Vater Chad Smith's Funk Blaster Signature Drumsticks — Hickory
The VHCHADW is a pair of 16 in hickory signature drumsticks with a 0.605 in grip and an acorn tip. What sets it apart comes down to one design choice, the taper, which the manufacturer describes as beefier. More wood stays between the shoulder and the tip, and the weight moves toward the front.
What sets it apart
- Thicker taper: more wood ahead of the shoulder
- Same grip as the 5B size
- Acorn tip
- Intended for heavy, hard-hitting playing, according to the manufacturer
- 16 in long
- Hickory
The taper, the spec you never see on a label
Between the grip area and the tip, the wood narrows. How long and how abrupt that narrowing is shapes the stick's character far more than its stated diameter.
A long, gradual taper lightens the front and makes the stick lively. A short, thick taper leaves wood near the tip: the stick becomes stiffer, heavier up front, and hits with an authority diameter alone does not give.
What that forward mass does to the backbeat
On a heavy two and four, the energy arrives concentrated near the acorn tip. The snare stroke gains thickness and weight, and the note holds up better in a band that plays loud.
There is a flip side: fast, light patterns take more effort, because you have to bring back a mass sitting far from your hand. The design owns that choice; it does not aim for versatility.
A stick that wears differently
More wood ahead of the shoulder means a stronger section right where sticks most often give way, on rimshots. Wear then moves to the acorn tip itself, which rounds off against the cymbals.
Specifications
| Model name | Funk Blaster |
|---|---|
| Grip area | 0.605 in |
| Distinctive feature | Beefier taper than a standard 5B |
| Length | 16 in |
| Tip | Acorn |
| Material | Hickory |
What it is for
- Rock and funk played loud
- Heavy backbeats in noisy rooms
- Drummers who break sticks at the shoulder on rimshots
- Cover gigs with big dynamics
- Playing on a snare tuned high
Compare with other manufacturers
Designs from other manufacturers that also put weight up front:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Rock | Short taper on a different diameter |
| Promark | Forward 5B | Range organized explicitly by balance point |
| Zildjian | Rock hickory | Extra length on top of the thickness |
| Los Cabos | Rock Red Hickory | Heat-treated wood, different stiffness |
Frequently asked questions
- How is this pair different from a regular 5B?
- The grip is the same. The taper is what changes: more wood stays ahead of the shoulder, so more weight toward the tip.
- Is it a good pair for fast sixteenth notes?
- Less so than a long-taper design. The forward mass takes more effort to bring back up.
- Does an acorn tip make a difference on the drums?
- Its broad shape makes full contact with the head and gives body to the stroke. On metal, it keeps enough definition to stay clear.
- How can I tell if a taper suits me?
- Balance the stick on one finger. The farther the balance point is from your hand, the heavier the stroke and the less agile the stick.
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