How A 5A Is Made

[@mihaidrums5]

Thank you for not putting music in the background!

[@scottdouglas935]

or narration

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

A rarity today!

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

@daAnder71 Actually either is fine in this case. Non-native speakers often make the mistake of adding or forgetting "the" in English sentences, but in this rare case both are correct.

[@black-eyedspinnerwillow7639]

Are you being sarcastic?

[@drumempire]

I wouldn't mind some Mister Rogers jazz piano and snare with brushes. No music is cool too.

[@treyrmason]

Thank you for this industrial drumstick ASMR

[@gstate4ever]

Trey Mason I found the sound of this whole process this very soothing. Is that how asmr works?

[@polymorphing9195]

@@gstate4ever indeed

[@jessicobra7]

Industrial drumstick ASMR sounds like a great band name

[@hoppocompus7325]

7:32 is best

[@Nicolas.Vincent]

Now you're just referencing sound. There's no asmr here! How high are you? Cause, I am, I there us no meridian response, fool!

[@RafikMankariosDrumStudio]

I've watched this from beginning to end with a smile. For us drummers, this is simply exciting. I wish to take a moment to tell you all at the plant, THANK YOU for a great job! You make our musical art vibrate with quality! Cheers from Montréal (Québec)!

[@jimbeaux89]

I was smiling through it all also! It’s amazing, the care and attention to detail that is put into our sticks. So happy to use VF’s. I’ll use nothing else

[@mont.gomerie]

@@jimbeaux89 I've tried other brands-none of them feel right. my current pair is a pair of free nova 5A's i got when testing out an elec kit, definitely would go with vic firth. PS nova's are vic firth.

[@yeetfeet1878]

@ suzi june I agree Vater is good but Vic Firth is the only brand I am truly happy with. The ones I play are the Danney Carey signatures, American classic 2B, And American classic 5B nylon tip. They are amazing sticks!

[@mont.gomerie]

@@yeetfeet1878 vic firth all the way, definitely. want some vf nylon 5a's cos my nova's are unusable.

[@yeetfeet1878]

@@mont.gomerie you should definitely try it out the cymbal definition with the nylon tip is legendary! Also I don’t know I am just not an A guy I use 2B and 5B. 5B is the lightest I will go anything above that is too light for me.

[@austincox1709]

that hammering/pitch matching thing blew my mind. no idea they did that

[@GalileoAV]

Same, I don't do drums myself so it never occurred to me that'd be a thing.

[@normanwilmoth7404]

Yes they do but one problem I've come across with buying sticks in a store is that people try them out and don't put them back with there proper mate so I'll grab multiple pairs of the same stick I prefer and simply tap one stick against it's mate and if it doesn't have the same pitch I know immediately that someone else mismatched the sticks so I keep checking until I find a pair with equal pitch. Hope this tip helps fellow drummers✌

[@pacificexplorer6601]

@@normanwilmoth7404 so cool thanks

[@TylerDunphy]

@@normanwilmoth7404 I hate this. They perfectly match them only for this to happen. Often times I end up with out of tune sticks because people buy unmatched pairs.

[@Assimilator702]

@@normanwilmoth7404 The drum shop employees know this. I’ve been lucky that whenever I purchase sticks in person the employees usually match a pair for me. An advantage of buying online in my experience is that the pairs are mostly matched. And it’s not just the pitch of the stick, it’s also the straightness. Good drum shop employees don’t want to see their fellow drummers playing crooked sticks. Not so much an issue with Vic Firth, Zildjian, Tama and Pro Mark. But Vater and some of the budget brands have to be checked before leaving the store.

[@ididyermom3273]

I've been playing for 36 years and there is nothing like sitting down to the kit with a new pair of Vic's!! Simply the best!!

[@Philtoid]

Im gunna appreciate the hell out of my sticks alot more from now on lol

[@lukesuire6468]

Sometimes, I purposefully break my sticks for fun. Now, I still will.

[@kaylalate]

ikr :// the machines have to do so much work

[@Rebecca57097ssss]

No seriously 😭

[@hugolafhugolaf]

«a lot».

[@kinniecas9004]

Hewowrld same

[@AVEdrums]

good to know what my sticks have gone through

[@poiz3nz175]

Yea same

[@Ricekingggg]

Same

[@mkmkmk1337]

This was the nicest they'll ever be treated lol

[@macafromthewired]

and what they'll continue to go through

[@ldcsam1]

The VF 5A is the #1 selling drumstick in the world. It was my choice of stick for a long time. 2 yrs. ago when the Benny Greb model was released, I started using it along with the 5B. I still use 5A's every now and then. I will always stick with Vic!!!

[@douglippincott1432]

I was a Vic Firth student at the New England Conservatory in the 80's. Some of us worked for Vic while in school at the "factory" in his Dover MA basement. His stick business was growing and we soon moved to a modest warehouse space in Dedham MA. My gig was to pitch pair sticks. We would sit behind two large granite blocks [blank tombstones] dropping single sticks on the blocks to hear each stick's pitch. When two sticks matched, we would bag them and send them on their way. I remember visiting some years later being blown away by automation that utilized old Mac SE computers that would check the pitch AND weight of the stick. The old days of pitch pairing behind granite blocks were gone! What fun to watch how far things have progressed since those early days in Vi'c's basement.

[@blujay9191]

Thanks for sharing. Cool story.

[@PastaDrums3886]

I was going to say that I remember seeing a short documentary many years ago where the sticks were pitch just like you describe. When I saw the automated version I was slightly confused for a split second. I also knew that the sticks were matched, also, by weight. I didn't know that the sticks could vary so much in their weight. 51 grams for some and 53 grams for some and other weights for others. Very cool. 👍🏻🤙🏻

[@madbeanpedals]

When the sticks are shot into their sorting bins I just hear "Whee!"

[@Rebecca57097ssss]

🤣

[@rockopruden770]

😂

[@davidmcaninch4714]

😆

[@Ryan_Official_2001]

Vic Firth, THE BEST COMPANY EVER. I never complained about my pair of American Classic 5A Hickory Drum Sticks. Very nice, both straight, and the same weight.

[@logankincade661]

Amazing. You just converted a Vater player to a Vic Firth player. Every inconsistency I've had with Vater and Promark is addressed and eliminated during Vic Firth production. Thank you. I'm not an employee, paid sponsor or sponsored player, I'm a Real Drummer who has been paying Hard Earned Cash for years on sticks that I'm not quite happy with and glued on nylon tips that fly off or shatter !!!!!!

[@dalemaki7603]

I too used to use Vader and promark once you play on Vic firth you'll never go back

[@chrisdiel706]

I agree. I picked up a pair of Dave Weckl signature sticks just on a whim and they were the best sticks I've ever held in my hands. So I decided to switch to Vic Firth and never looked back. And never will either. They are simply amazing. Never had a bad pair.

[@8Eglock22]

Been playing Vic Firth for over 30 years. Really cool to see the automation for precision, but even better to see the "human" involvement - visual inspection, touch and feel... To create "The Perfect Pair"

[@1245102]

Forever the hugest fan of ALL Vic Firth sticks. I primarily use both the 5A and 5A extreme. Wood and nylon tips for both. I also use 7A. Also the Steve Gadd and Dave Weckl models. ALL of those sticks help me with every musical situation I face. With Vic Firth you're not only investing in true quality, you're investing in a phenomenal legacy. After trying other brands in the past, I can honestly say I don't picture myself ever using another kind of drum stick. For as long as Vic Firth is around, that is where I will always purchase my drum sticks.

[@evanlord2280]

I thoroughly enjoyed that there was nobody talking during the entirety of this video

[@jean-jacquesdupuy99]

Speaks for itself, hue? :-)

[@patrikpuckomusic]

Props to smart people who made those machines. And to all smart people who made all machines in all factories. So cool and smart.

[@RogersPhotographyOG]

I had a more romantic version in my head. Something along the lines of little elves standing behind tiny lathes hand crafting each one with Snow White overseeing them. Buzz Kill!

[@ForestRainMedia]

That's more like what happens in the Paiste factory~ They do soo much by hand over there.

[@TheSmashir]

this still bangs tho, so relaxing to watch

[@stuien597]

The couple pairs of Vic Firth 5A I own mean more to me now. I loved watching this! I’ve gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into making these! Thank you!

[@NeverSickAtSea]

Thank you, men and women at Vic Firth, for making us happier drummers.

[@RjBenjamin353]

I’m a 73 year old multi-instrumentalist and there is nothing like the feel of a fresh pair of sticks, and guitar strings

[@shondrums]

The most beautiful thing that I’ve ever seen! I love my X55A and 85A Freestyle so much more! Thank you Vic!! 💯🙌🏾

[@NorthFloridaPhotoAndVideo]

I had no idea the processes that it takes to create something that we (drummers) take for granted. That was mesmerizing!

[@RogierRJDonker]

5a was my first pair of sticks. Still have those around. 5a is always ok to play. Covers a lot of styles.

[@randy4903]

I still have the beat-up Vic Firth 5A pair that I got when I first started drumming 11 years ago. You really can't go wrong with those!

[@JohnPrepuce]

I had the pleasure of meeting Vic Firth about 17 years ago. He was a great guy and really enjoyed our music. I exclusively play vic firth implements and recommend them to all my students. I've used other brands in the past but nothing plays like a Vic Firth. Their quality control is amazing too.

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

I had the immense honor of getting a tour of the plant in Maine and got to see all of these processes and machines. Ironically, photography was not permitted. Most of the machines in use were actually custom built or heavily modified for the purpose of making these fine sticks. Really amazing to see it all done.

[@grandre3464]

I love how you can hear exactly when they start to sound more like drumsticks than pieces of wood.

[@sody2000]

WOW. No wonder Vic Firth sticks are always AWESOME.

[@lizardears4861]

Being a Forester and a drummer, this is extremely satisfying viewing. Wood is the ultimate renewable product 👍

[@TheCOZ]

That sound of the hickory dowels is satisfying to my ears. 😁

[@requiemforredemption5365]

Smoothest, most Balanced Drumsticks in the Market! 🔥🤘🏼🥁🤘🏼🔥

[@romansate2854]

Nothing more exciting for than choosing, buying and then playing with a brand new pair of drumsticks!!!

[@1320pass]

I've worn them in two, broken them, threw them, and never had a nylon tip come off. Thank you men and women of Vic Firth for your fine product. 👍

[@litink120]

I really liked how they weighed and tapped the sticks to make sure you get a perfect pair!

[@s1nnocense]

Okay, so after one-third of the video I was like "yeah, that looks like a drumstick to me". didn't expect so many more steps to come, much appreciated.

[@gregfender]

Man, the sound of all of those sticks clanking together is hypnotic. It's crazy how musical drumsticks can sound all on their own.

[@tommipommii]

Watching this makes my happy. Drumsticks made out of real wood by real people.

[@Benjamin-bj6xj]

tommipommii well.. no, the people are literally just there to press “go” and move them

[@hugoboss5566]

@@Benjamin-bj6xj but there's still people there

[@Benjamin-bj6xj]

HUGO BOSS they didn’t make the stick though

[@milesleonardreed5802]

HUGO BOSS the machines made it

[@Benjamin-bj6xj]

Miles Leonard Reed indeed

[@3wrapframe]

No kidding I was looking at my sticks the other day and ONLY THOUGHT IN MY HEAD, “I wonder how these are made” and sure enough this video comes in my feed. Crazy. I’ve played Vic Firth 2BN for over 20 years now. Thanks.

[@SavvyTurtle]

Love your black edition rough sticks the best

[@sactiger2817]

As a lifelong drummer, Vic Firth 5A is my "weapon of choice."

[@drumsNstuff79]

I live here in Maine where Vic has their factory. I'm proud to play Vic Firth 5A's as they are consistently the best. The acorn tip, diameter, weight and quality control are so much better than any brand i've tried. I have used Zildjian sticks in the past and love them too, but their 5A is bit too beefy for my taste. A four pack brick of Vics will keep going for a while. Funny how I tried a lot of brands and styles of sticks and went back to good old classic Vic 5A's. You can't beat 'em!

[@YooTooobJeff]

Lots of quality control and fine tuning to make those sticks... Fascinating technology

[@danlc95]

The Vic Firth Double Glaze is a life saver. I had been playing Regal Tip since 1994, and for the last couple years it looks like they're done. I started looking for new sticks and was happy to find out Vic Firth had the Double Glaze line. I was able to go back to something I played previous to Regal Tip! This means that I went back to a very famaliar feeling stick. Turns out I prefer the Vis Firth design. The Tip has more definition, and the they just plain feel better to play.

[@fredsavage4925]

rated #1 manufacturing sounds by drummers worldwide

[@Drummer_JY]

I love you Vic Firth. Thank you for always being with me in my music life.

[@원종서-x6l]

That was a whole lot of craftsmanship right there! I hope the workers are feeling proud of what they are doing for the drummers all around the world. Thanks VF! Your sticks and videos have never disappointed me, not even once!!! Greetings from Korea.

[@155-NL]

As a Promark guy for decades, I loved to watch this video.

[@JayLee-bv3vw]

I'd say Promark and Vic make the best sticks on the market. I liked the Vater Fusions myself.

[@kailove8767]

The logo part is the most satisfying. Along side the clink!!

[@mrwest5552]

i watched 3 Elia Wood live drum cam vids (nine times over two years) and then the algorithm took over. i gave a like.

[@nyashatim]

Amazing stick... I myself use the 5BNs, and since im a heavy hitter i can say this stick is the most durable and reliable for any situation. Thank you Vic Firth team, nice to know that the quality is extended to all products across the board!

[@tobiassauer7070]

This Typ of Sticks i play for 14 years now in all of my Bands and they never let me down. Great quality, perfect handle, very durable. Thank you Vic Firth :-)

[@KadeKalka]

That may just be the most satisfying thing I've ever watched. Also, Vic Firth's are the best.

[@pbldrum]

...I'm kind of partial to Vater

[@slimbroco572]

Nice seeing ppl who can actually work n take pride in it as well

[@pbldrum]

Remember the old days when you bought sticks, the shop would put out handfulls to roll on a flat surface and you'd pick out the ones that didn't wobble and seemed to match in weight. Vic Firth, and I imagine most modern drumstick manufacturers, are already doing that in the factory.

[@Max-dd4ow]

I never realized how much work was out into a pair of sticks It truly shows how much they care about drums

[@killingerchris]

I’ve been using Vic’s 5B American Classic Vic Grips wood tips for the past 14 years and now I realize why the cost what they cost, thanks for the detailed video and the hard working people at Vic Firth making a quality product! Cheers from Canada! 😎

[@j.t.cooper2963]

I've tried many brands and Vic Firth is my hands down favorite.

[@jessicagreene1773]

My favorite stick and after seeing all the work that goes into making them, I appreciate them even more!

[@timcloutier3729]

THIS video was as satisfying as a first cup of coffee. Thank you VIC FIRTH for your OUTSTANDING product. 🤘🏻❤🥁🥁🥁🥁❤

[@eikbike]

WOW!!! That is very impressive to see the level of detail and quality checks that happen at every step!!! I remember getting some Vic Firth Sticks when I could not buy what I was previously using. At first they felt a little different but I quickly recognized there was something else going on and that every pair felt great and consisitent. The reliability of that quality has me always buying this brand for over twenty years.

[@carling4737sir]

Crickey! I didn't know the world needed so many drumsticks.

[@sweetnight4753]

After watching this video, I love my drumsticks even more and want to feel and enjoy the tone of the sticks themselves. Thanks Vicfirth! From Japan!

[@125ccbiker9]

Great cinematography. I can almost smell the sawdust

[@ishimweurgence9405]

thank you for taking this time for showing how you talented and be blessed

[@Durwood71]

Great video! Show, don't tell. This is visual storytelling at its best. I love how much hands-on quality control goes into each stick. And made in the USA! I will buy no other.

[@cadamsdrummer]

ASMR video for Vic Firth lovers! No words needed!

[@tsurtrieger8130]

My favorite sticks. Great and excited video to know how the "piece of wood" that you use is made like a jewelry.

[@andrewjacobs5579]

Its like those rain relaxation tapes for drummers & machine heads.

[@jimflys2]

Really great quality control. Years ago, I would take maybe 10 pairs of sticks, roll the and pitch test them to find one or two good pair. I never do that anymore with Vic Firth. Just grab the model and check out.

[@howtoteachscience]

5A's changed my life! This is awesome.

[@Rockin_Ross]

Love ‘em. I’m a Thomas Lang model player myself and Vic is on top of the game!!🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@gstate4ever]

This is oddly soothing. The sound of each step of production.

[@hobodan84]

No terrible music, No commentary. Just a video of how my favorite drum sticks are made.

[@drumteacher43]

I love Vic Firth sticks! My fave is VF extreme 5A my favourite go to stick for over 12 years! Excellence at its finest!

[@yeetfeet1878]

The time they put into the sticks we play is just amazing hats off to those men and women.

[@powerfuran]

Love the swing of the pitch matching beater at 6:07

[@jaycha4983]

Best brand of sticks on the planet!! Love my Thomas Lang sticks!

[@icedink87]

I wasn't aware there was any other brand.

[@onthejuan_youtube]

Great video! Thanks for letting us listen the natural music of drumstick making, really appreciated!

[@MattMendians]

Vic Firth has been my favorite brand of sticks for many years! I used to use Pro Mark but something about the natural feeling of the wood won me over! I didn’t see anything on here about a coating? Unless I missed it. My favorite is the wood tip metal size. Love the extra weight and not too heavy.

[@urabashihitobito]

My favorite stick and the best stick in the world for me. The best🤘

[@toddcooper3599]

Best Stick's In The World...Thank You VF...

[@Casterman2]

Vic’s all the way. The pairing is awesome!

[@rytchbytchrockingclub3867]

I especially liked seeing the metric scale at 7:03 in the production of this icon of American Culture :).

[@tatesiemens3045]

I always buy your drum sticks! Play with nothing else! Just a preference boys. Thanks!!! For many years now!

[@brucel.6078]

Guess I'll never complain about spending $12 for a pair of sticks ever again! 🤯

[@chrisdiel706]

Yes, I know a Zildjian rep that toured the Vic Firth factory and he said that after the tour he's surprised they're not $100 a pair.

[@TylerDunphy]

@@chrisdiel706 It looks like a lot, but with such a high volume and high efficiency, the bigger setup lowers costs by a frick ton!

[@robthedrummer]

I wonder if the price will go up with the cost of lumber going up?

[@jrmusic8010]

I will that’s still retarted💀

[@diverdave4056]

I just paid $18 dollars for one pair ...

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I love Vic Firth drumsticks and Zildjian cymbals. I grew up with those brands.

[@djsarumawashi]

WICKED!!! Keep up the AMAZING WORK. Greetings from Cabo Verde Islands. Cheers

[@statctwothree609]

That gang ripsaw...

[@mht525]

Great content, and thanks no music. Very educational and informative . Wow the shrink wrapping of pallets, a job I did before going to Uni. Appreciate the great work and time of the employees 👏👏🙏🥁 ✌️🤘🇦🇺

[@jamann_official_]

I love using 5AN. You can really move around the drum set with those light sticks, and the the nylon creates a much better sound than a regular stick! Highly recommend for and genre from heavy metal to jazz.

[@abkii05]

Thank you, ChickenStripsLord

[@ananlama1]

I play with these and I love it, however I hope VicFirth is 🌱 planting as much or more then they are cutting. #LOVE NATURE

[@lmandrums3118]

This is EXTREEMLY interesting and cool! As a drummer myself who mostly plays 5a's and 7a's this was really cool to watch how each pair is made. I never knew that people were involved that much in the process. I thought it was ALL machences (Excuse spelling).I will always know what my perfect pair went through now!

[@kingmortz]

Vic Firth 7A right here. Never switching.

[@Leotardoification]

All this automation and computer precision, and I can dead on tell which sticks in the store that are going to last the longest by looking at the grains.

[@teedee3879]

Not a word spoken. LOVE IT!

[@dawsonweatherford3409]

I’m more of a zildjan fan but I love how both of the brands put so much time/effort in to their products

[@drummersaad]

Very interestin. I did not imagine such attention to detail towards manufacturing a pair of sticks.

[@blee6815]

I know a guy who will go through all that wood in one sunday. That sound is something only we can appreciate.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I'd say he should work on technique. I broke one pair in like 12 years, and it was on purpose. I like HS1 Highlander maple. They're big. Also use wrapped 7As.

[@itleglitch]

The 12 pair brick has saved me a fortune over the years. I never break a stick practicing, but every gig I break at least 4. Guess I'm putting more into things so the audience gets the best performance I can give.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Maybe you're just aiming for the floor, lol? I broke one in 12 years, on purpose. It's not a contest. :) I have zero cracked or keyholed cymbals or busted pedals, either.

[@JakeStaffin]

Awesome video!! I've always considered the Vic Firth 5A to be the standard in drumsticks, it's so cool to see how much care goes into making them. Love to see how one of my favorite pairs of sticks is made!! (5A is my go-to but I also like the 55A, 5B, 2B and 85A.)

[@delmeauxknows5856]

Thanks. Couldnt wait to get to the pitch pairing part.