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I was using the Vic Firth 5A wood tip almost exclusively for about 10 years, then I got the itch to start experimenting--mostly with heavier sticks (5B's, super 5B's, Virgil's Assualt, etc.) I found they give you a nice "thump" out of the snare and the bigger toms, but I quit using them because I felt like I was going to break every cymbal I had. It's like there's no way to be easy on your cymbals with a heavy stick.
I made the mistake of buying a dozen pairs of the new Weckl "Evolution" when they fist came out because I liked the way it rebounded, but I HATE the slick varnish finish on it. I've been sanding them down lately, but they still don't feel right. Only 9 pairs to go!
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What kinds of sticks are you folks currently using? I'm using the Vater session sticks. I was using Weckl's evoultions but they started to feel weird. Does this happen to anyone else? I'll be in love with a certain stick for a month or so and all of a sudden one morning they feel totally foreign and uncomfortable.
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I started using 5Bs again after the Weckl Evolution sticks. I dig the Evolutions, but because I'm still working on trad grip, I think for me it's better to really OWN it with a bigger stick, then go down to a smaller one. It's harder with a 5B. It's like lifting weights with your fingers.
Plus, I dig the look and feel of Steve Smith of yesteryear, with those big-ass sticks and perfect technique, just wailing. You just don't see that anymore.
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Jack
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Steve,
what are you currently using?
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I play mostly with 5A sticks - Vic Firth, Pro-mark, Zildjian. Currently I use VF 5A.
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I use 5A's. I've been using Vater for a while, but I'm getting sick of every pair being mis matched weight wise. It's SOOO annoying having one stick heavier than the other and I get that all the time with Vater. I'm gonna go back to VF next time I get a pair. I dont break sticks very often though. We'll see what happens.
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webmaster,
www.houseofdrumming.com
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I really like Zildjian's Gary Chaffee model of stick. I was using Vinnie's, but they got to be too heavy for my technique and hi hat work. I also use Vic Firth's Peter Erskine Ride stick for lighter stuff. It's got a great feel. I agree with Steve about the weight mis-match problem with drumsticks these days. I don't know what the hell kind of computer matching they are doing at Zildjian, but it seems to not be working at all. I am hesitant to buy a full box of sticks without first checking out each pair for pitch and weight. I've seen this in both the Vinnie and Gary Chaffee models. Vic Firth is a little better than some of the others in quality control.
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I agree with this stick problem thing. I think that not many people who are players notice this. The reason most of the dudes on this message board probably notice this phenomenon is due to our level of sophistication on the instrument. Many of us probably play well and with good technique thus we notice even small differences in weight. Your average drum store, rap-rock dude would most likely not be able to detect differences among "matched" pairs of sticks.
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Mike Portnoy plays with his left stick upside down, so he definitely notices the difference, but that fat backbeat is nice. :-)
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I now use Regal Tip 8A and Johnny Rabb
5A (nice long stick)....I hate to reach..hehe
I used to use 5B but chaged a couple of years ago.
Flamaque
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"Jazz is not dead, it just
smells funny." - Frank
Zappa
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I now use Regal Tip 8A and Johnny Rabb
5A (nice long stick)....I hate to reach..hehe
I used to use 5B but chaged a couple of years ago.
Flamaque
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"Jazz is not dead, it just
smells funny." - Frank
Zappa
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Regal Tip all the way (save for the occasional pair of Evolutions, Vinnie sigs, or Vater Fusions.) The Regal BG sticks are my absolute favs, but only when I find a matched pair! The Regal sticks are great quality, and I love their head shapes...but they're too often uneven. Gotta buy em 20 at a time and hope for five or six good pairs.
but hey...you do what you gotta do....
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"First you master your instrument. Then you master the music.Then you forget about all the shit you just learned and just play." -Bird
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I used to use the Pro-Mark Carter Beauford signiture model, because they were the only convincing hybrid of 5A's and 5B's that I could find. It's all changed since those days...(!)
It's Vic Firth all the way for me...I seem to be very loyal to the brands I use and they seem to always be the most consistant and best performers for the money.
It's usually 5B's or 5A's, but I use the Erskine signiture model for Jazz. They've got a great rebound and are light and fast.
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[This message has been edited by Groovemeister (edited March 19, 2002).]
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I use the Vater 5B and the only problem I have with them is that pairs a rematched well, but from pair to pair an inconsistency creeps up. I like the sticks so much it doesn't bug me that much.
They feel really good, the gripping surface is really smooth and natural compared to other sticks I've used.
I'll never go back to playing Pro-Mark 747's turned around... http://www.hostboard.com/ubb/redface.gif)
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I practice with the Evolution model. But on the gigs sometimes I'll go for a VF Bolero if the volume is an issue. Or I may switch to a VF 5B if volume isn't an issue.
The lighter Evolutions are much better for me that the heavier ones.
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Guys, I bet Buddy would take two totally UNMATCHED pairs and he would completely kill us with his playing. :-)
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I use VF 5As mostly. Sometimes 5Bs. I don't break sticks so 98% of the time it's the 5As.
Clint
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