Brush recommendations

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biggator

biggator

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So I'm not a jazz guy.. at all. Pretty much a heavy player. But - I've been asked to take over the chair for a big band! Yes, they know how I play.. and the guy said 'you can play.. you can play this". So, apparently I'm going to be woodshedding on some big band.

One item I realize I don't have is brushes.. haven't used them since about 1979. So - recommendations? Likes/dislikes? metal? plastic?
 
Congrats on the gig!

I like the Vic Firth metal retractable ones (white sleeve, red logo)...basic, old-school brushes. Never like the nylon versions (sound/feel/eh.) or ones that did not retract (retractables help keep the wires straight, you can adjust the amount of "brush" on the drumhead and it's easy in & out of the stick bag)...
 
I agree with drum stuff, the wire ones are the way to go. I have both and don't use the nylon. You can use the metal ring on the back of the brushes for cymbal scrapes and more colors also over something like the jazz rake. I am using the promark TB3 but there are a lot of selections.
 
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There is a "Russ Miller Signature" model of brushes made by Vic Firth that I really like.

The right hand brush has slightly heavier gauge wires to produce a little more definition on the ride cymbal and the left hand brush is lighter gauge to provide a better sweep sound on the snare.

I probably own 10 different models of brushes, but those are my favorites.

My second choice would be the Steve Gadd brushes - not so much for cymbal play, but the angled wire ends work very well on snare sweep patterns.
 
(broken link removed)

These are Vic Firth split brushes that I just started using. The longer wires allow for more flexibility for swishes, the shorter wires provide a solid stroke. I'm using these in both big band and piano trio, and I prefer them over my 7 other pairs of brushes.
 
I play in a Big Band as well and brushes are a definite requirement. My favourite brushes are all Regal Tip Models and a I have a few other brands as well. Here is a rundown on the models I currently own.

Regal Tip Clayton Cameron - Non- retractable - rubber coated handle, plastic cap on the butt with a metal rivet for cymbal scrapes. Longer than your typical retractable brushes - strands are medium weight and very flexible. Plays very well , good volume to be heard over the horns.

Regal Tip XL - - Non-Retractable, hickory wood handle, length the same as the Clayton Cameron model, strands the same as the Clayton Cameron. Great for flipping over for cymbal crashes or tom work. These get a lot of use from me.

Regal Tip Ed Thigpen - Retractable - combination wood/ rubber handle- shorter than the Clayton Cameron model, the rubber section and wood section can have a lip because they do not fit perfectly , this can be sanded down if it bothers you that much. I have no issues with this. The wires are very flexible and the spread can be easily adjusted. I like this brush for lower volume work and small group work. I like the added length of the Cameron and XL models for Big Band.

Regal Tip Jeff Hamilton - retractable rubber handle, very thick wire strands - takes some getting used to, as the strands are not as flexible as the aforementioned models. The swish is much louder with this brush than the others as well. The tap sound is very pronounced as well. Louder sound in cymbals as well.

Regal Tip Yellow Jacket - economy retractable model from a regal tip - medium to thin weight bristles, decent brushes, not the same quality as the others, but can work well if price is a concern. I have found they click a bit when playing which leads me to keep these as practice brushes rather than a gigging option.

Regal Tip Whiskers - non-retractable plastic coated aluminum handle, plastic strands instead of wire. Very flexible strands, plays quite loudly on drums, less volume on cymbals than wire strand models. The balance is quite different than the wire stand models and can take some getting used to. I don't use these much.

Vic Firth -Steve Gadd Model - retractable - rubber handle, bent tips on the wire strands. The bent tips are to reduce tips catching when swished across coated heads. Strands are a medium thin diameter. The handle is thinner than a standsrd brush model. I have one of the older models it's less crimps in the pull rod to set spread. The new models have three crimps now to set spread. These are serviceable brushes, nothing special IMHO.

My personal preference are for the longer handled models that are non retractable like the Clayton Cameron and XL models . I like the balance and sound more. The added length allows you to really dig in on the swishes and the extra reach is really nice when reaching for cymbals or toms. I like these for flipping over if required to play toms or cymbals as well.
 
Wow - lots of good responses (thanks for the detail, Rick!)... and zero consensus (not surprising).

Looks like brushes are pretty personal.. I guess I'll try a couple of different ones and see what works for me. I'm generally a VF player, but Regal seems to have some nice brush offerings. The Hamilton seems like it would be a good basic brush to play with a big horn section, no?

I'll try to find some locally to touch.. but if I have to order, it's a bit confusing which to try first.
 
stickchopper said:
Maybe start with the classic Regals ? And as you get more into it you can be more selective about what you want or need.
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This! Can't go wrong with a pair of Regal brushes. Right now I have a pair of non-retractable, which sounds great but you have to be careful with them. For a big band you might want something a little heavier and maybe longer, to get enough sound out of the cymbals.
 
I have been using the Jeff Hamilton's for a few years, I really like them for their balance and stiffness and sound. But I like to have some softer brushes on board as well to get the purring sweep sound I'll never get with the Hamiltons.
I have some purple Vic Firths that have a beautiful soft sweep, and a stiff handle, Classic Regal Tips that have an almost as soft sweep and softer handles. You'll have to try a few.

Transitioning into a big band from a rock enviro I'd find Jeff Hamiltons a little more user friendly, lighter softer brushes might take too much of a beating going in.
 
RickP said:
Regal Tip Clayton Cameron - Non- retractable - rubber coated handle, plastic cap on the butt with a metal rivet for cymbal scrapes. Longer than your typical retractable brushes - strands are medium weight and very flexible. Plays very well , good volume to be heard over the horns.

Regal Tip XL - - Non-Retractable, hickory wood handle, length the same as the Clayton Cameron model, strands the same as the Clayton Cameron. Great for flipping over for cymbal crashes or tom work. These get a lot of use from me.
Click to expand...
The Cameron brushes are definitely longer, and they rebound almost like sticks.
My biggest bitch about most brushes is that they're too short, so they don't rebound well.

The Regal XL's do not have the same strands as the Cameron. They're just a bit heavier. You can instantly tell when you play them. They get more pop out of the snare drum, due to the slightly heavier wires. Unfortunately, the handles are too short! They need to make them just 1/4 to 1/2" longer to get the balance that the Camerons have.

I switch back and forth between the two models. The Camerons don't get enough pop out of the drums for me, but thy rebound very well. The XL's definitely get the pop, but the frigging handles are too short, so the rebound is not as good.

I prefer solid handle brushes to retractable ones. The good thing about retractable brushes is that you can close them up and throw them into a stick bag. Also, you can change the spread by pulling the wires in or out.

But screw that. I just put mine them carefully in the stick bag, no problem. And as to adjustment, I wrap a rubber band around the base of the wires to get the spread I want.
 
Patrick said:
I have been using the Jeff Hamilton's for a few years, I really like them for their balance and stiffness and sound. But I like to have some softer brushes on board as well to get the purring sweep sound I'll never get with the Hamiltons.
I have some purple Vic Firths that have a beautiful soft sweep, and a stiff handle, Classic Regal Tips that have an almost as soft sweep and softer handles. You'll have to try a few.

Transitioning into a big band from a rock enviro I'd find Jeff Hamiltons a little more user friendly, lighter softer brushes might take too much of a beating going in.
Click to expand...

i agree.

a stiffer brush will make an easier transition
 
I've been using the same pair of Regal Tip Ed Thigpen brushes for the last decade or so and haven't felt the need to try anything else.
 
Took a shot and ordered a pair of the Hamiltons.. seem to be a good all around set to start with. Worst case I'm out $20.
 
Over time I've gravitated to non-retractable brushes, the Cameron model mostly along with some Vaters with a wood handle. I also like the feel of Regal Tip wood handles, but the thicker Vaters fit my hand better.

With my non-retractables I wrap electrical tape around the wires at the handle to reduce spread and get a little more definition on toms and snare. I've had trouble with retractables sliding in and out while playing, and changing the spread. The Camerons are also nice for smooth cymbal rolls.

Brushes are like sticks to me in that advice from others is minimally useful. I have used several different types over the years settling on one or the other for a while before moving on to something that worked better for me. I suspect you'll need to do the same.

Learning to play in a big band is going to be an adventure for you, I think. I have been a fan of and listener to big bands for over 50 years, and thought I had a good idea what was needed, but actually joining a big band revealed my own ignorance, and after 14 years in the band I'm still learning. That said, I'm also convinced that playing in a good jazz big band is possibly the most challenging and satisfying gig there is for a drummer. You have a bigger effect on the sound of the band, for good or ill, than anyone else in the band, and are called on to adjust constantly depending on the demands of whatever chart you're playing. Practice playing softly, and resist the temptation to play both constant backbeats and four on the floor, and keep your ears wide open. Good luck.
 
So I'm not a jazz guy.. at all. Pretty much a heavy player. But - I've been asked to take over the chair for a big band! Yes, they know how I play.. and the guy said 'you can play.. you can play this". So, apparently I'm going to be woodshedding on some big band.

One item I realize I don't have is brushes.. haven't used them since about 1979. So - recommendations? Likes/dislikes? metal? plastic?
Click to expand...
Wood.
Best feel for my hands.
I used (broken link removed) for years, but I'm old and stiff now and those are pretty skinny sticks.
I was highly interested in the (broken link removed) for some time, but opted for the Vc Firth Legacy Brush, instead.
The VF has a really nice feel, but moving the bristles in and out of the handle can be a chore at times....of course, things like that get easier with time.
The wood handle has a nice sound on the cymbal (like a stick!...hint, hint) and the brush has a light and controllable feel.
It really wants to dance across the head.



Elvis
 
Got a set of the hamiltons in an amazon box yesterday... very interesting. I know absolutely crap about brush playing - so it's hard to say much.. but they're very brushy.
 
Clayton Cameron is a master of brush playing, and has several videos out. You may be able to find him on youtube, which would be very helpful.
 
When playing brushes think of the right hand as being comparable to the attack of the stick on a cymbal and the left hand like the ring. The left hand should swill around the circumference of the head in time with the music. This could be quarter, notes or half notes. You could occasionally swirl eighths or triplets. But for the most part keep a steady pulse with the left hand by swirling around the perimeter. The right hand can tap quarters or a ride pattern. You will want to bounce the right brush over the left as it swirls around. Playing at a variety of tempi will challenge you and make you alter and adapt the basics. Sometimes the left has to swirl in a figure eight in order to accommodate. Brush playing is very personal. Over the years I've watched and seen some of the books but the most relevant things I use have been learned on the gig or in the practice room with the brushes in my hands.
Good luck
P.s. Regal tip classic retractable brushes are the best.
 
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