Top 10 Best Drumstick Makes

The Top Ten
1 Vic Firth

Vic Firth hand-whittled the first sticks himself from bulkier sticks and sent these prototypes to a wood turner in Montreal. The two prototypes that he sent would become the SD1 and SD2, the first two models of sticks ever manufactured by the Vic Firth, Inc.. As Firth himself states: "It came out of necessity not of imagination or my ability to start a company.

Today, the Vic Firth, Inc. product line has grown from the SD1 and SD2 to approximately 300 products in its catalog, and the company manufactures 12 million sticks a year.

The finish feels amazing, the balance is perfect, they have an enormous gigantic variety of sticks like I have never seen in my life, I've already compared it with every single brand you might think of and it never loses... It's just light, durable, after playing for very long you don't feel as much as you would with others, and in a hot day it doesn't get sticky because of the awesome finish... I love it.

Before I started using these beasts, I smashed 1 or more drumsticks a day (I play hard not - not metal, and I'm an extremely hard hitter) and one day, I decided to go buy some pairs of these. that's a month ago, not even one have destroyed yet - And I play with this pair or another everyday. Do not buy anything else! This is the f! cking best!

By far the best drumsticks in the world. I know it's only my opinion but in that opinion after playing drums for over 50 years and having tried every stick on the market, Vic firth are the best made, balanced, weight, always consistent. I use several models, depending on the gig at hand----Steve Gadd model----Steve Smith model---Extreme 5A---SD-1 Bolero---and I use the new 5B Rubber Tip Chop Builder and also the Thomas Lang model for the practice pad.
Ralph Onofrio New Haven Ct.

2 Pro-Mark

I will only purchase ProMark drumsticks. In the early days (back in the '70s) I found Ludwig to be the longest lasting best feeling sticks until they became almost impossible to find so I went on the hunt. After trying everything else made and going through sticks and money like crazy, I bought my first set of ProMarks. I couldn't break 'em! I'm a fairly heavy hitter playing hard rock and heavy metal. Now days it's ProMark only for the absolute best durability and feel. The 5A Hickory was my go to stick until I tried the 5A Oak. Now they are my favorite. I also like the 747 Oak for the extra heavy stuff.

It really depends on the Pro-Mark sticks you get, I am a very big fan of the Joey Jordison and Chris Adler Signature Series. The Joey Jordison and Chris Adler sticks are made from Hickory, I find this the best type of wood for drumming as they are strong, solid and are quality sticks that are really durable.

As a drummer of nearly 45 years, I have experimented with several makes and models of sticks for that amount of time. I have come to the conclusion that Promark is the manufacturer of the highest CONSISTANCY across models when it comes to matching weight, balance and durability. Give the Simon Phillips TX707W a try if you are looking for the beef while maintaining a nice ping off your cymz and control around the kit.

These sticks are a just a little heavier And more durable than the Vic firth sticks. I like them way more actually, the feeling is better and the rimshots are louder. If you are playing vic firth sticks I would definitely recommend trying promark. I also have tried the vater sticks but the feeling is still not promark. I think ahead is also pretty good bu those are just not to compare..

3 Vater

Vater are one of, if not the oldest, drumstick maker in the US, but have not been a common brand in Australia until recently (last 10 or so years).
Their quality and consistency are second to none, and the Sugar Maple series are the best maple sticks on the market.
Their brushes and mallets are also first class. Highly recommended.

No competition. Vater sticks are always dead on straight, grain oriented optimally, very consistent as far as density and grain size.. simply the best there, quality wise. The distant second is Vic Firth - but they have been poor quality for the last while (heard they merged with Z).

I've found vater to be the best and most durable for me. I've used all the other top 5 brands on here, but I destroy them in weeks. I used to use the nightstick but they were real cymbal trashers, so now I've settled on the David Silveria and have been using these for the last ten years or so. Bravo Vater.

I own a pair of 5A sticks and they have lasted me for years now. Unlike Vic Firth, Vater sticks are affordable and unlike Zildjian, they aren't as brittle as ice. Pro-Mark sticks are good, but don't absorb much vibration due to their usage of oak.

4 Zildjian

Zildjian is overall my favorite brand for drumsticks! They offer a larger variety of sizes a tips, they truly have something for everyone. They have a good weight distribution, along with a good gripping system. If you haven't tried a pair of Zildjian sticks try them, and I promise you will love them!

Even though I am a Sabian user, and it's almost sac-religious to have I both of these. I love Zildjian sticks. I love the different kinds of sticks they have. Like the anti-vibes. It allows you to have those bigger sticks, but without losing speed, and the stick like it says, don't vibrate at all.

Other than cymbals, the Avedis Zildjian Company produces products such as drum sticks and other drum accessories. The Artist Series drum sticks allow these endorsers to personalize their drum sticks, and these sticks are sold to the public.

Great balance and light feel. They provide the option of all sizes and tip choices. Used by many of the best drummers these are the top choice for your next pair of sticks

5 Wincent

I wish they sold their sticks to America. I really want the Tomas Haake modle stick. I used the Vic Firth SHAA modle (Tomas Haake) and their best sticks for me as a player. I don't know what it is but these and only these seem to work better for me. Their classic metal sticks are pretty good.

Motorhead? Saxon? Arch Enemy anyone? A lot of great drummers actually use these sticks. It's amazing that more of the well known drummers don't.

While I frankly prefer Vater, Mikkey Dee of Motorhead has a signature model with Wincent which are killer!

Very good and long life drum sticks.

6 Easton Ahead

Ahead drumsticks are a product of Easton and distributed by Big Bang Distribution. They are quite unique and different than most drumsticks in the world. They have an aluminum core and replaceable plastic sleeves and plastic tips. This allows them to outlast normal wooden drumsticks by a long shot. Some would even say that they never wear out because you can constantly replace the plastic sleeves or tips with new ones instead of having to buy a whole new set of drumsticks every time.

I love playing with these sticks but MAN they're expensive! However one pair lasts you a very long time so it is worth it I guess.

These sticks are amazing! Lots of fun to use and produce lots of power. Great for drum roles or hard cymbal hits.

They are good, light and fancy. But remember they are NOT unbreakable, mine 5A is broken after 5 months off death metal

7 Regal Tip

Love love love Regal Tip way more than any other brand. Vic's are great as are Vaters but Regal Tip just has that certain feel and quality to them. Plus they also make sticks like the 9A, 8A and 7B, models that are no to feared by any other company. The 7B is an especially great stick! Plus in terms of history and innovation, Regal Tip is the first and oldest out there. Vote up people!

Come on! 12? Seriously? Regal Tip has been around for as long, if not longer that Vic Firth and Pro-Mark. Much as I love my Vater 5bs, the Alex Van Halen signature sticks are my new faces, due to their length and strength (rhyming, lol! ). Sure, maybe they aren't used as much nowadays, but they still remain the best and their quality and dedication has never waned. Alex Van Halen, Brian Tichy, Tommy Clufetos, Daniel Adair, Jason Sutter, Jeff Porcaro, and (formerly) Stewart Copeland, too many names to count, have all used Regal Tip. They have stood the test of time and should be higher. Plain and simple.

This history of RegalTip has just not been told to the younger generations. With the invention of the nylon tip, numerous patents on other products all shows their dedication to the industry. I've played them for 27years and sure, I've tried the others but I always go back to them. If you haven't tried their products, go find them, you won't be disappointed.

I second the lack of knowledge in the new drummers coming up. Not another company out there has the history. So many others play on words to say they were the first etc. Plan and simple RegalTip was founded in 1958, beats Vater and Vic by many years. Thumbs up to the products they just need to advertise better.

8 Collision Drumsticks

When it comes to drumsticks, I have a very particular preference. I was recommended Collision Drumsticks by a friend. I checked them out via social media and was impressed by their content and artist roster. There work with the artists and community influence interested me and I wanted to try the sticks out for myself. I ordered a pair and the customer service was great. The sticks promptly arrived and I put them through an intense trial through practices and shows and they held up incredibly, I was extremely impressed. Collision is now my go to stick brand.

I picked up a set of Collision sticks over the summer and immediately fell in love. The sheer quality of the sticks is outstanding. I play everything from jazz to metal and these sticks have held their own and lasted longer than any others I've used before. They are made well, durable, and have a great weight to them. Collision knows what they are doing!

Prior to using Collision Drumsticks, I regularly used Vic Firth and Pro Mark Sticks. I found that both brands durability was not there and the sticks barely lasted one hour rehearsal sessions. As soon as I picked up a pair of Collision Sticks I was immediately hooked! There length and feel is ideal for my style! Much love Collision!

I've used just about all major brands over the last thirty plus years. But the second I had Collision Drumsticks 5B in my hands, I knew I was holding something different! The feel, durability and balance of these sticks is unmatched. I'll never play anything else! Thank you Collision for making these amazing sticks!

9 Tama

Light weight & very comfortable...

Light and nice to hold

10 Innovative Percussion

Although in my opinion Vic Firth makes the best drum set sticks, Innovative Percussion is by far the best company for sticks/mallets used to play any other type of drum. Innovative Percussion dominates it's competitors when it comes to marching snare sticks, marching bass mallets, tenor mallets, concert snare sticks, specialty drum sticks, mallets of all sorts, etc.

Best quad sticks I've ever used. Great feel, great balance, great match. Snare sticks are fantastic as well, though some can be a bit weighty when double taped, though it's personal preference and how badly you want to chop out.

I played Vic Firth only for like 8 years and then switched to Innovative mallets and then gave their drumset sticks a try... the best feeling drumstick I've ever played with. It's the hybrid stick

Try them out! I just got an invader pad and they sound great on it!

The Contenders
11 Ayotte
12 Hot Sticks

The first Hot Sticks were created in 1979 and combined many of the features that would establish Hot Sticks reputation as leaders in drumsticks innovation. Not only were the original Hot Sticks the first to offer a variety of brightly colored models, they were the only major drumsticks that incorporated a proprietary dry grinding process to protect the integrity of the wood during production.

13 Pro Orca

Really likes these sticks. Lasted me a very long time. Too bad you just can't buy them anywhere.

14 Nova

Actually really a line under Vic Firth, but they are almost a different make by themselves. Before I used Vader as my main brand, I still have my pair of Nova's, that I still occasionally use, that I really enjoy. Even though they are made by Vic Firth, they are unlike any of their other sticks and are almost a whole separate deal.

Amazing! They are made for hard hitters!

15 Electro Glo Sticks

The colored drumsticks are made of Lexan�, a heat-resistant plastic widely used in today's business equipment and automobile products. It's tough construction offers great durability and they're perfect for novelty songs or showcasing a drum solo.

16 Carbostick

Carbostick is a brand of drum sticks, it produces stick made up of carbon fibre, giving them a lot of resistance and a long life. Their cost is higher than wooden sticks, but the investment is gained over the duration of the sticks.

17 Los Cabos

Absolutely outstanding red hickory line, most durable sticks I have ever played. Their white hickory and maple lines are good also, have good balance and nice a fulcrum but the the red hickory sticks are innovation at its finest.

Great new brand especially with their red hickory line. They are amazingly durable. Their white hickory and maple lines are great for light jazz and funk, but their red hickory is innovation at its finest.

Wood products are great!

Nice balance on 5a

18 Balbex

Mark my words, these guys will keep rising to the top. Arian Van Weesenbeek of Epica ad MaYaN uses these, and they're great. They may be new and unknown for now, but it's only a matter of time before they're being used to bang heads everywhere!

19 Fernando

Same pitch and try to use it to see what is the difference to others...

Very comfortable: )

20 RB Sticks

Each stick is Calculated, then the precise weight needed is added to achieve a balance point for maximum performance, resulting in a faster, better feeling stick that eliminates stick shock. This concept can be applied to improve all drumsticks. RB Drumsticks Immanently improves all drummers playing.

The Best idea & innovation ever. Increased speed, less effort, less motion pain.

Its does just make sense. By moving the center balance back to where you hold the stick, it gives a whole new feel to my playing. Best Sticks ever. See you at NAMM Dave!

The only True Innovation in the industry.

Every other stick on the market is just the same wood, turned and tipped.

These drumsticks assist in playing faster.

that's it.

It just makes sense.

21 Promark LA
22 Ahead

These should clearly be number one, just for the simple fact that they never, break, and they are light as hell and are more balanced then any other drumstick, plus they reduce shock like 20% and are better for your cymbals.

23 Agner

Such amazing sticks, high quality swiss wood and amazing asthetics!

24 Sound Percussion
25 R - stick
8Load More
PSearch List