Carter Beauford: Why I Switched to Vic.

Carter Beauford is a drummer who needs no introduction. His signature sound and musical approach to the drums have inspired a generation of players to pick up the sticks!
We caught up with Carter at a recent gig and he told us what it was that made him want to be a Vic Firth artist in the first place.
So, now we want to know: what's your story? When did you first pick up a pair of Vic's? Leave us a comment below, or drop us a message on Facebook: / vicfirth.company

[@johnjamesmclaughlin]

No only is he an amazing drummer but a fantastic saleman

[@nicholaswilkinson6126]

Carter Beauford is literally THE part of Dave Matthews Band that does it for me the most.

[@Dan52484]

Promark Carter signature sticks have been my stick of choice for 15 years. I love them and couldn't imagine using anything else.

[@dingaia]

I love the smile on his face when plays, you can tell he just loves his job his eclectic approach to music is what makes him unique and he grooves so good one of my heroes by far one of the most creative drummers out there

[@archibaldikowski3646]

i now use vic firth to insert it in every hole of my body and its awesome! i tried a lot of other companies, but it doesnt give me that kind of feel, they just dont feel right. i still remember that day, when i put vic firth in, lets say, like my nose for the first time and it was a whole different story right from the start, i instantly knew, thats the one. since then only vic firth gives me full pleasure and its like theyre a part of me, they just become one!

[@JacobABulloch]

+archi baldikowski what

[@nickpaternostro2611]

Don't take too much credit, Vic Firth...this guy could play with two tree branches.

[@Jay902017]

Been Using Vic's for 30 years, 7A and 5A Nylon , Nothing Touches My Hands When I am Playing But Vic's Sticks, They Actually Do Sing

[@seanlakey181]

I could watch him play for hours on end

[@rileyjones3703]

Vic is the GOAT of drumsticks for sure. I play them also. I never played Pro-Mark but I did play Zildjian sticks prior to that. Can't beat Vic Firth.

[@beals6631]

That was the best commercial I’ve ever seen

[@Dunkaroos248]

Carter’s so good, he could whittle a few twigs and sound amazing

[@johnjamesmclaughlin]

He can have a career in sales that's fo show

[@don4476]

I don't always play the drums, but when I do I use Vic Firth Peter Erskine signatures. Good for jazz when you don't have to play louder than the rest of the band. Always straight and well balanced.

[@nathanwolf5066]

Based erskine user

[@Emanyeboah_]

when i was at church, i picked up extreme 5Bs and started making noises.whenever i play hard they are not broken i totally recommend this stick brand!

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I love Vic Firth!!!!!! Whenever I play the 5A sticks, they just feel very natural. I used both Vic Firth and Pro Mark, but Vic sticks just feel better to me. I use 5A Barrel Tips on my acoustic kit and regular 5A on my electronic kit.

[@yeetfeet1878]

I seemed to be seeing some great stuff about it. I usually use a 2B Vic firth or Danney Carey signatures but I will try out the Vic firth 5A extreme nylon!

[@manofculture8666]

What's crazy is that, before switching to Vic Firth's 5B Hickory sticks... I always used to buy the Shira Kashi Oak 5B Promark sticks. The Promark sticks always snapped, whereas the Vic Firth sticks just wore out (mainly due to rimshots) rather than flat out snapping.

[@bidder321]

I stopped using them for the same reason haha

[@animalbeats]

Best Vic vid I've seen

[@thefluxcapacitor1]

I have to agree with Carter. I've been using Vic Firth for 16 years now, and I can honestly say that I don't like playing anything else. Periodically I will try another brand (just to see) and it just reaffirms my love for Vic Firth sticks. To me, they are an extension of my hands more than they are sticks. That's the way it feels anyways. My personal favorites are the Buddy Rich signature sticks with nylon tips. I personally haven't played a better stick.

[@ferd1572]

Same. When I first got a pair of Vic Firth 5BN I just knew that was it

[@thefluxcapacitor1]

Ferd I actually switched to the 2BN’s a few years ago. Great sticks.

[@jiz1825]

I've had a couple of promark sticks and it's true, they always get bowed after a period of time. Especially in our city where the weather's so cold. I tried Vic Firth once, I never then looked for other sticks.

[@Tdrums8]

Vator sticks are pretty good also .The sugar maple 5bs sound nice on the kit and you get less arm fatigue using maple after playing for 4 hours

[@erikondrums]

Vic makes good sticks. Vater, zildjian and Regal Tip as well. But Pro-Mark Todd Sucherman are my favorites. Even though Dave Weckls old stick and the SD4 Combo are also really good sticks. Vater has a great jazz model and the Blazer maple sticks are really good too!

[@andrumalm]

I want to start a drumstick company called "Banana Sticks" bowed AND slippery. A new stick that challenges drummers to step up and see past the stick. :)

[@HardstyleCatalyst]

It changes the pop It changes the snare It changes the sound everywhere When I have to chose a stick You know I'll always stick with Vic

[@BarenLevi]

3:31 he meant that in his chest lol I used to play promark and would get warped sticks sometimes. Been playing Vic firth for 15 years now and have never seen a warped stick ever

[@glud800]

This is THE MAN 😱

[@800adam008]

such a good guy

[@metalman343]

Been using Promark 747 ShiraKashi OAK for years now. Tried every damn stick before that. Literally, every company and most sizes. Only problem with Japanese oak sticks are, they definitely transfer the vibration and impact to the hands and wrist more than hickory. I desire that extra feedback though so it is all preference.

[@YouthDrummer]

Its down to preference really. It's all psychological. If you feel like this brand is for you, use it because you want to, not because everyone plays it. I love Pro Mark sticks personally. I've used vic firth's are they are great as well but I just like Pro Mark. To each their own, stop bitching about who is better and such.

[@larrytate1657]

Vic firth feels like they use more lacquer and I like that feel better. More comfy and the sticks don't feel as dry and blister u up as much. Ever try the white sticks from Vic so comfy! I like Vater fusions too though and Todd sucherman pro marks are not bad being they're maple

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

YouthDrummer for me, Vic snap WAY now frequently thanPro Mark. I also have used nylon tipped, and Vic's would pop off in the middle of a groove on the ride. I'm a Pro Mark natural guy now.

[@SethParr]

@@larrytate1657 I second the Vater Fusions. I'm a big fan of the Vater Rocks and the Vic Firth Peter Erskine sticks. Use what works for you...Vic Firth, Vater, Pro Mark, etc.

[@LivingUpstate]

I love how he said " that other company" lol

[@Suprkn1]

I'm with you.

[@handidrummed]

..ran out of room. But when it comes to brushes and what not, I play just about every brand. I love Regal Tip for wire and nylon brushes, but I use VF for Mallets and Pro-Mark for hotrod type sticks. Vater makes Cajon brushes that I like.

[@funkyvas]

Which snare drum is he using?at first look it seems like an African Mahogany snare drum... It sounds amazing as most of his snare drums... :)...

[@M4RCM0NT31R0]

Ludwig Alex Van Halen Rosewood snare

[@knuckledragger549]

Q : do you know what a metronome is? A : A little short guy from the big city. God bless Y'all.

[@DrumRoody]

Ive never seen or used a bowed stick. Which company sends out bowed sticks?

[@Porfmasterflex21]

Yes very true!!!

[@edmundtayhokim]

FIRST GUSTA !

[@TheThurstonQuad]

"Those sticks I used from 'That OTHER company'" XD

[@M4RCM0NT31R0]

*coughs* Promark *coughs*

[@zechariahgober3935]

What is the name of that song starting at 2:35?

[@drummer3125]

I've had many Pro Mark sticks that were bowed and not equally weighted also. One stick in a pair much heavier than the other. So, I switched to Vic Firth and the sticks are pretty equal in weight, but I got to many that were bowed. Now I've been using Vater sticks for several years and I think they are the best out there. However, all gear that people use is a matter of opinion. The best is what you like best.

[@gmorton916]

A bowed Vic Firth stick?--REALLY?????

[@ImTheDrummer115]

Vater is the best stick company. I find many inconsistencies in Vic Firth sticks, and they are extremely breakable. Vater Hickory is incredibly durable.

[@johnbensinger4931]

I tried vater but I got unequally weighted sticks

[@numlol1]

Is that china a 24 inch or 22? And is it a K series?

[@J-Modz1]

Promark must be beside themselves having supported this guy for years.

[@handidrummed]

It's not fanboyism if you only like one brand because the others don't offer what you like. YOU might think the other companies make awesome sticks, and that's fine, but I personally don't find it to be true. I used to play Vater, but I started getting inconsistent sticks after years of being happy with them. I also wanted a stick that they didn't make. Pro-Mark's QC is horrible, and I gave them chance after chance. Regal Tip has a feel I don't like and the sticks aren't always straight.

[@TokenYeahPunGuy]

Regal Tip is notorious for bananas.

[@nielswil]

Is he left handed or right handed?

[@jhan_drums]

Footjoy golf gloves on both hands! haha

[@nickpaternostro2900]

He's got a signature glove now!

[@Lanishathe]

I have until now only VICS but was played with the last pair not satisfied, because the painting was too strong and the sticks almost out of hand flew me or who lack the seam not recorded and is a puddle of sweat on the shaft that made me the play difficult.

[@jusepomarametcaceresvargas9668]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww graet man

[@AquaAnim]

Sure if you want bent sticks and inconsistent weight. Ive bought and gave promark to many tries over 40 pairs, and 90% have a defect.

[@larrytate1657]

What are these similar to in size?

[@ak4656]

+Larry Tate 5B

[@TheOneAndOnly241]

Is that golf gloves

[@DavidLim.]

Wow what's the opening song?

[@Beefnhammer]

Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band

[@Zildjian242]

One of the best drummers of my generation. But I have to honestly disagree, and this come off as a huge sales pitch. Pro mark still gets my money, even if my hero plays another brand

[@H3DK]

What is that song called

[@seangrey662]

DAA GFX Cornbread

[@drumsanddrumming]

I play Thomas Lang signature now, (beefy!), after been playing Promark Ian p for ten years, now they feel like toth picks!, Only I got against Vics is that I break one stick every rehearsal!

[@productofbelgium]

I used every stick from every brand. Vic Firth balance is always top notch, but watch out. Promark is after it.

[@ojijiigbehin9677]

What's the name of the songs???

[@TheJackieoo]

Leonardo Eufrasio ants marching

[@TheJackieoo]

Leonardo Eufrasio ants marching

[@leafsfan85]

+Leonardo Eufrasio and Cornbread

[@mikejay7516]

Change sticks dude. Those r worn put man, nice kick sound by the way!!!!

[@Dahn.Baern.]

Great salesman. He almost makes it sounds like there’s actually a big difference between Vic sticks and everything else, when there’s obviously not because it’s literally just a stick of wood.

[@H3DK]

The first one

[@highervibetribe9137]

I am guessing they pay you more. I have injuries and my hands do not like a stiff stick so hickory is out, I prefer sugar maple, , Vater. But I woul like other options, I just haven't found any. I got some Vic firth rock maple, last pair I had broke very easily though. They vaters usually last.

[@gmdrummerboy]

That would be ProMark.. I've seen and used em.

[@rocketgizer]

Regal Tip 5 B

[@markgeraty8558]

Foot Joy and VF could team up...

[@JessadaChitrakorn]

Promarks must be mad about this :)

[@kitschboys7836]

From which concert Ants Marching is taken?

[@VFoVendetta]

Funny, I felt the same exact way about the pro mark sticks I first started using. They were just weak and shitty. Ever since I switched to my Danny Carey signatures, I've been in love every day since. No comparison to the "other company". Not at all.

[@daviddiazdelvalle]

It's called Cornbread.

[@MadalinMunteanDuzi]

Definately Promark for me....

[@animalbeats]

Brady

[@gmorton731]

ive played nothing but Vic sticks 4 over 25 years--nothing even comes close

[@MichaelMoralesTV1]

he definately got paid more to say this. He played promark for years and used evans heads as well. probably had a break away with the parent company daddario, and now he's kissing vic firth's ass. I play vic firth myself and love them but pro mark sticks don't break as he says they do. Salesman tactic

[@DrummingMoose]

michael morales He left Promark because they got bought by D’addario. There was a period between 2011-2015 where Promark made some changes to their manufacturing process and were able to make a lot of improvements

[@geno121]

Not once did he say that Promark sticks break.

[@roycisneros97]

Being over dramatic about these sticks

[@plutonium120]

carter has been playing drums for over 40 years. i don't believe there is an ounce of exaggeration in his mindset.

[@treverdavis5881]

He's a badass for sure but he's just talking Bs about sticks. He's selling it to hard.

[@klauthnavarone6033]

Such B.S. He's definitely getting paid to say this.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

***** In this case, he does get a percentage of sales from his signature model stick.

[@larrytate1657]

But they are better than pro mark IMO. They feel more comfortable, better or more lacquer

[@TheWolfganglittle]

and promarks.

[@nickpaternostro2900]

Vic Firth and Promark are trash. I got a pair of Promark 5A's and a pair of Promark 5B's the same day. The 5A's broke the same day and the 5B's broke the next day.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

so you play with your hands, then?

[@pascalsemerdjian]

let's not exaggerate about pro mark sticks, god how money talks!!

[@dww0902]

Vater

[@J-Modz1]

I love Carter as a drummer, but this was unprofessional.