Thanks for the kind words! We recognize that everyone is making great stuff these days and it’s important to experiment with it all. Don’t box yourself in. If one brand or product is “better” than the rest, you’ll know it when you play it. Cheers! -Ben
Thank you for the shout out for supporting music stores. I hear all the time, “I’ll just get it on Amazon,” “It’s cheaper online,” or “we bought this online, can you set it up/fix it?” While online stores have their place, they cannot offer the support you get from your local music store.
I love that you mention that people should visit and use local drum stores. I guess it shouldn't be necessary to remind people of this, but Im glad you did. Also very nice and informativ video. Well done!
I've been playing Pro Mark 808 models since 2004. It's the best length/diameter/tip style for my skinny hands and fingers. It's between 5A and 5B. TX808W (Hickory) is Paul Wertico signature model these days. TX808LW is Ian Paice signature model, that's a bit longer than normal ones. I also use both, Hickory and Oak versions (PW808W). I went to D'Addario day here in NYC this summer, where in fact I met you guys briefly :). I mentioned to D'Addario guys that I've been waiting for them to make Firegrain and ActiveGrip in 808 size and in general to include it in their newer series as well. It's not very popular but it works so well for skinny fingers, like mine. Pro Mark sticks won me back in the day, mainly due to perfect weight distribution and perfect grip feel. There are so many killer sticks but once I held Pro Mark sticks, that was it. Thanks for a great episode, once again :)
@@joeking6309 yeah. oak is amazing material. not everyone likes it, due to its high density. when I use it for too long, my index finger and thumb start aching, so in those cases I switch back to hickory 808 :)
This episode definetly calls for a sequel. Loved it since I never sat down to think about all this variables but the wood itself and not even to that extent. I'd love to learn more about the matter, hopefully, from you guys. Cheers from Puerto Rico!
I tend to use thicker, heavier sticks (2Bs) for practice and lighter ones for performances. It just gives that extra bit of control and speed to ensure that I feel comfortable when playing live as well as making it that little bit easier to play those fast 32nd notes and fills. I have to say though it’s incredible how swapping out your sticks can affect and sometimes correct your technique. There have been times where I’ve found myself in a rut and switching over to a lighter or heavier pair of sticks has brought my technique and subsequently confidence back up to where it should be.
I recently tried the maple Promark rebound 55A and rebound 5A sticks and loved them. Especially the spherical tips which make sense to me in terms of an efficient rebound. The tips started chipping in no time...from the ride cymbal hits. A constant problem with maple wood tips. Trying to find spherical nylon tips is basically impossible. As with most manufacturers nylon tipped sticks are limited in selection. A real pain! Recently tried some Vic Firth Extreme 5A nylon, Vic Firth SD7 Whacker nylon, and a Vater XD-5A nylon. Not bad at all but like I said before....nylon sphere tips...forget it....let alone finding a stick I might like with a wood tip only to find it's not made with a nylon tip. Great channel by the way!
My choice of drumstick for the past 10 years has been the Tama 5B Japanese Oak model. Just the right weight and balance for me and they last really well. For jazz though I play Regal Tip E-series 5A Narrow models that give me a cross between a nylon tip and wood tip sound.
I did too 😂 I’m a new drummer trying to figure out if the sticks that came with my set are good for me or not.... I actually learned a lot from him. (Still laughed)
More of the interaction between stick and cymbal will be something covered in the cymbal series we hope to release in 2020. This will be exclusively available via our Patreon so please consider joining to help support what we’re making and gain access to these exclusives: www.patreon.com/soundslikeadrum
As a poor college student years ago, I loved 5As with a nylon tip--that ping on the cymbal just touches my soul. But the tips tended to come off after a while, and superglue was of limited help. Since I didn't have a lot of money, I used to keep the tipless sticks around and play them turned around with my left hand. The added weight really made the snare pop, especially since I mainly played rimshots. I was never an especially hard-hitting drummer, but the 2 and 4 on my snare cut through even at the loudest bar gigs, even without amplification. Years down the road and while I don't play that way much anymore, I still love the unbalanced feel of a butt-first stick on the snare. You give up quite a bit of finesse, for sure, but the extra power is such a charge.
lajollascott I use Titebond II to re attach tips that slip off. I bought 50 pairs of Zildjian 2B Hickory sticks back in the 90’s for $80. I still have 15 or 20 pairs left and I loose a tip periodically and fix them by filling the tip roughly 1/2 way with glue and clamp them end to end with a 20” or larger bar clamp. Wipe off the excess but make sure there’s a small amount at the junction of the stick and the tip.I remove the clamp after 24 hours and let them sit for one month minimum before I use them since the glue takes a while to get close to rock hard I’m on the search for a few tips in my practice room since I have a few sticks to repair. I only buy one pair of sticks per year maybe. That was one of those deals of a lifetime.
I’m still on the hunt for the “perfect” stick (if it even exists). I guess in theory I wish I could just use one stick for everything, but things normally don’t work out that way. I tend to pick my sticks on more of a feel basis more than a sound basis, but I guess they kind of go hand in hand. If I’m playing really low tuned, fat drums I generally go for a heavier/thicker stick, simply because it *feels* better. I typically prefer thinner sticks for most things though, as I generally have a medium/high tuned kit. It’s nice to have that rebound
I love this channel - but such timing, this video coming out end of 2019, telling us to go to shops and try sticks out to versus using the internet, and to support the local shops. Then 2020 happened. I really hope my local shop is still around! I so want to go and try out all 2B and 5B in person, so I don’t have to order 1,000 sticks and kill a forest in the process.
I started playing 2 years ago, and started with the Vic Firth Hickory 5A. I felt like it was a little too thin, so I went with the 55A. Then I moved on to the Ahead 5B. Loved the diameter, length, and overall feel, but it was killing my drums so I needed a stick made of wood. Found a stick that had similar specs. The VF 5BN. Since I enjoyed the nylon tip a lot. Now I am again at a cross road, as to what sticks I need. I play mostly rock and some metal, I play and hit really hard, and I now feel that the 5B is not enough, since I feel like I have to tighten my grip when I play faster. I have tried the HD9 and the 2B and although they feel good, I am kinda scared if they are going to work for quieter stuff. But on the other hand I know that the lighter sticks like the 7A and the 5A might not work for me grip wise. My hands are medium big, and I feel like I can't really find a stick that works for everything. Does anyone have any tips that I can take into account when I go shopping for sticks again?
I went on a stick quest recently and discovered the joy of longer sticks. My stick bag currently holds three Vic Firth models: Free Style 7A, SD9, Ney Rosario signature. There's a special kind of thwap that I can only acheive with the extra travel of a longer stick.
With playing for over 35 years, I have always went with what I call the "bucket sticks" at my local drum shop...at $2.99 a pair these are generally seconds of the major brands that have minor flaws or don't match in weight that are more often than not sitting in an old 5 gallon bucket. I like a meaty 5B ish even a 2B at 16 1/2 inches long with a standard acorn. I think I have only shelled out for a new pair twice in my playing career, just can't justify the cost. I've used the Promark QuestLove sticks for quieter gigs and I really dig the rubbery grip. At the end of the day it's a chunk of wood you hit things with, it's what you do with them that counts.David
I’ve used both Firegrain and Activegrip sticks (I really love playing with Forward style 5A since I like to play more aggressive styles of rock). I have to say I really love both and they both last a pretty long time compared to just regular Vic Virth sticks. Only bit of warning I’d like to give is that the Firegrains will leave dark reddish marks all over your drum heads. I personally don’t care since I use my heads basically until they break but some hobbyists who like everything looking pristine won’t like that.
Great video as always! Since I assume they're reading comments, it would be really helpful if ProMark's website allowed us to filter drumsticks on the variables you outlined, so we can get close to what we want and try it out. But you're right: there's no substitute for playing them. It's funny: I was always under the impression (for no reason in particular) that 5-A referred to a diameter AND a length. Sticks of course always vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it never occurred to me that this was part of the reason!
Thanks! In fact, you can filter the sticks on Promark’s website by each of these attributes. Once you’re on the “Drum Set” section, click on “Filter”. Cheers!
Have you tried out the Promark Neil Peart signature sticks? They're Shirakashi Oak; they don't weigh that much more than regular hickory, but the rebound is AMAZING. Just make sure you're ready for the amount of rebound you're going to get. =D If I'm not using those, I love the VF Dave Weckl Evolutions.
The Peter Erskine signature from Vic Firth is my go to. Thinner sticks are my personal choice. But the short taper and ball tip on these honestly make them incredibly versatile even though they’re made for jazz. I also use X8Ds from Vic too. Slightly thicker, but extra length that sometimes just feels great in the hand.
My favourite ones are Vater Super Jazz and Vic Firth Stanton Moore Signature. I got a Pro Mark Rebound 5A not too long ago, and it feels good too (even though I am not a fan of 5A)
I love Bopworks birdland, it’s smaller than a 7A @.500. My favorite is their swing classic @ .515. I also love Vic Firths Peter Erskine ride sticks @ .575.
For a few years now I've been using promark PW747 BW Oak as my "standard" sticks. I can use other smaller sticks, like 5A's, 7A's or something equivalent for softer stuff, but I like these big guys specially for two reasons. 1- They are long (16'75") and I like the reach they provide yet keeping a good balance and rebound, and 2- they're made of oak, wich I like, first for durability ( I really noticed a difference respect hickory), and also because I feel I need less effort to play loud when I need it, but without losing the ability to play softer and having good dinamics. The only thing I'd like is they offered more tip options with the same other specs, something a bit more "rounded", but not completely round, I don't know how to name it, maybe a barrel tip? I guess you know what I mean. When I play softer stuff I tend to go, not only for a smaller stick (I always prefer oak, anyway), but also for rounded tips.
I used to use Pro-Mark (first 707, then 739), but switched to Vater Excel, which is essentially a 7A length with a diameter in between 5A and 5B. If Pro-Mark would make a similar "super 7A" with the 739 tip, I'd switch back in a heartbeat. I find the shorter sticks feel a bit faster and easier to manipulate, plus they can feel really light while having enough diameter for larger hands.
I use Vic firth 2B’s and vater H-220’s (Josh Freeses). I am a young drummer and still starting to figure out which sticks I want. I am trying out the mike Portnoy promarks next!
As always, an interesting discussion. Surprised you didn’t mentioned plastic tip vs. wood. Also wondered your perspective on sticks named for specific drummers-just marketing?
Nice video, i have a questions I'm 15 years old, and don't have big hands. My current stick of choice is the Vic Firth 85A, or any other brand/model with the same diameter. But i am nervous for the moments when i dont have acces to a 85A (it's not what you would call a standard size). I have a pair of Vic Firth 5A, and I know they're not far i terms of diameter, but really feel that i have more flow with 85A. Should i play more with a more "standard" size, so I'm not thrown out on deep water in these situations?
Unless you break sticks on the regular or are touring, you're not likely to find yourself in a situation where you can't use your preferred stick (at least not that I can think of). I would still encourage you to try some different diameters, lengths, tips, tapers at a shop and take a few home. Different sticks lend themselves to different sounds and may open up possibilities for you. Practicing with different sticks will help you learn to control the stick better in general and after some time, you'll probably find yourself reaching for different sticks in different situations.
Stix. Maple is the wood for me, hickory gives me blisters and oak dont sound good on my cymbals to me. Ive some carbon fibre stix which are great til you drop one. Youll never find it again!Theyre SO black! Good video but have you thought about BRUSHES? I've a brilliant (for me) hack for brush handles. Collapsible brushes all rattle after a couple of gigs and fold away in the chorus! So rigid brushes with wood handles are the ones for me. So far, so boring. I broke a few wood handle brushes. OK, I'm a gorilla, but I found a way to preserve brushes some of which cost 40 pounds sterling a pair!!! Golf club grips. The rubber bits where golfers hold their racquets (lol) have evolved to fit into the human hand, the same hand that wields a brush. My local golf shop let me in despite wearing denims! (How snobbish are golf clubs?) So I could spend 2 pounds per grip in the January sale. Slip them on to the brush handle lubricating them with liquid soap (fairy liquid) pushing them down til the butt end reaches the handle end. You'll find that 2 or 3 inches excess stick, sorry, brush past the start of the wires. Before you simply trim them, consider folding the excess back along the handle to give extra protection to the aluminium collar holding the (usually) steel wires. I'll cut the thick end from the grip to reduce weight, but I like the heaviness of my grip-brushes; gravity does much of the work for ya! I even tried some chopped up spare grips on a light pair of Stix, leaving the butt of the stick and the business end" naked. Now I have the sidestick sound from hell! The brushes I use are Vater Wire Tap and RegalTip Clayton Cameron model.
I have a drumstick problem 😬. I literally have a huge box full of them; hundreds. I’m quite sure I’ve tried well over 100 different models over the years looking for that perfect one pair. Is there a drumsticks anonymous?
I think they're located right next to Bass Players Anon. I researched them both (couldn't find any toll free numbers though) after I added my twentieth bass to my collection, and then got the hots for a candy apple red, Ludwig 6 Shell kit I saw in Guitar Center. I don't play drums, but figured I could do 'bout as well as most of the cats I've gigged with since the early 70s. 🎸🥁😛
Interestingly, most drum teachers recommend thinner sticks for young students but slightly thicker sticks allow a longer taper which actually facilitates improved rebound.
Jeez Louise I don’t think I’ve tried them all but darn close! I found an old stick bag in my garage a while ago look inside and what did I see? A pair of those old Ahead fiberglass and aluminum hybrids along with some regal tip quantum 3000s! Thick as a brick with no taper and the largest cylindrical nylon tip in the business! No wonder I got some hearing loss man frown ha ha Ha ha ha great video cheers… Keith?
I've been using Vic Firth Jojo Mayers (like 15.6 inches) and Vic Firth 85A. I used to use Promark Stingers, which was a 16.25, 0.565 (I think) with a weird, pointed tip. I loved them, but they got discontinued :( My "heavy" option, is the Promark Intruder.
I have really small hands (child like really..) but for some reason I find thick sticks more natural to play with. 5a feels like a pencil you know.. Should I give it another try ?
Really wanted to like the Firegrains just to be fancy but they left little dookie stains on my heads and cymbals. I’ve found what I’m looking for in the Steve Gadd sticks though, cause I have little baby hands. Which is funny cause I started with 5Bs/2As.
FireGrain doesn't leave any discoloration or weird markings in and of itself. However, they will transfer dirtiness from heads/cymbals to other surfaces just like any other drumstick if they become dirty. The sticks are lacquered and not colored so it's likely that your sticks simply picked up some residue and transferred it.
I use VF 85A's for funkier/"lighter" playing. I used to play 8D'sbut needed something a wee bit beefier. For hardcore/punk gigs I just use 5A's. I'm a simple man.
Just get the On Stage brand where you can get 12 pairs for $23.99! Why? Because there comes a point when buying name brand wood, where the cost just isn’t in the wheelhouse of the common man. Unless you’re getting these cheap dowels, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything under $10.00/pair. Considering wood tips often split doing bell work making the whole stick useless, $10/pair adds up FAST! On Stage baby!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
On Stage hickory 5aw and 7a nylon are underrated sticks..I have always been a promark guy and now Vic Firth but there was a time in the late 2000s I purchased a 12 pack of 5a wood tip .I was reallly surprised how good they felt and played. Those 12 pair lasted 2 plus years that's playing out 2 times a month and practicing..I feel they lasted 25% less of what top brands lasted me which was a hell of a deal! I switched to Neil peart 747s because they last forever and I always get a bundle deal as well as the Vic Firths too..But I recently picked up an On Stage pair of 7a sticks for $3 and they feel great and they do not break! Best $3 I've ever spent!
I'm guessing Promarks are gold plated now? They recently raised their sticks in price by $4 to $5 a pair? Seriously? Definitely not buying them anymore. Vater and Vic Firths are way cheaper and just as durable or even better. So if you're looking for a good reliable stick and good in price,anything except Promark !
You’d have to ask ProMark for details regarding price increases but if you haven’t been keeping track, cost of raw materials have gone up significantly in two years and they held back from doing any price increases. We agree though, this gotten incredibly expensive so choosing the right drumstick is more important now than ever before.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 84 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องศึก vs เมืองไทย"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3kuzsAIDf1c/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm really proud to subscribe to a sponsored drum channel that doesn't pretend like the sponsor is the only brand in the world.
Thanks for the kind words! We recognize that everyone is making great stuff these days and it’s important to experiment with it all. Don’t box yourself in. If one brand or product is “better” than the rest, you’ll know it when you play it. Cheers! -Ben
Exactly
Thank you for the shout out for supporting music stores. I hear all the time, “I’ll just get it on Amazon,” “It’s cheaper online,” or “we bought this online, can you set it up/fix it?”
While online stores have their place, they cannot offer the support you get from your local music store.
I love that you mention that people should visit and use local drum stores. I guess it shouldn't be necessary to remind people of this, but Im glad you did.
Also very nice and informativ video. Well done!
The message at the very end about keeping stores going by doing our part, YESSSS
I've been playing Pro Mark 808 models since 2004. It's the best length/diameter/tip style for my skinny hands and fingers. It's between 5A and 5B. TX808W (Hickory) is Paul Wertico signature model these days. TX808LW is Ian Paice signature model, that's a bit longer than normal ones. I also use both, Hickory and Oak versions (PW808W). I went to D'Addario day here in NYC this summer, where in fact I met you guys briefly :). I mentioned to D'Addario guys that I've been waiting for them to make Firegrain and ActiveGrip in 808 size and in general to include it in their newer series as well. It's not very popular but it works so well for skinny fingers, like mine. Pro Mark sticks won me back in the day, mainly due to perfect weight distribution and perfect grip feel. There are so many killer sticks but once I held Pro Mark sticks, that was it.
Thanks for a great episode, once again :)
I also prefer Promark 808 Japanese White Oak Drumsticks Nylon Tip. Most durable I have found.
@@joeking6309 yeah. oak is amazing material. not everyone likes it, due to its high density. when I use it for too long, my index finger and thumb start aching, so in those cases I switch back to hickory 808 :)
I love that Cody, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DRUM SHOPS!!!❤🥁❤🥁
This episode definetly calls for a sequel. Loved it since I never sat down to think about all this variables but the wood itself and not even to that extent. I'd love to learn more about the matter, hopefully, from you guys. Cheers from Puerto Rico!
I tend to use thicker, heavier sticks (2Bs) for practice and lighter ones for performances. It just gives that extra bit of control and speed to ensure that I feel comfortable when playing live as well as making it that little bit easier to play those fast 32nd notes and fills. I have to say though it’s incredible how swapping out your sticks can affect and sometimes correct your technique. There have been times where I’ve found myself in a rut and switching over to a lighter or heavier pair of sticks has brought my technique and subsequently confidence back up to where it should be.
I recently tried the maple Promark rebound 55A and rebound 5A sticks and loved them. Especially the spherical tips which make sense to me in terms of an efficient rebound. The tips started chipping in no time...from the ride cymbal hits. A constant problem with maple wood tips. Trying to find spherical nylon tips is basically impossible. As with most manufacturers nylon tipped sticks are limited in selection. A real pain! Recently tried some Vic Firth Extreme 5A nylon, Vic Firth SD7 Whacker nylon, and a Vater XD-5A nylon. Not bad at all but like I said before....nylon sphere tips...forget it....let alone finding a stick I might like with a wood tip only to find it's not made with a nylon tip. Great channel by the way!
My choice of drumstick for the past 10 years has been the Tama 5B Japanese Oak model. Just the right weight and balance for me and they last really well. For jazz though I play Regal Tip E-series 5A Narrow models that give me a cross between a nylon tip and wood tip sound.
jeezzzzz that snare sound with the groove at end!!! best part of the vid :)
Wait until you see how we got that sound! Full episode coming in a couple weeks.
I am such a child. I giggled a few too many times during this. Great video though, I love my Pro-Mark Firegrain.
I did too 😂 I’m a new drummer trying to figure out if the sticks that came with my set are good for me or not.... I actually learned a lot from him. (Still laughed)
I am loving the rebound balance of promark! I am a heavy hitter but these help me to move around the kit quickly!!
Do part 2 of this please! (More details, comparison video on cymbals)
More of the interaction between stick and cymbal will be something covered in the cymbal series we hope to release in 2020. This will be exclusively available via our Patreon so please consider joining to help support what we’re making and gain access to these exclusives: www.patreon.com/soundslikeadrum
I recently had a chance to try some Meinl sticks and loved them. Really excellent quality and durability. I use the Hybrid 5A.
well done. very informative
As a poor college student years ago, I loved 5As with a nylon tip--that ping on the cymbal just touches my soul. But the tips tended to come off after a while, and superglue was of limited help. Since I didn't have a lot of money, I used to keep the tipless sticks around and play them turned around with my left hand. The added weight really made the snare pop, especially since I mainly played rimshots. I was never an especially hard-hitting drummer, but the 2 and 4 on my snare cut through even at the loudest bar gigs, even without amplification. Years down the road and while I don't play that way much anymore, I still love the unbalanced feel of a butt-first stick on the snare. You give up quite a bit of finesse, for sure, but the extra power is such a charge.
lajollascott I use Titebond II to re attach tips that slip off. I bought 50 pairs of Zildjian 2B Hickory sticks back in the 90’s for $80. I still have 15 or 20 pairs left and I loose a tip periodically and fix them by filling the tip roughly 1/2 way with glue and clamp them end to end with a 20” or larger bar clamp. Wipe off the excess but make sure there’s a small amount at the junction of the stick and the tip.I remove the clamp after 24 hours and let them sit for one month minimum before I use them since the glue takes a while to get close to rock hard I’m on the search for a few tips in my practice room since I have a few sticks to repair. I only buy one pair of sticks per year maybe. That was one of those deals of a lifetime.
I’m still on the hunt for the “perfect” stick (if it even exists). I guess in theory I wish I could just use one stick for everything, but things normally don’t work out that way. I tend to pick my sticks on more of a feel basis more than a sound basis, but I guess they kind of go hand in hand. If I’m playing really low tuned, fat drums I generally go for a heavier/thicker stick, simply because it *feels* better. I typically prefer thinner sticks for most things though, as I generally have a medium/high tuned kit. It’s nice to have that rebound
I love this channel - but such timing, this video coming out end of 2019, telling us to go to shops and try sticks out to versus using the internet, and to support the local shops. Then 2020 happened. I really hope my local shop is still around! I so want to go and try out all 2B and 5B in person, so I don’t have to order 1,000 sticks and kill a forest in the process.
I started playing 2 years ago, and started with the Vic Firth Hickory 5A. I felt like it was a little too thin, so I went with the 55A. Then I moved on to the Ahead 5B. Loved the diameter, length, and overall feel, but it was killing my drums so I needed a stick made of wood. Found a stick that had similar specs. The VF 5BN. Since I enjoyed the nylon tip a lot. Now I am again at a cross road, as to what sticks I need. I play mostly rock and some metal, I play and hit really hard, and I now feel that the 5B is not enough, since I feel like I have to tighten my grip when I play faster. I have tried the HD9 and the 2B and although they feel good, I am kinda scared if they are going to work for quieter stuff. But on the other hand I know that the lighter sticks like the 7A and the 5A might not work for me grip wise. My hands are medium big, and I feel like I can't really find a stick that works for everything. Does anyone have any tips that I can take into account when I go shopping for sticks again?
I went on a stick quest recently and discovered the joy of longer sticks. My stick bag currently holds three Vic Firth models: Free Style 7A, SD9, Ney Rosario signature. There's a special kind of thwap that I can only acheive with the extra travel of a longer stick.
The Hard Problem FreeStyle 7A?
@@timmydodd1978 17" length, .540 " diameter, and an extra long taper.
I’ve been playing VF for years and didn’t realize they make a Freestyle 7A
@@timmydodd1978 - They're pretty new. I think they came out early 2019.
The Hard Problem I got into the 5A, 5B, and 55A. Forgot they had a 7A. Lol
With playing for over 35 years, I have always went with what I call the "bucket sticks" at my local drum shop...at $2.99 a pair these are generally seconds of the major brands that have minor flaws or don't match in weight that are more often than not sitting in an old 5 gallon bucket. I like a meaty 5B ish even a 2B at 16 1/2 inches long with a standard acorn. I think I have only shelled out for a new pair twice in my playing career, just can't justify the cost.
I've used the Promark QuestLove sticks for quieter gigs and I really dig the rubbery grip.
At the end of the day it's a chunk of wood you hit things with, it's what you do with them that counts.David
I’ve used both Firegrain and Activegrip sticks (I really love playing with Forward style 5A since I like to play more aggressive styles of rock). I have to say I really love both and they both last a pretty long time compared to just regular Vic Virth sticks. Only bit of warning I’d like to give is that the Firegrains will leave dark reddish marks all over your drum heads. I personally don’t care since I use my heads basically until they break but some hobbyists who like everything looking pristine won’t like that.
Great video as always! Since I assume they're reading comments, it would be really helpful if ProMark's website allowed us to filter drumsticks on the variables you outlined, so we can get close to what we want and try it out. But you're right: there's no substitute for playing them.
It's funny: I was always under the impression (for no reason in particular) that 5-A referred to a diameter AND a length. Sticks of course always vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it never occurred to me that this was part of the reason!
Thanks! In fact, you can filter the sticks on Promark’s website by each of these attributes. Once you’re on the “Drum Set” section, click on “Filter”. Cheers!
Awesome, thanks for the extra vid this week 🤘😀👍
The amount of Beavis and Butthead-laugh potential in this video is off the charts
Have you tried out the Promark Neil Peart signature sticks? They're Shirakashi Oak; they don't weigh that much more than regular hickory, but the rebound is AMAZING. Just make sure you're ready for the amount of rebound you're going to get. =D
If I'm not using those, I love the VF Dave Weckl Evolutions.
The Peter Erskine signature from Vic Firth is my go to. Thinner sticks are my personal choice. But the short taper and ball tip on these honestly make them incredibly versatile even though they’re made for jazz. I also use X8Ds from Vic too. Slightly thicker, but extra length that sometimes just feels great in the hand.
Another awesome video! Thanks guys.
I always use the Promark Oak 5B? I believe. But for me personally, I find it the best for a lot, and the Oak wood makes it last for ever.
My favourite ones are Vater Super Jazz and Vic Firth Stanton Moore Signature. I got a Pro Mark Rebound 5A not too long ago, and it feels good too (even though I am not a fan of 5A)
I love Bopworks birdland, it’s smaller than a 7A @.500. My favorite is their swing classic @ .515. I also love Vic Firths Peter Erskine ride sticks @ .575.
For a few years now I've been using promark PW747 BW Oak as my "standard" sticks. I can use other smaller sticks, like 5A's, 7A's or something equivalent for softer stuff, but I like these big guys specially for two reasons. 1- They are long (16'75") and I like the reach they provide yet keeping a good balance and rebound, and 2- they're made of oak, wich I like, first for durability ( I really noticed a difference respect hickory), and also because I feel I need less effort to play loud when I need it, but without losing the ability to play softer and having good dinamics. The only thing I'd like is they offered more tip options with the same other specs, something a bit more "rounded", but not completely round, I don't know how to name it, maybe a barrel tip? I guess you know what I mean.
When I play softer stuff I tend to go, not only for a smaller stick (I always prefer oak, anyway), but also for rounded tips.
Thanks for the videos guys. Great info
I used to use Pro-Mark (first 707, then 739), but switched to Vater Excel, which is essentially a 7A length with a diameter in between 5A and 5B. If Pro-Mark would make a similar "super 7A" with the 739 tip, I'd switch back in a heartbeat. I find the shorter sticks feel a bit faster and easier to manipulate, plus they can feel really light while having enough diameter for larger hands.
You forgot ahead drumstick no vibration love it👏👏👏👏🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🥁🥁
I love the Vic Firth Symphonic Series SSC1 Persimmon. Absolute best balanced stick I've ever used. Of course my are for snare in a concert band so...
Best drum stick video 👊🏼
For the last 15 years I’ve used Ahead alloy sticks as they work for me.
I use Vic firth 2B’s and vater H-220’s (Josh Freeses). I am a young drummer and still starting to figure out which sticks I want. I am trying out the mike Portnoy promarks next!
I dig a nylon tip. I like the bright ping on the cymbals, and they don't chip out at all.
As always, an interesting discussion. Surprised you didn’t mentioned plastic tip vs. wood. Also wondered your perspective on sticks named for specific drummers-just marketing?
What sticks do you use on the videos where it almost looks like your sticks are shaved...
Nice video, i have a questions
I'm 15 years old, and don't have big hands. My current stick of choice is the Vic Firth 85A, or any other brand/model with the same diameter.
But i am nervous for the moments when i dont have acces to a 85A (it's not what you would call a standard size). I have a pair of Vic Firth 5A, and I know they're not far i terms of diameter, but really feel that i have more flow with 85A. Should i play more with a more "standard" size, so I'm not thrown out on deep water in these situations?
Unless you break sticks on the regular or are touring, you're not likely to find yourself in a situation where you can't use your preferred stick (at least not that I can think of). I would still encourage you to try some different diameters, lengths, tips, tapers at a shop and take a few home. Different sticks lend themselves to different sounds and may open up possibilities for you. Practicing with different sticks will help you learn to control the stick better in general and after some time, you'll probably find yourself reaching for different sticks in different situations.
This definetly needs a follow up. Some ride and snare to articulate the differences, etc.
Great topic choice!
Stix. Maple is the wood for me, hickory gives me blisters and oak dont sound good on my cymbals to me. Ive some carbon fibre stix which are great til you drop one. Youll never find it again!Theyre SO black!
Good video but have you thought about BRUSHES? I've a brilliant (for me) hack for brush handles. Collapsible brushes all rattle after a couple of gigs and fold away in the chorus! So rigid brushes with wood handles are the ones for me. So far, so boring. I broke a few wood handle brushes. OK, I'm a gorilla, but I found a way to preserve brushes some of which cost 40 pounds sterling a pair!!!
Golf club grips.
The rubber bits where golfers hold their racquets (lol) have evolved to fit into the human hand, the same hand that wields a brush.
My local golf shop let me in despite wearing denims! (How snobbish are golf clubs?) So I could spend 2 pounds per grip in the January sale. Slip them on to the brush handle lubricating them with liquid soap (fairy liquid) pushing them down til the butt end reaches the handle end. You'll find that 2 or 3 inches excess stick, sorry, brush past the start of the wires. Before you simply trim them, consider folding the excess back along the handle to give extra protection to the aluminium collar holding the (usually) steel wires.
I'll cut the thick end from the grip to reduce weight, but I like the heaviness of my grip-brushes; gravity does much of the work for ya!
I even tried some chopped up spare grips on a light pair of Stix, leaving the butt of the stick and the business end" naked. Now I have the sidestick sound from hell!
The brushes I use are Vater Wire Tap and RegalTip Clayton Cameron model.
I have a drumstick problem 😬. I literally have a huge box full of them; hundreds. I’m quite sure I’ve tried well over 100 different models over the years looking for that perfect one pair. Is there a drumsticks anonymous?
I think they're located right next to Bass Players Anon. I researched them both (couldn't find any toll free numbers though) after I added my twentieth bass to my collection, and then got the hots for a candy apple red, Ludwig 6 Shell kit I saw in Guitar Center. I don't play drums, but figured I could do 'bout as well as most of the cats I've gigged with since the early 70s. 🎸🥁😛
Interestingly, most drum teachers recommend thinner sticks for young students but slightly thicker sticks allow a longer taper which actually facilitates improved rebound.
Jeez Louise I don’t think I’ve tried them all but darn close! I found an old stick bag in my garage a while ago look inside and what did I see? A pair of those old Ahead fiberglass and aluminum hybrids along with some regal tip quantum 3000s! Thick as a brick with no taper and the largest cylindrical nylon tip in the business! No wonder I got some hearing loss man frown ha ha Ha ha ha great video cheers… Keith?
I've been using Vic Firth Jojo Mayers (like 15.6 inches) and Vic Firth 85A. I used to use Promark Stingers, which was a 16.25, 0.565 (I think) with a weird, pointed tip. I loved them, but they got discontinued :( My "heavy" option, is the Promark Intruder.
I have really small hands (child like really..) but for some reason I find thick sticks more natural to play with. 5a feels like a pencil you know..
Should I give it another try ?
Why do promark 5b has a 590 diameter and 595 like other drumsticks is it because it's a forward balance stick
I’m still trying to find the best pair of drumsticks. I am definitely wanting to try the promark fire grain and the active grips.
Have you found a profile shape that works well for your hands and performance technique?
Sounds Like A Drum, I haven’t yet. I hope to get to guitar center to try some promark drumsticks before I purchase from their online store.
After I checked out a couple different pairs, I finally found the right sticks for me. I found the 5As work best for me and are comfortable to play.
Really wanted to like the Firegrains just to be fancy but they left little dookie stains on my heads and cymbals. I’ve found what I’m looking for in the Steve Gadd sticks though, cause I have little baby hands. Which is funny cause I started with 5Bs/2As.
FireGrain doesn't leave any discoloration or weird markings in and of itself. However, they will transfer dirtiness from heads/cymbals to other surfaces just like any other drumstick if they become dirty. The sticks are lacquered and not colored so it's likely that your sticks simply picked up some residue and transferred it.
When is the 26” bass drum video coming? 😁
Not for a while as we don’t have s 26” bass drum and have filmed most of our episodes for the rest of season two.
I use VF 85A's for funkier/"lighter" playing. I used to play 8D'sbut needed something a wee bit beefier. For hardcore/punk gigs I just use 5A's. I'm a simple man.
Been loving the ProMark Acid Jazz... works grear for jazzy rock (Bill Ward, Nick Masonish).
We’re big fans of that model as well!
Just get the On Stage brand where you can get 12 pairs for $23.99!
Why? Because there comes a point when buying name brand wood, where the cost just isn’t in the wheelhouse of the common man.
Unless you’re getting these cheap dowels, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything under $10.00/pair. Considering wood tips often split doing bell work making the whole stick useless, $10/pair adds up FAST!
On Stage baby!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
On Stage hickory 5aw and 7a nylon are underrated sticks..I have always been a promark guy and now Vic Firth but there was a time in the late 2000s I purchased a 12 pack of 5a wood tip .I was reallly surprised how good they felt and played. Those 12 pair lasted 2 plus years that's playing out 2 times a month and practicing..I feel they lasted 25% less of what top brands lasted me which was a hell of a deal! I switched to Neil peart 747s because they last forever and I always get a bundle deal as well as the Vic Firths too..But I recently picked up an On Stage pair of 7a sticks for $3 and they feel great and they do not break! Best $3 I've ever spent!
Promark make great sticks i just dont like 90% of their headshapes they outlast vic firths for me 10x tho!
They do have some shitty tips, no doubt. Why?!
Do u like Vic Firth
Yep! They make great tools for drumming!
I'm guessing Promarks are gold plated now? They recently raised their sticks in price by $4 to $5 a pair? Seriously? Definitely not buying them anymore. Vater and Vic Firths are way cheaper and just as durable or even better. So if you're looking for a good reliable stick and good in price,anything except Promark !
You’d have to ask ProMark for details regarding price increases but if you haven’t been keeping track, cost of raw materials have gone up significantly in two years and they held back from doing any price increases. We agree though, this gotten incredibly expensive so choosing the right drumstick is more important now than ever before.
I have laaarge hands and play tiny sticks... not great
But if it works for your technique, that’s great. Always worth experimenting as you continue to progress as well. Cheers!
8D
How did you come to find that model and decide on it?
@@SoundsLikeADrum they looked good for jazz. They dont break. They feel perfect.