It can be a long and gruelling task for a drummer to find the perfect set of sticks to suit their playing style and personality, with drumsticks often being seen as an extension of their bearers arms. The good news is, heaps of broken wood and evenings of throbbing muscles can be avoided by finding a complimentary set of sticks.
Whether your style is jazz, metal, church or rock and you want the best drumsticks for an electronic or an acoustic kit, this guide can help. We have included the top drumsticks for beginners and seasoned players available on Amazon, eBay and Gear4Music from Zildjian, Vater, Ahead and more to make sure you can drum all day and all night long!
Quick List - Top Drumsticks
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There can be unavoidable confusion when trying to understand the technical jargon that comes with buying such a necessary tool for a percussionist. Here, we break down some of that information to help novices and experts alike understand the importance of finding an excellent component to bolster those drumming skills.
When buying sticks, you will notice all sorts of codes as descriptors that can be easily confused. Looking at the number of a stick provides us with a guide to its thickness, with a higher number indicating a thinner stick – for example, a 2B stick is much thicker in comparison to a 7A.
However, the letters are used more traditionally when referring to the recommended style of music to play – for example, 'A' applies to 'orchestra', 'B' to 'band' and 'S' to 'street'. This is less common when describing modern-day sticks, but you will always see the number-letter pairing when browsing.
A good, well-rounded choice for beginners is the 5A; it's a balanced option with an average thickness suitable for all styles of playing. In comparison, the 7A is often exercised by jazz players due to its thinner and faster movement, whereas a 2B is perfect for hammering hard beats with prolonged sturdiness.
If you find yourself struggling when playing, then the size and weight of the sicks could be affecting your talents without you even realising it. Drumming is all about control and these two factors play a big part in managing this, especially for beginners. Where ever possible, it is recommended for newcomers to give a few options a try on a practice pad to find the best configuration for learning hands.
Heavier sticks can give you longer durability and a louder sound when contact is made with your kit, whereas a smaller stick allows faster movement and more technical playing. Child-appropriate sticks are lighter, weighing in at around 40 g, in comparison to the 50 g standard that a 5B would typically weigh.
Using heavier sticks at home for practice can help you build necessary muscles so when you eventually move onto your kit, you will have gained better speed and control over your regular sticks.
A 2B stick is one of the heavier options out there, with an oak version weighing around 80 g. You know yourself best when it comes to drumming, so take the time to understand how you perform and this choice should be easier
Your size and age can also affect what sticks you need and can even detriment you while you're smashing out grooves or practising your rudiments. If you have smaller hands, for example, then you may struggle to tame longer sticks, whereas shorter sticks can cause larger hands to make unneeded contact with drum heads.
Sticks typically measure around 16” long, with slight variations in length to benefit different drumming styles. The number marked on a drumstick indicates its length; a number 7 stick is considered a shorter variant measuring between 15” and 15.75”, while a number 2 is longer, between 16” and 16.50”.
A seasoned drummer is already aware of the short lifespan drumsticks often have, especially after the hard labour from beating down on drums and smashing cymbals over and over again.
Manufacturers have come a long way in finding new production methods to give sticks stronger and sturdier lastingness and keep you drumming for longer. For example, ProMark have begun to use a heat-tempering process in their FireGrain sticks that hardens the hickory and adds extra durability and tenacity.
You may find that using a 7A jazz favoured stick for your hardcore punk band will cause a lot of regular breaks, so using a thicker option will give you a longer relationship with your instruments and fewer purchases on drumsticks.
Drumsticks are constructed from a wide range of materials that can make a difference in ensuring your passion is less challenging and an all-round more enjoyable experience. The main types you will see out there are hickory, maple and oak, with other additional materials available less commonly.
You will notice most manufacturers opting to make hickory sticks and it's not difficult to understand why.
Built to last, these sticks host a medium weight, absorb a great amount of shock and help maintain a longer-lasting relationship with your tools.
If you are looking to play some fast and gentle drums, then maple is the superior choice to improve your music-making.
Maple is said to be 10% lighter than hickory so this alternative gives more freedom with movement and can boost the speed you play.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have oak, which is made to withstand powerful hits and offers durability, unlike the other standards.
Weighing around 10% more than standard hickory, these batons are ideal for metal drumming and building up muscles when exercising outside of practice.
A less common but sturdy option for heavy drumming is an alloy stick. These are often heavier due to their material but offer resistance that wooden sticks can't compare to.
Due to their metallic construct, alloy sticks result in a less traditional sound than their classic timber relatives but will survive a significantly extended amount of hitting.
The tip of your stick develops the sound that resonates from your drums and cymbals. Tips are often found to be wooden which host a full and original style that lots of drummers favour, but the addition of nylon caps can give you extended durability and add notes of brightness to your drumming.
'Oval' tips offer a more rounded sound for most styles of play, whereas the 'barrel' top gives a punchier and louder sound. For something warmer that has a focus on lower tones then you should look no further than 'teardrop' heads. The 'acorn' shape adds a full and rich addition to your rhythmic beating but if you favour a bright and fresh sound then 'rounded' tips are fitting for you.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vic Firth American Classics|5A | ![]() | A Well-Rounded Classic for Any Skill Level | |
2 | D'Adderio ProMark FireGrain 5B | ![]() | A Powerhouse That Will Keep on Giving | |
3 | Vic Firth NOVA | ![]() | A Solid Budget Choice to Help Keep Your Stick Bag Full | |
4 | Meinl Stick & Brush Hybrid 7A|SB105 | ![]() | A New Take on Drumsticks for Modern Drumming | |
5 | D'Adderio ProMark Shira Kashi White Oak|PW7AN | ![]() | Dense Hitters Perfect for Jazz and Cymbal Articulation | |
6 | Zildjian 5B Maple Green Dip|5BDIP | ![]() | A Brilliant Beginner Stick That's Comfortable With Great Grip | |
7 | D'Addario ProMark American Hickory 5AX|TX5AXW | ![]() | A Versatile Option for Heavy Metal Drumming | |
8 | Vater Los Angeles 5A|VH5A | ![]() | A Well-Balanced Option at a Reliable Price | |
9 | Ahead 2B Drum Stick|2B | ![]() | A Solid Alloy Stick for Metalheads and Other Heavy Hitters | |
10 | D'Addario ProMark Hickory JR|TXJRW | ![]() | A Shorter and Lightweight Starter for Beginners and Children |
The Vic Firth American Classic is an extremely popular choice among those new to drumming as well as those with experience under their belt. These sticks are perfect for live performances in addition to practising on acoustic and electric kits, so they're an obvious choice for any ability level.
If you are looking for a fantastic balance between size, weight and durability then these sticks are strongly recommended. They come with an affordable price tag and are a mighty addition to any stick bag.
ProMark boast an incredible new development with the FireGrain series; sticks designed to withstand the trials and tribulations of a hard drum session. Using a technique originally used to strengthen prehistoric weapons, FireGrains are flame treated to bolster heir solidity and withstand shock.
Boasting the beautiful aesthetic you only get from burnt wood, these should be a prime candidate if you're looking to gain additional durability while avoiding synthetic sticks.
If you're new to drumming, you'll quickly discover how often you'll be snapping sticks and while the cost is minimal in comparison to new hardware, the costs can soon add up. The Vic Firth NOVA are handy additions to ensure you never run short of sticks whilst finding your groove.
While these sticks are made from B-grade hickory, the price makes them a budget choice that will still leave a positive on your sound. These are a perfect candidate for beginners to start with, as well as for higher levels to have as a back up to your favourites.
Meinl has introduced a hybrid tip to this stick allowing you to throw down multiple genres with ease. The tip is born as an acorn, which is then artfully meticulously carved down into a classic barrel shape.
The additional length supplies you further reach to hit those sweet spots even more comfortably. As a whole, these sticks generate so much variety in the articulation you receive from cymbal hits and are a worthy partner for any of you forward-thinking drummers.
If you're looking for a heavy stick that will boost your expertise in the field of jazz drumming, then look no further. The Shira Kashi Oak lasts much longer than other sticks due to its solid body and will withstand repeated cymbal tapping and snare rolls.
Its oval tip adds warm tones to your trademark sound and due to its heavier weight, will bolster your ability to play the ride cymbal with increased speed and energy.
A giant in the world of drumming, Zildjian provide excellent sticks whether you're an advanced or beginner drummer. The DIP series are carved from lightweight maple and are coated in Zildjian's DIP technology to help keep your stick in your hands at all times!
These are really useful tools for training your hands to hold your stick whilst beating down on your kit, and with other colour options available. you can add a level of personality to your drum gear.
ProMark team up with Lamb of God's Chris Adler to give you a brilliantly varied stick to match your style, whether that's metal, punk or if you generally put power into your hitting.
Looking at the specs, we see this stick is slightly heavier than the standard 5A stick which, along with its great rebound, helps contributes to faster playing and a complete sound.
Vater comes through strong with their Los Angeles collection, boasting sturdy hickory and a smooth finish. They are a great choice if you're looking for an easy replacement for broken sticks, with a much more reasonable price tag compared to others on the market.
The stronger weight at their tip gives you the ability to play quicker beats and rolls fast. If you're looking for an affordable product that has that premium feel, then this is a good direction to go in.
Veering away from a classic wooden stick, Ahead has created an alloy weapon that will fortify the arsenal of any drummer who hits with all their strength. Impressively, they also last a reported 6-10 times longer than your average stick.
Due to the sticks' long lifespan, you'll likely need to replace the tips, though this will comes as no issue as it is an easy enough task to execute if the time comes. They do come with a heavy price tag that may put potential customers off, but they are a must-have if you find yourself breaking sticks quicker than you can buy them!
ProMark have delivered a fantastic smaller stick for children, or for drummers whose hands aren't comfortable controlling full-sized sticks yet. These sticks are only 13" long, which can also help learners develop a better understanding of how to handle their sticks.
In addition, they are very lightweight and host the classic shape of a standard 7A stick. However, the more delicate nature of this product means that they can be easily broken with hard playing, so take it easy if this looks like the choice for you!
Looking to get a few more accessories for your home studio or considering investing in a new electric kit? Follow the links below for more buying advice and product recommendations.
No. 1: Vic Firth|American Classics|5A
No. 2: D'Adderio|ProMark FireGrain 5B
No. 3: Vic Firth|NOVA
No. 4: Meinl|Stick & Brush Hybrid 7A|SB105
No. 5: D'Adderio|ProMark Shira Kashi White Oak|PW7AN
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