Rick's Signature Drum Set Sticks

[@themikefasano]

I love geeking out on this stuff! You're a wealth of knowledge! Thank you!

[@glassedgavv9711]

I love that ride!! I have it and it's my favourite.

[@tomspadano5006]

I have been seriously experimenting and looking for a drum set stick for some years now… I’ve tried just about every size, multiple manufacturers, signature sticks you name it… Rick’s maple stick is the one for me… it’s got just the right length, thickness, taper, tip and most importantly the right weight that I’ve been looking for. Most maple sticks I’ve tried are too light… Hickory, oak and persimmon to heavy… These fit exactly what I’ve been looking for… for drum set playing…there easy to play with both match and traditional grip … the stick does the work for me with excellent balance ! I can tell Rick has put a lot of thinking and hard work into these sticks ! I’ve ordered sticks that he will be engraving for me can’t wait to see them and use them… Thanks Rick !

[@Frodohotep]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Your drumset stick design is very similar to a design I’ve had in mind for a long time. I need to check those out!

[@artbytar1]

Love the sticks! They have a unique tone and great articulation!

[@rickdior]

Thanks for buying them Tim

[@andrewmccormick4533]

I found a number of years ago that regular ol' Vic Firth 5A's work for everything for me on drum set. I use them for Metal, Jazz, and everything between. A couple years ago I switched to the nylon tip version because I got tired of an otherwise usable stick having parts of the bead break off prematurely. The consistency of sound is also a plus. I found that by not using heavier sticks like 2B or 5B's for "rock" I was making my heads last longer. The weight of a 5A is also much easier on the flesh of my hands when playing 4-hour sets! I feel that with 5A's I get plenty of articulation and rebound on even lighter cymbals for jazz, like my 22" K Constantinople medium thin low. They are also widely available and always in stock :) The only other sticks I use are an SD1 for concert/orchestral playing, and MS2's for marching percussion. You make a really good point about playing the same diameter for both drum set and concert playing... I might have to experiment around and find something in the ballpark of a 5A for concert drumming.

[@alexg4284]

Since regal tip went out of business (?!) I've come back to the vic firth 5a doubleglaze. Awesome stick. I also use the zildjian dennis chambers for articulation. Between those two I'm good. Play the butt end of the 5a for some serious power!

[@Gilles_zuccarelli13]

Bonsoir mon ami Félicitations superbe paires de baguettes Superbe travail comme d’habitude Pleins de belles pensées pour toi et les tiens Amicalement Gilles

[@oscarsacchetti5215]

Nice and interesting video, as always! I’ve been using Boleros since the end of the 80s and I still like them very much. That said, there are two things that I find interesting about these sticks: (1) when you play a rimshot on a normal triple flange hoop, it’s the end (or, if you prefer, the beginning) of the shoulder that hits the head, not the tip; (2) due to their diameter, they are not ideal for crosssticking on the snare, because the tip does not touch the head when the butt touches the rim, so that when you lift the butt of the stick, the tip first hits the head followed by the end of the shoulder right before you hit the rim, making a kind of soft flam that I personally hate!

[@rickdior]

Hi Oscar My sticks don't have that issue as they are not as thick as an sd2. The tip is also a hair longer.

[@palomar2285]

@@rickdior Thank for your answer! I guess I should try your signature sticks. Not sure I understood if you sell them directly or if they are normally sold by Vic Firth. I live in Europe, so I guess that ordering them from the USA would make them quite expensive. One more thing: may I ask you if you speak French?

[@rickdior]

Hi Vic Firth does not sell them. They are available from me. My French is very poor but I have a few online French students and I manage to get by. Shipping to France is about $35 right now. You can email me at [e-mail]. Stay well Rick

[@dazerpony6128]

I’m a dedicated bolero user! Good to get confirmation on their quality from the master though! I’m super interested and probably gonna try to get a pair of your sticks tho! Keep up the great education!

[@craigridgway1062]

I’ve always played my cymbals loose with no top felt and the wing nut fairly far above the bell. I like how your rides are held firmly in place without too much tension, which can lead to cracking. Do you have a suggestion on how to figure this? I’ve also been playing maple sticks with a long teardrop tip at .510 diameter for big band and jazz, but am intrigued by your drumset sticks. I’ll have to look into trying a pair or two. Thanks for your very informative videos!

[@rhythmfield]

I’m not speaking for Rick of course-just my view-very tight wingnuts can accelerate cracked cymbals but the real culprit/friend is touch and rebound, and of course stick choice. A very heavy player using heavy fat hickory sticks with a tight grip & a hammering downward stroke, no natural rebound, who smashes into the cymbals-will probably crack them. A lighter player with rebound stroke (even when loud) using lighter sticks, will probably not crack cymbals. I personally have never cracked a cymbal in 50+ years of playing. I’ve played rock, shows (including Blue Man Group) and mostly: jazz. How about you? Have you ever cracked one (or more?)-thanks for a cool question-looking forward to Rick’s reply.

[@rickdior]

Hi Craig I never tighten my cymbals down. I use a thin felt on top and a thick felt on the bottom. For me the cymbals have to move freely without and resistance.

[@craigridgway1062]

Actually, Rick, I completely agree with you. I was asking about give the cymbals a great deal of (too much?) freedom. The crashes are fine, but I wondered if using the DW wing nuts adjusted to leave just a little space like yours seem to be might limit the amount the ride can swing without muffling it or risking cracking. Your thoughts? (Can’t add link to photo.)

[@jotagomezmusico]

Nice video Rick! I use Sd2 Bolero for jazz, is the only drum stick i like for the articulation they have...but the tip wears out to quick. So i would like to try your drum stick, they sound so nice. Thx for the video and greetings from Chile!

[@musicmeadow1868]

Hey Rick, I always love your playing, so musical!! I’m the uk… am I able to purchase your signature vic firth sticks from your website?

[@rickdior]

Contact me at [e-mail]

[@mikeshouse2000]

Will I be able to get more Maple "Rick Dior" sticks through Vic Firth after I go through the 4 pair I got from you? I have an "education endorsement" with them. Maybe if I beg long enough they'll make a bigger batch. Eventually you're going to run out. I love the maples so much I haven't put them down long enough to pick up the hickory. Thanks for all you do and share Rick!

[@rickdior]

Thanks Mike Hopefully I won't run out for a while as I had to lay out a large chunk of change for these. The company has become a bit harder to deal with since Zildjian took over.

[@maximomartinez6843]

xfa kiero 1 par