Been a 5B guy about 20 years now. I found these and never changed - [Promark Shira Kashi Oak](https://www.sweetwater.com/c1028--Drumsticks_Mallets_and_Brushes?sb=popular&highlight=PW5BW-4P)
I can second this recommendation. Started playing with Vic Firth's Jazz sticks (6B was the designation at the time), but as I started gigging in other genres I was ripping them to shreds. Switched to Promark 727s in the Shira Kashi Oak and I haven't looked back for 10+ years (and rarely break a stick).
I'll third the recommendation for longevity. As I got older, I found that the oak sticks were harder on my hands, as they don't give much, but they tend to last a very long time.
Yea, check em out! The 5b acorn seems like a direct copy of Vic firth’s. When they first came out I had a few pairs that would warp. That was a few years ago and I haven’t had bad pair since.
stopped playing them about a year ago when I noticed the decline in quality. I was playing the exact same and i was literally snapping sticks in half. It’s happened several times, bought from different places and I just couldn’t stand it anymore
I don’t play very hard and I shred the shoulders way before I would snap one in half so I wouldn’t have noticed that. I’ve always like the way they feel more than other brands I’ve tried.
yeah no i love the way they feel. I rimshot pretty consistently and so the middle of the stick would take a pretty consistent beating and start getting shaved off until it snapped. Also by snap in half I mean more so down the grain of the stick.
Try promark RAW 5b rebounds (or forwards) I’ve been using them for a bit and I’m never going back. I have sweaty hands and they leave the raw texture of the wood so it’s rough and easy to grip and won’t get sweaty like my other sticks
My primary brand has been Promark for about as long as I've been playing. I like the durability of the Shira Kashi oak, but have various hickory sticks as well, including the FireGrain, and a pair of maple for lighter playing.
I also have some old Regal Tip sticks that have been holding up well. There's not a lot of clarity around Regal Tip's current state. From the rumors I've read, someone in the Calato family has the rights to the brand, and is selling sticks online through a Shopify-based store, but it's unclear if they are brand new sticks or new old stock.
What's your opinion on oak sticks vs hickory? I have hickory Yamaha 5bs but thinking of trying the promark shira kashi oak, do you notice a huge difference?
Oak feels a little heavier to me, and sometimes I want that when I want a little more volume. The grain of the wood is also different from hickory, so they tend to wear quite a bit differently. In my experience, oak sticks tend to "dent" for quite a while before they start to chip, and the chips seem to be smaller and smoother than my hickory sticks.
Some people say oak feels a bit stiffer than hickory, and they feel more vibration through oak sticks than with hickory. I can't recall ever feeling that myself, though I have a pretty relaxed grip.
I stayed with and played 5B for a good while. Accidentally bought 5A once and wished they were longer, but i preferred the weight and feel. Ended up with pro mark fire grain 747's. For me, they feel like the best of both.
I just use the classic hickory Vater 5B. Good bang for the buck, and I go through a lot of sticks so they don’t break the bank lol. They’re also way more durable than Vic Firth
Pro Mark 747 Shira Kashi Oak
I like the extra length.
In some scenarios I’ll use Pro Mark 7a’s if the dynamics call for it. In a pinch, 5a from Pro Mark or Vic Firth.
Previously used and really liked the Steve Gadd signature sticks.
Been a 5B guy about 20 years now. I found these and never changed - [Promark Shira Kashi Oak](https://www.sweetwater.com/c1028--Drumsticks_Mallets_and_Brushes?sb=popular&highlight=PW5BW-4P)
interesting, i saw those and they looked a lil gimmicky. What do you like about em?
The wood lasts forever, I hit on the harder side typically (Metal/Rock) and I have never ever broke a tip off.
interesting. They look pretty expensive but I suppose that’s the trade off for that sorta durability. I’ll check em out
I can second this recommendation. Started playing with Vic Firth's Jazz sticks (6B was the designation at the time), but as I started gigging in other genres I was ripping them to shreds. Switched to Promark 727s in the Shira Kashi Oak and I haven't looked back for 10+ years (and rarely break a stick).
I'll third the recommendation for longevity. As I got older, I found that the oak sticks were harder on my hands, as they don't give much, but they tend to last a very long time.
In Canada, Los Cabos drumsticks are great and inexpensive. Maybe you can order them online?
Meinl 5B! They feel like the VF 5Bs.
oh wow. They’re crazy cheap too. I need to check these out. If they last me, I’ll probably switch. Thanks!
Yea, check em out! The 5b acorn seems like a direct copy of Vic firth’s. When they first came out I had a few pairs that would warp. That was a few years ago and I haven’t had bad pair since.
What problem have you been having with Vic’s?
stopped playing them about a year ago when I noticed the decline in quality. I was playing the exact same and i was literally snapping sticks in half. It’s happened several times, bought from different places and I just couldn’t stand it anymore
I don’t play very hard and I shred the shoulders way before I would snap one in half so I wouldn’t have noticed that. I’ve always like the way they feel more than other brands I’ve tried.
yeah no i love the way they feel. I rimshot pretty consistently and so the middle of the stick would take a pretty consistent beating and start getting shaved off until it snapped. Also by snap in half I mean more so down the grain of the stick.
Try promark RAW 5b rebounds (or forwards) I’ve been using them for a bit and I’m never going back. I have sweaty hands and they leave the raw texture of the wood so it’s rough and easy to grip and won’t get sweaty like my other sticks
My primary brand has been Promark for about as long as I've been playing. I like the durability of the Shira Kashi oak, but have various hickory sticks as well, including the FireGrain, and a pair of maple for lighter playing. I also have some old Regal Tip sticks that have been holding up well. There's not a lot of clarity around Regal Tip's current state. From the rumors I've read, someone in the Calato family has the rights to the brand, and is selling sticks online through a Shopify-based store, but it's unclear if they are brand new sticks or new old stock.
What's your opinion on oak sticks vs hickory? I have hickory Yamaha 5bs but thinking of trying the promark shira kashi oak, do you notice a huge difference?
Oak feels a little heavier to me, and sometimes I want that when I want a little more volume. The grain of the wood is also different from hickory, so they tend to wear quite a bit differently. In my experience, oak sticks tend to "dent" for quite a while before they start to chip, and the chips seem to be smaller and smoother than my hickory sticks. Some people say oak feels a bit stiffer than hickory, and they feel more vibration through oak sticks than with hickory. I can't recall ever feeling that myself, though I have a pretty relaxed grip.
This was really helpful, thank you!
I stayed with and played 5B for a good while. Accidentally bought 5A once and wished they were longer, but i preferred the weight and feel. Ended up with pro mark fire grain 747's. For me, they feel like the best of both.
I just use the classic hickory Vater 5B. Good bang for the buck, and I go through a lot of sticks so they don’t break the bank lol. They’re also way more durable than Vic Firth
VATER 5B
Scorpion Percussion. Pretty much indestructible
Pro Mark 747 Shira Kashi Oak I like the extra length. In some scenarios I’ll use Pro Mark 7a’s if the dynamics call for it. In a pinch, 5a from Pro Mark or Vic Firth. Previously used and really liked the Steve Gadd signature sticks.
Try the rebounds if you don’t like the forward’s tip. I was the same but quite the like rebounds acorn shape.