I'm from new Brunswick Canada, home of Sabian and Los cabis sticks. Started using their red hickory sticks. Their denser and harder makin them sound like a stick size up bit the same weight. Their also right cheap here. Don't know about elsewhere. Ther 8.99 a set vs Vic firth and zildjian which are at like 12.99 r 13.99. I get about a month out of them before some tip splitting starts. THAT'S think other brands offer red hickory sticks. Try em out