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Vater Hickory Drumsticks West Side Wood Tip

Vater Hickory Drumsticks West Side Wood Tip

Vater
Description
Vater drumsticks are made from the highest-quality select hickory and maple wood. Each stick is crafted with impeccable consistency to give you a quality stick, guaranteed straight. They're each a very responsive, comfortable, and balanced stick with an acorn tip.
Vater Hickory Drumsticks Hitmaker Wood Tip
Vater Hickory Drumsticks Hitmaker Wood Tip
Vater Hickory Drumsticks Hitmaker Wood Tip
Reviews

4.65

23 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

The mist durable sticks I've ever used

Before I get into any details about these sticks, let me just say that I mainly play Rock/Punk music, like what the Ramones played. That means constant eighth notes on the Hi Hat at over 200 BPM. And I can't just tap the hats lightly, either. I have to go fast AND hit it hard enough to get some decent volume. Needless to say, after an hour and a half of that, the drum sticks usually can't take much more before they break. I purchased a pair of the Vater 7As because I like to experiment with different brands each time I buy new sticks, in hopes of finding something perfect for what I play. When I took these out of the package/sleeve, I was surprised by how heavy they were for 7As. They weighed the same as my Sound Percussion 5As! So I sat down on my kit and started playing. At first, the extra weight kind of threw off my playing, but after about an hour, I got used to it. Another full hour went by, and I was completely exhausted . . . . but these Vater sticks on the other hand, were just a little scratched up. I was impressed. About three days went by, and these sticks still were still holding up. At this point they'd beat the record of any other stick I'd ever owned (and I don't have bad technique or anything. Songs like Zero Zero UFO at around 225 BPM will really kill your sticks. The eighth notes on the hats are so fast you can barley hear them). I was sure the sticks would break sometime soon though. How could they put up with much more? A week went by. They STILL will not break! I'm sitting here staring at my chewed up, practically unusable sticks in amazement. Have you ever seen a stick get so messed up that you couldn't use it? Without it actually breaking? I'm in awe. This is the best 7A stick I've ever used (Even though it feels like a 5A). The heaviness doesn't out-weigh the fact these sticks have the perfect balance, feel, and insane durability that every stick should have. I'd give them six stars if I could.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Incredible feel, horrible nylon tip durability

Let me start by saying that the feel of these sticks is EXACTLY what I was looking for. For my playing, my hands, my kit, they just feel RIGHT. I don't play super hard, probably at a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10 (where 1 is tickling the drum, and 10 is trying to break the drum). This is the first brand/model where the nylon tips consistently shatter while I'm playing. I play at a "mega-church" and really have to pay attention to dynamics and I found out after this had happened to me that it was happening to one of the other drummers so he switched to wood tips. In 3 months I have broken 0 sticks, but have had 5 tips break, and this happens when the stick has ~2-3 hours of playing time on it. I love the feel of these, but the durability is forcing me to find another brand with the same feel :(

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Reviewed by 23 customers

  • Sticks That Feel Good

    4

    submitted10 years ago

    byJnocella

    fromWantagh, NY

    The extra length is what makes these sticks great for me. At just under 17" they have a nice feel especially if you hold them toward the back of the stick. You can gain a lot of power with the extra length. 16" sticks just feel too short for me. They are also pretty light so you can really get some speed up while having the extra power. My only complaint is that I would prefer some kind of shellac finish to improve grip. Regal Tip uses a varnish or shellac on most of their sticks which really helps you hold on to them. The finish on these hickory sticks is just smooth wood so you have to be careful. I would recommend you try them.

  • strong but light.

    5

    submitted10 years ago

    byBrandonT

    fromLexington, KY

    I have used three different models of vater and have another pair on the way and they all have been great. The only one that I don't use that I bought is the excel they are to short but they work good on my electric kit but not my acoustic. All in all I recommend vater to anyone!

  • Vater 1A wood tip

    5

    submitted11 years ago

    byColton

    fromAlabama

    I have played all sorts of music and all sorts of styles. I play studios and tour as well (not your honky tonk bars and garage studio either). I do play pretty heavy too. Before Vater I was using Vic firth and some Zildjian sticks as well. To make this short and sweet, once I first used a pair of Vater sticks, I have never purchased another pair since, and that was about 7 years ago. I first used the XD series because I like a longer stick (16 1/4) is about right. Now I use the Vater 1A and have been for about 2 years now. BEST. STICK. ON. THE MARKERT. for anyone who likes a longer stick to play with. Very durable for heavy hitters, and gives you a little extra length as well. Not meant for people with "slow hands" who want to fancy hat work or stuff like that, but I have pretty quick hands in my opinion and they work for me. The bead is a little difficult to get some good articulated sound out of, but I play mainly rock and southern rock music. It works. Basically, if you are looking for a longer stick, durable, and feels good, get the Vater 1A wood tip. Great buy!

  • Vater drumsticks

    5

    submitted12 years ago

    byMike

    fromMeridian

    some of the best for the money. They are nice and seem to be well balanced. Thats important to have a stick that feels good in the hand and is equal in weight. I use 5a and these are great.

  • Son loves them!

    5

    submitted12 years ago

    byKathleen F Grabigel

    fromApollo. PA

    My son was wanting a pair of sticks for jazz sound. He absolutely loves these Vater 52nd street jazz sticks. They are the perfect sound he was looking for.

  • Incredible feel, horrible nylon tip durability

    2

    submitted12 years ago

    byJoseph Koppin

    fromClarkston, MI

    Let me start by saying that the feel of these sticks is EXACTLY what I was looking for. For my playing, my hands, my kit, they just feel RIGHT. I don't play super hard, probably at a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10 (where 1 is tickling the drum, and 10 is trying to break the drum). This is the first brand/model where the nylon tips consistently shatter while I'm playing. I play at a "mega-church" and really have to pay attention to dynamics and I found out after this had happened to me that it was happening to one of the other drummers so he switched to wood tips. In 3 months I have broken 0 sticks, but have had 5 tips break, and this happens when the stick has ~2-3 hours of playing time on it. I love the feel of these, but the durability is forcing me to find another brand with the same feel :(

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