Vic FIrth - American Classic® Drumsticks 5A - American Hickory - Wood Tip

Product Information

For slower, heavier songs I prefer a 5B or other bigger model, but for faster stuff and for lighter playing that requires less volume, these are great. All the sticks I mentioned above are made from hickory, which is the most popular kind of drumstick wood.

So now you understand how to interpret all the various numbers, letters, hieroglyphs, squiggles and everything else you’ll find on a drumstick, let’s put it all together in a chart where you can make a decision about the kind of stick that would be right for you. Founded by Vic Firth himself - a musician who wasn't satisfied with the quality of drumsticks available for passionate drummers of the time - the brand is known for totally revamping the concept of the drumstick. You can use them for months because they undergo a rigorous manufacturing process that goes above and beyond expectations.The 5A drumsticks are made from Hickory wood, and they feature a medium taper plus a teardrop wood tip for rich cymbal sounds. In more modern music, they make a great choice for rock drummers and people who are playing with a louder band. The best model for you will be determined by a number of factors: the genre of music you play, the hardness with which you hit your gear and your overall budget will ultimately dictate which drumstick is right for you. There are so many different types of drumsticks available, and every drummer tends to develop preferences over time when it comes to choosing the most comfortable drumstick size for their playing style.

You may well find that your favourite drummer’s signature stick is the perfect fit for you and your playing style, and they tick all the boxes for taper, thickness, length and tip. Working on a regular basis with the wood science department at the University of Maine, and several other scientific organisations, Vic Firth put the quality of your drumsticks at the forefront of their operation.

As you’ll see, drumstick manufacturers started improvising with the system a while back, so it can get pretty confusing!

A smaller tip produces a defined and delicate sound, whilst larger tips produce a louder and less defined sound. Many drummers want a blend of two different stick sizes, so these can be a great choice if you can’t choose between the two!

So if you bought an Extreme 5A drumstick – this would be like a normal 5A stick, only slightly longer.

Many of their artists also play Zildjian-branded sticks, which says a lot about the quality and diversity of the drumsticks they offer. Vic Firth as a company has produced the most popular and diverse range of drumsticks for nearly 60 years. Choosing sticks might seem like an arbitrary choice, but there really is a science to it, hence why we’ve created this guide to the best drumsticks available today. If you’ve ever wondered who the best drum brands are or which brand makes the best drum sets, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourites.If you’re reading this article, you probably know by now that not all drumsticks are made for the same purposes. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.