Vic Firth Corpsmaster MS4 StaPac Snare Drumsticks

Chop builders for the serious rudamentalist.

5

originally posted on

http://vicfirth.zildjian.com/

submitted4 years ago

byTimZim

fromIllinois

I have had a pair of these for years. They are HEAVY! Use them to build arm strength. These are sticks that will literally give you a workout.

The Vic Firth 4S Sta-Pac sticks are an excellent workout stick. 15 minuets on a pad with these sticks = 1hr with anything else. Their mass enables the player to relax his/her grip since the stick has an amazing amount of rebound, thereby encouraging the player to use a more natural stroke. Careful practice with these monsters will enable the player to experience beautiful open, effortless strokes. When you move on to your drums and more "normal" weight sticks after warming up with the Sta-Pacs you will see an immediate difference in your stick control. Regular practice with these sticks will improve your control, speed and stamina.

We started using these in our drumline, and at first they were really weird. They are really heavy and have a ton of rebound, so it can be tricky to play open rolls at a fast tempo, but you get used to it after a couple weeks. Also, because they are so heavy, they really do build your chops, and after playing with them for an extended period of time, my hands even start to hurt a little... Its kinda weird, it is nearly impossible to dent them on rimshots or anything. The stick tape basically gets completely shredded of before the sticks will show any wear at all. Interestingly enough, after about 5 weeks of playing every day, my first pair just broke last friday, but not like a normal stick. It split straight down the middle of the tip, not to either side, and I don't think it will break any farther... Maybe just a structural weakness, so to speak.

I'm weird. I use these for a drum kit instead of for marching. And honestly, they are really great for rock and metal. I saw drummers like Alex Pelletier using marching sticks and tried them for myself. Let's just say I'll never go back to my dinky 5a Sticks.

Well, i really wish these sticks could be used more often... The sticks are made with an artificial wood called StaPac, which is a much stronger wood than any hickory, maple, japanese oak, anything you can think of. The possible downside of the sticks is that they are VERY heavy in your hands, which will work really well for chop building. The rebound is rediculous, it has a better rebound than the other sticks on the line. I would put my reputation on that and ill stand by it. In all seriousness, buy these if you need sticks that will last, and you're looking for a serious workout of the hands.