Vater American Hickory 3S Drumsticks — Wood Tip
The 3S is a hickory drumstick cut for acoustic volume: 17.25 in long, 0.730 in at the grip, with an oval wood tip. The manufacturer intends it for drum corps and heavy-handed drummers — where there is no microphone and no walls to send the sound back.
What sets it apart
- 17.25 in (43.8 cm), well beyond a standard drumstick
- 0.730 in (18.5 mm) grip, an oversized diameter
- Considerable leverage, maximum projection
- Oval wood tip, large striking surface
- Hickory stress-relieved at the end of drying to stay straight
- A recognized tool for building strength
Playing outdoors, without a microphone
A marching band, a parade, an outdoor percussion ensemble: nobody is miked, and the sound disappears into open space instead of bouncing off walls. The only lever left is the energy you put into the head.
The 3S answers with mass and length. The extra shaft lengthens the lever, the diameter adds wood, and the head receives a stroke no standard-size stick can deliver.
Why such a thick stick stays straight
The thicker a piece of wood, the more stress it stores as it dries, and the more likely it is to warp. Vater dries its shafts for two and a half weeks without ever exceeding 105°F, then relieves the stress by slowly raising the temperature for eight hours at the end of the cycle.
On a stick this massive, that step is not cosmetic: an 18.5 mm stick that has warped is unusable, because the rebound goes off line with every stroke.
Its other use: training
Working on your rudiments with an oversized stick develops the wrist and reveals tension. Going back to a standard model afterward comes with an ease that no empty-handed exercise can give. Many drummers buy a pair of 3S for this purpose alone.
Specifications
| Overall length | 43.8 cm (17.25 in) |
|---|---|
| Grip diameter | 18.5 mm (0.730 in) |
| Wood | Hickory, dried slowly then stress-relieved |
| Tip | Oval, solid wood |
What it is for
- Drum corps and parades
- Outdoor percussion ensembles
- Drummers looking for maximum acoustic volume
- Wrist and forearm training
- Large heads and large-diameter drums
Compare with other manufacturers
Marching and high-volume sizes at other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Equivalent size | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Corpsmaster | A range dedicated to marching, with profiles designed by section |
| Promark | Drum corps sticks | Length and thickness spread across several models |
| Regal Tip | 3S hickory | The company's own taper profile |
| Zildjian | Marching | Different wood selection and finish |
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use them on a regular drum kit?
- Yes, but with judgement: with an 18.5 mm grip, the rebound is slow and the heads take a lot. It is a tool for volume and training, not an everyday stick.
- Do thicker drumsticks wear out drum heads?
- They wear them faster, inevitably. Each stroke delivers more energy. On a marching snare, which is built for it, that is not a problem.
- Why is it so long?
- For leverage. The 43.8 cm increase tip speed for the same motion, which gains volume without pushing any harder.
Avis clients
Playing outdoors, without a PA, and losing your sound?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.