Vater Monster Brush Adjustable Polymer Drum Brushes
The VBM Monster Brush is a drum brush with wavy polymer bristles and an adjustable spread. The manufacturer describes a range that goes from the whisper of a classic brush to a feel it calls close to a stick, for a solid backbeat without the volume that normally comes with it.
What sets it apart
- Wavy polymer bristles, non-metallic
- Adjustable spread, from light sweep to firm stroke
- Large grip, described as comfortable
- 14 in long, 0.99 in at the handle
- Sound and feel described as unique by the manufacturer
- Also suited to cajon and world percussion
Wavy bristles, and why they change the sound
A straight bristle, whether metal or plastic, lays an even line of contact on the head. The sweep then produces a smooth, continuous hiss.
Wavy bristles touch the head at a series of points. The sweep turns grainy, and the stroke gains a texture that neither a wire brush nor a stick produces. That signature is why this model gets chosen to stand out rather than blend in.
One adjustment that replaces two tools
The manufacturer describes two ends of the range in a single tool. On one side, the finesse and breath of a brush; on the other, a feel it describes itself as close to a stick, able to carry a fat backbeat without raising the volume.
The drummer can switch from one character to the other between songs without changing tools. Where volume has to stay low but some passages still need to hit, that adjustment is worth an extra tool in the bag.
A wide handle, chosen for control
A 0.99 in handle is much thicker than a stick. That width gives the hand a solid base, which matters when the tool works with slow pressure rather than rebound. The manufacturer presents it as wide but comfortable, and it largely explains the sense of control this model gives.
Specifications
| Category | Specialty brushes |
|---|---|
| Bristle material | Polymer |
| Bristle profile | Wavy |
| Adjustment | Adjustable spread |
| Length | 14 in |
| Handle diameter | 0.99 in |
What it is for
- Quiet repertoire in acoustic groups
- Cajon and world percussion
- Restaurants, small venues, apartment practice
- Studio, for a texture different from a wire brush
- Drummers looking for a backbeat that hits at low volume
Compare with other manufacturers
Brushes and rods from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Regal Tip | Blasticks | Fixed bundle of rods, no spread adjustment |
| Promark | Hot Rods | Wooden dowels held by a ring, different sound |
| Vic Firth | Rute | Bundle of birch twigs, sliding ring |
| Zildjian | Wire Brush | Metal bristles, a smooth rather than grainy sweep |
Frequently asked questions
- Will these brushes damage a batter head?
- Polymer is less aggressive on a smooth head than a bundle of wooden rods. Like any tool, it will mark a coated head over time.
- Can you sweep with them like with a wire brush?
- Yes, with the bristles spread. The hiss is grainier than a wire brush's.
- Do you have to adjust the spread before every song?
- You set it once, for the sound you are after. Most drummers set it before playing and only change it between pieces.
- Are they a good choice for cajon?
- The manufacturer explicitly lists them for cajon and world percussion: the wide surface suits a wooden box.
Avis clients
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