What's the difference between a ball tip and a "mushroom" tip?

[Bimlyjim]

I've played with Buddy rich signatures for a while now and I've like them, but I wondered If i should get something new.

The travis barker signatures peaked my interest, but I'm not sure about the ball tip. Wouldn't the ball break easily and then you just have a stumpy stick? However I guess it provides a fatter sound and a quicker bounce back.

I play a lot of rock, punk and hip hop. I need thick sticks as I have a condition with my hands but not so thick that I can't roll or play loosely.

Any ideas what sticks i should go for?

Thanks to anyone who comments.

[Soupy]

I've never broken a ball tip, though I've never broken any tip. I have no reason to think they're more fragile than other tips. They usually sound brighter on cymbals, though some people say they dent heads more easily.

A friend used those Travis Barkers forever; they've got a nice size and feel without being too heavy and clumsy.

If you like thick, look at the Vic Firth SD1, which is pretty stout, but maple which makes it a little lighter. Ball tip as well.

[jonescrusher]

Lol at 'mushroom tip'. Ball tips feel slightly more tight and pingy on cymbals. 'Mushroom tips' have a larger surface area to make contact with the drum/cymbal so you'll get a fatter more rounded tone.

Chipping of the tip is down to your technique, whether you play a lot on the tip of the stick. The shape of the tip won't make a difference.

[Chunkaway]

Speaking from personal experience- ball tips will dent your heads MUCH more easily than "mushroom" tips. (Awesome term! I think they are called acorn tips.) I switched over to ball tips (from Vic Firth 5As) and I couldn't believe how fast my heads were getting pitted and dented. I never had that problem with the regular 5As, so I switched back.