Vater American Hickory Power 5A Drumsticks — Nylon Tip

• Oval nylon tip: a clear, bright attack on cymbals
• Power 5A body, 16.5 in long for extra reach
• 0.580 in grip, the same as the wood tip version
• The tip keeps its shape for a long time, so the sound stays the same
• American hickory shaft
• Consistent response from one stroke to the next, useful in the studio

A wood tip wears, flattens and chips; the way it meets the bronze changes a little every week. Nylon does not move. On the ride cymbal, it gives a sharp point of attack that survives a guitarist playing at full volume.

On the heads, the difference is much smaller than people think: snare and toms respond mostly to the weight and taper of the stick, not to what the tip is made of. So it is a cymbal choice before it is a drum choice.

A ball tip touches on a single point and gives a very narrow definition. A barrel tip lands flat and broadens the sound. The oval sits in between: enough surface not to sound thin, enough curve for the ping of the ride to stay recognizable.

It is also the shape that forgives the most when your stick angle changes, a real advantage as soon as you play standing, in a cramped setup, or on a stage where the kit is never set up the same way twice.

• Rock and metal where the ride has to cut through a wall of guitars
• Miked stages and large venues
• A 5A player who finds their ride too dull
• Recording sessions that call for a repeatable cymbal attack
• Dark cymbals that need a little more clarity

Other ways to get a defined ride, from other drumstick makers:

What is the sound difference between wood tip and nylon tip drumsticks?

Nylon gives a brighter, sharper attack on cymbals; wood gives a warmer, woodier sound. On the heads, the difference is far less audible.

Do nylon tips damage cymbals?

Extra wear only shows up after years of very heavy playing. What really marks a cymbal is the angle and force of the stroke, not the tip material.

Can the nylon tip come off?

That is the classic weakness of this type of stick. Here the tip is fitted onto a tenon machined into the shaft, which keeps it from flying off at the first badly placed rimshot.

Can I mix a nylon tip stick with a wood tip stick?

Nothing stops you, but your two hands will not sound the same on the ride. It is better to choose by song than by hand.