Gear

Drum sticks

Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature (LU)

Review of the Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature drumstick (part number LU): aluminum-core construction, long taper, replaceable nylon tip. Lars Ulrich's documented signature stick since September 2000.

Drum sticks

Ahead Tommy Lee Signature (Studio)

Review of the Ahead Tommy Lee Signature drumstick (Studio model, part number TS): aluminum-core construction, Vibration Reduction System, replaceable Delrin tip. Tommy Lee's current documented signature stick, distinct from an earlier Vic Firth signature model.

Drum sticks

Bopworks Art Blakey Model

Review of the Bopworks Art Blakey Model drumstick (SKU BDAB): hickory, 16 inch length, .530 inch diameter, longer taper, triangle wood tip. Bopworks says it's reproduced exactly from Art Blakey's own 1960s stick, with a portion of each sale going to his estate.

Drum sticks

Pro-Mark Classic Forward 2B Raw Hickory (TXR2BN)

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.

Drum sticks

Pro-Mark Joey Jordison Signature (TX515W)

Review of the Pro-Mark Joey Jordison Signature drumstick (SKU: TX515W, also labeled '515'): hickory, 16 inch length, .551 inch diameter, quick taper, large round wood tip. Co-designed with the Slipknot drummer for Pro-Mark's Autograph Series.

Drum sticks

Pro-Mark Matt Halpern Signature (TXMHW)

Pro-Mark Matt Halpern Signature drumstick (TXMHW): hickory, 16 inch length, .630in diameter, medium taper, large round wood tip. Periphery drummer Matt Halpern's namesake stick, nominally 2B but built to play like a 5B.

Drum sticks

Pro-Mark Mike Portnoy 420X ActiveGrip (TXMP420XW-AG)

Pro-Mark Mike Portnoy 420X ActiveGrip drumstick (TXMP420XW-AG): hickory, 16 1/4 inch, .565in diameter, wood tip, ActiveGrip finish. Portnoy's current signature stick, heavier than his original 420.

Drum sticks

Pro-Mark Neil Peart Signature Shira Kashi Oak (PW747W)

An editorial review of the Pro-Mark Neil Peart Signature drumstick (PW747W). Shira Kashi Japanese Oak wood, slightly extended length, oval wood tip, designed with Neil Peart for Rush's prog-rock touring rig. Spec, feel, and where it sits versus Vic Firth 5B / Zildjian Tré Cool / Pro-Mark American Hickory 747.

Drum sticks

Pro-Mark Simon Phillips Signature 707 (TX707W)

Review of the Pro-Mark Simon Phillips Signature 707 drumstick (SKU TX707W): hickory, 16.25 inch length, .551 inch diameter, long taper, large round wood tip. Phillips's real, 37-year Pro-Mark endorsement, not the similarly-named Vic Firth SSP built for Creed's Scott Phillips.

Drum sticks

ProMark Dave Lombardo

An editorial review of the ProMark Dave Lombardo Hickory Drumstick, Nylon Tip (model TX2BXN). Hickory wood, .630 inch diameter, short taper, oval nylon tip, designed with Dave Lombardo for thrash-metal hard hitting and double-bass technique.

Drum sticks

Promuco John Bonham Signature (19015JB)

Review of the Promuco John Bonham Signature drumstick (19015JB): hickory, 410mm, acorn tip, built to Bonham's original 1970s Promuco spec. Reissued by Barnes and Mullins in 2020.

Drum sticks

Regal Tip Performer Series - Alex Van Halen (228R-AVH)

Review of the Regal Tip Alex Van Halen Signature drumstick (228R-AVH): hickory, 17.75 inches long, .570 inch diameter, oval wood tip, natural lacquer finish. Co-designed with Van Halen's drummer for extended reach and stadium-rock power.

Drum sticks

Vater Carl Palmer Signature (VHPALMER50W)

Review of the Vater Carl Palmer Signature drumstick (SKU VHPALMER50W): American hickory, 16 inch length, .580 inch diameter between a 5A and 5B, long gradual taper, teardrop/oval hybrid wood tip. Released 2022 for ELP's 50th anniversary.

Drum sticks

Vater Chad Smith's Funk Blaster

An editorial review of the Vater Chad Smith's Funk Blaster drumstick (model VHCHADW). Hickory wood, .605 inch diameter, acorn wood tip, designed with Chad Smith for Red Hot Chili Peppers' funk-rock backbeat.

Drum sticks

Vater Mike Mangini's Wicked Piston

Review of the Vater Mike Mangini's Wicked Piston drumstick (SKU VHMMWP): American hickory, 16-3/4 inch length, a diameter that swells from .58 to .62 inch before an acorn wood tip. Built with the former Dream Theater drummer.

Drum sticks

Vater Stewart Copeland Standard

An editorial review of the Vater Stewart Copeland Standard drumstick (model VHSCSTD). Hickory wood, .555 inch diameter, oval wood tip, designed with Stewart Copeland for The Police's reggae-into-rock pocket.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth American Classic 5A

Vic Firth American Classic 5A review (SKU 5A): hickory, 16 inch length, 0.565 inch diameter, medium taper, wood tear-drop tip. Vic Firth's own best-selling stick.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Buddy Rich Signature

An editorial review of the Vic Firth Buddy Rich Signature drumstick (model SBR). Hickory wood, 5A-family spec, wood tip, designed to Buddy Rich's stage spec and in continuous production through Vic Firth + D'Addario as a tribute since Rich's 1987 death.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Charlie Benante (SBEN)

Review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Charlie Benante drumstick (SKU: SBEN): hickory, 16-5/8 inch length, .625 inch diameter, textured Vic Grip coating, abrupt taper, modified oval wood tip. Built with the Anthrax and touring Pantera drummer.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Charlie Watts (SCW)

An editorial review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Charlie Watts drumstick (SKU SCW): hickory, 16 inch length, 0.585 inch diameter, medium taper, elongated oval wood tip built for a dark cymbal voice. The Rolling Stones drummer's namesake Vic Firth Signature Series model.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Danny Carey Signature

An editorial review of the Vic Firth Danny Carey Signature drumstick (model SDC). Hickory wood, oversized profile, designed with Danny Carey for Tool's polyrhythmic prog-metal context.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Keith Moon (SKM)

Review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Keith Moon drumstick (SKU: SKM): hickory, medium taper, oval wood tip, built to match the stick Moon played, released with the Keith Moon Estate's cooperation.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Matt Cameron (SMC)

Review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Matt Cameron drumstick (SKU SMC): hickory, 16 3/16 inch length, .585 inch diameter, long taper, barrel wood tip. Cameron's real namesake Vic Firth signature stick, built for reach and cymbal articulation.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Modern Jazz Collection -- 4 (MJC4)

Review of the Vic Firth Modern Jazz Collection -- 4 drumstick (SKU MJC4): maple, 16-3/8 inch length, .595 inch diameter, long taper, barrel wood tip. A shared catalog model, not a personalized signature, that Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin named as his pick in a January 2023 tour-kit interview.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Nicko McBrain (SNM)

Review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Nicko McBrain drumstick (SKU: SNM): a 5B-based hickory stick with a beefed-up neck and tip for power and durability. Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain's own namesake signature stick.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Steve Gadd Signature

An editorial review of the Vic Firth Steve Gadd Signature drumstick (model SSG). Hickory wood, 5A-adjacent profile, wood tip, designed with Steve Gadd for the session-drumming canon.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Terry Bozzio, Phase 1 (STB1)

Review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Terry Bozzio, Phase 1 drumstick (SKU STB1): hickory, 16.25 inch length, .550 inch diameter, short taper, reverse tear drop wood tip. Bozzio's real namesake Vic Firth signature stick, built for speed and response.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Vinnie Colaiuta Signature

An editorial review of the Vic Firth Vinnie Colaiuta Signature drumstick (model SVC). Hickory wood, 5B body profile, designed with Vinnie Colaiuta for the post-Gadd LA session lane.

Drum sticks

Vic Firth Signature Series - Vinnie Paul (SVP)

Review of the Vic Firth Signature Series Vinnie Paul drumstick (SKU: SVP): hickory, 16-7/8 inch length, 0.630 inch diameter, full-sized shaft, teardrop wood tip. Built with the late Pantera and Damageplan drummer, released through his official online store.

Drum sticks

Wincent Tomas Haake Signature

An editorial review of the Wincent Tomas Haake Signature drumstick (model W-THS). Hickory wood, oval wood tip, stone-ground in Sweden and sealed with Wincent's UWP wax coating. Designed with Meshuggah's drummer for heavy, polyrhythmic extreme-metal playing.

Drum sticks

Zildjian Tré Cool Artist Series Drumsticks

Correction. Tré Cool's documented signature drumstick is the Zildjian Tré Cool Artist Series, not a Vater signature model. Spec, sourcing, and what we got wrong.

Drum sticks

Zildjian Dave Grohl Artist Series

An editorial review of the Zildjian Dave Grohl Artist Series signature drumstick (ZASDG). Hickory wood, oversized 16-3/4 inch length, .600 inch diameter, acorn tip, tattoo-artwork finish, designed with Dave Grohl for hard-hitting stadium rock.

Drum sticks

Zildjian Hal Blaine Artist Series

Review of the Zildjian Hal Blaine Artist Series drumstick (SKU ASHB): hickory, 15.25 inch length, .500 inch diameter, medium taper, acorn wood tip. Zildjian's signature model for Hal Blaine, the most-recorded session drummer in popular music history.

Drum sticks

Zildjian Taylor Hawkins Artist Series Drumsticks

Review of the Zildjian Taylor Hawkins Artist Series drumstick (SKU ZASTH): hickory, 15.87 inch length, 0.600 inch diameter, short taper, large round wood tip. Designed with the late Foo Fighters drummer for extra weight and throw.

Drum sticks

Zildjian Tony Williams Artist Series

Review of the Zildjian Tony Williams Artist Series drumstick (SKU ASTW): U.S. hickory, 16 inch length, .625 inch diameter, hefty 2B dimensions with a thinner neck and an angular wood tip. Zildjian's first-ever signature drumstick artist, introduced at Winter NAMM in January 1991, modeled directly on Tony Williams's own Gretsch 2B sticks.

Drum sticks

Zildjian Travis Barker Artist Series Drumsticks

An editorial review of the Zildjian Travis Barker Artist Series signature drumstick (ZASTB). Hickory wood, white-painted finish, round wood tip, designed with Travis Barker for Blink-182's pop-punk pocket and his pop-punk-revival production catalog. Spec, feel, and where it sits versus Vic Firth 5B / Zildjian Tré Cool Artist Series / ProMark.