The choice of drumsticks is very wide, so choosing the right sticks can be tricky. Each manufacturer produces many stick models with different parameters, stick length, weight, thickness, tip shape, stick balnce point, stick surface texture, and even the materials the sticks are made of. Manufacturers produce standard and signature models. Standard model names usually consist of a letter and a number. The higher the number, the thinner and lighter the stick, and the farther the letter is in the alphabet, the thicker the stick. A good example is the 5A model, which is the standard probably the most used model, which is medium weight, length and thickness, and is used to play music of various genres. This model is recommended for beginners and used as a starting point to determine whether lighter or heavier sticks are needed. 5B are slightly thicker and heavier sticks, also quite versatile, but are more often used to play rock or heavier genres of music, respectively, 2B are very heavy sticks.
If the music played is more delicate and requires a lighter sound, you can choose a lighter 7A or HD4, SD4, 85A model.
Also, the model of sticks should be chosen according to the musician himself, for example, if sticks are needed for a young drummer whose hands are still small enough, in this case, you can choose a lighter model 7A or there are also special models for very young children. And accordingly, if the drummer’s hands are large, it may be more difficult for him to feel the lighter models, then you can choose some slightly extended or heavier models.
Signature stick models are produced according to the needs of famous performers. Various non-standard combinations of stick parameters often is used in those models. When choosing such models, you should rely on your own senses and while choosing, evaluate the feeling while holding the sticks in your hands, whether it is easy to control them and whether the sticks will be suitable for the music genre being performed.
Each stick pair sounds different when playing the drums, especially it is noticeable playing on the cymbals. The sound varies by the stick weight and balance point, also stick head gives a more noticeable change in sound. The heads are larger or smaller and also vary in shape. Rounder stick heads produce a more controlled, deeper sound, while drop-shaped heads produce a less deep but brighter sound with more sonic attack. The stick head is usually made of wood or nylon. Wood heads give a slightly softer sound especially if the stick is used more, while nylon heads sound brighter and sharper/harder. The materials from which the sticks are made also change the sound, the harder the material, the harder the stick sound. With regard to wood, the most commonly used wood is hickory, but sometimes maple or oak is used.
Sticks are the fastest wearing parts while drumming. Longevity depends primarily on the drummer’s playing technique, followed by the genre of music in which we use the chosen model of sticks. For example, if we were to play heavier genres of music that require a stronger strokes and a bigger sound, light sticks would not last long. Thicker sticks have more resistance, but it would be very difficult to play lighter genres of music with them that require more finesse and control of the sticks, so it’s always worth finding a balance between the weight of the sticks and the music being played.
The heads are also worn differently. Wooden heads wear out over time and the wood splits, while nylon heads, if made with quality, are more durable. By choosing nylon heads, we get more durability but a slightly sharper sound.
The durability of the sticks is also affected by the type of wood used in production. In rare cases, other substances are used. Accordingly, the harder the material from which the sticks are made, the longer they last. Maple is softer than hickory, so naturally maple sticks wear out faster. Oak is harder so it would last longer.
Also, sticks don’t last long because the wood used in production isn’t straight. Sometimes it happens that the wood grain goes in diagonal direction through the stick. In this case, the stick can break through such a transverse groove quite easily.
