How to Fix Drumsticks

Playing drums can be rough on drumsticks. Banging rimshots and hitting at the wrong angle adds to normal wear. When this happens, drummers are stuck playing with slippery or splintered sticks. While buying new drumsticks is an option, there are also things you can do to fix drumsticks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Add grip tape or drumstick wax when sticks keep flying out of your hands due to their slickness.
2. Tape electrical tape around the vulnerable shaft. The middle of the stick often starts peeling from heavy use from rock drummers.
3. Fix damaged or splintered sticks with one of the sticky products like StickShield™. The tape-like material applies a protective covering to damaged sticks to keep you from getting splinters.
4. Try using strong glue for breaks and cracks. Allow to dry thoroughly, and then reinforced with packing tape. Keep in mind that once a stick breaks, it may never sound “right” again.
5. Replace damaged tips that often result from heavy cymbal playing. Jazz drummers, in particular, tend to hard on tips. You can find shield products to fix tips, but you also might want to consider buying sticks with more durable nylon tips.
6. Look at the type of sticks if they keep breaking. You’re either playing too hard or using the wrong kind of drumsticks. Cheap drumsticks don’t save you money if you to repeatedly replace them.

Tips & Warnings

• Try a shielding product on new sticks to prolong their life.
• All drummers should have spare sticks.
• Metal drumsticks can damage drumheads; stick with wood sticks.
• Maple drumsticks dent more easily than oak or hickory sticks.
• Replace splintered sticks before splinters go flying into someone’s face.