Vater American Hickory Power 3A Drumsticks — Wood Barrel Tip
The Power 3A is a pair of long drumsticks in American hickory, 16 5/8 in by 0.600 in, capped with a wood barrel tip. The five eighths of an inch gained over a standard length serve as much for reaching as for moving your hand up the shaft.
What sets it apart
- 16 5/8 in (42.2 cm) length, well above average
- 0.600 in (15.2 mm) diameter, right at the threshold of the 5B size
- Barrel tip, controlled attack on cymbals
- Enough shaft to choke up and change the balance
- More reach on a large kit
- American hickory
Choking up, an adjustment people forget
On a standard stick, the hand position is almost dictated: too far back, there is no butt end left; too far forward, the balance tips over. The margin for adjustment is thin.
With five eighths of an inch more, that margin opens up. You can choke up to lighten the feel on a fast passage, then slide back to hit. One model, two behaviours.
What the extra length gives on a large kit
High cymbals, distant toms, a cowbell mounted on the left: every centimetre of reach saves a movement of the torso. Over the length of a gig, that matters as much for your back as for your precision.
The stroke also lands closer to the centre of the cymbals, which spares them and gives a fuller sound.
The barrel tip, a choice consistent with the size
At 0.600 in, the stick already sends a lot of energy. A big tip would make the cymbals wash out; the barrel, with its short face, keeps a clean attack.
It is the same logic as on the brand's other straight-sided tip models: offsetting mass with precise contact.
Specifications
| Shaft wood | American hickory |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 5/8 in (42.2 cm) |
| Diameter | 0.600 in (15.2 mm) |
| Tip | Wood barrel |
| Place in the lineup | Extended version of the 3A |
| Sister model | Same model with a nylon barrel tip |
What it is for
- Large kits with distant cymbals and toms
- Drummers who adjust their grip from one passage to the next
- Rock and pop played with presence
- Long gigs where posture has to stay sustainable
- Playing that calls for reach and a clean attack
Compare with other manufacturers
Long sticks with a straight-sided tip from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Extreme 5A | Thinner size, teardrop tip |
| Promark | Forward Balance 0.595 in | Forward balance achieved through the taper, shorter length |
| Zildjian | Super 5A | Smaller diameter, rounded tip |
| Regal Tip | Performer | Standard length, traditional profile |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the point of choking up on the stick?
- It lightens the feel up front and gains speed. The extra length leaves enough shaft for that adjustment to be possible.
- How is it different from a standard 3A?
- Mainly the length: this model adds more than half an inch to the usual profile.
- Do long drumsticks wear cymbals faster?
- No, quite the opposite: they let you hit closer to the centre, which spares the cymbals.
- Does it come with a nylon tip?
- Yes, the same body is offered with a nylon barrel tip.
Avis clients
Do you choke up on the stick for fast passages?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.