Vater Nude Los Angeles 5A Drumsticks — Wood Tip, Unfinished Hickory
The Nude Los Angeles 5A is a pair of 5A drumsticks in American hickory, in the most widely played size: 16 in, 0.570 in, teardrop tip. The Nude name tells you the rest: the lacquer is removed, and your hand holds bare hickory.
What sets it apart
- Dimensions of the most common 5A size: 16 in (40.6 cm) and 0.570 in (14.5 mm)
- Wood teardrop tip, balanced between attack and warmth
- Weight carried slightly forward, for a quick response on the drums
- Unlacquered shaft, with a sanded hickory feel
- A logical starting point if you do not know what to choose
- American hickory
Why this size became the standard
The 5A holds a position no other size does: enough wood to be heard, little enough to stay fast. A drummer who changes styles all week rarely finds better.
It is also the size most method books and teachers use as their reference: start there, then go up or down depending on what your wrist asks for.
Weight carried toward the tip
The balance of this model puts a little weight in front of the hand. You hear the result on the first stroke: the attack comes quickly, the head answers directly, and the sound forms without having to push.
On tom fills, that responsiveness keeps notes even from one drum to the next, which is harder with a rear-weighted stick.
What the unlacquered version brings
Lacquer makes the shaft smooth and slippery as soon as your hand warms up. Remove it and you feel the hickory grain under your fingers, with just enough friction for the stick to stay where you put it.
The sound itself does not change: a coat of finish has no acoustic effect. It is a question of grip, not tone.
Specifications
| Material | American hickory |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Diameter | 0.570 in (14.5 mm) |
| Tip | Wood teardrop |
| Surface | Unfinished, sanded wood |
| Sister model | Same model with a nylon tip |
What it is for
- A first pair of sticks for a drummer who is learning
- A varied repertoire played with a single pair
- Studio playing where consistency comes first
- Hot stages where a lacquered shaft gets slippery
- Tom fills that call for a quick response
Compare with other manufacturers
The reference 5A sticks from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Classic 5A | Longer taper, lacquered shaft |
| Promark | Classic Forward 5A | More pronounced forward balance |
| Zildjian | Hickory 5A | Slightly larger diameter, smooth finish |
| Los Cabos | 5A White Hickory | Different wood selection, lacquered shaft |
Frequently asked questions
- Is 5A the right size to start with?
- In most cases, yes. It sits in the middle of the range and lets you find out afterwards whether you need thicker or thinner.
- How does it differ from the nylon tip version?
- Only the tip. Body, length and diameter are identical; nylon brightens the cymbal attack.
- Do unfinished sticks sound different?
- No. The finish has no acoustic effect; it affects how the stick sits in your hand.
- Do unlacquered sticks get dirty?
- They show a patina more visibly than a lacquered shaft. That affects neither strength nor sound.
Avis clients
Is 5A still your size after trying the others?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.