What's In My Stick Bag?

I always want to know what’s in other drummers’ stickbags. So I’ve made this video based on the assumption that you’d be interested to know what’s in mine (hopefully I’m right). Today I’m just showing off my favorite drumming utensils/tools of the trade… These items range from sticks to hotrods to brushes to mallets, plus I make sure to cover some of the additional “essentials” I carry in my bag as well. We drummers need to be well-prepared for every playing situation that comes our way. You never know when the venue might be smaller than expected…(rods might suddenly become the most appreciated tool). You never know when someone might call a tune requiring brushes or some other kind of rod-brush type of stick. And you can’t forget mallets! Those are a must if you ever want to play a smooth cymbal roll or a mellow tom groove. We all love gear, and it’s probably safe to say that sticks are the least expensive form of drum gear. Even so, a new pair of mallets or brushes can have a drastic impact on our sound as a drummer. Why NOT open ourselves up to new sound possibilities?! Be prepared with new sounds, and be willing to experiment.
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Here’s a link to my stickbag, btw. It’s called the “P-Bag”:
www.californiapercussion.com/p...
However…”Humes & Berg” is making a stickbag that is literally identical…AND $10 cheaper. Here’s a link to THAT ONE:
www.steveweissmusic.com/produ...
Full length mallet-testing video:
• Timpani Mallets on Cym...
Cajon drumset video from a year ago...
• A Drumset Your Audienc...
Cajon brush original demo/review:
• Don't Just Use These O...

[@clanwaddell5628]

It took me trial and error to find my favorite guitar and bass models. Watching you and a couple other channels has accelerated that process for me as I am working on adding drum set to my musical repertoire

[@clanwaddell5628]

Your channel rocks and have helped me grow leaps and bounds both in my playing as well as in knowing what gear I will like to play.

[@anonagain]

I played a lot of country club gigs in High School and College in the Dallas area, where the first set (or 2) had to be pretty quiet while people were eating. Besides brushes, I used 7A's like you. I preferred the ProMark 7As with the nylon tip, as it got a nice ping out of the ride without building up a lot of wash. Then I'd switch to the wood-tip 5As for the 3rd and 4th sets and we'd turn up, so the patrons could politely boogie on the dance floor. :)

[@matthewbeach2952]

Hey Stephen, can you make a video on bass drum cowbell mounts? Or if you don’t have time at least recommend one? The ones I have tried all loosen up as I play from vibrations and eventually the mount or cowbell falls off. Thanks!

[@jasonsmith2775]

Great job, as always, Stephen!

[@sccdrum93]

Thanks, Jason!

[@gaboogablah]

I normally use promark sticks, but that vic firth dual tone was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@stevel2309]

I see you've marked the bottom end of each stick so you know which is which when you need to access them. I do this too - it's a really useful trick!

[@curtiscopeland7975]

Awesome video! Could you please tell me what kind off pedal you used wiyh that cajon. I like that it has a solid shaft. I've read that the cables in the cajon pedals break a lot.

[@deflowers5230]

This was a great introduction to the variety of sounds you can pack in a bag. As a new drummer I'm keen to get into brushes and now I know what to look for when the time comes. And mallets! Why don't rock drummers use mallets???

[@rich_b.1487]

I started learning a few years back, then broke away. Now I'm back at it again. I like 5A's, Vic Firth or Zildjian are cool. For something with more heft or volume, I like the 3A''s from Vic Firth because they are not thicker but definitely feel heavier. I had some Vater wood handle brushes, but have been misplaced. I'd like to get the Vic Firth brushes because they're retractable. Now after hearing you talk about the dowel rods, I'd like to try some. Need some mallets too. Good info!

[@sccdrum93]

Thanks! Hope to have inspired some good, useful gear purchases. :)

[@derekwilliams1660]

Hey, I use the purple Vic Firth brushes too. They work great on bongos and congas. If you doubt me,try it yourself.

[@sccdrum93]

Oh I believe you! Haven't tried those specifically, but I've totally done that before. I was actually playing alongside a percussionist the other day who was doing just that. He was using a heavier gauge brush than heritage, though. Just because I don't consider myself an expert hand percussionist, I love using brushes/sticks/mallets or whatever else on bongos or congas haha. You can get some cool sounds doing that.

[@thenewjs0434]

Love your videos!!! I have subscribed

[@sccdrum93]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your subscription 👍

[@timm1139]

Rather than changing stick diameters, I use different materials & tip shapes. I like the 5B's from Ahead for harder/ styles, Vic Firth 5B (hickory) regular & extreme length with either a wood, nylon or barrel tip are my favorites. Promark: nylo-brushes, 808's (kasha oak) in wood & nylon tip, Hot Rods, Zildjian cymbal sticks, drum key, PENCILS, clothespin (for holding music/notes to a stand) earplugs, 2 lengths of beaded chain (cheap cymbal sizzler) and don't forget the water bottle!

[@stefanp3111]

Ibuprofen - you never know when a headache might come on.

[@JDhomieG]

5B fo lyfe

[@sccdrum93]

Das right!

[@Tama_Abiru]

I've always been a fan of the Dave Weckl signature sticks. They play well and look pretty cool. I noticed you don't have any nylon tipped sticks; any reason for that? Do you only use hickory sticks? I have a pair of the Pro Mark Shira Kashi Oak and those things are indestructible.

[@SoundcastStudios]

Tama Abiru maybe for the same reason but I don't use nylon as they make cymbals too bright sometimes

[@sccdrum93]

I went through a phase late in highschool / early in college where I was trying out nylon-tipped sticks. I liked the durability, but ended up not being a big fan of the sound. I have been interested in trying different wood types actually...just haven't bought any yet. I think a lighter stick would be more beneficial to me than a heavier one, although a lot of weight options could come in handy. I may look into some maple sticks for something a little lighter. But yeah...right now all of my drumset sticks are hickory.

[@shiritzhaki5333]

You can make your own(same quality or better) thunder rods with wooden meat skewers and tape

[@sccdrum93]

I made some back in the spring, and it was a trial and error process. If you want to check it out, there are a couple of videos here on this channel. I actually just bought dowels at home depot, then used wood glue and shrink tubing to hold them together. Meat skewers would totally work though! I think about that every time I eat kabobs :) I found it tricky to find the exact diameter I wanted, just because there are usually only certain size dowels you can buy.

[@shiritzhaki5333]

Stephen Clark i actually know this because right after i bought my first pair of hot rods, my younger brother wanted to prove that thos are a couple of sticks taped together, and made just that in five minutes... Sounded better than the vic firth ones

[@punk5675]

Awesome i just liked

[@sccdrum93]

Thanks for the like! 👍

[@Psymon1471]

no bottle opener? also, have you ever used Gavin Harrison signature Vic Firths? They are a very adaptable stick and are slightly longer in length too which makes for a quite comfortable reach.

[@sccdrum93]

Cool! Never used those, though I'd be interested to try them. I guess you've used them for a lot of different volumes? They do boast that versatility point. It's interesting too that they have the vic grip coating. I have some vic grip sticks, which I didn't mention in the video for time's sake :) The grip is really useful this time of year when hands get cold and dry. Some extra grip can be really nice sometimes.

[@CombsTowerProductions]

Interesting!

[@joshnations8194]

I’ve been playing drum 10 years an I recently got in a bad wreck almost killed me. Well Iv been playing drums lot lately an I can’t seem to hit the pedal as fast as my hands are going. It hesitates bad. Is there any way to fix this?

[@MrSawlong]

Yo dude! check out "muffkopf" its a nice invention, to put on your bassdrum beater... i found these things at a random day at youtube and since then, i dont want to miss them

[@sccdrum93]

Oh cool! That makes me chuckle for some reason...one of those funny inventions that has a lot of practicality. It's like a fur coat for your bass drum beater or drum stick! Pretty neat.

[@Katewooly2026]

Concert sticks, multiple sets of mallets (marimba) timpani mallets and marhig sticks and a pair with plastic tips

[@sccdrum93]

Your username fits the spirit of your comment well! 😀 Nice band gear collection there! I've got a pair of Graham C. Johns concert sticks (which I didn't mention for time's sake), which have always been my trusted concert pair. Random nerdy band percussion question here...which kind of mallet shaft do you prefer: birch or rattan?

[@justinprovidence8083]

First

[@hellgrinder2941]

Damn i wanted to be first :-(

[@sccdrum93]

Next Friday, 3pm Eastern :)

[@noahcootz6735]

When he rolls on the cymbals I cringe. He is so far from the edge

[@ssadfadefd558]

and then he complains about hearing each stroke

[@sccdrum93]

Hey Noah - You actually don't want to be on the very edge of the cymbals when playing a roll...unless you specifically want more low end (and less shimmer). It can come down to sound preference, though, and depends on the thickness/size of the cymbal too. The purpose of demo-ing those timpani mallets was to show how bad they sound next to the dual tones...not to champion a "hearing each stroke" kind of sound haha. So I'm with you on cringing! Just thought I'd make the comparison thorough.

[@noahcootz6735]

Stephen Clark That makes sense haha, through out drum corps and wgi I was always taught to go as close to edge as possible. Although I'm not a concert percussionist so im not exactly well versed in those styles I guess. Thanks for the clarification.