tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post3457753303262183246..comments2024-03-28T13:45:40.907-07:00Comments on Cruise Ship Drummer!: Jazz stick roundupTodd Bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814005635510193577noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post-62250913983859268702019-01-15T13:30:01.048-08:002019-01-15T13:30:01.048-08:00Sad to say that I just learned that Promark has di...Sad to say that I just learned that Promark has discontinued that stick. I just spent the last hour online buying every pair I could find!John Olsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post-77557159779372257702019-01-15T11:10:24.610-08:002019-01-15T11:10:24.610-08:00I really love the feel of maple sticks, even in th...I really love the feel of maple sticks, even in the days when I was playing rock (and subsequently breaking lots of sticks). The Vic Firth SD9 Drivers were a favorite for a long time. Now that I'm playing jazz 3 nights a week at the same club (for nearly 9 years now), I need something smaller that still feels good at what I would describe as low-volume playing. I've tried AJ2's, AJ6's, SD4 Combos and even Regal Tip Jake Hanna's. For the last couple of years, I've absolutely loved the Promark Rock Maple Jazz Café MJZ-7 stick. It's like a small version of the Vic Firth SD-10 - small as in shorter and with a smaller tip, but with a diameter that still feels great in your hand and with incredible balance. It's what drum industry legend Phil Hulsey would refer to as a "Salesman's Stick," because it makes EVERY Ride Cymbal sound good. I typically play Istanbul Agop's on my weekly gig, but this stick works equally well on Old K's, Old A's, Paiste 602's and even my Sound Creation Dark ride. It might feel really small to you at first, but give them a shot for a piano Trio gig or some other lower volume application. I finally broke one last week when I was digging in a bit on My Agop Signature 22" ride, but that's the only one I've broken in almost 2 years. The tips hold up longer than hickory which is a plus as well. I'd never played Promark sticks much before this, but I'm really happy with the consistency and quality of the wood.John Olsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post-23631971705961730622019-01-04T12:33:31.334-08:002019-01-04T12:33:31.334-08:00I'm getting used to the Birdlands-- I think I&...I'm getting used to the Birdlands-- I think I'm even learning to get a sound I can live with in the practice room. Initially I preferred the Regal 7As, but the length of the Birdlands may tip that in their favor. <br /><br />The instantaneous dynamic change thing has been a major revelation— it's a thing with the Brazilian drummers I listen to, so it's been a developing part of my playing, but those big sticks move so much air it's been impossible for me to actually do it-- without choking the cymbals, which I never do. <br /><br />And the little sticks affect the blend in an interesting way-- at least with the piano and bass. It's a much more co-equal sound. <br /><br />Let me know how you like the La Backbeats-- I'll write the guy, too. Todd Bishophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814005635510193577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post-36656967610488009512019-01-04T05:42:37.011-08:002019-01-04T05:42:37.011-08:00Todd, I'm glad you got something out of those ...Todd, I'm glad you got something out of those Birdlands. I also used the opportunity to investigate different stick models and I'm also corresponding with Frank Kincel from LA Backbeat and wait to receive some of his different models as soon as he has them ready. <br />I'm not saying that you need to use those Bopworks sticks in order to play "real" jazz, but they indeed change your perception of how drums were played in the old days. <br />My drums and cymbals don't sound very full and pleasant when played alone in my room, but they are chosen and tuned to complement all the other instruments in the band. <br />And I did need the Birdlands to learn that lesson. <br />That whole experience began with the AJ6 and I used to break them a lot in the beginning. But they changed the way I played drums and I can't even remember the last time when I l broke a stick.Michael Grienerhttp://www.michaelgriener.denoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post-10913662055238554282019-01-03T19:24:47.024-08:002019-01-03T19:24:47.024-08:00I was surprised when a drummer at our Berlin meet ...I was surprised when a drummer at our Berlin meet pulled out a pair of Echos-- they seem very extreme for drumset. I can see using them maybe with an unmiked cellist. I've also noticed a not-insignificant number of people using VF Boleros. <br /><br />I had exactly that experience with the Slammers on a very fancy custom thin 24"--- they totally overwhelmed it. I couldn't get a sound with them on that cymbal at any volume. Todd Bishophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814005635510193577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587725.post-80325717896437902742019-01-03T18:05:37.919-08:002019-01-03T18:05:37.919-08:00Nice. Good to learn about Bopworks.
I've used...Nice. Good to learn about Bopworks.<br /><br />I've used Regal Tip 8A in maple (the hickory version is fine as well for heavy playing) for ages. To me, they feel similar to the SD4, but are somehow easier to play.<br /><br />I think that the Vic Firth SD10 is a nice, thick stick.<br /><br />I've noticed that thick sticks on some thin hand hammered cymbals (like certain models of Istanbul Agop) can feel 'bashy'.<br /><br />I used to play the Vic Firth SD5 Echo sticks when playing very quiet, but they just didn't draw enough sound from the cymbals. It felt like I was one step away from using individual bamboo skewers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com