Drum Sticks & Mallets

Generally speaking, the denser the fibers of the tip, the more volume and attack it will produce. The lightest of the woods, hickory, is noted for its high strength-to-weight ratio, but is still the most likely to wear quickly. Oak is certainly the strongest and most durable of the three main stick woods, but it’s also heavy and sometimes difficult to play. Maple offers a balance between the two. Following stick material, the attack, definition and tone produced by each can be greatly altered by the shape of the tip itself. The most common tip shapes include round, acorn and barrel tip, but even those vary in size.

Drum sticks can also made from metal, carbon fiber and other materials. Mallets, rutes (several small rods wrapped to form a single stick) and brushes are a great way to expand your tonal palette, and most professional drummers carry a quiver of sticks, mallets, rutes and brushes that allow them to play in any musical setting. Close>