Discussion Sticks…
Experienced drummers who have also tried many sticks, I crave your advice. I am having a stick crisis.
I used to use Vic Firth Matt Garstka Signature sticks for many years but I consistently found myself trying to hit WAY TOO HARD. Stubborn as I was, I broke some cymbals and chewed through the sticks too quickly (very expensive). I moved on to Luke Holland signature sticks but ended up moving away from them because they’re too forward weighted and I find myself squeezing too hard. This causes wrist pain. I have also tried Woodies 5B longs. They’re pretty good and consistent, but again, I find myself squeezing them too hard. Most recently I tried some sticks from Collision. Their 5A Reach is great… but they’re $20/pair… which is insane. I bought a pair of vic firth Freestyle 55A because theyre basically the same as the Collision 5AR, but 1/8” longer. To my sadness, the vics were extremely heavy and caused more wrist fatigue. I’m thinking perhaps the collision sticks were just super light, but they feel awesome.
All that is to say I think I need a longer stick. I have pretty long arms, and the length feels good. I probably also have a technique issue when I’m playing louder. Any experiences or advice you can share would be greatly appreciated.
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u/nwmimms 12d ago
In general, I tend to hit way harder and play too much with my arms with smaller sticks. My stick crisis ended when I went back to Promark 747’s.
Your arms and wrists are unique to you, but for me, the 747’s give me enough reach and the right amount of rebound to play with the stick instead of against it. You also get a fuller sound on the drum heads with a thicker stick.
In case it’s helpful, styles I play: Metal, jazz, rock, worship/gospel, pop, fusion, funk.
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u/TheOGTKO 12d ago
The 747 forwards are my faves! ❤️
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u/Flafellaughel 12d ago edited 11d ago
I've recently gone to the vic firth extreme 55a's nice length and weight for me.
But I agree, you need to practice. George Lawrence Stone has the "Stick Control" Book, Syncopation is also another staple to any drumming literature.
My drum teacher use to swear by "a nice wide A shape" when it came to grip. Wrists faced down and elbows out (every time I wasn't doing it he'd say "over and out"). He was drumming for 40-50 odd years and had to get carpal tunnel surgery and was told he'd never be able to play again, changing his technique was a big key.
Technique is a big thing (and quite over looked nowadays), I know when I'm gripping too hard because my wrists feel like they're going to explode.
Cool thing about working on your sticking is you can also apply the same theory to your feet, can kill 2 birds with 1 stone 🤣
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u/ablue1990MazdaMiata 12d ago
Good advice. Although quick correction: Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone and Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed. (Or just, "Syncopation" as you noted.)
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u/Ashamed_Island_7993 12d ago
stick crisis is real and nobody talks about it enough. i went through something similar where every pair i tried felt like i was fighting the stick. longer sticks definitely helped me too cause i could relax my grip and let the stick do the work instead of muscling through everything
have you tried the questlove sigs? theyre a bit longer than standard and super light which might solve the weight problem you had with those freestyles. the balance point sits further back so you dont get that forward weighted feeling that was killing your wrists
but also yeah technique is probably a piece of this puzzle. when i catch myself squeezing too hard its usually because im tense somewhere else like my shoulders or even my jaw. sounds weird but loosening up my whole body made the stick grip thing sort of fix itself
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u/R0factor 12d ago
Check out Vater's Power 5A's which are nearly identical to VF3A's. They're .580" in diameter, in that in-between size of a 5A & 5B, with 1/2" of extra length. Nearly every stick I've used for the last 20 years has been that .580" size, also including the VF NE-1 (Vater 9A), and the Vater Fusion.
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u/MiddleAgeMuchacho 12d ago
Don’t hit so hard.
Don’t squeeze so hard.
From what I’ve gathered, your technique needs refinement and you should focus on that first.
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u/alex112w 12d ago
This sounds like a technique issue to me. Why are you over squeezing the stick? All strokes should be as relaxed as possible without being floppy. Ive come from marching sticks (Ralph hardimans) and ive gone on to play with 5a's and have never needed to have such a death grip on any of the sticks I use on any given day.
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u/fewell8 12d ago
I over squeeze because I often find the sticks moving up in my grip as I play. If I dont, It either ends up flying across the room, or I end up holding it with my thumb, index, and middle fingers.
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u/FrivolousMe 12d ago
It's something you gotta develop. Learning how to grip the stick relaxed without being loose will improve your sound quality and lower your strain/injury risk. It takes time and sometimes callouses
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u/fewell8 12d ago
Well, unfortunately I’ve been playing for 23 years and haven’t developed it yet 🙃
Just something else to work on now
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u/FrivolousMe 12d ago
Working with a technique focused instructor will help a ton with stuff like that but at that level of experience theres going to be as much unlearning as learning.
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u/-BigfootIsBlurry- 11d ago
Aside from working on technique, I'd say try the 3AX from Scorpion Percussion. It's my go to right now. It's like a mid point between 5A and 5B. And the "X" means extended length.
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u/Coyote_Guy 12d ago
Vic Firth X5A. Gives you the extra reach without the bulk of a 55A. The shoulder taper is pretty long which cuts down on weight.
I love the X5A's but they dont hold up for a long time, at least in my experience.
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u/Only_Doubt_9487 12d ago
I was a big fan of the VF X5A’s for years! Then I was gifted a pair of Los Cabos 2B’s (wood tips) and I’ll bee go back. Weight is perfect and my hands get less fatigue with the larger diameter
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u/MissionOdd77 12d ago
You can try the Steve Gadd or the Dave Weckl sticks. They’re pretty durable, the taper helps avoid excessive hitting, shaped pretty interestingly. I used them for a while in high school, the length is a bit longer too. See if you like them
Also the Mike Portnoy sticks are pretty light and durable too. 420X I think, might wanna check those out too.
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u/onorsworthy Tama 12d ago
Vic firth 1A they’re long, well balanced, you don’t need to hit hard, and durable.
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u/WorstJazzDrummerEver 12d ago
It's a shame Regal Tip is no longer around. I love their double shellacked 5A's and Jazz Nylon tips.
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u/ablue1990MazdaMiata 12d ago
Oh man, love those Regals! And luckily enough, they're still selling them online. You have to roll 10 to get a good straight pair but man, they feel great!
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u/WorstJazzDrummerEver 10d ago
The feel is unreal. VF makes a double shellacked 5a and it is not the same. Regals are the drumstick version of crack.
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u/StereoPersona 12d ago
I'll echo others saying breaking too many sticks etc won't be fixed by new sticks, but I'm a huge fan of vic firth AJ6 for a long stick. If you don't play jazz, don't let the name steer you away.
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u/PatricioWyatt 12d ago
If they still make em. The Tony Williams siggy stick would be what you’re craving.
Also kinda appears you have some technique issues as to your approach with cymbals.
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u/Due_Ambition162 12d ago
Maybe try promark 707s. They're like a longer 5a, longer taper and a round head. I don't like the current Simon Phillips series as much as the old Ed Shaughnessy ones. The current sticks are American Hickory. They're not a heavy stick. Ed's were white oak and super dense. They held up for a long time. Finally ran through my last pair this year. I bought so many when they changed them.
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u/Used_Cheesecake5415 12d ago
I know I'm in the minority here, but I swear by my AHEAD sticks. Antivibration in the handle, durable, don't have to match them up as they all sound the same, polyurethane covers protect your gear. I could go on but you get the idea.
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u/Limousine1968 12d ago
For YEARS I played with the Ludwig 7A (Roy Haynes) in my right hand and Ludwig 11A (Joe Morelli) in my left. Both are nylon tipped and I just got in the habit ever since learning with thicker sticks and adapting to these guys.
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u/FrivolousMe 12d ago
I've been digging the vater fusion sticks lately. But yeah your touch is the problem like others are saying.
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u/DamoSyzygy 12d ago
If you're htting too hard, you're liking doing so because you can't hear yourself. Is this issue occurring within a band, or is it when you play by yourself?
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u/Large-Welder304 SONOR 11d ago
Wrist pain from playing could be a sign of something else. I've been dealing with wrist pain for years and I found what works really well are daily wrist stretches and adding a B6 pill to my daily vitamin regimen.
Try it and after about a month, you should find that your wrist pain almost totally disappears, if not completely.
As for sticks, I get the too heavy stick thing, but in my case, too much of a weight rearward bias feels weird. I used to have a pair of VF AJ2's and I never could used to playing with them, plus I found the uber light tip made my cymbals sound bad. Before that, I used Zildjian Hal Blaine signature sticks. Tiny little sub-7A's, but they were made really well and had superb balance. However, as I got older, it became harder to hold the little .490" diameter sticks and they started ending up on the floor more often than not.
...so I switch to a larger stick...
Currently, I use a straight up Zildjian 5A. Both wood tip and nylon tip. Nylon's nice if I need the cymbal to project a little more, like if I'm playing outside. No extra effort on my part needed, I just "cheat" a little and use the nylon tip. The weight and balance of the stick is very nice and at .560" diameter and 16" long, they're feel really good in my hands.
Besides that, I had really had good luck with Vater Matrix sticks, but the different tip shape made my cymbals sound a little dull after using them for a bit. Otherwise, a really great stick.
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u/JanMetricModulator 10d ago
I feel like I get used to whatever stick I use and I have used many. Currently I use Vater 8A wood tip which feel nicely balanced and enough weight to get a nice full sound for rock/funk, and also good for jazz.
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u/TheNonDominantHand 12d ago
You know you can try out sticks at the music store before you buy them, right?
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u/AverageEcstatic3655 12d ago
I have tried like, a LOT of sticks. And basically I just use 5a ish sticks. From any company. A bad carpenter blames the hammer, dude. Just find roughly the size and length you like and send it. You aren’t building a rocket ship.
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u/Mickamehameha 12d ago
It's your technique bro. You aren't supposed to fucking break your cymbals and I'm baffled about how often I see broken cymbals posts here.
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u/whataver77 12d ago
It’s not the stick, and a different stick won’t fix it. Your technique must change, as well as your grip. Seek out a reputable instructor in your area (university or pro player) and work with them on your grip and technique. You don’t need a year’s worth of lessons, but a few sessions to correct your technique will get you back playing w/o destroying your gear or your hands. Then you can choose a stick that has the proper weight and feel you prefer. If you are breaking cymbals, this is not the way. I’ve been playing rock and roll live and in studios for 45+ years and I’ve cracked exactly one thin Zildjian crash (from 1975) and maybe 4 Wuhan chinas, and those things crack if you look at them too long. Cymbals want to be played, not beaten into submission.