How to Buy the Best Drumsticks for You

Give me six has my name on it Brandon Haywood

I love Dave weckl maroon sticks

I typically play heavier music yet I prefer 7a sticks even have liked some thinner sticks

Vic Firth for me, specifically 5A and 5A Freestyle!!!! I also love the Steve Gadd signature sticks, and I used to use a pair of Buddy Rich signature sticks. I actually used those in my blues jam sessions all the time on Wednesday nights at Hickory Street Lounge. The last time I used them was when I played with a Texas blues legend by the name of Texas Slim. I’ll never forget it. We played Soul Man, and it was the first time I sang and played at the same time!!! It was awesome!!!!!! It was one of the best nights of my life!!!! And I asked him to sign one of my sticks, and another friend of mine, Thad, to sign the other one!!!! He played on Soul Man too!!! I retired the sticks from use, but it was a night I’ll never forget!!!!

I love my Vic Firth 5B's for rock drumming

I love the Neil Peart 747s. I also take my chances with the Promark La specials. .Why? Lots of money saved and almost or just as durable as the overpriced drumsticks in todays market. Interesting how ive been using these the last few years and never had any issues like ive had with VF and Vater sticks...

My favorite is Vic Firth

A really good video.

I LIKE THAT

But: what is the difference between wooden head and plastic head when playing ??? Thank you !

If you want thin and light and bright, I've found a kind from Vater that I like called BeeBop. They come in 500 and 550. My hands are gonna get weaker and weaker as I get older until I can't use them when I'm around 40ish. These have extended my enjoyable years of playing. Bee Bop 500s, check em out.

Vater 5B Acorn

could Sweetwater get a better drum spokesperson? i think not!

as someone who usually had to play really low volume, I loved the Promark Jazz Cafe mjz 11 which was light but still had a great sound on cymbals, something most maple sticks lack. Sadly it was discontinued, I now use the rohema tango stick (not available in USA afaik). As drum maker I try to build drums that can sound great with as little energy possible, which makes really sensitive drums that reward playing them low volume. Sadly stores are not much interested in such instruments, as this goes against the grain in rock and roll biz - being loud it the mantra - but it is a nice nieche, for acoustic purpose. We also make the adoro silent sticks, which might be synonymous for playing low volume by now with more than 10.000 churches in USA using them every day. Just saying..

anyhow... I wish promark would make the MJZ 11 again.. who agrees?!

Thanks for this great overview btw!

After 25 years, numerous different sizes and manufacturers i found certain manufacturers aren't good, although popular and some of the smaller manufacturers make amazing sticks....i now use 95% of the time, 0.5 timbale sticks (different makers), straight and solid but light and fast, i found Rohema Jose signature timbale stick and have a few pairs they are amazing. I don't hit hard, break sticks or cymbals so these work best for me.

Thank you

Promark Classic 2b Firegrain feels like I'm home. I like that shirt.👍

Hey Nick! You have been an absolute blessing to the drumming community! Thank you so much!