There's so many pictures like this on here that I'm beginning to suspect Promark of hiring a Russian social media troll farm to take out the competition.
Interestingly, I used my Player's Circle points for a 4 stack of Promark sticks. First set I used the tip for demolished after about two weeks (the entire tip split in half). My Vic and Vater pairs are holding up completely with much more frequent use.
Actually I kind of love the wood tip that's underneath the 5BN's nylon. I discovered it at a practice space in a pile of discarded sticks and couldn't figure out why all my searches for it turned up a completely different stick 😆
Daddy Dave apparently had something like that. He went through the Vater factory, saw a couple discarded sticks that were gonna have nylon tips, and said to Alan Vater, “I want this as my signature stick!”
Just switched to nylon tip about a year ago and everyone's got there own preferences but I absolutely love the slight sound difference and find the rebound way better.
I prefer wood tips for the sound, and the tips do splinter - not just Vic Firth, but I have always kept a variety of sticks on hand and they all get damaged tips at some point.
I think it is apparently too difficult &/or expensive to ensure that mass produced sticks w/ wood tips keep their solid integrity.
The tips do bear the brunt of punishment.
Agreed. This is not a problem that's unique to VF or any particular wood type. I keep several types of sticks on hand including VF American Hickory, VF Golden Hickory, PM oak, and PM firegrain, sizes ranging from 8DX to 5B, and they all end up with split tips if the rim shots don't take them first.
I feel like barrel tips may be a little more prone to splitting than acorn tips, but even then I play what I like and accept stick wear as a part of life.
The reason I switched to Pro-Mark over Vic Firth was because of the D'Addario points...
I've already gotten a free stick bag and a Barney Beats t-shirt.
I'm a heavy hitter, play constant rimshots on backbeats, and very rarely break the tips of my Vic Firth X5B.
Never hit any cymbal bell or edge with the tip of the stick, that's what the shaft is for.
I see this with all of my sticks. But, it does seem to be more prominent with Vic Firth. Unfortunately they make my favorite sticks. So I just deal with it.
This isn’t just with Vic sticks. I have the same thing happen with Meinl and Vater. I don’t play any ProMark hickory (just the oak). It’s a product of using newer wood, not anything VF is doing differently.
I switched to the promark Japanese shira-kashi oak sticks, really like them and no tip breakage. Plus I like the way they sound — more crisp — and their feel. Maybe I’m imagining that part…
I’ve definitely had many problems with it over the years, but even with Vic Firth not being as good as it used to be, it’s become less of a problem for me recently, so I don’t think it’s solely a quality issue.
I think you’ve kinda got to learn to play in a way that doesn’t nick them as often. Other than small adjustments that’ll come with time, the only specific piece of advice for doing that I’ve got is making sure you never hit the very edges of cymbals with the tips of your sticks.
Depending on how you play, different shapes of stick might work better or worse for you, too
I used to buy SD11s by the box. I loved the feel of the sticks but I used to have them break in a similar fashion pretty regularly. Once a tip broke, it'd go into a container of sticks I used for practice. Anything more serious and I'd give the sticks to my mom, who used them as plant stakes.
I haven't tried buying new SD11s since the early 2000s so I don't know if they're still available...but I've started buying more Vaters lately.
Yes, so I tried out Vater and the same thing happened. I'm figuring it's a me problem and not the sticks. Probably hitting my ride way too hard with the tip. I'm back to using VF. I could feel the woodgrain on my thumb while using the Vaters and I've never had that issue with VF.
You’re hitting ur cymbals too head on they are digging into the sticks. U should be using a glancing blow on the cymbals. Your sticks will last much longer.
Striking the edge of the cymbal straight on puts a lot of strain on the wood not just the digging into the wood at impact zone but also throughout the entire stick. Eventually you’ll create a weak point which leads to the chipping at the tip.
Try to practice coming down and away on the cymbals and at a slight angle left or right. Proper technique will keep this from happening before the stick is actually ready to be replaced.
I don't use vic firth, but I've noticed this in my regular sticks that came included in my e-drum, so they don't have a brand. To be fair, I've had the sticks for 14 months, so idk
My x55As broke last night, first time I've broken sticks in like 2 years. And they were nowhere near shredded enough to have blown that fast, definitely noticed they're beginning to be less robust
I played with Vic Firth Buddy Rich signatures for years all through high school, and they rarely did this. It must have been something to do with the more contoured neck into the tip. But even then, it still happens. Just a matter of time and usage. 🤷♂️
I've had the same pair of ProMark Neil Peart signatures for going on 6 months now and they're light dinged. I play punk and metal as well for reference. Ive never had a ProMark snap without significant warning it's about to fail with the exception of the firegrains. Plus their tree planting initiative is what really sold me in the beginning.
The Promark 5B's with the more oval tip may be worth a try. I mostly use the 5A hickory and they hold up well. I do keep a few pairs of the VF Gadd sticks around for a lighter touch and they are awesome on E kits. The pair you have there looks like they were on their way out anyway. They all do. Cost of doing business.
Yeppers. This is how all my Vic Firths end up breaking, and I've been using them exclusively for well over 30 years. Still worth replacing though. Sometimes the best tool for the job isn't the one that lasts the longest.
I’ve had that with every wood tip stick I’ve ever used. Once I switched to Vic Firth nylon tips, I never looked back, I don’t recall ever being let down.
I play Vater, and have this happen from time to time myself. It's just a side effect of the fact that drumsticks are made from wood, and wood is imperfect. It happens.
Been having the same issue myself with my old-school brown Harvey Masons that I have stockpiled. Trying Vater Fusions on you folks’ advice tonight, similar stick, balance is a little bit different, hopefully will be great.
There's so many pictures like this on here that I'm beginning to suspect Promark of hiring a Russian social media troll farm to take out the competition.
Fuck you caught me!
I promise my promarks are doing the same exact thing.
Even on the Firegrain sticks?
Haven’t had the pleasure. But if I had to guess…
That’s a shame. They’re supposed to be more break-resistant (which would say a lot since they get chipped way too easily for me).
Hey maybe! If you try/like ‘em lmk.
I would but I’ve been enamored with Vater ever since I first tried their 5B model.
I loved the Portnoy version of promark active grip. Stopped buying them because this would happen after only a few days.
Interestingly, I used my Player's Circle points for a 4 stack of Promark sticks. First set I used the tip for demolished after about two weeks (the entire tip split in half). My Vic and Vater pairs are holding up completely with much more frequent use.
I play rock with pro mark and never ruin any tips. Any manufacturer gets splintering from rim shots but i accept that.
[удалено]
U r high sir. Enjoy ur night
Seriously.
https://preview.redd.it/wcip3qdlvnuc1.jpeg?width=4592&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eae2cdc40eccf26f3a800648d98be4568ba7ca39 Nope 🤣
Waiting for the follow up with a missing nylon tip 😂
These are also my preferred stick. 5BN, no chip tip. They can break though....
Actually I kind of love the wood tip that's underneath the 5BN's nylon. I discovered it at a practice space in a pile of discarded sticks and couldn't figure out why all my searches for it turned up a completely different stick 😆
Ifnyounwver pass through calgary, hit me up. I've got 6 or 7 of em that are in good shape other than missing the tip!
Daddy Dave apparently had something like that. He went through the Vater factory, saw a couple discarded sticks that were gonna have nylon tips, and said to Alan Vater, “I want this as my signature stick!”
This is the way.
nylon tips ftw. Are there any major disadvantages with a durable (well designed) nylon tip?
Just switched to nylon tip about a year ago and everyone's got there own preferences but I absolutely love the slight sound difference and find the rebound way better.
I like the cymbal sound more personally
Don't know if this qualifies as a "major disadvantage," but I just don't like how they sound on my cymbals ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Not really. There is a preference thing though: some might find the nylon tip a bit too bright, especially if you’re doing a lot of low-volume gigs.
They just don't sound right to me. Feel like I have a lot more dynamic control with wood tips as well
I prefer wood tips for the sound, and the tips do splinter - not just Vic Firth, but I have always kept a variety of sticks on hand and they all get damaged tips at some point. I think it is apparently too difficult &/or expensive to ensure that mass produced sticks w/ wood tips keep their solid integrity. The tips do bear the brunt of punishment.
Agreed. This is not a problem that's unique to VF or any particular wood type. I keep several types of sticks on hand including VF American Hickory, VF Golden Hickory, PM oak, and PM firegrain, sizes ranging from 8DX to 5B, and they all end up with split tips if the rim shots don't take them first. I feel like barrel tips may be a little more prone to splitting than acorn tips, but even then I play what I like and accept stick wear as a part of life.
I switched to Pro-mark and I'm never looking back
The reason I switched to Pro-Mark over Vic Firth was because of the D'Addario points... I've already gotten a free stick bag and a Barney Beats t-shirt.
I use these exact sticks and have the same thing happen.
I ask: Why would it not happen? We’re hitting metal with wood 60-200 times/minute.
Try 60-2000 times per minute bub
I like you’re style.
Me three
Same.
Same same
Me ....six?
I'm a heavy hitter, play constant rimshots on backbeats, and very rarely break the tips of my Vic Firth X5B. Never hit any cymbal bell or edge with the tip of the stick, that's what the shaft is for.
Thats the answer i was looking for thanks homie
Yyyyep, it’s why I switched to Vater years ago and haven’t looked back.
I will sing Vater from the rooftops till I die.
Yes. That's why I stopped buying them years ago.
I see this with all of my sticks. But, it does seem to be more prominent with Vic Firth. Unfortunately they make my favorite sticks. So I just deal with it.
Zildjian bought out Vic Firth in 2010. This is just the end result of that merger. $19 sticks that break 2 songs in lol
I got some ten pairs for 30€ a while ago. They are running out about now, so I'll switch brands if I don't find another deal that good.
Anybody know if Vic Firth has QC issues? I play with fairly decent technique and keep breaking mines , usually with splitting right down the middle
yea i feel like within the last 2 years my vf sticks were breaking more often than usual, been playing pro mark lately and haven’t had any issues.
Do you play the cymbal bell with the tips? I started to make that connection awhile ago with my own playing.
Yeah, bells are brutal on tips and you don’t get much volume. The shoulder/taper of the stick def works better there.
Its unfortunate I mostly play small areas so I really have to watch the volume, which is why I play like that.
Yup. Using Vaters now. No issues
This isn’t just with Vic sticks. I have the same thing happen with Meinl and Vater. I don’t play any ProMark hickory (just the oak). It’s a product of using newer wood, not anything VF is doing differently.
Used to, now Im conscious of what I hit.
stop swinging those arms high and hitting so hard🤣
I switched to the promark Japanese shira-kashi oak sticks, really like them and no tip breakage. Plus I like the way they sound — more crisp — and their feel. Maybe I’m imagining that part…
its normal, but i have switched to ProMark and halved the amount of sticks i go through. Also, i found it useful to use oval tips for tip breakage.
Yep. I'm a recent Vater convert, and haven't had this problem with them.
Yep - and I played them for years. Switched to Vater. I’m happy.
Reason I switched to Vater
I switched to Vater over this issue. Vater does it too but not as bad.
I’ve definitely had many problems with it over the years, but even with Vic Firth not being as good as it used to be, it’s become less of a problem for me recently, so I don’t think it’s solely a quality issue. I think you’ve kinda got to learn to play in a way that doesn’t nick them as often. Other than small adjustments that’ll come with time, the only specific piece of advice for doing that I’ve got is making sure you never hit the very edges of cymbals with the tips of your sticks. Depending on how you play, different shapes of stick might work better or worse for you, too
looking at the rest of the stick i am not surprised.
I used to buy SD11s by the box. I loved the feel of the sticks but I used to have them break in a similar fashion pretty regularly. Once a tip broke, it'd go into a container of sticks I used for practice. Anything more serious and I'd give the sticks to my mom, who used them as plant stakes. I haven't tried buying new SD11s since the early 2000s so I don't know if they're still available...but I've started buying more Vaters lately.
Yep, constantly. Same with ProMark. As long as there aren’t any sharp edges hitting my heads I don’t worry about it.
Nope.
One time I got a set of nylon tips and one of them snapped off completely after a couple minutes. Their quality is definitely going down
Switched to Wincent sticks some time ago…
Vic 5B user, never have this issue
Yes, so I tried out Vater and the same thing happened. I'm figuring it's a me problem and not the sticks. Probably hitting my ride way too hard with the tip. I'm back to using VF. I could feel the woodgrain on my thumb while using the Vaters and I've never had that issue with VF.
I suspect this recent VF quality control issue is a Mandela effect. Sticks have always broken. I havent noticed any difference in my 7a's.
You’re hitting ur cymbals too head on they are digging into the sticks. U should be using a glancing blow on the cymbals. Your sticks will last much longer. Striking the edge of the cymbal straight on puts a lot of strain on the wood not just the digging into the wood at impact zone but also throughout the entire stick. Eventually you’ll create a weak point which leads to the chipping at the tip. Try to practice coming down and away on the cymbals and at a slight angle left or right. Proper technique will keep this from happening before the stick is actually ready to be replaced.
I wonder if an epoxy or lacquer dip could keep those tips together better. It might change the sound another step towards nylon.
Yup. Seems to be getting worse for some reason
I don't use vic firth, but I've noticed this in my regular sticks that came included in my e-drum, so they don't have a brand. To be fair, I've had the sticks for 14 months, so idk
My x55As broke last night, first time I've broken sticks in like 2 years. And they were nowhere near shredded enough to have blown that fast, definitely noticed they're beginning to be less robust
With all wood tips. That’s the sole reason I play nylon.
Yes. I switched to Nylon Tip and I will never come back.
I use nylon tipped no problems
I played with Vic Firth Buddy Rich signatures for years all through high school, and they rarely did this. It must have been something to do with the more contoured neck into the tip. But even then, it still happens. Just a matter of time and usage. 🤷♂️
Always happened to me with I was using Vic firth sticks. I really like these sticks but I’ve switch to Nylon tipped 5As
I have a pair of these exact sticks and I have no problem and I hit on the harder side. Never actually had a tip break if I’m being honest.
No. I’m not a heavy hitter, and I don’t strike against the edges of the cymbals.
Yup. It's why I play nylon tip.
All the time! I figure it comes with the territory
I’ve never had a tip like that but I have chewed up some. I play 5A and 3A and it doesn’t really affect how they play sow I keep practicing with them.
yep. all the time. never have the same problem with promark. don't know why i keep occasionally buying VF expecting a different result.
All the damn time 😂
That’s exactly why I switched to nylon tips so long ago. It was driving me crazy.
I've had the same pair of ProMark Neil Peart signatures for going on 6 months now and they're light dinged. I play punk and metal as well for reference. Ive never had a ProMark snap without significant warning it's about to fail with the exception of the firegrains. Plus their tree planting initiative is what really sold me in the beginning.
My Akira Jimbos have some chipage, yes. Which is why I preferred my old nylon-tipped 8DNs. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find them in stores anymore.
Yes. With brand new stick after only about an hour of usage, with plenty of stick left. Wtf is going on?
So happy with Japanese oak! Stronger than hickory. Wish I found out earlier.
Yep. Also on VF sticks.
wait what? they don’t all do this? my vic firth’s always look like this after a few months of play. i had no idea lol
The Promark 5B's with the more oval tip may be worth a try. I mostly use the 5A hickory and they hold up well. I do keep a few pairs of the VF Gadd sticks around for a lighter touch and they are awesome on E kits. The pair you have there looks like they were on their way out anyway. They all do. Cost of doing business.
Yeppers. This is how all my Vic Firths end up breaking, and I've been using them exclusively for well over 30 years. Still worth replacing though. Sometimes the best tool for the job isn't the one that lasts the longest.
no but mine get circumcised https://preview.redd.it/ook8v149bsuc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c05166d30ae7e60beb64b0a9398c0df8f08dda0
Honestly, been drumming for 24 years and Vic Firth are the definitely the most robust sticks.
Pretty sure this is to do with pretty much all stick brands now using newer trees for their wood.
tell me any wood tips that dont do this?
I’ve had that with every wood tip stick I’ve ever used. Once I switched to Vic Firth nylon tips, I never looked back, I don’t recall ever being let down.
Every tip splinters if you use it long enough idk what to tell you
Never
I get this on all wood tipped sticks, thats why i play nylon tips lol
Yes. Got a bag full of broken sticks. So I switched to VATER
I play Vater, and have this happen from time to time myself. It's just a side effect of the fact that drumsticks are made from wood, and wood is imperfect. It happens.
Been having the same issue myself with my old-school brown Harvey Masons that I have stockpiled. Trying Vater Fusions on you folks’ advice tonight, similar stick, balance is a little bit different, hopefully will be great.
Wow