Vater Color Wrap Los Angeles 5A Blue Sparkle Drumsticks — Hickory, Wood Tip
The VCB5A is a pair of hickory drumsticks in the Los Angeles 5A size (16 in by 0.570 in) with a blue sparkle wrap on the body. The tip is not covered: it stays bare wood, shaped as a teardrop.
What sets it apart
- High-density wrap applied to the body
- Hickory body, 16 in by 0.570 in
- Bare wood tip, teardrop shape
- Los Angeles 5A profile, front-weighted balance
- U.S. patent 6326535
What the manufacturer promises, and what it does not
Let us be precise, because plenty gets said about wrapped sticks. The manufacturer claims three things and only three: a high-density wrap, no effect on the stick's feel, weight or balance, and a look designed to be seen while you play.
Nowhere does it claim that this layer protects the wood or extends the life of the pair, so we will not write that either. A wrapped stick is still a wear item that gets replaced as often as any other: what you are buying here is a colour, without losing anything in your hand.
High density: why that detail matters
The question every drummer asks about a wrapped stick is thickness. A soft, thick layer would swell the diameter, dampen vibrations and turn a familiar 5A into an unfamiliar object.
That is exactly what the manufacturer's wording rules out: the material is dense, so it is thin for the same durability, and the feel, weight and balance stay those of the original model. In the hand, the only noticeable difference is tactile: the surface is smoother and a little cooler than raw wood.
The tip is not wrapped, and that is where the sound comes from
The wrap stops short of the tip. That matters if you judge a stick by ear: the surface that touches the cymbal is bare wood, with its slightly matte contact and warm overtones.
The teardrop shape widens that contact as you tilt the stick, opening a continuous range of sounds between the edge of the tip and its side. On the ride as on the hi-hat, it is the geometry that leaves the most room for your touch.
Specifications
| Profile | Los Angeles 5A |
|---|---|
| Wood species | Hickory |
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Diameter | 0.570 in (14.5 mm) |
| Tip | Wood, teardrop |
| Wrap | Blue Sparkle wrap |
What it is for
- Gigs where the look of your gear is part of the show
- Daily rehearsal at moderate volume
- Cover bands, varied styles
- Drummers already playing 5A who want a new look without a new feel
- A second pair identical to the first, colour aside
Compare with other manufacturers
Surface treatments from other drumstick makers:
| Manufacturer | Similar product | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Promark | Sticks with a textured grip coating | Treatment aimed at grip, not appearance |
| Vic Firth | Models with a coloured finish | Colour in the finish, with no added layer of material |
| Zildjian | Sticks with a coloured lacquer finish | Lacquer, so a different thickness and surface feel |
| Regal Tip | Sticks with an applied sleeve | A thick sleeve that changes the grip more |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it the same stick as the unwrapped 5A?
- Same profile, same wood, same dimensions. What is added is the surface layer, which the manufacturer says has no effect on feel, weight or balance.
- Does the wrap leave marks on cymbals?
- The manufacturer does not document anything on that. The main point is that the tip is not wrapped: what touches the metal is still wood. On a cymbal with a delicate finish, try it at rehearsal first.
- Does it last longer than an unwrapped stick?
- Nothing supports that: the manufacturer promises no gain in lifespan, only a high-density layer that does not change the stick in your hand.
- What if I have dry hands?
- The smooth surface can be more slippery than bare wood. Grip tape on the butt end solves that without changing anything else.
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