Cymbalrider
09-12-2008, 07:35 AM
My Vic Firth 85As came in today, and these just might be the best stick I've had yet. I have a pair of 8Ds which are basically 16" 7As, but find them a bit thin and light at times. 5As are a bit too heavy for fast and light playing, so I decided to give 85As a shot. These things are great. They are evenly balanced (unlike 5As) but have enough weight to not sound thin like the 8Ds, 7As. The tip is basically the same as a 5A so you get a nice solid sound, but with a degree of ping on cymbals. I think everyone should try a pair of 85As. They are .555" x 16" hickory. There are other sticks I like out there, but these I think I will be using more often.