Pro-Mark Japan Oak 747's. Basically a 5a with a heavier end. I have never liked hickory sticks, to me, the wood is so dry, dense, and light, that it will crack easily, and a well placed relitivly hard hit on a rim will break a hickory stick right down the shaft. Japan Oak, is a softer, heavier, and a little less dense. They sort of shave down rather than just breaking when the time is time. But anyways, thats all just preference.