B's. Love 'em.
__________________

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

http://www.excellent-offers.com/gravy1.jpg

[Andrewski]

Just picked up a pair of Los Cabos Red Hickory 8As - might switch from Vater Recording Hickorys if they hold up.

[piperdoog]

Buddy Rich Vic Firth Sigs are the best sticks I've used, love the feel and bounce out of them

[classicstar]

Loving the Vater 1A's lately.

[nancy]

I use B-stick 5A's and love them. A friend of mine in the military sent me my first pair while he was stationed overseas. They have a bees wax finish, they feel awesome. I got online the other day to order my 5th pair in 2 years and found they have opened an online store in the U.S. The site is www.b-stickusa.com
Check them out. I'm telling you they are the best sticks I have found.

[Fdunlap]

I dont discriminate at all and it is usually what kind of sound i am going for.

Jazz- Pro-MArk 9A- Carl Allen, Vater- Manhattan Jazz(both wood tips)

Funk/Rock/ I need sound- Pro Mark 707 Nylon

All Around- Vater Manhattan Jazz Nylon

[Frost]

I've kind of moved from 5A's to 2B's, I guess I just find the added weight more comfortable.

[RANDOMH3RO666]

Been using the Vic Firth Dave Weckl Evolution and switched from the vic firth nova 7a

[daredrummer]

hmmm tough choice...

From pro mark I like...

Dom Howard Signature
Chris Adler Signature

Vic Firth...

American Jazz 2
American Classic 5A
Dave Weckl Evolution Signature

Vater...

Lil John Roberts Signature


I'd have to say my top 3 from those are...

1. Vic Firth Dack Weckl Evolution Signature
2. Pro Mark Chris Adler Signature
3. Pro Mark Dom Howard Signature

[Crossroads]

The first sticks i bought were Dave Weckl Signatures got the brown lacquered one until i found out my hands sweat like a beast when i play.

[JDC]

I use the Vater Fatback 3A (wood tip) for most of my work. I like the Vic Firth 5A for some stuff.

[daredrummer]

I just picked up some pro-mark chris adler signature, and they're very good. It's a 5A model, but with a beefier taper and bigger tip. Still plays like a 5A though, you just get the power of a 5B.

[east coast drummer]

Los Cabos 5A Red Hickory! They've out-lasted everything I've tried.

[kolfan2206]

Pro-Mark Shira Kashi White Oak 5A.....great stick, I use some Ahead grips on them, I love them!

[staysweetlynumb]

got some sd9 driver sticks agesssss ago and i really liked them but i've never seen them since..did they get discontinued? well anyway i'm really loving vater american hickory 7a but i'm currently trawling the web for the sugar maple 7as...has anybody tried them? what are they like?

[catskillclimber]

Promark Stephen Perkins or Mike Portnoy sigs depending on if I feel like oak or hickory. I play an ekit so the tips don't matter much to me and they both feel good but are not too big for the little kit. On my practice pad I like the Promard Hickory 2B. That being said I'm all about variety - been married 7 years so I like variety elsewhere in sticks, cars, etc. ; )
Sometimes I use the Promard 727 oak on the ekit or the Promark 747 on the acoustic kit at work (high school band room). When other people play my ekit I make them use the Promark 7A nylon tips.

[Dagugoso]

Vic Firth 8D or 85A.

[Sticking-in-Hair]

I tried Steve Gadd Signatures. They're a rip off. They didn't make me sound like Steve Gadd at all!

I've tried them all but got addicted on Regal Tip 5As. I don't understand why Regal Tips aren't more popular. I have to get them online as a lot of drum shops don't have them, or only have a few in odd sizes. I love the feel and texture and the way they sound on cymbals.

[Chromium]

Just trying Wincent 5BXXLs and I'd recommend the Wincent brand they're great. I'm really liking these. :)

[Isaac A]

Vater recording hand selected hickory 7A

[nikole]

Just trying Wincent 5BXXLs and I'd recommend the Wincent brand they're great. I'm really liking these. :)


I've tried them all but got addicted on Regal Tip 5As. I don't understand why Regal Tips aren't more popular. I have to get them online as a lot of drum shops don't have them, or only have a few in odd sizes. I love the feel and texture and the way they sound on cymbals.

[MichaelR]

Promark 5B's made of Japanese Oak
Promark 2B's made of Shara Kashi Oak
Vater 5B's

[bamdrummer]

Vic Firth
Dave Weckl Evolution Nylon tips
Peter Erskine Ride Stick

[Basswood]

These ones right now:

http://vater.com/products/product.cfm?M=155

Love them! They are similar to the Vic Firth 3A, but some somehow quicker to play. And and a bit longer, which I do really like.

[creepshow]

Pro-Mark 707 Simon Philips Wood Tip.

[SOMDDrummer93]

Vater recording hand selected hickory 7A

Those are really nice, I have a pair but they are not my favorite. Currently my favs are the Danny Carey and Buddy Rich signature models by Vic Firth

[Cozy]

Vater Super Jazz - Hickory - Great for everything.

[canading]

I'm currently using the Vic Firth Extreme 5a's. Very nice hickory sticks. They are fairly long and thin, which occasionally causes them to go flying.

[Wick]

I like my Vater Bamboo Splash Sticks haha.

They feel the most comfortable, and I don't get the same feel out of the other stuff in my bag :]

[stitch]

Vic firth's Thomas Lang and Abe Laboriel Jr signature sticks.

[Librarian Drummer]

Here's my top 3 :


Vater Los Angeles 5A nylon
Vater Stewart Copeland Standard
Pro-Mark 5A nylon


Finalist : Pro-Mark Mike Portnoy signature

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

Mine are :

1) Zildjian Taylor Hawkins Signature sticks
2) Vater Studio 5a
3) Vic Firth BLACK 5B's (forgot the series/ name)

[Librarian Drummer]

I think I read every reply in this thread, and I can't believe nobody else uses the Vater Pro Rock. IMO the best stick ever, and I have tried almost all the others over the years. Thin, fairly light, long, and very strong. It just feels right in your hands. I truly believe that Vater is making the best drumsticks out there right now, and there is pretty much a model for everyone.
Great site, I will come back and post some more when I get some time. Cheers.

I fully agree. I compared them with Promark 747 (same 16 1/4 length) but Vater ones have a little extra thickness (.555 instead of .551). With a big solid nylon tip...

[Drumolator]

I like a stick in between a 5A and a 5B. So now I play with the Pro Mark 808 hickory. In Vater I like the H220, but I very rarely see them in a store. The Vater 5A is cool too. Peace and goodwill.

[LukeSnyder]

I mainly use Vic 8DN. I know, I'm not normal, haha.

[safira218]

I dont discriminate at all and it is usually what kind of sound i am going for.

Jazz- Pro-MArk 9A- Carl Allen, Vater- Manhattan Jazz(both wood tips)

Funk/Rock/ I need sound- Pro Mark 707 Nylon

All Around- Vater Manhattan Jazz Nylon

I use B-stick 5A's and love them. A friend of mine in the military sent me my first pair while he was stationed overseas. They have a bees wax finish, they feel awesome

[obama5493]

I use the Vater Fatback 3A (wood tip) for most of my work. I like the Vic Firth 5A for some stuff.

The first sticks i bought were Dave Weckl Signatures got the brown lacquered one until i found out my hands sweat like a beast when i play.

[kissarmyfreak]

Vic Firth!

I use 2b for practice

& then 5B for gigs. It always varies from Wood, & nylon tips PLUS the Silver Bullets every once in a while.

[Rock Drummer]

Vater Los Angeles 5A's With Eastons Batting grip wrapped around them for grip(buy a pack and cut it in half and use half of the pack for each stick). It doesn't get better than that

[artisandrummer]

Vater Los Angeles 5A's With Eastons Batting grip wrapped around them for grip(buy a pack and cut it in half and use half of the pack for each stick). It doesn't get better than that

Believe it or not I've played with Regal Tip 9A's with grip tape around the shaft and I've played many different musical settings...Even rock with the right micing of course.

[sadrummer]

Vater Xtreme Design Stix! Take my advice.. order just ONE pair.. and try them out. You will be hooked forever.

[unfunkyfooted]

Ahead Studio Hybrid AB

[jodgey4]

Bopworks Birdland! I own three pairs now, had two. My store got an unexpected shipment yesterday and I rushed out today to buy two pairs before they sell out and never return. Apparantly they're really hard to get. Great company, great, small sticks. Hickory, 15-5/16" length, 0.500" diameter, long taper, oval tip. Light, fast, and they sound so great on the cymbals.
Bopworks website - "In fact, our ”Birdland” model is an exact duplicate of a 60’s “signature” model." - I believe the Gretsch Louis Bellson 9D.
I play these at home, and 2B's at church - what a difference haha!

[OrangeAgent27]

Vater Sweet Ride: Been on the same pair for a few weeks now. Lovely sticks.

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

I LOVE Zildjian sticks.
I use Zildjian Super 5B's, Zildjian Taylor Hawkins series sticks and also thinking about Absolutes.

I use Vic Firth Extreme 5B's for practice. Amazing how I went from Vic Firth 5a's, to CMN's, back to 5a's, to 5B's and I feel best with the 5B's. Especially the Taylor Hawkins series's!

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

The first sticks i bought were Dave Weckl Signatures got the brown lacquered one until i found out my hands sweat like a beast when i play.

Those were my first ones too! I loved them, but my hands sweated easily. Then I got CMN's (Big mistake....) then 5B's. Zildjian ofcourse ;)

[Eyamsiyu]

I usually tend to use what works well for the gig. For the longest time, I was a huge fan of the Vic Firth Jojo Mayer signature sticks. With time, however, my playing style changed, and with that change, I found that the sticks were too short. Since then, I had switched to the Vic Firth AJ5 sticks, and I absolutely love them! Of course, most of what I am doing tends to be studying jazz, so I don't need big sticks.

For my rock music, I use anything that is close to or similar to the 3As.

[Zickos]

I'm very partial to Regal 5B Maple. Considering Regal's troubles, does anyone know where I can pick some up?

[OnThisDaysDrummer]

I use the Christoph Schneider signature sticks by Vic Firth. I need a long thick stick that has mass, but not a lot of weight. I reccomend them to anyone with large hands or long fingers, which is somethin' I'm cursed with due to heredity.

[Steffan]

I use the Vater Chad Smith Funk Blaster for the drumset, 2 minutes of holding these in the store made me switch from Vic Firth 5B. However when it comes to lessons I am sticking with Vic Firth and am using SD1 generals

[littledrummerboy98]

I use a couple diffrent pairs based on the genre of music Im playing. I like the Zildjain Trilok Gurtu signature stick. It has a nice grip but breaks easily. I bought a 6 pair pack and now am dow to three individual sticks. I love the Pro-Mark 747 Neil Peart signature series, they feel great, and are made out of tough wood. They feel great while there in your hands. In addition, when practicing or when I need to play a softer beat, I use the Pro-Mark Lighting Rods. They are the middle weight of the Hot Rod series and are great.

[KirbyM]

Years ago, my stick choice was Pro-Mark 5B. I used them for many years until ProMark decided to totally change the size of some of their sticks.

When I talked to a Pro-Mark employee a few years ago, I asked why the 5B had suddenly grown a larger neck and bead. His response was that the younger players were breaking 5B sticks too easily, so they made them a little stouter. He did say that there is a 5C Charlie Adams model that is closer to the old 5B.

OK, maybe you see this one coming. I asked why Pro-Mark could not keep the old dimensions and designation of the 5B, and simply make a 5C that is thicker. This would make sense - the lettering system with A,B, & C would then fall into the correct succession with "A" being the lightest, "B" in the middle, and "C" being the heaviest. But alas no !!! This makes too much sense !! The Pro-Mark employee then told me that although they changed the thickness of the 5B, they wanted to keep the "B" designation because it is easy to remember. HUH !! DUH !!

Needless to say, Pro-Mark lost my business over this conversation.

[Zickos]

I'm very partial to Regal 5B Maple. Considering Regal's troubles, does anyone know where I can pick some up?

Just ordered and got 9 pair. That ought to last me through the week end. :-)

[kevdrummer28]

I've always been a Vic Firth player, but it wasn't until about November of '10 I switched from 5B to 2B. The only VF sticks I've played are the 5A's, Steve Gadd Signatures, 55A's, and 2B's. I also use their 606 Rutes, Live Wire Brushes, and the Stick Caddy.

At first I played 5B's and they felt great, it was pretty easy to do just about anything with them. But I looked at what most of my fave drummers were using, and it was the 2B. I thought why they did, analyzed why they did, and found that their reasons lined up very similarly to how I play. So I got a pair of 2B's. IMMEDIATELY fell in love with them and judged them to be the perfect feeling stick for my hands.

I don't think I'll ever use any other brand. I say this because many times I've had friends try to trick me into saying that I like another brand more by me closing my eyes, and switching out sticks at random, seeing if they could get me to say I like a Pro-Mark or something, and I've just always chosen VF. They were my first stick and will most def be my last if they keep it up.

[danlawson1995]

When starting out playing I always used to use Vic Firth 5B sticks. Didn't know much better at that point so just played with what I was told to play with. As I started to advance I made the move over to Pro Mark 5A sticks. 5A just feels like the correct size for me after trying out most different sizes in my local drum shop and from experience Pro Mark seem the most durable brand. Playing live though you cannot beat Ahead. Still the same size. Gives you more control and safety in my opinion whilst on stage.

[ncdrumin]

I actually started using 5A Shira Kashi Pro Marks and loved their durability but one day I walked into the local music store and picked up a pair of Vic Firth Steve Jordan's and I've never gone to any other stick. They really give you great reach around the kit, and they're light enough to really get technical on cymbals. The best part has to be the tactile response you get from them though, I cant't say too much for the durability though!

[conza111]

Pro Mark Millennium 2 7A's. As soon as I put these in my hands, they were perfect. I have totally fallen in love with these sticks.

[fallenangel]

My favourite is my 7A Ahead sticks

[Tdubs]

Vic Firth 5A for heavier playing or Vic Firth 8DN for jazz.

[Skulmoski]

I have used different brands of the 5B since the 1970's and currently like the Vader offering in hickory. However, I recently bought a couple of Spizzichino ride cymbals and bought some Vic Firth Peter Erskine Ride Cymbal sticks. I am really happy with these and they have become my favorities.

GJS

[gish]

I think I'm sticking with Vic Firth from now on, but you never know. I buy from two local shops; I'm telling you, there are more warped Pro Marks than straight ones at either shop. I don't know what to make of it. And, I've gotten tired of Vater's weight variations (I have a pair of Vater 5A's that my wife bought mt that are heavier than a pair of Vic Firth 2B's I have). Where I shop, the Vics are consistenly straighter and close in weight. Sign me up. Currently using the standard VF 5A most of the time; what a great feeling/playing stick.

[dmacc]

Though I haven't shopped for any brand in a gazillion years, Vic Firth sticks to me are of great quality.

Vic Firth SD4's are my main stick. I have smaller hands and the weight distribution feels so good to me. I play mostly light amplified trio sort of stuff and these seem so versatile.

I also use Peter Erskine Ride Stick and occasionally the Dave Weckl Evolution.

[Cameo]

I'm searching for the perfect stick. I prefer the 7A size, but I'd like it long. Fairly light, but not too light. I don't want that mellow sound from cymbals when playing with jazzier sticks, but somewhere in between. I want the best sound out of my cymbals. Can you help me?

[Nathan O.]

My main sticks are Vic Firth extreme 5a's, but i'll also use Zildjian Taylor Hawkins sig as well.

[Tylerdrum]

VF-Peter Erskine Ride sticks FTW! Best all around stick.

[Err]

Aquarian Power-Sleeve 2B (held backwards)

[The Gedge]

A couple of very used Vic Firths from my brother that aren't even the same size as each other. One's a 5A and I think the other's 7A (the ink's worn off so I can't tell). The only reason they've lasted so long is that they haven't been used on an acoustic kit

[Nuka]

I started with Vic Firth 2B and Promark 2BN straight off. And I've stuck with them.

But as my drumming has gone on I've changed my repertoire and added in a pair of Vic Firth Timp beaters, Aux Percussion beaters (again Vic), vic Lighting Rods (they didn't last long), Promark steel wire brushes, Vic Firth AJ5Z's. All for the lighter, playing, or to ease into a longer set.

And for standard planning I guess you could call it I've got Promark Joey Jordison (TX515W) (nice round tips!), Vic Firth Steve Gad (SSG), Vic Firth Buddy Rich (SBR) as well as a pair of Vic Firth 2B's.

One lesson I did learn though. NEVER buy cheap sticks off Ebay. I guess I learnt that the hard way, but money is hard for me to come by so I gambled.

I ordered 15 pairs of Hickory 2B's for £1.99 a pair. Got them and they weigh about the same as a 7A/7B their size is about that of the SBR and I snapped three pairs in one half hour set. the whole group of 15 has lasted me about the same time as one pair of nice and easy £8.99 VC2B's. I shant name the people who made them on here, but if you wanna know message me.

Although it was a costly lesson in the end, thanks to their size and weight I think I did play the best I have in a while, it made me determined not to snap a pair so quickly and try to play lighter. Got back onto my "tree trunks" with all their heaviness and barely made a sound, had to relearn my heavy style playing almost.

Ah well, we all learn the hard way eh?

[Nuka]

I'm searching for the perfect stick. I prefer the 7A size, but I'd like it long. Fairly light, but not too light. I don't want that mellow sound from cymbals when playing with jazzier sticks, but somewhere in between. I want the best sound out of my cymbals. Can you help me?

Read my previous post, the bad experience sticks I was saying about? I'd suggest them, message me and I'll tell you about them.

You could also try Vic Firth's range of jazz sticks. They've got 5 sizes of American Jazz's with Nylon tips if you want them, without of course if you don't fairly light, good to get around the kit quickly on and also quite long.

If not them, then possibly the Promark TX515W's. Nice 5A weight, about an inbetween a 5 and 7 length.

A stick I did have once a while ago, were Zildjian Travis Barker signitures. Nice weight, good marching stick size, good cymbal sounds.

[zeiss]

Vic Firth Peter Erskine Big Band sticks all day

[pannbeen]

Wincent 5a or Vater Los Angeles 5a

[flamlick]

Innovative Percussion IP3A

[DynaVox]

In Slovenija a few 100 of drummers play with custom drum sticks from DynaVox company.
Here are some examples:

Info and brochures on :
E mail : studio.dynavox@siol.net
We can deliver sticks in Euro Union.

[WCinLA]

I love my Ahead 7A's! straight and balanced, they are nice!

[zarrdoss]

I have been using Vic Firth American Classic Rock but it was time for a new pair so I went into the local Music shop and they had some Vic Firth Danny Carey signature. They taper in where you grip it and taper out toward the end, Really a great feeling stick and easier on my hands, they stay right where they are supposed to. I think I have a new favorite stick.

43284

[Staz17]

Vic Firth Rock Vic Grip (Wood Tip)
Pro-Mark 5B Shira Kashi Oak (Wood Tip)

Amazing sticks. Find it hard to find them sometimes..

[Death Gum]

Personal faves:
Vic Firth Hickory 85A - Perfect for my hands, inbetween 7A and 5A
Pro-Mark Oak 7A - Light and thin
Vic Firth Hickory 2B - Working on hand technique

Keep on drumming
DG

[DarrenMcMaster-Smith]

My Jojo Mayers just came in a few hours ago.

They are white with little acorn shaped wooden tips.

The tips aren't white just the wood of the stick.

Cool McCool.

Feel really nicely balanced and weighted.

The left stick just naturally bounces with trad grip.

I will not be trying push/pull or one handed with them like Mayer.

He's just out there.

A lab scientist of fulcrums and grips.

Haven't gave them a thrashing yet .

Been doing stamina singles and doubles.

Holding 200 bpm for 3mins each hand, singles and doubles.

Really helping to strengthen my hands again.

As long as I try to sit straight and breathe easy and stay loose.


P.S. I remember tryin a pair of sticks with round nearly ball shaped tips at a cover gig.

PItted the head all over lol.

Never bought those again but I'm sure it was my hard hitting technique back then LMAO.

[Arky]

My favourite sticks for months now: Vic Firth Thomas Lang Signatures.

10 years ago I bought VF Terry Bozzio Signatures to have sticks just in case, I wasn't into drumming yet. 14 months ago I took up drumming and the guy at the music store recommended me the VF Thomas Lang sigs and Zildjian Travis Barker sigs - I told him I'd use them for practicing on the pad (=a bit more weight for workout, and good 'compatibility' with pad rebounds.) They did work great but gradually I preferred the Thomas Lang - they are quite thick and more to the heavy side but I started digging them more and more. The Travis Barker felt too bouncy, they translated every hit onto my hands way stronger than any other stick I've played. I still have them but just to have alternative or reserve sticks. I discontinued using the Bozzio sigs because they felt slippery and too light - the VF coating is a feature I really like, it prevents the sticks to slide (at least in my hands - I'm not sweating a lot when pacticing drums).

I also have the VF JoJo Mayer sigs for some months now. I feel they are too light for me but still great to have to switch between the Thomas Lang and a pair of marching sticks I also have, just for variation to make the hands adjust to various sticks. The JoJo sigs are definitely good for speed though. Recently I thought of replacing the Thomas Lang by slightly lighter sticks because I still hadn't fully got used to their weight but now they start feeling alright. I guess that's also because I'm using the marching sticks (VF Scott Johnson) sometimes and switching to the TL makes them appear light.

The next time I'll be at the music store I'll have a thorough look at other drum sticks. Now, with growing hand sensitivity, I can select sticks on my own but the starting recommendations I got at the beginning were really great.

[DarrenMcMaster-Smith]

I recently ordered from the USA, Cappella aluminium sticks for warming up with on my old faithful yellow Vater chopbuilder pad.

Going pretty cheap on ebay so I thought I'd give them a try.

After using these,my normal sticks feel like balsa wood.

[StephensDrumShed]

Silverfox 5A's

Most durable stick I've ever used. Here's what I've got to say about them (just didn't want to type it all). And no, I don't work for them...I'm just blown away by their product.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NhbdFJiwU

[tard]

Ive tried a bunch of 5bn from the other brand name companies and I have found them to be equal or lesser in quality in terms of how long they last depending on the make and model, plus vic firth is about the only one that100% guarantees the tips on their american classic not to come off or they will replace them and at $7.25 a pair at music 123 they are definately my favorite and do not see myself changing sticks anytime soon.

[DSCRAPRE]

When I started playing around 2 years ago, I used Vic Firth 7A because I liked the lightness of them. I did get a few other sticks as time went on but my main sticks were always the VF 7A.

About a year ago I picked up a set of the Vater Stewart Copeland Standard on a whim. I didn't really play with them at all until about 2 months ago. I just went through my stick bag trying out all the styles that I had just to mess around with when I reached the Copelands.

As soon as I started using them, I knew that these were the sticks for me. Same thickness as the 7A but with the length of a 5A, they had the weight and speed I was comfortable with, but they had a sense of throw that was lacking in the 7A. They just seemed to launch themselves wherever I would flick my wrist. Best sticks I've ever used.

[drummertyler]

Vater or Easton Ahead aluminum sticks for sure, when I first started i got a pair of Vic Firth 2B sticks and they broke about a month later, then i got a pair of VF 5A sticks, and they broke in about two months. Then i got the vaters and they lasted ALOT longer. then i got the joey jordison Easton Ahead sticks and i love them

[kissarmyfreak]

For me its VIC FIRTH 100%

I use 5Bs Both Nylon & wood tips

[cajonFTW]

Vic Firth signature series Peter Erskine big band sticks.

Vater 7A's

My very old pair of solid oak sticks. Those are really nice.

[Jeremy Bender]

Vic Firth Ney Rosauro model- SNR
I love with the way these feel and sound!

[percussivelibrarian]

My favorite drumset sticks are Regal Tip, in my experience they've always had great feel and durability. I use 8As for lighter stuff, Jeff Hamilton brushes, and Groovers for heavier stuff. Pro-Mark cymbal mallets. Vic Firth SD1 has been my rudiment/practice pad stick for years, if it ain't broke... I don't play vibes as much these days, but when I do I use Malletech mallets (Dave Samuels medium-hard, Dave Friedman medium-soft).

[CKDrums]

i've got a pair of ludwig rubber handle brushes that are real nice. i use vic firth 7A and 7AN. got a pair of 85A i think. they're real nice too.

[cartre12321]

I just got the Vic Firth 5B Kinetic Force sticks, and I love them!

[HMNY]

I am a 'weekend warrior' drummer, playing for my own entertainment, often after our three young children have gone to bed, so I have always needed a quiet stick

I have used a number of the multi-rod styles available, but had been breaking them at a frustratingly rapid rate.

Then a guy at my local Sam Ash suggested I try Flix sticks, the rods are made of plastic fibre, and not wood, and they are incredibly robust, and I am proud to note that they are made in Scotland.

Anybody else have experience of these? .

[DSCRAPRE]

Then a guy at my local Sam Ash suggested I try Flix sticks, the rods are made of plastic fibre, and not wood, and they are incredibly robust, and I am proud to note that they are made in Scotland.

Anybody else have experience of these? .

I've tried these before and honestly, I didn't like them much. To me they just were too heavy and didn't have the response I wanted.

That said, if they work for you, then that is all that matters.

[madhusudanraman]

i'm presently using the vic firth dave weckl signature, and absolutely adore them. i heard that the gavin harrison signatures are out. i want them really bad. anyone has any info on price, dimensions, availability etc. ??

[aktivguy]

although I have many stick types in my case , my favorites are the Vic Firth SD4 Combo's. Love that wood tip with just the right weight.

[jostego]

I love the VicFirth AH5B. Maple sticks have a warmer tone, especially on cymbals, have better natural rebound, are lighter (so you can have a fat and light stick). When I play with other harder woods now it feels like the bones in my hands are vibrating. I ain't looking back :)

[patrice]

Depends on the gig.

I'm really enjoying the Vic Firth Stanton Moore signature stick, the Nicko McBrain one, Zildjian's Tony Williams model, as well as the VF Hardimon Chop-Outs for practice on the pad.

Patrice

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Maybe not my favorite, but my new addition are the Vic Firth Signature Model Abe Laboriel, Jr. model. They are long, 17 inches long, and .63 in diameter, painted black, bad ass black, except for the tip. They have a smooth taper with a huge tip. Although big they feel smaller than they are. These feel great to me and if you need a power stick for your play, give them a shot.

[TipsusMagnus]

I can't say I have a stable favorite. I usually go through phases. I first had a Vic Firth 5A phase before I went through a Vater 5A phase. Then I went through an Ahead phase. Then I went through a Vater 5B phase before going through a Pro-Mark 5B Oak phase. Then I went back to Vic Firth 5A.

Right now, I'm totally digging my Pro-Mark Super Rock sticks. I like their weight, and I can adjust my dynamics with them well enough to play lighter music. They don't sell them here though. :(

[drbrink]

I am currently using Vic Firth's Buddy Rich Signature stick.

[Stalwart_Pandora-Chris]

I use these guys

http://www.promark.com/pmProductDetail.Page?productid=120

Everything is best suited to me, the size, length, everything!

[slowrocker]

Right now I am using zildjian 5a and I also like vader 5as

[JohnnySomersett]

Always has been, and always will be, ProMark Shira Kashi Oak 7A

Light enough for jazz, strong enough for rock. They wear down real slow and for me have the perfect balance.

I have never used a pair of Vic Firths I liked.

[60'sOldLudwigs]

Zildjian Natural Hickory 5A Nylon Tip

[ivandsamudra]

Vic Firth Hickory 5a...

i tried 7a, 3a, Extreme 5a, 5b, extreme 5b (all Vic's)... but 5a is the one that gel in my hands :)

[danplaysdrums]

I've always been a big fan of 5B's.
I used to always use Vic Firth but I'm swaying towards Vater at the moment, I prefer their durability and thickness.

[Rock Drummer]

I've really been digging Vater Power5a's and Promark 5b's lately

[moojii]

my fav has always been vf 5b or vf 5b extreme but qc seems to be lacking at the mo or i have bought a bad batch as i have chipped the tips off 5 sticks in the last few weeks.

decided to give something else a go...went to the local drum shop and bought...

vf gregg bissonette sig series
vf danny carey
vf tomas haake

not sure which i liked best so will give em all a try!

hopefully the extra bit of beef to these sticks will see them hold up better!