Drum Stick Wood Type Comparison - Maple Hickory Oak 5A Wood Tip

Lone Star Percussion: www.lonestarper...
877-792-0142
Zach compares the 3 most popular wood types in drumsticks, Maple, Hickory and Oak. He demonstrates how the wood type affects the sound of the cymbals and drums.

[@BorgoDrums]

Really helpful and well done video, thanks a lot and keep it up! -Ride cymbal Maple 4:02 Hickory 4:42 Oak 5:22 -Snare Maple 6:03 Hickory 6:32 Oak 7:03

[@ricklieffering]

Zildjian Sweet Ride €350 euro' s, Vic Firth 5A' s € 12 euro' s...That smirk on his face when introducing a Ludwig Black Beauty....Priceless!

Maple, nice fat sound, light Stick and perfect definition!

[@robinhoodwasasocialist.1401]

I definitely heard a difference with the cymbal but not as much with the snare.

[@jkf9167]

If you used sticks that were the same weight instead of the same size, you'd be able to tell the difference on snare, cuz you'd be using big honkers in maple and 7A in oak.

[@renegadenotehead8704]

Thanks for very thorough comparison! I personally prefer the sound of the Hickory/Classic.

[@MarcusV741]

Love the maple on the ride crash sound, oak and hickory on the bell. Hickory on the drums, second is oak, maple is less power and less command on drums, maybe better for jazz? I would like to see a tip shape comparison next time..

[@hellomyself345]

I think it's more about the feels because the sound difference is so subtle.

[@randywoolum2648]

I didn't hear very much difference at all. I'm sure there's a definite difference in durability between the woods, but sound wise, not a whole lot.

[@kimoyofficial]

durability and weight

[@asafweiss9674]

I think the bottom line is style and technique. The are best for fast pace and high articulation. Hickory is a general o.k. stick for just about anything and Oak is for heavier fuller tone, but it is also slower.

[@chromebull884]

The feel is very different to

[@ChrisJS1987]

I did notice that the bell sound on the japanese oak was more defined. As well as rim shots and side sticking but I didn't hear much just between the tips of the sticks.

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I like the Hickory models.

[@robertkey1086]

Thank you so much for the interesting and informative demonstration.

[@MrGuyTsurStiGy]

This video worth 20 likes per view.. So many thanks!

[@Drumsanity275]

using oak too much can really cause some damage to the wrists after prolonged use. it does not absorb the shockwaves well enough to protect your wrists as much as hickory. just a thought.

[@RandomlnternetGuy]

the difference in shock is not much. if you played oak exclusively for 30+ years over hickory or maple exclusively you'll MAYBE feel a difference. other than that there is no difference to your health.

[@FunkyDReggsYEEEE]

Drumsanity275 it hurts me tho

[@danieladamczyk08]

Yeah, I started playing with an old pair of promark Japanese sticks (when I say old, I mean OLD, they've been kicking around with my uncle and I for at least before d'addero bought them, and they haven't cracked. Though they're bent and chewed to hell) and I could tell after using hickory and maple sticks that they were substantially more painful to use. Such a ridiculously tough wood.

[@t-r-k7534]

@@danieladamczyk08 you said by yourself, those stick were really old and lost all flexibility also were unbalanced

[@larrytate1657]

Does this mean maple is the best of all for that’s or?

[@82camino96]

I tried oak for awhile years ago. I believe they were Promark. I really liked them and wanted to be able to continue to use them but I found that they would snap clean in half out of nowhere. Usually before they even became worn down. That feeling we all know when a hickory stick starts to shred or split and gets that springy feeling never happened. You'd be playing along and all of a sudden, maybe particularly on a snare hit when you crack the rim, all of a sudden you're only holding a nub and the other 2/3 is on the floor. Clean break. Anyone else experience this?

[@isihernandez9752]

Only once, but it must be a flaw in the wood, because it was a brand new pair and it happened with the very first hit on the snare, not even a rimshot. But usually they are way more durable than hickory, that's for sure. Sometimes I've used the same pair for years and finally replaced them, not for being broken, but because of use they were so smooth that they were constantly slipping from my hands (wich usually dosen't happen to me unless I have my hands really tired). Oak is definitley my favourite wood for sticks, not only for its durability, but also for its responsivness: being so dense, you don't need to make much exertion to get clean tone, attack and volume. They might be a bit heavier than hickory, but it's nothing you can't fix by finding a model that suits the best for you. If you find one with the proper balance for you, that mass can be an advantage for rebounds. One the other hand, the cons for me is the limited variety of models, some brands doesn't even use oak at all. I'm still searching for the perfect pair for me... I'm close, but not yet. I'm currently using Promark 747 Super Rock, but I'd like they had a slightly smaller and barrel shaped tip, instead of that big oval one, and I wish they also made a lighter version for softer stuff, but keeping the same lenght. That extra lenght is definitley magic for me... (it sounds weird, but you know... 😂🤣)

[@mr.145]

Yes,and thought oak transmitted vibes more too.

[@Chiroman527]

82 Camino, I'm 71 YO. I resurrected playing Drums after 50 Years (1969 as an 18 yo). I took lessons in 1966 (thanks to Ringo and Charlie Watts !!). Drums was in my Blood for sure. Played with 2 other HS Buddies - we were all Learning our instrument as went along. Practicing in on of the guy's basement (I lived in an apartment - nowhere to keep a drum set {in my day that's what we called it]. I kept my Original pair of Drumsticks (which were nylon tipped) and my Practice Pad. When I resurrected playing in 2019 as a retirement Hobby / Pleasure on a cheapo Gammon kit which was upgraded to a PDP Concept Maple kit, I still use the same Drumsticks (and others as well). Yes, they are beat up / chewed up at the shoulder, but still going!! They have a Definite Oak Grain which I do not see in current Oak sticks. I doubt they have these available. All markings have worn off - but I think they are thinner than 2Bs. Since it was 1966 +/- they must be made in the USA !! I use varied sticks now and yes, there are definite sound differences using them. Happy Drumming !!

[@mattkishbaugh]

Including the Vic Firth Titan, which is the same size stick would have been cool. I've been using Titans for two years. I have yet to break a pair and they play very well. I wish they were offered in different sizes...

[@leocomerford]

An ordinary nylon-tipped Vic Firth 5A would have been a good comparison too.

[@ricosalomar]

The Titan is a 5B, he's comparing 5As here.

[@am_i_sam_i_am]

take a look at something called the Janka scale for grading hardwood hardness. Maple is not the softest of these materials. the order would actually go oak maple, then hickory from softest to hardest. while it’s not actually softer than oak, it is lighter and more flexible. oak is more dense and stiff. hitting something light and flexible SEEMS softer than hitting something dense and rigid which is why many people think maple is softer, but it is not.

[@larrytate1657]

I agree with what you said when it comes to drum sticks, but the funny thing is it says maple is harder than oak. Doesn’t seem that way but that’s what’s said if you look it up. Then it says hickory is hardest of all. Maybe it’s the type they use for drum sticks idk.

[@lightingstruck6893]

Thank so much for this video and intro to the drum sticks... i really appreciate... !!! May i ask for a beginner to drum play... what stick will your recommend. ...tks!

[@jessejafrnd]

I get to much stick attack sound on my cymbals with VF Hickory, recording it stands out, especially on high hats, I'm looking for spongy.

[@CameronBartholomew]

Maple - 4:01... Hickory 4:41... Oak 5:22...

[@sbskking]

can you review birch sticks made by zildjian?

[@chromebull884]

Sunbeom Kim I will say they are heavier than the oak but they feel smooth and would be great for metal or worm ups on a practice pad

[@kevinbothwell8425]

If they weren’t so fuggin expensive they would be the only sticks I’d play. The fact that they’re laminated makes consistency from stick to stick second to none. The comment above mine is correct, they are considerably heavier so I’d recommend going a size, or even two sizes down from what you’d normally play. I generally play 5b hickory sticks, but tend to prefer the 7a zildjian birch sticks if you can believe that.

[@cnov.bikesndrums]

Are Oak 5B Sticks good for metal drumming?

[@jellyboy123]

i use 6A sticks but they a nightmare to obtain. 5A to chunky 7A to thin 6A is perfect in my opinion.

[@jeongminjong]

I couldn't spot the difference between maple and hickory, but the oak was somehow different.

[@jimbinha]

obrigado.

[@jantrafas]

Video Starts at 4:02

[@ToomanyFrancis]

woah is that post editing that made the cymbal wave around like that after each crash or am I seeing things?

[@lonestarpercussion]

+Gausgovy ☆CS:GO☆ IT is actually the frame rate on the camera. The cymbal is vibrating much faster than the camera captures at 24 frames per second. It also happens with the drum heads too.

[@ToomanyFrancis]

Lone Star Percussion okay I thought I was having some eyesight issues.

[@captainpiefox9133]

Greetings from Dallas! Hahaha

[@jackattack4851]

White Oak is the softest wood, then its Maple and Hickory is the hardest of the 3

[@fairlydecent9783]

i play shira koshi oak

[@kc5tng]

As do I -- the Shira Kashi Oak sticks outlast Hickory sticks 10 to 1 --

[@evanstahl6734]

which wood type is least likely to split at the tip?

[@lonestarpercussion]

+Evan Stahl Oak is definitely the most durable. I have yet to break a pair of Oak sticks and the tips last much longer.

[@evanstahl6734]

thanks a lot. I will look into purchasing oak sticks from here on out

[@larrytate1657]

And maple tips actually break a lot less in my experience than hickory do. I think because it’s a bit softer it has less chance of cracking cause it’ll give in a bit more instead of competing with the cymbal.

[@andre-pz1wv]

Is the Shogun the most durable?

[@andre-pz1wv]

and does the rigid feel create blisters easier?

[@joshuajuaire8757]

I am more of a hickory drummer and maple drummer but I think oak is too bright on the cymbals

[@fdasaro1]

personally I stay away from Oak

[@klauskinski4060]

Too me it's more about the feeling of playing them than it's about the sound. Talking about sound though, that snare's out of tune.

[@noobioulusjohnson9080]

I had a vic firth 5a sticks and they broke within about 2 hours of playing and I don't even hit hard

[@chiakwee8191]

Hmmm really?Cause as far as I know they seem to be very durable

[@andym28]

I've had 5a sticks for years and I hit really hard. Maybe the angle of your cymbals.

[@TempoDrift1480]

On with it Feller. I'm already a third into the video and I've lost interest.