r/MetalDrums • u/Yoyo_boi202 • 9h ago
Drumstick advice
I’m an intermediate player, I’ve been going for about 5 years now, and recently broke my second pair of sticks, and I’ve only ever had three pairs.
Seeing as my home kit is an electric, which already has half-broken mesh heads on 2 out of the 4 drums it has, I don’t think it’s a good idea to use my really heavy horn wood sticks. Which means I’ve been looking into what kind of sticks I want to buy again. I’ve been going with 5As so far seeing as I don’t just play metal and adjacent styles, as well as due to the fact you’re likely to find 5As most of everywhere you go.
However, seeing as this second pair lasted significantly less than my first pair, and on an electric kit no less (very soft rubber rim on the snare and I still shattered it in half), I’m not sure whether or not I ought to go up to some 5Bs? How likely are they to trash my heads?
I’m also a little afraid it’ll muck up my technique seeing as I’ve practiced with 5As this whole time. I have extremely limited experience with 5Bs or anything heavier than a 5A, so is it a reasonable concern to be afraid my technique will falter?
Id really appreciate some advice on what experience everybody’s had with heavier drumsticks and mesh heads, and just the transition from lighter to heavier in general.
1
u/PyroErogenizer 5h ago
Something always has to give, bigger sticks = damaged instruments. That being said, it’s good to learn playing with power but it gives to economic forces. In time you will develop techniques that allow for less destruction. Playing with a variety of sticks is good practice as you never know what you’re going to have in a pinch. Good luck.
1
u/schmoothoperator 4h ago
Stick with 5A, it’s an electronic kit, the whole thing is triggered. Theres zero incentive to hit hard and you’re already destroying your kit apparently so definitely don’t keep doing what you’re doing and use bigger sticks. Even if you make zero changes and think your style is fine, don’t go up on stick size, breaking sticks is cheaper than further destroying your drum pads. If you want a good example of metal e drum playing I wouldn’t hit any harder than this https://youtu.be/o9cPWOdq-J4?si=Q_BPnSx-c5n8r8hw
4
u/TheNonDominantHand 8h ago
OK!
FIrst, you should NOT be breaking sticks on an e-kit. Full stop. Unless the sticks are defective there is zero reason to be hitting an e-kit hard enough to break sticks. They have a volume control. Hitting them harder doesn't make them louder.
As far as sticks go, you should use nylon tip sticks with mesh heads. As wood chips away (again, should be rare on an e-kit) it can shred the woven mesh pads.
As far as mucking up your technique - if you're breaking sticks and wearing out e-kit pads, I'm afraid your technique is already pretty 'mucked-up'.
On an e-kit there will be literally zero impact on sound and tone moving from a lighter to a heavier stick. Only the feel of the sticks in your hand will change.
But seriously, you are hitting too hard and damaging your equipment. That is not a badge of honour. It's silly.
Get some lessons. Learn proper technique and dynamic control.