The ultimate guide to drumsticks

There's more to choosing a drumstick than simply picking a 5A or 5B. The diameter affects the weight and feel, the length changes your reach and leverage, the taper affects the balance and rebound, and the tip can change your cymbal sound.

Then there's the material. Hickory is the most popular choice thanks to its balance of durability, flexibility and shock absorption, while maple offers a lighter feel and oak provides increased density and power.

The good news is that there's no single "correct" drumstick. The best stick is the one that feels comfortable, gives you the sound you want and suits the way you play.

Most traditional drumsticks are labelled with a number and letter, such as 7A, 5A, 5B or 2B.

The number generally gives you an indication of the stick's diameter and weight. Lower numbers tend to be thicker and heavier, while higher numbers are generally thinner and lighter.

The letter originally referred to the intended application, although these days you can use any stick for any style.

7A

A thin, lightweight stick that's particularly popular for jazz, acoustic music and lighter playing.

Typical diameter: Around 0.540".

Ideal for: Jazz, acoustic, funk and lighter playing.

Feel: Light, quick and responsive.

5A

The classic all-rounder. 5A sticks offer a balance of weight, power and manoeuvrability, making them one of the most popular choices for drummers.

Typical diameter: Around 0.565".

Ideal for: Almost anything.

Feel: Balanced and versatile.

5B

A little thicker and heavier than a 5A, giving you more volume, projection and durability.

Typical diameter: Around 0.590".

Ideal for: Rock, pop, heavier playing and practice.

Feel: Solid, powerful and durable.

2B

A large, heavy stick designed for players who want maximum power and durability.

Typical diameter: Around 0.630".

Ideal for: Metal, hard rock and heavy playing.

Feel: Heavy, powerful and substantial.

These sizes aren't universal across every manufacturer, so a 5A from one brand may feel slightly different from another. It's always worth checking the individual specifications when choosing a new stick.

Hickory

Hickory is the most popular drumstick material. It's strong, relatively lightweight and has excellent shock-absorbing properties.

Feel: Balanced, durable and responsive.

Maple

Maple is lighter than hickory, allowing you to use a larger-diameter stick without adding as much weight.

Feel: Lightweight, quick and responsive.

Oak

Oak is denser and heavier than hickory, making it a popular choice for players who want additional power and durability.

Feel: Dense, powerful and durable.

The shape and material of the tip can make a surprisingly big difference to your sound.

Teardrop Tips

Teardrop tips provide a versatile combination of attack and warmth.

Tone: Warm, rich and balanced.

Acorn Tips

Acorn tips have a larger playing surface and can produce a broad, full sound.

Tone: Full, rounded and articulate.

Oval Tips

Oval tips offer a good balance between definition and warmth.

Tone: Balanced and musical.

Barrel Tips

Barrel tips have a relatively large contact area, producing a broad and powerful sound.

Tone: Full, loud and punchy.

Round Tips

Round tips provide a more focused contact point and are popular with players who want a clear, defined cymbal sound.

Tone: Focused, bright and articulate.

Wood vs Nylon Tips

Wood tips provide a natural, warm response and are extremely popular across all styles.

Nylon tips tend to provide a brighter, more consistent cymbal sound and can offer greater tip durability.

The taper describes how quickly the stick narrows between the main shaft and the tip.

Short Taper

A short taper creates a more front-weighted feel and generally provides greater power and durability.

Ideal for: Rock, metal and powerful playing.

Medium Taper

A medium taper provides a balanced feel between the butt and tip.

Ideal for: General-purpose playing.

Long Taper

A longer taper moves more of the weight towards the rear of the stick and can provide increased rebound and a faster response.

Ideal for: Jazz, technical playing and players who prioritise speed.

Vic Firth is one of the biggest names in drumsticks, with an enormous range covering practically every playing style.

Their American Classic range is a great place to start, with popular sizes including 7A, 5A, 5B and 2B. These are available with different tip shapes, materials and finishes, allowing you to fine-tune the feel and sound.

The American Classic 5A is an excellent all-rounder, while the 5B offers more weight and power. Players looking for something between the two can try the 55A.

Vic Firth also produce a huge selection of specialist and artist sticks, including longer models, nylon-tip options and sticks with different balance characteristics. If you're looking for soemthing super specifi, reach out to our drum team, they'd be happy to help!

Vic Firth NOVA

Style: Affordable, versatile and familiar.

NOVA is Vic Firth's more affordable drumstick range, offering many of the most popular sizes at a lower price point.

The range includes familiar options such as 7A, 5A and 5B, making NOVA particularly useful for beginners, students, practice sessions or anyone who gets through a lot of sticks.

It's an easy way to get into the Vic Firth range without spending as much as you would on the American Classic series.

Ideal for: Beginners, students, practice and general playing.

ProMark have built a reputation around innovation, with a huge range of sticks designed around different balances, materials and playing styles.

The Rebound range is designed with a rear-weighted feel, making it particularly appealing to players who prioritise speed and rebound.

Classic Forward sticks have a more front-weighted feel, providing additional power and attack.

For players looking for increased durability, FireGrain uses heat-tempered hickory to increase the lifespan of the stick while retaining a traditional wooden feel.

ProMark also offer ActiveGrip, a heat-activated grip coating designed to provide additional security without requiring you to grip the stick too tightly.

Ideal for: Players looking to fine-tune balance, durability and grip.

Vater have been making drumsticks for decades and are known for their huge selection of sizes, materials, tip shapes and specialist designs.

Their American Hickory range includes all the classic sizes you'd expect, from lightweight 7A sticks through to heavier 5B and 2B options.

The Power series adds extra length and weight, making it particularly useful for rock and heavier playing. Vater also offer specialist ranges such as Fusion, Manhattan and Xtreme Design.

With so many different sizes and tip shapes available, Vater are a great choice if you want to experiment with the feel and balance of your sticks.

Vater Goodwood

Style: Affordable, versatile and reliable.

Goodwood is Vater's more affordable drumstick range, giving players access to popular sizes at a lower price point.

The range includes familiar models such as 7A, 5A and 5B, making it particularly useful for beginners, students, practice sessions and anyone who gets through a lot of sticks.

Goodwood provides a straightforward and affordable way to get into the Vater range without stepping up to the more premium American Hickory models.

Ideal for: Beginners, students, practice and everyday playing.

I'm a beginner

Start with a 5A. It's a versatile size that gives you a good balance of weight, control and power.

I play jazz or lighter styles

Try a 7A or another lightweight stick. A smaller diameter gives you quicker movement and makes it easier to play with finesse.

I play rock

A 5B is a great starting point. It's slightly thicker and heavier than a 5A, giving you more power and durability.

I play metal

Consider a 5B, 2B or heavier stick. You may also want to look at dense materials such as oak or high-durability hickory options.

I break sticks regularly

Hickory is a great starting point, as it offers an excellent combination of durability and shock absorption. You can also experiment with thicker sizes or denser woods such as oak.

I want a bright cymbal sound

Try a nylon tip or a smaller, more focused tip shape.

I want a warm cymbal sound

Go for a wood tip, particularly a teardrop or acorn shape.

I want more reach

Look for a longer stick. Options such as Vic Firth freestyle range or the promark L and XL series add length and leverage.

Choosing drumsticks doesn't need to be complicated. Start by thinking about size, material, tip shape, taper and balance, then consider the style of music you play and how hard you hit.

For a versatile starting point, a 5A hickory stick is difficult to beat. If you want more power, step up to a 5B or 2B. For lighter playing, a 7A can provide the speed and sensitivity you're looking for.

Vic Firth, ProMark and Vater offer huge ranges covering everything from traditional all-rounders to specialist designs. Their more affordable NOVA and Goodwood ranges also make it easy to find reliable sticks for practice, rehearsals and everyday playing without spending as much.

Ultimately, there isn't one "best" drumstick – there's only the best drumstick for your hands, your playing style and your sound.