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Vic Firth Stewart Copeland signature drumstick review: The Police's signature stick

An editorial review of the Vic Firth Stewart Copeland Signature drumstick (model SSC). Hickory wood, slightly extended length, oversized profile, designed with Stewart Copeland for The Police's reggae-into-rock pocket.

Reviewed by the Change Your Strings editorial team · 2026-04-27

The Vic Firth Stewart Copeland Signature drumstick (model SSC) is a hickory stick designed with The Police's drummer. 16-1/2 inch length (extended for stage reach), 0.563 inch diameter (5A-family), long taper, tear-drop wood tip, lacquer finish. The extended length matches Copeland's expressive hi-hat work and active ride-cymbal vocabulary; the 5A-family shaft keeps the stick fast for the band's reggae-into-rock pocket. The signature stick of one of the most-imitated rock-drum hi-hat techniques in the 80s catalog.

Catalog audit pending. Amazon listing not yet wired; Trace verifies the canonical ASIN at the next quarterly catalog audit. Editorial review below.

What it is, in one paragraph

The Vic Firth Stewart Copeland Signature (model SSC) is a hickory drumstick designed with The Police's drummer. 16-1/2 inch length (extended for stage reach), 0.563 inch diameter (5A-family), long taper, tear-drop wood tip, lacquer finish. The extended length matches Copeland's expressive hi-hat work; the 5A-family shaft keeps the stick fast for the band's reggae-into-rock pocket.

Spec sheet

Vic Firth Stewart Copeland SSC spec

Verdict and the affiliate hook

If your playing depends on left-foot hi-hat work and active cymbal articulation, the Vic Firth Stewart Copeland Signature (SSC) is the spec to study. The extended length + 5A-family shaft + tear-drop tip is built around Copeland's specific approach, the new-wave / reggae-rock / Police-era drum vocabulary.

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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.

Stewart Copeland
The Police
Stewart Copeland anchored The Police from 1977 through 1986, then moved into a substantial film + TV scoring career. Tama signature kit, Paiste cymbal partnership, Vic Firth Stewart Copeland signature stick. The reggae-into-rock pocket that made The Police's catalog.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Vic Firth Stewart Copeland Signature?

A hickory stick designed with Stewart Copeland of The Police. Vic Firth model SSC. 16-1/2 inch length (longer than a standard 5A at 16 inches), 0.563 inch diameter (5A-family), long taper, tear-drop wood tip. The dimensional spec is built around Copeland's expressive hi-hat work and active ride-cymbal patterns; the extended length gives reach across the kit, the 5A-family shaft keeps the stick fast.

Why an extended length on a 5A-family stick?

Stage reach for Copeland's active hi-hat + cymbal work. The Police's drum parts depend heavily on left-foot hi-hat technique and constant ride-cymbal articulation; the extra half-inch of length gives reach across a wider kit configuration without sacrificing the 5A-family hand speed. The combination, fast shaft + extended reach, is unusual and matches the unusual demands of Copeland's playing.

How does the Copeland stick compare to a 5A or the Gadd Signature?

The standard 5A is 16 inches at 0.565 diameter. The Gadd Signature (SSG) is 16-1/4 inches at 0.565 with a barrel tip. The Copeland Signature (SSC) is 16-1/2 inches at 0.563 with a tear-drop tip. All three sit in the 5A jazz-rock-session family; the Copeland is the longest and slightly thinnest, optimized for Copeland's specific hi-hat-led approach.

What kind of drummer should use the Copeland Signature?

Drummers whose vocabulary depends on left-foot hi-hat work and active cymbal articulation. New-wave drummers, reggae-rock drummers, and players whose technique sits in the Copeland lane. Hard-hitting rock drummers will find the spec too light; jazz / session drummers may prefer the standard 5A's slightly tighter feel.

What it is, in one paragraph

Spec sheet

Verdict and the affiliate hook

Related

Drummers documented using this drumstick