My favorite sticks

[kgrubb]

I'm currently using Vater Manhatten 7a nylon tip. I like these because i like thinner sticks because i have smaller hands but i also wanted sticks that were a little bit longer than the pro mark 7a's that i had been using and these were just what i was looking for.

[stabmasterarson]

Vic firth american 5a for me. They feel perfect in my hands. They are made like crap though, I just got a pair, and both sticks broke after one band practice?!?

[Clayton_C]

Vader Manhatten 7A Wood Tip. You can't go wrong with them, they're well balanced, short enough for fast rudimental work around the drums, and they have what I find to be the most important element in a stick: the almost magic tendency to bounce to the next hit and fit perfectly within your creativity. They are my soul mates. :)

[jjmason777]

Vic Firth 5B. Never had any problems with them. Besides, you can get them anywhere. Pro Mark's suck. They break without fail.

[Jaksar]

Vic Firth 5a because they're the sticks that my drum instructor picked out for me when I started learning and dispite trying other sizes and brands, I'm yet to find another stick that feels any better to me.

[RogerLudwig]

I mostly use Vic Firth 7A and sometimes I use their 8D, which is the same diameter as the 7A, but a bit longer. I like the fact that I can get 7As just about anywhere.

Thinking of that, at the GC Memorial Day sale, drum sticks in packs of 10 were going for $9.99. My closest GC crew was clueless as to what they had so I was sceptical and didn't buy 'em there. Then I went to the next closest store where one of the staff described the sticks as B-stock from Vic Firth and Promark; and then showed me how to tell which was which by the label (The sticks have no writing on them at all). So I grabbed two bags of what this guy says are Vic Firth B-stock sticks that looked about right and when I got home, they turned out to be exactly what the guy said. I compared them withmy sticks (normally $7.00 at GC) at home and they were a perfect match: Vic Firth 7A. So I scored 20 pairs for 20 bucks. And like Ludwig B-stock snares, I can't see anything wrong with 'em. The best deal I've ever gotten on sticks.

[rootheart]

I often used wooden spoons from the club´s kitchen, because I was drunk and forgot to bring along my very expensive top-brand drumsticks..the band members could not tell, and the audience loved the gag

[slammz]

I use Vater fatback 3a with nylon tip. They last forever!

[andSometimesY]

Vic Firth Signature Danny Carey. I originally bought a pair just because I like Tool but I fell in love with them. They are thick and powerful, and extremely comfortable due to the tapering of the butt end. Sticks I don't recommend are the Ahead ones. They always slip out of my hands and I don't feel like wearing gloves while I play.

[Customdrumstix.BIZ]

did you know you can actually design your own stick at just $5 a pair?

check out this site

www.customdrumstix.BIZ

[chocorion]

Pro Mark shira kashi oak and the 707 hickory nylon tips. I try to use crappy sticks for hard practice though..."new york pro jazz." mmmmmmmm

[Ian Williams]

Vic Firth: 5AN hickory with nylon tips and 5B hickory with wooden tips.
5AN it's nice and smooth in the hands and fingers.

[Funky Crêpe]

hey, could someone help me out here?.......i have seen a pair of vic firth 8D's i want to buy, but they are on the internet so i cannot see them up close, i thought that all vic firth sticks looked the same, but this stick is different...have a look......if you know of this type, reply back as soon as possible, i really need to know if there is any difference between them and the original look, thanks

http://www.drum-stop.co.uk/images/_p...an-classic.jpg

[dougaha18]

I've been using two pairs of sticks lately. (Vic Firth "Rock" and "Danny Carrie Signature")
I'm a marching guy as well as a drum set player so i like how the Carries widen out at the butt, and it feels more like a marching stick but is doesn't play as heavily as one would on a kit.

[kraztatsa]

Vic Firth 5B all the way. ive tried all the other 5B models from all the major producers of sticks and i keep going back to The Vic Firth model.

and even though i have only used them a few times the Vater Funk Blaster chad smiths signature stick is preety sweet feels great.

I also use vic firth Extreme 5A for when i am playing in my corporate function/wedding band.

[necronomIV]

Vic Firth Buddy Rich for the last 7 years.

They recently changed the paint on them to white from cream, and it flakes off much easier as you play - so now my black Recording Customs and new Paiste Twentys have little white flecks absolutely everywhere (even on the far side of my floor toms).

I really don't want to change sticks..



..but the mess really sucks!

[Joe_P]

I also like vic firth sticks, i use extreme 5an's with a nylon tip

[Bonz0]

I love Pro-Mark 5A but want to check out the Tony Royster's Vic Firth model ( I like barrel tip)

[SteveUnqueen]

Pro-Mark 727 White Japanese Oak w/ Oval Tip

Light sticks with small diameter but fair reach. I love em'!

[Cboy21593]

I've played with loads of sticks but I recently got 3 pairs of pro mark joey jordison signature sticks, I will never play with any other sticks in my life again.

[branflakes992]

Vic Firth Peter Erskine Ride Sticks
Vic Firth 5As

[dynamokiev]

Ive recently bought the Steve Gadd signature vic firth to try them cause all of the good reviews
but now i khnow that my favourits are defnetly the Zildjians 7A with round wood tip,

[bamdrummer]

VF Dave Weckl Signature Evolution Nylons
There just *sniffle* beautiful!

[DrummerBoy95]

Ahead 2Bs for metal;
Zildjian Manu Katché Signatures (or any 7As really, but i find that the signatures have an amazing sound on cymbals) for Jazz/Fusion;
Vic Firth 5As for all the rest (so i dont use them much)
But like i play mostly metal, i really swear by my Ahead 2Bs
cheers

[Customdrumstix.BIZ]

for the last couple weeks i went back to my phishhead design i created a couple years ago... 17' long 1.42cm with a med taper and oval tips.... made from Purple Heart wood (naturally purple) its just a hair harder than hickory. the extra length gives you some room to sit back and relax while your playing and the hardness gives a nice sound off of any bell.

[alparrott]

I use Promark hickory 747s with nylon tips. I keep a couple of pairs of 5Bs in the bag for later in the show if my hands get tired, letting the larger stick do some of the work for me.

For lighter gigs and church, I love the Vic Firth SD5 Echo. It's a very light, maneuverable stick that works well at soft to medium volumes. I also keep a couple pairs of Hot Rods in there for the same settings.

[Aeolian]

My favorite stick hasn't been made in years. Bunken 5A's. Not for playing really loud, but they had a magic balance to them.

The closest I've found are Vic Firth SD10's. I have a lot more control over dynamics, especially playing quieter, with these larger, light weight, sticks than with a hickory 7A. Those feel line pencils to me and transmit too much shock. And with the better balance, I can control low volumes easier than smaller maple sticks like SD4's.

I do keep a couple pairs of Vater 5A's in my stick bag in case things get crazy. But I can make a fair amount of noise with the Swingers. If it needs to be louder, that's what the PA is for.

[Andrewski]

I've always played Musician's Friend factory defect sticks due to lack of a job, which in turn led to lack of funds - so $10 for 10 pairs of sticks was my best bet.

I just received a Class B sponsorship from Don's Music City for their DMC signature Sticks-by-the-Pound. I play 5a Oak wood tips (Although they gave me a brick of maples for free as well) and they are pretty good sticks. The maples break 2-3 per gig, but the oaks hold up much better.

[wooderson]

vic firth steve jordan signature

i also loved the signature harvey masons but no shops near me carry them anymore

[MetroTunez]

I use a Vater sugar maple 8a, also i use Vic Firth AS5A (mostly in orchestra)

[witchcraftery]

Nylon Tips are a joke.

Vater 7A Manhattan, Vic Firth SD10 swingers, Pro Mark hot rods, Zildjian Brushes.

[Tatoo]

This is a great thread for drummers deciding on sticks. What would really help is a bit more on the specifics of WHY you like particular sticks and particular brands. People mention "feel" and "balance" sometimes but can you please be as specific as possible?

New drummers won't know what that means.

That way drummers can relate to the way a specific stick solves your problem or meets your needs!

Thank you!

[meinlman]

although I've been a big fan (and still am) of Vic Firth for quite a while. I now use the Benny Greb signature by Pro Mark.

[Customdrumstix.BIZ]

my favorite stick is the Phishhead... I designed this stick to be able to sit there and play instead of having to moving my arms much... its cut at 17" to give that reach to not have to move your arms far, and they are 1.39cm which is a scratch thicker than a 7a. which gives just a slightly louder sound when useing accents. its made from purple heart wood for extra durablity while being extremely close in weight to hickory. it has an oval tip to aviod a crisp, bright pingie sound like a ball tip would give you and the medium taper that goes down to a .69cm neck gives a nice moderate rebound with out being super loud on the hithats and with out feeling like your stick just wants to fall forward out of your hands... there are some bands I play for where i've modifed that stick down to a 15 and 7/16" stick with a .65 neck to get a quicker rebound so I can do multi tom rolls as quickly as possible.

[Cross]

I really really like the Vic Firth Dave Weckl in brown. I play alot better with these sticks, just something about them.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by Tattoo

This is a great thread for drummers deciding on sticks. What would really help is a bit more on the specifics of WHY you like particular sticks and particular brands. People mention "feel" and "balance" sometimes but can you please be as specific as possible?

I've been using Vic Firth 2B only for about a year now and I feel no need to experiment or change.

I've found out that I prefer sticks slightly longer than standard 16", but that anything over 16.5" is too long and causes tension in my hands, so the 16.25" of 2B feels just right.
Thicker sticks feel better in my hands and 2B are pretty thick. I wouldn't mind if they were even thicker, but the only thickers models available where I live are marchings sticks, and I think they are too big and heavy for drumset playing in terms of both sound and feel.
The weight would have been a problem a couple of years ago, but I've since learned to control heavier sticks without fighting them, so I feel more weight allows me to get more sound with less work.
My hands sweat a lot but the finish of Vic Firth sticks feels very good when warm and damp so there's no problems there.
I've found tip-heavy sticks don't really work for me, and VF 2B have a nice in-between balance so I can move the fulcrum point according to the playing situation. I wouldn't mind even less weight up front, but the sticks are still well inside my comfort zone.
The thin neck yields very good feel and touch for cymbal playing. I would prefer an acorn shaped tip, but the teardrop is also ok.

If the Vic Firth Tomas Haake signature stick was avaliable for purchase where I live, I'd consider changing, but 2B fits my needs without any major objections.

[the_drum_dad]

I play Vic 5BN for just about everything.
5A for Jazz

As far as nylon tips being a joke....sorry but it's purely a stick life issue for me. I'd be broke if I played regular 5B's...the tips just don't stand up. Everyone in a while I'll buy a couple of sets and it just reminds me why I use the nylons.

[Greendrum]

Vater or Vic Firth 5A's
Caught Danny Carey's Drumstick, liked how it felt, so now I also use those.

I like the 5A's because the weight it perfect, 7A too light, and 5Bs a tad too heavy.

The Danny Carey ones are heavier, but they feel great and have amazing balance.

[Ludwig Fan]

I am loving the Todd Sucherman sticks from Pro-Mark. I bought them because his DVD was amazing...so are the sticks.

But you can't go wrong with a good set of 5A!!!!

[Rareform]

Vater 1A's They're 17 inches long instead of the normal 16. The Extra length really helps me balance when I play single stroke rolls.