Let's talk sticks!

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smittyboy63

smittyboy63

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Getting back into drumming here.

Even though I was a hard rock drummer, I always preferred 5A's. I never liked thick/heavy sticks.
I currently only have 2 pairs of sticks. They are Regal's! I have a pair of wooden tip and nylon tip.
I like the nylon tip sound on my ride, but the tips always inevitably cracked...broke off.

I think I tried Pro-Marks way back when, but didn't like them because the wooden sticks would often snap while playing (I was all hard rock back then).

So, I'm looking for 5A's again, as I like the feel and have been using them lately on my pad. What's a good reputable brand? I don't have any local music stores, so I need to order online, which is worrying because I always liked to take my sticks and roll them on a flat surface before I bought them, because often drumsticks are warped.
 
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These are good... you can also use them for wood fire kindling or supporting plants in your garden.

You do have to buy 24 sticks, though.

drum stix.jpg
 
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I've been using Vic Firth Steve Gadd sticks for rock, which are heavier than just about any jazz stick but are on the light side for rock. For jazz, I've been using Vic Firth SD4 combo sticks, which are on the somewhat heavy side for jazz, but have a nice weight to them and I'm able to play pretty lightly with them. Both sticks are longer as I really don't like feel the shorter lightweight sticks like the 7A. Vic Firth sticks seem to have the best overall, feel and quality to them...
 
I've never really gotten having to use different size sticks for different types of music so for me it's 5A time all the time. Currently using wood tipped Vic Firth's but I also have some Vater sticks in the bag. The maple ones provide a lighter stick without sacrificing the diameter.
 
Pro Mark hickory so they wear down, not break. (Maple breaks diagonally down the whole shaft.) I recently got back into drums after about a decade off... went with my original loves 7A instead the 5A I'd been using the last 5 or so years in a loud band... very happy now.

It's worth noting Pro Mark have "forward" and "rebound" models... the taper toward the head is a bit different so forward are (you guessed it) forward heavy, and powerful. Rebound are heavier near the hands so bounce nicely. I've landed on 7A forwards, but will occasionally play 5A rebounds. YMMV
 
Vic Firth Extreme 5B Nylon Tips.
And any regular pair of 2Bs for my warmups.

I love how clear and glassy the nylon tips sound on my cymbals and I can feel a huge difference if I spend the needed 20 mins or so banging out singles, doubles, and flams on the 2Bs beforehand.
 
static0verdrive said:
It's worth noting Pro Mark have "forward" and "rebound" models... the taper toward the head is a bit different so forward are (you guessed it) forward heavy, and powerful. Rebound are heavier near the hands so bounce nicely. I've landed on 7A forwards, but will occasionally play 5A rebounds. YMMV
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Well, this is all new to me. Didn't know this.
 
Vic Firth and Pro Mark prices have gotten out of control. I started using Vater sticks. Turns out besides being a little cheaper, they're more durable because they keep a higher moisture content in the sticks. I've been using the Manhattan 7a and Gospel Fusion lately. The LA 5a is a good slightly thicker 5a or maybe it's just a little more forward weighted. They make a ton of different sticks compared to Pro Mark, maybe more than VF (but I haven't counted).
 
Believe it or not, Meinl makes some pretty good sticks. I have their 5A, 5B, and 2B models and I'm really liking them over Vic and Promarks. And they're significantly less expensive than the bigger names.

Give them a try!
 
smittyboy63 said:
I'm going to assume your dog loves chomping on your drum sticks?
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No, it was only for the joke as in: "dogs love sticks and any stick-like objects". ;-)

Actually he has never chewed on one of my drumsticks. nor any other musical equipment bits.

I'm very lucky because his jaw is so unbelievably strong. I always leave him PLENTY of toys around the house and he'll chew right through them. Nothing lasts more than a few weeks at most but the absolute hardest ballistic grade stuff!!

If he just got bored one day and wanted to "play" with my stuff, he could do some SERIOUS damage in no time.
 
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smittyboy63 said:
Whatever happened to Regal? Do they still make sticks?
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The short story is not really. The orgional operation shuttered several years ago, though more recently, the founders daughter relaunched the brand in a new facility. The results however have sadley been VERY spotty. The new works has managed to produced some models in limited quantities, but no sign of them being able to actually produce any consistent volume or model range . The future is still in limbo, but I think most Regal Tip fans have lost hope at this point for a successful company . Time will tell.
 
Nubs said:
Believe it or not, Meinl makes some pretty good sticks. I have their 5A, 5B, and 2B models and I'm really liking them over Vic and Promarks. And they're significantly less expensive than the bigger names.

Give them a try!
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A second vote here for Meinl sticks. I’m not a particularly hard hitter, but they seem very durable. Their wood tip shape is nice too. It’s brighter on the cymbals than what I get from my promark/los cabos 5a.

Both Los Cabo’s and Meinl sticks are great and about 20-30% cheaper than the other main brands.
 
MikeKnight said:
A second vote here for Meinl sticks. I’m not a particularly hard hitter, but they seem very durable. Their wood tip shape is nice too. It’s brighter on the cymbals than what I get from my promark/los cabos 5a.

Both Los Cabo’s and Meinl sticks are great and about 20-30% cheaper than the other main brands.
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I’ve liked the Meinl 5As that I’ve played.
 
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