Vater American Hickory Assault Drumsticks — Wood Tip
The Assault is a 16.375 in hickory drumstick whose 0.625 in grip feels close to a 2B. The manufacturer gave it a full shoulder followed by a fast taper down to a rounded barrel tip: the mass sits where it helps, and disappears where it would get in the way.
What sets it apart
- 0.625 in (15.9 mm) grip, in the heavy stick family
- 16.375 in (41.6 cm), slightly extended
- Full shoulder, then a fast taper
- Rounded barrel tip, projection and clarity
- High volume without the heaviness of a 2B
- American hickory
Two opposite settings on the same stick
A full shoulder gives power; a fast taper gives liveliness. The two usually work against each other, because the wood you keep at the back is the wood you take away at the front.
The Assault lets them coexist by separating them along the stick: the shaft stays full for a long stretch, then thins quickly over a short distance. You get the push of a heavy stick and a crisper return than its thickness would suggest.
The rounded barrel tip as the exit point
At the end of this profile sits a barrel tip with softened edges. It puts down a medium contact area: wider than an acorn, more compact than an oval. The cymbal sound stays solid without turning mushy, and the toms come through with body.
On stage without sound reinforcement, this kind of tip projects best. The energy goes into the instrument rather than into the click of the contact.
Specifications
| Length | 16.375 in, or 41.6 cm |
|---|---|
| Grip diameter | 0.625 in, or 15.9 mm |
| Wood | Hickory |
| Tip | Rounded barrel |
| Profile | Full shoulder, fast taper |
What it is for
- Loud stages that also call for speed
- Rock and melodic metal
- Drummers who find a 2B too clumsy
- Rehearsal rooms without a PA
- Playing that alternates heavy hits and fast passages
Compare with other manufacturers
Heavy sticks with a quick response, from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Rock | Mass distributed differently along the shaft |
| Promark | Rebound 2B | Rebound sought through overall balance |
| Zildjian | Super 5B | Volume obtained through overall thickness |
| Los Cabos | 5B Intense | Wood density used as the lever |
Frequently asked questions
- How is it different from a regular 2B?
- The grip is similar, but the Assault's fast taper lightens the front end. It comes back faster and is easier to steer through fast passages.
- Is it a good stick for beginners?
- Not really: its mass calls for a hand that is already trained. A grip of around 0.550 in is better for learning.
- Does the barrel tip wear quickly?
- It flattens gradually, like any wood tip. The sound then gets broader; that is the sign it will soon be time for a new pair.
Avis clients
Want the power of a 2B without its sluggishness?
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