What Are the Best Drumsticks for Me?
Naturally, a set of sticks is essential when you’re sitting behind a drum kit, and since drumsticks are so important, they come in all shapes and sizes. While having all that choice is great, which ones should you go for? In this guide, we answer your most frequently asked drumstick related questions. If you can’t see the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
Drumsticks for Beginners | Thickness | Wood | Tip | Signature Sticks | Bundle Deals | More
1. I’m About to Start Drumming, Which Sticks Should I Use?
After you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll figure out which sticks suit your playing style. In general, a set of 5A sticks are considered the best since they’re considered the average all-rounders. For younger drummers, a set of 7A sticks might feel better. These sticks can actually be used to play in any style, but are a little thinner and as such, feel a little more manageable in smaller hands. While we recommend that beginners start with a set of wooden sticks with wooden tips, it doesn’t hurt to try various different sticks so you can figure out which ones feel better and suit your playing style.
.jpg "I’m About to Start Drumming, Which Sticks Should I Use?")
2. What Stick Thickness Should I Use?
The thickness absolutely depends on what feels best. The thicker the stick, the higher the volume you’re going to produce. If you prefer to play heavier music, then you’re likely to prefer heavier sticks. If you prefer a more light, airy sound, then a thinner set of sticks will probably suit you better. If you want to play various different kinds of music using the same set of sticks, then you’re best off choosing drumsticks with an average thickness. You can check the exact diameter of a particular set of drumsticks, but manufacturers usually use a standard combination of a number and letter to indicate both the thickness and length. 5A sticks have an average thickness, 5B sticks are a bit thicker, and 2B sticks are even thicker. 7A sticks are a lot thinner.
3. What Kind of Wood Should My Sticks Be Made of?
Most drumsticks are made of hickory wood. This kind of wood sits nicely in the middle when it comes to durability, weight, and the transfer of vibrations. You could also opt for maple: it’s a more lightweight wood and therefore a better fit for lighter playing styles. However, maple tends to splinter more easily – which is something that you’ll never get with a pair of oak sticks, but oak sticks are a lot heavier and therefore pack more volume when playing. Finally, there are also more unusual sticks made of aluminium. These sticks are extremely durable and can even be fitted with new parts.
Hickory Drumsticks
Maple Drumsticks
Oak Drumsticks
Aluminium Drumsticks
4. What Kind of Tip Should My Drumsticks Have?
It’s best to pick out the shape and material of the tip depending on the style of music you play most. Wooden tips are the standard, but these come in various shapes. The shape determines how much contact the stick has with the drum skins and cymbals. An oval tip has a large contact surface and is therefore used for most playing styles. A round tip has a small contact surface and therefore a lighter, more bright sound. Barrel shaped tips are larger, produce more volume and clear articulation. Barrel tipped sticks are used a lot for genres like marching band music. Teardrop shaped tips sit somewhere between a barrel and oval tip in terms of volume and fullness of sound. You could also go for sticks with tips made of nylon. These tips deliver a really light sound, especially when striking cymbals.
Round Tipped Drumsticks
Teardrop Tipped Drumsticks
Barrel Tipped Drumsticks
Oval Tipped Drumsticks
Nylon Tipped Drumsticks
.jpg "What Kind of Tip Should My Drumsticks Have?")
5. Why Should I Choose a Set of Signature Sticks?
Well known drummers often work alongside drumstick manufacturers to design a unique pair of sticks. Here, the length, thickness, material, and the shape of the tip are chosen according to the drummer’s preference. While signature sticks won’t make you play as brilliantly as these famous drummers, since they know what they’re talking about, it’s a good start. A good tip is to check the specifications of the signature sticks of your favourite drummer. You can use these measurements to find some sticks that are almost exactly the same, but are slightly different when it comes to what you find important as a drummer.
6. When Should I Go for a Bundle Deal?
If you’ve already found your favourite sticks, then of course, it makes sense to see if you can get a bundle of them. Bundles are usually made up of a few pairs of sticks so that you’re paying a little less per pair than you would when you buy each pair individually. Sometimes they’ll even come with nice little accessories.
Links & More Information
Product Categories
Drumsticks
Drumstick Bundle Deals
Drumstick Bags
Drumstick Accessories
Brushes, Rods & Beaters
Blogs
Drumsticks for an Electronic Kit: Which Ones Do You Need?
