After many years of trying out various sticks, pads and drums, I’ve begun to narrow down what I like and what I plan to keep as I downsize. Because I don’t play professionally anymore, I can choose the gear I enjoy using the most and let go of the rest.
This week, it’s sticks.
I’ve tried a lot of different shapes, sizes and types of sticks over my five-plus decades of drumming. And I’ve managed to dial in my favorites for each kind of drumming I do. After expanding and then contracting the various kinds of drumming I’ve done over the years, it’s come down to these favorites, which I’ll continue to use and keep on hand.
Concert: I don’t do a lot of pure concert drumming in performance anymore. When I did play in a wind ensemble, my choice was always a good, solid 2B stick. My absolute favorites are the older Promark oak sticks with the gold band near the end. For a modern stand-in, the Vic Firth American Classic 2B isn’t bad. I still have a couple pairs of older, vintage 2Bs from the 1950s that I’ll hang onto, from Ludwig and Mercury.
Jazz/pop: behind the kit, I’ve used everything from super-skinny “jazz” sticks to 5Bs. These days, I seldom have the chance to play a kit at home — even with a soundproofed door, some sound still comes through. I love my partner more than I love drumming, so some concessions must be made. When I do play my kit, I prefer the model 580 acorn sticks from La Backbeat, turned in American hickory and wonderfully balanced. They’re like 5A sticks with a little more authority, and well balanced enough that I can control the volume whenever I need to without having to rely on a lighter stick. Buzz rolls with these sticks are heavenly, like tearing tissue paper. (Note: Frank has had machinery issues all fall, and his work is on hold until further notice. He’s waiting on some parts for his lathe, and says he’ll be up and running when those come in. He does have some models available at his site, so if you can support him with a purchase now, please do so. It’s a one-man operation and he works hard to make great sticks.)
Marching/rudimental: after trying nearly every stick on the market, leaning especially hard on various Cooperman and Vic Firth models, I had to admit to myself that for me, there’s just nothing else out there as perfect for me as the old style 3S sticks from Ludwig, Leedy, Gretsch and others. The longer, more elegant taper and true balance continue to be the most comfortable sticks I’ve ever drummed with. And unlike too many of the modern sticks readily available, they’re perfect for chopping on older, lower-tensioned Mylar heads. Since almost no one actually makes this style of Rudimental stick anymore, I’ve had to search the online auctions and ads to find individual pairs.
But this week, I got a lucky score that should see me for awhile yet: a NOS box of six sets of Ludwig 3S sticks from the late 1970s. They have Nylon tips, which isn’t completely ideal, but I’m not that aggressive a drummer and I use a CS Dot head, so that should reduce the wear and tear a little on my marching snare drum.
Here’s a video I made this morning while Sweetie was out, so I could play my marching snare a bit. I wasn’t terribly warmed up, and the cold weather hasn’t been great for my arthritis, but I had to take advantage of the time I had and just chop. Here’s a bit of Crazy Army.
In order to help finance the NOS lot, I’ll be selling off more pads and sticks I don’t use. Best places to check will be FB Marketplace and Craigslist.
Best wishes to you, dear readers, for a happy and musical holiday season.
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