Vater American Hickory Swing Drumsticks — Wood Tip, Double Taper

• Double taper: shaft swelled in the middle, slimmed down very quickly at the end
• Grip just under a 7A — 0.535 in
• 16 in long
• Oval wood tip, articulate on metal
• Exceptionally quick rebound
• Designed with educator Steve Fidyk, in American hickory

On an ordinary stick, the shaft thins out gradually from grip to tip. Here, it first gets thicker toward the middle, then drops off very quickly. Two consequences: the mass concentrates in the centre, and the front section becomes very flexible.

You feel the result right away: the stick comes back on its own after every stroke, and sensitivity at soft dynamics is greater than such a thin size would suggest.

Swing playing relies on a ride cymbal played continuously, with tiny variations in dynamics. It needs a stick that comes back up by itself, so the wrist does not have to relaunch every stroke.

That is exactly what this profile provides, and it is why it was designed with an educator rather than derived from an existing model.

• Swing and traditional jazz, continuous ride pattern
• Rudiment work where the rebound has to be even
• Big band jazz, rhythm section
• A drummer looking for maximum sensitivity at soft dynamics
• Teaching and demonstrating rebound technique

Swing and rebound sticks from other manufacturers:

What is a double taper, in practical terms?

The shaft is thicker in the middle than at the grip, then thins very quickly toward the tip. The mass sits in the centre and the front end becomes flexible.

Is this profile good for practice pad work?

Especially. A clean, even rebound makes rudiments easier to control and exposes uneven sticking.

Is it a jazz-only stick?

Its size makes it best suited to controlled dynamics. Nothing stops you from using it in other styles, as long as the volume stays moderate.

Does the swelled shaft get in the way of the grip?

No: the swell is in the middle, not where your fingers close. The grip remains that of a thin stick.