How to Choose Firth Drum Sticks
Vic Firth drum sticks are widely used among drummers. Notable drummers that use Vic Firth include Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins), Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam), Buddy Rich, Anton Fig (David Letterman Show) and many more. When it comes to picking the sticks you use, there are really no rules. It’s all about finding the sticks you like best-the ones that help you to play as well as you’d like. While the stick that works best will vary from drummer to drummer, there are certain things you can do to find the perfect pair for you.
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Instructions
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Visit your local drum shop. This will make it easiest to find the sticks that work best for you. Vic Firth drumsticks will typically be stocked at most drum stores in a display organized by each model. If you need suggestions, consider asking an employee. Tell them what type of music you play, and what kind of drummer you are, such as a hard-hitter, a soft-hitter, lots of rim shots and so on.
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Feel the weight and thickness of a pair of drumsticks. Do they feel too heavy? You need to be able to play easily and comfortably. If you have small hands, thick sticks might not be comfortable. For example, “2B” and “Rock” drumsticks are generally thicker than “5B” drumsticks. Thickness can mean more power, but thick sticks can also be more difficult to play with, so think about which is easiest for you. Rock drummers often use thicker sticks because they are heavier players and want a lot of power. They might want a durable, thick stick, such as a “2B” or “Rock” drumstick, whereas jazz drummers often play lighter and might instead choos Vic Firth’s “7A” or “8D” sticks, which are thinner.
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Look at the shape of the tip of the drumstick. There are many different tip options, from big oval tips (such as the “Rock” model), which can work well for heavy rock music, to a smaller, more square-like tip that can be found on the “SD4” or “HD4” models and will lead to a lighter touch and feel. Vic Firth also makes sticks with nylon tips instead of wood. Nylon tips will give a brighter sound, especially on cymbals.
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Look at the length of the stick. Sticks do vary in length. Longer sticks will typically require a little more effort to play, but shorter sticks might not give you the power and feel you want. The length of the sticks can also affect how easily you transition around the drums.
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Look at the wood type. Vic Firth offers sticks primarily in maple or hickory. Maple typically produces a light, fast stick with a high amount of flex. Hickory sticks are denser and provide a more pronounced sound. Hickory sticks are more durable than maple sticks, but you may want the light, fast feel that maple provides.
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Play drums using the sticks. After you’ve found a pair (or more) that you like, play around on your drums and see what works best for you. If it’s in your budget, buy several different Vic Firth models and try each out. Play with each for awhile. Does one model break or wear out too easily? Does one model just feel too heavy? Does one model make it easy for you to play fast? Experiment, and you’ll soon find what works best.
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- Photo Credit drummer image by Marcus Scholz from Fotolia.com
