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What’s on this page?

• How sticks are made?

• Material selection

• Tip selection

• Shape

• Links to brands

Material selection

Most of the drumsticks are made of wood. Wood type is the key element to a drumstick’s response and durability.

Hickory: is the most popular wood used for making drumsticks. Hickory is denser, heavier and more rigid than maple. Hickory can also absorb a great amount of shock, which reduces hand and wrist fatigue. Dark, or “brown hickory”, is found closer to the trees centre and is slightly denser and heavier than “white hickory”. About 85% of all wooden drumsticks are made of hickory.

Maple: is a much lighter and less dense wood than hickory. Maple can provide the feel of a big stick without the extra weight of a hickory stick. Maple sticks are primarily used for light, fast playing in low volume situations. About 14% of all wooden drumsticks are made of maple.

Oak: is the biggest, heaviest wood. It sounds very bright on the cymbals, and is very heavy and very un-flexible. It is a very durable stick. Just a few wooden drumsticks are made of oak.

Hickory, Maple and Oak are the most popular wood for making drumsticks. Next to these there are a few brands that make drumsticks of White Beech, Hornbeam, Lancewood or Massaranduba.

Wood is the most popular material for making drumsticks. Next to wood there are a few brands that make drumsticks of Aluminum, Graphite or Nylon.

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Tip selection
Tip shapes are the main factor that affects the overall sound the stick will make on drums and cymbals.
	Teardrop: tips produce rich, dark tones with focused lows.
	Barrel: tips produce a full punchy sound. Great for louder volume situations.
	Ball or Round: tips produce a clean, bright and articulate sound.
	Acorn: tips produce a full, fat sound. Very responsive.
	Oval or Olive: tips produce a broad, mid range sound due to tip length.
	Nylon: tips produce a brighter sound than wood tip models. More durable than wood tips.
	Mushroom: tips responds quickly when struck hard and sings when played on cymbals.
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Shape

There are four main components that make up a drumstick. They are responsible for the overall feel, balance and response of the drumsticks.

Length: affects the balance and fulcrum point of all drumsticks. Longer sticks offer greater reach and leverage, while shorter sticks are easier to control and tend to feel “quicker”.

Thickness: affects the durability and overall weight of the stick, as well as the “feel” of the stick in the hand. Thicker sticks are more durable and heavy, while thinner models offer a lighter, more sensitive feel.

Shoulder: profile affects the weight distribution of the stick, and has an effect on the sense of rebound.

Taper: of the shoulder affects the feel and performance of a stick. A long taper provides more flex and a greater response, while a short taper is stiffer and offers additional strength.

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