Vater American Hickory 52nd St. Jazz Drumsticks — Wood Tip
The 52nd St. Jazz is a 16 in hickory drumstick with a thin 0.530 in grip, based on a design hand-turned during the jazz and big band era. Its long, flat oval tip is made for the ride pattern: that is where the sound comes from, and the whole design serves it.
What sets it apart
- Thin 0.530 in (13.5 mm) grip
- 16 in (40.6 cm), classic length
- Elongated, flattened oval tip
- Wide, warm ride tones
- Quick taper, lively rebound under the fingers
- Based on a design that was originally hand-turned
A tip that lies down on the cymbal
A long, flattened oval tip does not strike the cymbal, it settles onto it. The contact area spreads over several millimetres and sets a wide zone of the metal vibrating rather than a single point.
The result is the sound a swing drummer is after: a thick, slightly diffuse ride whose texture carries the tempo without hammering it. A small acorn tip would make the same pattern pointed and chattery.
The thin grip and the quick taper
At 13.5 mm, the grip sits between thumb and index finger without being squeezed — a prerequisite for finger technique. The quick taper then lightens the front, which makes the stick come back on its own.
This combination is the opposite of a rock stick: the goal is not to deliver mass, but to let the instrument do the work and to keep going without effort. Brushes and sticks can then alternate through the same night without your hand having to readjust.
Specifications
| Length | 16 in, or 40.6 cm |
|---|---|
| Grip diameter | 0.530 in, or 13.5 mm |
| Wood species | Hickory |
| Tip shape | Long, flat oval |
| Taper | Quick |
What it is for
- Ride patterns in swing and bebop
- Small dance bands
- Finger technique with controlled rebound
- Discreet trio accompaniment
- Drummers who switch between sticks and brushes
Compare with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers' jazz models, and what separates them from this design:
| Brand | Comparable model | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Classic Jazz | Teardrop tip, more concentrated attack |
| Regal Tip | Hickory jazz model | Tip and neck designed in the company's own tradition |
| Promark | Hickory jazz size | Balance shifted toward the front |
| Los Cabos | Hickory jazz | Canadian wood, different selection |
Frequently asked questions
- What drumsticks are best for jazz?
- A thin grip, a quick taper and a tip that spreads the contact. This model brings all three together, which explains why it has been in dance bands for decades.
- Does tip shape really change the sound?
- A lot, on cymbals. A flat tip excites a wide surface and gives a thick sound; a round tip concentrates the energy and gives a very defined attack.
- Can I use them at high volume?
- They can take it, but that is not what they are for. With 13.5 mm at the grip, they do not put much mass into the head: past a certain level, you end up forcing instead of playing.
Avis clients
Does your ride sound pointed when you want it wide?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.