I know a lot of drummers have a lot of opinions about this topic so I made a video with a blind comparison on just the sound of the sticks on a ride cymbal. I know there are some great ears on here so I'm curious to see where you all fall after watching the video. The comparison starts at 4:53 if you want to skip my blabbing. Thanks for watching!
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Nylon vs Wood Tip Sticks
- Thread starter tim481
- Start date
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Sitting in a mix, whether it be on stage or in the studio, they are all good.
My least favorite, although not in a big way, was the first one which was the 7A wood, which has more to do with the light stick than the type of tip.
I will say that, in general, the nylon tips keep their sound as they wear whereas a wood tip doesn't as much. But again, it's really a nit to pick and not something I would make a decision on.
I don't think I've ever heard a record where I said "man that's a great drum sound, but I just can't stand that "____" tip he's using on that ride cymbal! haha
So to me it's a non-issue.
gabo
My least favorite, although not in a big way, was the first one which was the 7A wood, which has more to do with the light stick than the type of tip.
I will say that, in general, the nylon tips keep their sound as they wear whereas a wood tip doesn't as much. But again, it's really a nit to pick and not something I would make a decision on.
I don't think I've ever heard a record where I said "man that's a great drum sound, but I just can't stand that "____" tip he's using on that ride cymbal! haha
So to me it's a non-issue.
gabo
I'm with you 100%! Same for listening to a record and wishing they used maple drums over birch. It's all about the music in the end anyway. Thanks!
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Piggpenn
DFO Veteran
I own Sabian Paragon ride, hats and splash. (Had the crashes but were too gongy for me.)
I use nylon tips to bring out the subtleties of those cymbals more than anything. Wood tips keep the ride toned down and loses clarity/definition. Nylon works better for me in that instance.
I use nylon tips to bring out the subtleties of those cymbals more than anything. Wood tips keep the ride toned down and loses clarity/definition. Nylon works better for me in that instance.
JDA
DFO Star
how did you synchronize the playing in the Reveal.
Totally seamless. Magic?
Totally seamless. Magic?
The biggest problem right now is that Regal Tip makes the best nylon tips, but no longer produces anything at all. So where can I get decent sticks with good sounding nylon tips?
I still have some regular Regal Tip 7A with nylon tips, but I would like to have the 7AE and the Jazz E or even the Combo.
Please, dear Calato family, get your act together!
I still have some regular Regal Tip 7A with nylon tips, but I would like to have the 7AE and the Jazz E or even the Combo.
Please, dear Calato family, get your act together!
I miss the brushes. I hope they can get it together soon!
DUDE! I had no idea you were in here with us! I love your playing and enjoy your videos so much!
Nice vid as always and count me in as ALL TEAM NYLON, ALL THE TIME! I have wood tip sticks in my bag but only pull them out when I am playing heavy and want to flatin out the cymbal EQ a bit. But with the exit of Regal Tip, life has become much more difficult stick wise.
Nice vid as always and count me in as ALL TEAM NYLON, ALL THE TIME! I have wood tip sticks in my bag but only pull them out when I am playing heavy and want to flatin out the cymbal EQ a bit. But with the exit of Regal Tip, life has become much more difficult stick wise.
TonyVazquez
Very well Known Member
I enjoy both, the warmth and power
of wood tips...
And the clarity and articulation
of nylon tips.
There is a tradeoff, of course, but it's
not so big of a deal for me.
I play rock with 7A wood tips... if I
need more thud power, I flip the stick
or both sticks to play the butt ends.
I rarely have to flip ends, because I
play hard anyway and I tune my drums
to lower pitches for deep sounds.
On rare occasions I play 5A sticks,
and I still have a new batch of 5A
nylon sticks in my bag.
Like Voltron, I only use my 5A sticks
at a special moment when I wanna
use my most powerful weapon, lol.
of wood tips...
And the clarity and articulation
of nylon tips.
There is a tradeoff, of course, but it's
not so big of a deal for me.
I play rock with 7A wood tips... if I
need more thud power, I flip the stick
or both sticks to play the butt ends.
I rarely have to flip ends, because I
play hard anyway and I tune my drums
to lower pitches for deep sounds.
On rare occasions I play 5A sticks,
and I still have a new batch of 5A
nylon sticks in my bag.
Like Voltron, I only use my 5A sticks
at a special moment when I wanna
use my most powerful weapon, lol.
TonyVazquez
Very well Known Member
I love these videos, before I sit down to
watch them I like to prepare my favorite
snack: Chicken-flavored Spanish Rice with
Basil Pasta Sauce!
I like this video, I tried to guess which
stick is being used on that cymbal...
...without knowing which stick, as shown
at the end of the video while you played.
Thanks for sharing!
The Guessing part (early in the video)
helps me train my ear to listen for
any differences between wood
and nylon tips in their density,
and stick weight; and by watching
the subtle movement of the cymbal.
I'm always digging these videos as
Ear Training exercises.
To be honest, in all my 42 years of
banging the cans, I've only known
2B, 5B, 5A, and 7A gauge sticks.
2B being really heavy... just like
the NY Yankee Souvenir BATS! lol
"8A" is new to me Right NOW.
I presume 8A is a very light gauge
specifically designed for jazz.
If I'm not mistaken, the higher the
number/letter means Lighter weight;
A = light, and B = heavier... am I correct? Lol
... I had to ask, because I never learned
to read music and I never learned styles
other than basic Rock and some bits
of Latin grooves, and I never learned
any of this tech stuff about drum sticks.
I just jumped straight into self-learning
how to play basic stuff on a full kit
at the age of 15
(I'll be 57 in August this year)
Thanks so much! I'm mostly a lurker. Lol! Go team nylon!
Amazing! I will have to try the Chicken flavored Spanish Rice with Basil Pasta sauce soon! Thanks so much for your comment. 8D is a lengthened 7A. Otherwise they're the same. Thanks again!
bolweevil
DFO Master
Did you make the 'Why I hate vintage cymbals' video? I was going to share that here but never got around to it.
Yes sir.
"poppies"
DFO Veteran
I'm very self pleased that I got all my wood/nylon blind guesses correct. I wonder if lacquered or nail polish covered tips would throw me off.
Neilrush88
Well-Known Member
I like the sound of both, even a little more the wood tip, sound warmer and ..."rustic"?. But the big problem I dont use the wood tips is because it lasts me almost nothing, the tips chips and explodes too easily (bad technic?), make the ride sounds bad and produce more bends in the drumhead, also in the coated drumheads loss faster the coat. I've lost many sticks with few use for bad tips
I prefer use it in studio... practice and gigs prefer nylon tips.
I prefer use it in studio... practice and gigs prefer nylon tips.
brokenstick
Well-Known Member
Wood tips don't last.
FLratrodder
DFO Master
The biggest problem right now is that Regal Tip makes the best nylon tips, but no longer produces anything at all. So where can I get decent sticks with good sounding nylon tips?
I’m surprised no one else has done something similar to the Regal Tip E Series with the grooved nylon tips. The really do sound like wood tips, but without the wear and tear.
I stocked up on the JC model when those were discontinued. I think I have about 20 pairs.
I’m surprised no one else has done something similar to the Regal Tip E Series with the grooved nylon tips. The really do sound like wood tips, but without the wear and tear.
