What Kind of Drum Sticks Do You Use?

  • Thread starter Croatian Man
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Qustlove's signature stick from Vic has been my new favorit fore som time now, works for all the lighter stuff. When I'm getting in the mood to play rock drummer about once a month, I use a heavier stick like Pro Mark firegrain 5B or something in that realm.

Been using Peter Erskin ride stick for about 8 years almost exclusively, but I got tired of them and I'm really digging that Questlove's stick is a bit longer.
 
Finally found my go to stick last year, after 40+ years of drumming. Arthritis in both hands means that I need grip enhancement. Been through all the tapes, wax, dips, and lacquers, with varying degrees of success.

The Glen Kotche ProMark stick has a heat-activated coating plus a ribbed grip area that seems to fit my fingers perfectly. I also use GigGrips for further security. It’s the first time I can recall not having to constantly think about my grip and my arthritis pain after a 4 hour gig is nearly nonexistent now.
 
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I try to use the largest sticks I can handle for better rebound. At least that is what one of my teachers, Donald Dean, insisted upon. So I use Vic Firth AJ-1 or 5B. Both have the same diameter, but the shoulder on the AJ-1 is tapered more.
 
For the past year or so I’ve been mostly using Vic Firth 1a which are right in between 5a and 5b in diameter but the length of a 2b. Light enough to sound pretty on cymbals, heavy enough with good leverage to go hard too
 
Vic Firth Classic 5A, 5AN, SD11 Slammer, Glenn Kotche Active Wave, and for practice the Zildjian 5A Anti-Vibe.
 
Wow, reading through all the posts is great. Who knew there was such a vast Variety of woods, styles, etc. I gotta try some of the recommended sticks for sure. Who knew (at least I didn't) that shape of the tip varies the sound as well as the wood type. And of course, nylon tips affect the sound as well. Even though I'm not a gigging drummer, (maybe someday soon with some Geriatric Folks neraby), I've come to realize that like all instruments - there are nuances to this GAME !
 
Croatian Man said:
As a resurrected "Drummer" at 71 yo, who recommenced playing drum after 50 Years, I am learning so much more now than I ever knew way back when [circa 1967-69]. That includes Drum Sticks. Since returning I have been using several : 5A, 5B, and 2Bs, with and without nylon tips. Hickory, Japanese Oak (Promarks 727s), and oak. Rob Brown (You Tube Drummer - a very funny guy!), recommedned Promark Firesticks. I experiment with the assortments and have also used two different sticks simultaneously for the helluva it... I came upon a pair of sticks that my older son used in HS when he dabbled in drummimng at school, a pair of nylon tipped oak Vic Firth American Rock Classics which are lacquered. They are Industructable and are Loud being the thickest sticks available. Each of the sticks vary the sound produced, of course. Different sizes (thicknesses) , different tip shapes, and the different woods affect the sound. I used one of the 2B sticks in my left hand and a different stik in my right the other day fooling around. The 2B stick against the Rim was fantastic !

I should qulaify that I do not play with a band (maybe one day soon :):) ) - playing my drums along with My Music, about 1 hour a day as a retirement hobby. Never too Old to learn.
Click to expand...
I used VF 5Bs for ages growing up and then switched to VF 5A about 10 years ago.
I've never really experimented with anything else other than a brief spell with Pro Mark 5As for a few months which were OK but I had a few new sticks break randomly whilst hardly worn. They seemed brittle somehow but maybe just a bad batch...
Always wood tip!
 
I've always used 5B's. I've tried other flavor of the month sig models, etc. - but I always came back to 5B's. The size feels right, and when I was on the road a lot, I needed a common stick that I could find in most music stores/drum shops. I started playing VF 5B's in the early 80s, then when Vater came out, I switched to their 5B's.
 
Been digging on the Vic Firth 55A, the American Heritage 5B, and the SD10 Swinger. The 55A is a little beefier than a regular 5A, and they are standard hickory (I believe) and I like using them on more rock/backbeat stuff. The H5B and SD10 are maple, and are a bit beefier, but they seem a bit lighter than a regular 5A. I use them when I need a bit more finesse. I like the combination of a larger handle with the lighter weight of maple.
 
I used to experiment more with different sizes, signature models etc. Years ago, a touring drummer told me he played 5As and stuck with those because they are available in any store that sells sticks in any part of the world. He recommended getting used to a common and readily available size and noted that many of the more esoteric models are not that different than the stock sizes, just more expensive and harder to find. Not terrible advice.
 
Croatian Man said:
As a resurrected "Drummer" at 71 yo, who recommenced playing drum after 50 Years, I am learning so much more now than I ever knew way back when [circa 1967-69]. That includes Drum Sticks. Since returning I have been using several : 5A, 5B, and 2Bs, with and without nylon tips. Hickory, Japanese Oak (Promarks 727s), and oak. Rob Brown (You Tube Drummer - a very funny guy!), recommedned Promark Firesticks. I experiment with the assortments and have also used two different sticks simultaneously for the helluva it... I came upon a pair of sticks that my older son used in HS when he dabbled in drummimng at school, a pair of nylon tipped oak Vic Firth American Rock Classics which are lacquered. They are Industructable and are Loud being the thickest sticks available. Each of the sticks vary the sound produced, of course. Different sizes (thicknesses) , different tip shapes, and the different woods affect the sound. I used one of the 2B sticks in my left hand and a different stik in my right the other day fooling around. The 2B stick against the Rim was fantastic !

I should qulaify that I do not play with a band (maybe one day soon :):) ) - playing my drums along with My Music, about 1 hour a day as a retirement hobby. Never too Old to learn.
Click to expand...
I've been really into Meinl sticks lately. The maple Hybrid 5As are incredible.
 
Croatian Man said:
As a resurrected "Drummer" at 71 yo, who recommenced playing drum after 50 Years, I am learning so much more now than I ever knew way back when [circa 1967-69]. That includes Drum Sticks. Since returning I have been using several : 5A, 5B, and 2Bs, with and without nylon tips. Hickory, Japanese Oak (Promarks 727s), and oak. Rob Brown (You Tube Drummer - a very funny guy!), recommedned Promark Firesticks. I experiment with the assortments and have also used two different sticks simultaneously for the helluva it... I came upon a pair of sticks that my older son used in HS when he dabbled in drummimng at school, a pair of nylon tipped oak Vic Firth American Rock Classics which are lacquered. They are Industructable and are Loud being the thickest sticks available. Each of the sticks vary the sound produced, of course. Different sizes (thicknesses) , different tip shapes, and the different woods affect the sound. I used one of the 2B sticks in my left hand and a different stik in my right the other day fooling around. The 2B stick against the Rim was fantastic !

I should qulaify that I do not play with a band (maybe one day soon :):) ) - playing my drums along with My Music, about 1 hour a day as a retirement hobby. Never too Old to learn.
Click to expand...
Vater Fat Back 3A
 
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