Vater Classics 5A Drumsticks — Wood Tip, Hickory
The Classics 5A is a pair of 5A drumsticks, 16 in long with a 0.565 in diameter, a hair thinner than the company's standard 5A. Those five thousandths of an inch explain the phrase the manufacturer itself uses: a stick that practically plays itself.
What sets it apart
- 16 in (40.6 cm) long, 0.565 in (14.35 mm) diameter
- A grip very slightly thinner than the brand's standard 5A
- Acorn tip: broad contact, full sound on drums and cymbals
- Profile taken from the company's historical dimensions
- American hickory: shellbark and shagbark, the two species used
- Balance described by the manufacturer as solid and responsive
What five thousandths of an inch change
The company's standard 5A measures 0.570 in; this one, 0.565. The gap comes to thirteen hundredths of a millimetre, and yet you feel it, because your grip closes a little more completely around the shaft.
A hand that closes better holds the stick with less pressure. Less pressure means more rebound available, and that is exactly what the manufacturer means when it writes that this model almost plays itself.
The acorn tip, and why it is round
An acorn tip is neither a ball nor a teardrop: it is an elongated shape with rounded sides that presents a fairly broad contact surface to the metal. The sound is full rather than pointed, with body under the attack.
On a ride cymbal, that gives a warm texture that fills without cutting. On a drumhead, the same surface produces a round stroke, less snappy than a thin tip.
Dimensions that predate the brand
The Classics line brings back profiles that the manufacturer's family was turning on its lathes long before the brand existed. These are not recent designs: they are dimensions that have been through sixty years of use without ever needing correction.
The appeal for today's drummer is simple: these are the dimensions generations of musicians have used as their reference. They are a reliable reference point rather than one more option.
Specifications
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.565 in (14.35 mm) |
| Tip shape | Acorn, wood |
| Wood species | Hickory |
| Line | Classics |
What it is for
- Versatile band playing, from jazz to pop
- Studio work, when a round stroke matters
- Drummers who find a regular 5A slightly thick
- Rebound and roll work
- Stage playing at moderate to high volume
Compare with other manufacturers
Reference 5A models from other manufacturers, and what separates them from this version:
| Manufacturer | Equivalent | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Classic 5A | This manufacturer's own dimensions and taper |
| Promark | Classic Forward 5A | Balance point moved toward the tip |
| Zildjian | 5A Hickory | In-house profile from a cymbal maker |
| Los Cabos | 5A White Hickory | Untreated hickory, turned in New Brunswick |
| Regal Tip | 5A | Design inherited from the dance band stick |
Frequently asked questions
- How is it different from the brand's standard 5A?
- In diameter: 0.565 in against 0.570 in. The length is identical at 16 in. The grip is therefore very slightly thinner, which helps the rebound.
- What is an acorn tip?
- An elongated shape with rounded sides, wider than a teardrop and less round than a ball. It offers a generous contact surface and a full sound.
- Does it come in another wood?
- Yes. The same profile is offered in sugar maple, lighter and softer, for playing at soft dynamics.
- Is it a good choice after a few years of playing?
- It is an excellent anchor point. The dimensions are historical and serve as a reference for judging every other stick you try.
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