How to select

Are the drumming sticks only a piece of wood? Not necessarily. The problem of a right choice we understand if we take into account that drum sticks are instrument which extends musician hands. Selection of “best” drum sticks is completely personal decision of each individual. Many drummers do not even think about how much easier the playing could be if they have suitable pair. Even professional drummers often use 2 or 3 different models depending on the song they are playing.

Factors for selection include weight straightness wood type length diameter type of head and subjective factors as “balancing” or “feeling” when playing. When selecting your pair check the quality of wood vessels which must pass parallel and evenly along the rod axis. The balance and lifetime of a drum stick depends largely on the type of wood. Some drummers want a natural sound that is generated by the wooden head. Others prefer a plastic head because it allows constant tone on the cymbal and longer lasting bulbs. Pay attention on the problem of plastic heads falling off which is still present even with some well-known producers. Determine the size of the sticks that lie best in your hand. Make sure to check the thickness and length. It is important to choose a model that can be easily controlled which would allow light playing and achieving the desired sound. Before you decide compare several similar models. With more experience you can quickly choose a model that will fit in almost any situation. You can also be consulted by manufacturer of DynaVox drum sticks.

By using inappropriate sticks the following script can appear:

Inappropriate sticks ⇒ muscular tension ⇒ technical issue ⇒ hinders playing ⇒ more tension ⇒ uncontrollable technical problem ⇒ obstacle in progress ⇒ music for you will no longer be fun

The following questions are essential:

  1. How much volume you require? You play in a jazz trio or the 50-member orchestra without sound system? Are you a member of the loud rock band or wind orchestra? Maybe you play in the symphony orchestra? Visiting the music school? Proper selection of sticks is just as wide as the different music genres listed above.
  2. Hold the sticks in your hand. Feel them by striking on a hard surface of glass or wood. Listen to the sound emitted by and pay attention to the reflection of them in the couple. Hit with two sticks together. If you hear a hollow sound this is a sign of low-quality wood. Weight uniformity of two drum sticks is desirable. Sticks that sound the same usually have a similar weight.
  3. Test sticks straightness by rolling it on the flat surface. Most drummers use this method as the only selection criterion but that is not correct. Experience shows that a good control and feeling are much more important characteristics than sticks straightness itself. Highly bent sticks are not suitable.
  4. From time to time try out new models of drum sticks and watch for a reasonable price. The high price does not necessarily mean more benefit from them. It is also important to know whether the selected models are always available at your supplier. Past experience in Slovenia shows that with each new supply of sticks come slightly different models in the shops. Will your model be able to purchase when most need?

It does not matter which type of music do you play: heavy metal march rock jazz or philharmonic; DynaVox has a wide selection of drum sticks in its program for you.

bobnarske palce izris

Drum stick define the following important variables each in its own way contributes to the final balance. The following parameters are intertwined and this is why the possible combinations pale is much wider. The tip is very improtant for cymbal sound:

  • Wooden heads “acorn” “ellipse” and “barrel” give a darker rich tone on cymbals
  • Wooden form of “ball” in smaller diameters has a natural clear and high tone
  • Nylon type in a shape of the “drop” generates a high clear tone and lasts longer

Drumstick composition

Head of a stick affects the reflective properties. Longer cone assures quick and softer rebound while short one gives harder punch and slower rebound. The length of the cone also influences the sound on the cymbals.

Handle of a stick affects the sound of the drums. It provides a setting of the neutral point and with that the optimal return of the sticks to their initial position. When properly balanced this point is just under 1/3 of a stick length. Each drummer individually adjusts it by eye. Usually it is constantly adjusted. For instance when changing the volume or with the transition to the faster passages.

The thickness of a stick provides the required power the stronger impact and reduces potential breaking. Thinner sticks are lighter faster and easier to perform technically challenging phrases.
Lenght of a stick has the function of the lever. Shorter have a lower impact than longer. Long sticks are generally slower than the shorter since they require more input energy from a drummer. 
The surface is coated with organic lacquer suitable for dry and wet hands. After the buyer’s desire we can integrate an additional anti-slip means to the coating.
Wood is important to the response of sticks and durability of the product. DynaVox sticks are made of hickory and other wood, because our 35 years research and experience has shown in some more appropriate materials.

 

  • Cornus automatically amplifies its surface – hard head wear of sticks is slow and steady. Sticks from this wood generate specific voluminous sound on the drums.
  • Xylopia wood is lightweight it has high flexibility and resistance to fracture and a quicker response.

The sound on the cymbal:

  • models 7A Jazz and 7AD provide brilliant bright tone on the cymbal
  • models 5A 5AD 5ASL 6A and 7A generate bright natural tone
  • models 2A and 3A give medium-high and rich tone on the cymbal
  • all other models give medium-high and powerful tone