As a drummer, you will tend to play a wide variety of drums. Just as a pianist uses different keys, a guitarist uses different guitars to play a melody, you also need to employ various kinds of drum sticks in your arsenal to achieved various effects. When it comes to selecting drumsticks, however, there are a lot of things that will play a role when you make your purchase decision.
In this article, we will talk about some of the best beginner drumsticks, types of drumsticks, materials, and drumsticks kid would use. This guide will explore several drumsticks and their application, if you are new to drumming and overwhelmed with the various options in the market, this article will save you time and help you find the right pair.
Drum Stick Material:
Wood is the most common material used to make drumsticks. There are various types of wood with different levels of durability and response.
- Hickory is the most commonly used type of wood to make drumsticks. Hickory is favored due to its flexibility, stiff, hefty, durable, dense, and will absorb energy which is essential during drumming.
- Maple is known to be much lighter compared to hickory. Maple is softer than hickory thus it is less durable. Maple has a quicker option with more flex producing brighter sound on drums.
- Oak is known to a very dense hardwood and dark than hickory, but transmits more vibrations. Oak is more durable and can withstand massive force.
- Laminated birch is typically thick and heavy. Laminated birch is very durable, and they produce very dark tones from drums and cymbals.
- Some drummers find stick made of rosewood or persimmon right.
- Other mostly used sticks are aluminum and graphite drumsticks. AHEAD makes aluminum sticks which are very durable. Aluminum and Graphite sticks rarely break and have a replaceable tip (something that you cannot do with wooden sticks).
Drum Stick Numbers:
Each drumstick is traditionally numbered namely; 2B, 3S, 5A, 5B, and 7A. Drumsticks that come with each of these numbers have their own sizes and application. The number describes the circumference of the drum stick, with lower numbers generally signifying a wider circumference. and the letters on a drum stick stand for the stick’s intended use.
- [A] – Means the drum is designed for orchestra use. The sticks, in this case, are designed for drummers with big hands.
- [S] – Sticks under this marking are designed for used in the ‘street’ such as marching bands and drum corps.
- [B] — These sticks model were designed for ‘band’ use like symphony orchestras or brass bands. They are smaller than the ‘S’ model and easier to manipulate and control. They are very popular with new drummers.
Drum Stick Tips
There are usually four main types of stick shapes:
- Round tips: Round tipped drum sticks produce a bright and focused sound that are great when you need a dynamic punch. These sticks are also great for cymbals, as the focus tone maintains a lot of snap and clarity that other sticks tend to lack.
- Barrel tips: Barrel tips have a broader tone. These sticks also have a lot of volume.
- Pointed or triangle: These sticks produce a tone that’s in between the tight and dynamic sound of round tipped sticks and the broad tone of barrel tipped drum sticks. They’re a great fit for the drummer looking for a versatile tone.
- Teardrop: Teardrop tipped sticks are capable of producing the tone of both round and barrel tipped drum sticks depending on how they’re held.
Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drum Sticks
Vic Firth drumsticks are the choice of top players in all kinds of genres. Whether you play rock, jazz, country, pop, or other musical styles, there’s a pair of Vic Firth drumsticks made to fit your taste. From their precision manufacturing and matching methods to their amazing product range, Vic Firth offers quality you can depend on, no matter what you play. Choose the sticks the pros have been depending on for over four decades — Vic Firth sticks! Yes they have 7A, 5B, Rock too!
This pair of 5A wood tip drumsticks features a teardrop tip for rich cymbal sounds. These sticks are lightweight and fast; they work well for jazz and orchestral applications.
Zildjian 5A Nylon Black Dip Drumsticks
Hang on to your grip tape – Zildjian Dip drumsticks are ready to rock without modification. Black Dip handles give this matched pair a better grip and shock absorption to protect your joints. That means faster, tougher playing and all-night comfort. Hickory’s natural density packs a wallop at any size. And Zildjian’s oval tips deliver a musical cymbal response and good articulation. If you’re the type of drummer who loses your grip as the night rolls on, Sweetwater percussionists recommend keeping a set of Zildjian Dips in your stick bag.
Full-size oval tip produces full tone. The DIP material is a special coating that is applied to the grip area of the stick to provide a comfortable, slightly tacky gripping surface.
Vater 5A Wood Tip Hickory Drum Sticks
Vater drumsticks are a great choice for any drummer. Whether you rock out behind an acoustic kit, an electronic kit, or auxiliary percussion, Vater makes a stick that’s ideal for the sound you’re after. Constructed with premium woods and with careful thought to the individual drummer, Sweetwater has a set of Vater drumsticks for you whether you play metal, rock, jazz, country, latin, or even march with the band. Vater drumsticks and line of specialty sticks, mallets, brushes, and accessories put tonal choice, playability, and dependability into your hands.
The VH5AW sticks are very well balanced 5As. These wood-tipped sticks are heavier toward the tip for fast, responsive drumming.
Promark ActiveGrip Forward Drumsticks, Acorn Tip
Active Grip is a heat activated grip solution that’s engineered to get tackier as a players hands sweat and their body temperature rises. It applies thin like a traditional lacquer adding no additional diameter or weight to the stick. Unlike most grip alternatives on the market Active Grip doesn’t tear up players hands or cause restrictions to range of movement or technique. Active Grip is a heat activated grip solution that’s engineered to get tackier as a players hands sweat and their body temperature rises.
It applies thin like a traditional lacquer adding no additional diameter or weight to the stick. Unlike most grip alternatives on the market Active Grip doesn’t tear up players hands or cause restrictions to range of movement or technique.
Vic Firth 5BNVG American Classic 5B w Vic Grip
Vic Grip is a new anti-slip drumstick coating made from an eco-friendly, water based urethane. It provides a comfortable and slip resistant grip to the American Classic 5A, 5B, X5A, X5B, 7A, 2B, and ROCK, in both wood and nylon tip. Specially formulated to be extremely durable and an ideal choice for players who prefer an enhanced grip on their drumsticks.
The American Classic line combines tradition and Vic Firth style. With bold designs for fuller sound and deeply back-cut tips for intensified cymbal response, the American Classic drumsticks are turned from select hickory, further enhancing their durability and sound.
Promark PW747W – Neil Peart Signature Shira Kashi Oak Drumsticks
In 1957, Herb Brochstein set out to offer drummers a more durable and consistent drumstick & founded Promark. He achieved his goal & put Promark on the map by becoming the first American stick manufacturer to successfully manufacture & market a Japanese oak drumstick. Shira Kashi Oak sticks have been an integral part of our lineup since & are sought after for their durability, heavy weight & bright articulation.
These stickers are heavier and denser than hickory or maple, making them extremely durable. They are very bright, clear articulation, making them an excellent choice for heavier playing and genres where you need to project. Available in a variety of diameters, tip shapes and balances.
Donner Snare Drum Sticks 5A Classic Maple Wood Drumstick with Bag
The Donner drum sticks are made of good quality maple, durable and lightweight. They are polished with non-slip surface which is comfortable to grip. Moreover, this kind of drumstick gets consistent favorite due to its medium dimension. Water drop hammerhead in durable corrosion resistance maple wood drum sticks. They are the most popular choice for new drummers, young drum students & practicer due to its resilience, durability, and comfortable feeling. The surface becomes polished, smooth and comfortable, feels very well on the hand and reduces wrist fatigue.
The package includes 3 pairs wooden drumsticks, and these 5A maple drum sticks fit for all drums, enough to meet your different needs. Come with a black velvet bag, which helps save space to store and carry conveniently.
On Stage 2B Maple Drum Sticks – (12 Pack)
On Stage 2B Maple Drum Sticks – 12 Pair, Wooden Tip. To play with lightning speed you need sticks that are stronger, straighter and last longer, and On Stage delivers them! On Stage found maple deep in the forests of China that is perfect for giving top quality performance. These maple sticks have been logged, air kiln dried, shaped, sanded and sealed and are ready to make some thunder.
To play with lightning speed you need sticks that are stronger, straighter and last longer… and we found a quality wood that is perfect for just that! On-Stage Sticks have been air kiln dried, shaped, sanded and sealed and are ready to make some thunder. Available in bricks of 12 pairs of sticks.
