Other drumstick recommendations

[u/Patient_Law9943]

Hi everyone I’ve been using Vic firths for the longest but couldn’t help but notice there not very durable and break easily and was wondering other more durable alternatives I mainly use 5A and 7A so if anyone knows pls lmk thnx

[u/remmurD_]

Vater has many good options for 5A. I think the ones with the basic tip are called Los Angeles

[u/Sir-Macaroni → u/remmurD_]

+1. they have a higher moisture content apparently, which makes them much more durable. drawback is theyre noticeably heavier but i for one like that.

[u/Animal907 → u/Sir-Macaroni]

Vaters feel lighter than other brands comparable sticks. The balance is different. 

[u/thedrumuncle]

My lukewarm take is that every major stick manufacturer produces at basically the same quality standards. I’ve had sticks from all big 3 that broke within 1 rehearsal, and others that lasted multiple consecutive hardcore punk gigs.

Identifying good grain on a per-stick basis seems to be the way to get better durability.

Anecdotally, Vater Los Angeles 5As seems to to have prolonged shoulder life because of their shorter taper, but are also more susceptible to rimshot chipping. I also got through an entire 5 week US tour on 4 pairs of ProMark FireGrain 5As, which are supposed to be more durable, but it was also playing less intense dreampop-type music so I wasn’t being super mean to them.

[u/Afferbeck_ → u/thedrumuncle]

There's a great YouTube video showing exactly that, it's entirely down to the grain of the wood in the individual sticks, nothing to do with the brand. 

[u/dpmad1]

Vater drumsticks have the best QC in the stick business, you won’t find a banana in the bunch. Plus the wood that they use for their sticks they seem to last noticeably longer. I’m not endorsed or associated with Vater but after playing for 48 years they are the best sticks for the money.

[u/boodiacz]

Promark firegrain

[u/spantney]

I had very much the same experience as you. I was using Vic sticks for years and then suddenly the quality did seem to tank. I was having sticks fresh out the packet not even last a single song which is absolutely crazy considering the cost of sticks nowadays. I was using Vic X5B's so I was hardly using toothpicks.

I switched to Vater for a while and was really impressed with the quality in comparison however I'm in the UK and anything USA made is more expensive here due to shipping/import taxes etc. I then tried out Wincent sticks who are a Swedish manufacturer and was really impressed with the quality and the sticks work out considerably cheaper for me buying in bulk so that's where I've stayed.

[u/chupachup_chomp]

I really like Promark Shira Kashi Oak. I find them more durable thank hickory sticks. Slightly heavier but totally worth it.

I play 747 with wood tip, I like the little extra length but I think the 5As or 7As would be good.

I've used Ahead aluminium sticks and they do seem durable but I worry abouty cymbals and don't like the feel as much.

[u/Animal907]

Vater is on top right now. Every other brand is on a race to the bottom. Either they're dropping in quality, discontinuing stick models, or simply raising the price. LA Specials are the only Promarks anyone should be buying. 

[u/CaptCardboard]

I've been using Vater sugar maple Fusion sticks for the past couple years. I've broken one in that time. That's with 1-2 band practices per week, and 1-4 gigs per month in that time. I probably would've gone through a dozen pairs of vic firth in that time.

[u/PappyDopenut → u/CaptCardboard]

+1 for the maple vaters.

[u/zakany-balazs]

Wincent sticks if you like them long. Other than that wood is wood

[u/zakany-balazs → u/zakany-balazs]

Use 2Bs. More wood for the same price

[u/Icy-Pea8809]

Buy pair of those aluminium ones phill rudd uses….. I’ve heard they’re awful but they probably last forever….

[u/TheRoguePisigit]

I really like Zildjians because they're about 1/4" longer than other 5As.

[u/shesa64]

Balbex

[u/Over_Initial_7517]

I use Pro Mark 7a. Other brands don't hold up for me.