Vater Players Design Anthony Michelli AM 595 Drumsticks — Acorn Tip, Hickory
The AM 595 is a 16 in American hickory drumstick whose 0.595 in grip sits just under the thickness and weight of a 5B. Anthony Michelli designed it to cover very different styles in the same night, with an acorn tip that opens up the full tonal range of drums and cymbals.
What sets it apart
- 0.595 in (15.1 mm): just under the thickness of a 5B
- 16 in (40.6 cm), the reference length
- Acorn tip that brings out the full range of the drums
- Balance that holds even after weeks of wear
- Shoulder full enough for rimshots
- Shellbark or Shagbark hickory, the two species selected
Two species, and why they are named
The word hickory covers several species with different properties. Vater selects only two for its sticks, Shellbark and Shagbark, chosen for their ability to absorb shock.
On a model designed to stay balanced for a long time, this selection matters as much as the dimensions. Wood that is too soft gets gouged by rimshots and shifts the centre of gravity within a few weeks.
A diameter chosen for what it avoids
The thinking behind this model is subtractive: avoid the stick that is too thin, which goes out of balance as it wears, and the stick that is too thick, which pushes the volume up before the song even calls for it.
At 15.1 mm, the shaft keeps enough wood to hold its shape and is slim enough to play softly. It is a stick that does not decide the volume for the drummer.
The acorn tip and the range of the drums
An acorn tip sets a small area vibrating, but its rounded shape drives the energy deep into the head. The fundamental of the toms comes through, so do the cymbal overtones, and the sound gains richness rather than bite.
Specifications
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
|---|---|
| Grip diameter | 0.595 in (15.1 mm) |
| Wood | Shellbark or Shagbark hickory |
| Tip shape | Acorn |
| Positioning | One step below a 5B |
What it is for
- A wide repertoire in a single night
- Jazz and fusion at moderate volume
- Pop and stage music with varying dynamics
- Drummers looking for one versatile pair
- Occasional rimshots without breaking sticks quickly
Compare with other manufacturers
Models that sit just under a 5B, elsewhere:
| Manufacturer | Closest model | Where the difference lies |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Classic 55A | A longer shaft rather than an adjusted diameter |
| Promark | Select Balance Forward 5B | Tuned through balance, not thickness |
| Zildjian | 5B Hickory | Thicker, with the maker's own tip design |
| Regal Tip | 5B wood tip | The maker's own neck and tip profile |
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to play like the drummer who designed it?
- No. A signature model is a set of dimensions; it serves anyone with the same need. Here, that need is a versatile stick that does not lose its balance as it ages.
- Do drumsticks really lose their balance as they wear?
- Yes. Wood wears away mostly at the neck and tip, so the centre of gravity moves back. The thinner the shaft, the sooner you feel it.
- What are Shellbark and Shagbark hickory?
- Two North American hickory species the manufacturer selects for their shock resistance. They are what its sticks are made from.
Avis clients
Do your sticks change balance after a few weeks?
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