Pro-Mark Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory drumstick review: the stick Gene Hoglan actually plays
Pro-Mark Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory Drumstick, Oval Nylon Tip (SKU TXR2BN): hickory, 16 inch length, .630in diameter, short taper, raw unlacquered finish. The stock Pro-Mark model extreme-metal drummer Gene Hoglan names as his favorite, not a personalized signature stick.
Reviewed by the Change Your Strings editorial team ·
Gene Hoglan's Pro-Mark drumstick isn't a personalized signature model, it's the Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory, Oval Nylon Tip (SKU TXR2BN), the stock stick D'Addario's own ProMark artist page lists among his favorites. Hickory, 16 inches long, .630 inch diameter, short taper, raw unlacquered finish. Hoglan, drummer for Dark Angel, Death, Testament, and Strapping Young Lad, credits the sticks for outlasting the average pair in his high-speed extreme-metal playing.
Affiliate links: we earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases. See our full disclosure.
What it is, in one paragraph
The Pro-Mark Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory, Oval Nylon Tip (SKU: TXR2BN) is a stock Pro-Mark drumstick, not a personalized signature model, that extreme-metal drummer Gene Hoglan names as his favorite on D'Addario's own ProMark artist page. Hickory, 16 inches long, .630 inch diameter, short taper, oval nylon tip, raw unlacquered finish. Built for the fast, hard-hitting double-bass playing that defines Hoglan's catalog across Dark Angel, Death, Testament, and Strapping Young Lad.
Who Gene Hoglan is, briefly
Gene Hoglan, nicknamed "The Atomic Clock," has drummed for Dark Angel, Death, Testament, Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory, and Dethklok. D'Addario's own ProMark artist page describes him as "a technically demanding metal drummer known for his precision, extreme tempos, and long double-kick runs" and quotes him directly: "The thing I always found about ProMark – these just last longer than the average stick. So I'm proud to be playing these!" Full profile at /drummers/gene-hoglan.
Spec sheet
Pro-Mark Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory (TXR2BN) spec
- Wood
- Hickory, per Pro-Mark's own spec sheet.
- Length
- 16 inches (406.4mm).
- Diameter
- .630 inches (16.1mm).
- Balance
- Forward, weight biased toward the tip.
- Taper
- Short.
- Tip
- Nylon, oval shape, for a brighter, more articulate tone.
- Finish
- Raw, unlacquered. Natural sanded wood feel in the hand.
Where it sits next to Pro-Mark's Dave Lombardo signature stick
| Pro-Mark Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory (TXR2BN) | Pro-Mark Dave Lombardo Signature (TX2BXN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Hickory | Hickory |
| Length | 16" | 16-1/8" |
| Diameter | .630" | .630" |
| Taper | Short | Short |
| Tip | Oval nylon | Oval nylon |
| Finish | Raw, unlacquered | Lacquered |
| Best for | A grippier, less slick feel across long, sweaty sets | A smoother, sealed surface with an eighth-inch more reach |
Nearly identical sticks on paper. Both are hickory, .630 inch diameter, short taper, oval nylon tip, built in the same Pro-Mark family for hard-hitting extreme-metal playing. The difference is finish and a fraction of an inch: Hoglan's pick is raw and unlacquered for a grippier feel, while Dave Lombardo's signature TX2BXN adds a lacquer coat and an eighth-inch more length. Neither is objectively better; it's a grip-versus-smoothness preference.
The Pro-Mark partnership
D'Addario family brand · Made in USA · Texas production
Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark's own positioning centers on the ProMatch process, which the company says ensures consistency of weight and pitch from stick to stick and pair to pair. All Pro-Mark drumsticks are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA at the company's Texas production facility.
Source: Pro-Mark / D'Addario product page.
SKU TXR2BN · Endorsed stock model, not a signature
Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory
16 inches, .630 inch diameter, short taper, oval nylon tip, raw finish. D'Addario's own ProMark artist page lists this stick under "Gene Hoglan's Favorites" and quotes him directly on why he plays it, a stronger citation than a "signature" label with no artist quote behind it.
Source: Pro-Mark / D'Addario artist page.
What the stick is built for
- Raw finish for a grippier feel. No lacquer coat means the hickory keeps its natural sanded texture; many players find that grips better than a slick lacquer coat once hands sweat.
- A nylon tip built for cutting cymbal work. The oval nylon tip is harder than wood, giving a brighter, more articulate attack that cuts through dense, distorted extreme-metal mixes.
- The documented stick behind Hoglan's actual playing, not a marketing-only namesake. D'Addario's own artist page names this exact stock model as his pick and quotes him on why he plays it.
- Not for players chasing a glossy, sealed feel. The raw finish trades a smooth, lacquered surface for grip; players who prefer a slicker stick in the hand should look at Pro-Mark's lacquered Classic Forward 2B instead.
Verdict and the affiliate hook
If you want the documented stick behind Gene Hoglan's extreme-metal drumming, the Pro-Mark TXR2BN is it: a raw-finish hickory pair, .630 inch diameter, short taper, oval nylon tip, endorsed by name on Pro-Mark's own site rather than fabricated as a signature product. Priced like a standard Pro-Mark stick, not a collector's item.
Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory (TXR2BN)
Why this one: The documented Pro-Mark stock model Gene Hoglan names as his favorite: raw hickory, short taper, oval nylon tip, built for fast, hard-hitting extreme-metal playing.
Drummers documented using this drumstick
Each drummer profile cites this product in their stick / head / cymbal / kit frontmatter. Click through for the full editorial profile + sourcing.