Vater Traditional 7A Drumsticks (Hickory, Nylon Tip)
The Traditional 7A is a pair of 15.5 in, 0.540 in hickory drumsticks with a small nylon teardrop tip. These are the classic 7A dimensions, those of a thin stick meant for light playing, and the reason for the word “Traditional”: the other 7A the brand makes is longer and has a different tip shape.
What sets it apart
- Traditional 7A dimensions: 39.4 cm by 13.7 mm
- Small teardrop tip, moulded in nylon
- Clear cymbal and drum sounds, without too much attack
- A feel designed for light playing
- Hickory, for durability over time
- Half an inch shorter than the brand's long 7A
The half inch that makes the difference
The brand makes two 7A models. The first is 16 in long and is meant as a modern take on the size; this one stops at 15.5 in, the length 7A sticks had before they were made longer.
Taking off half an inch moves the centre of gravity closer to the hand. The stick becomes easier to control at low stick heights: tight rolls and soft dynamics need less correction from the wrist, because there is less wood to stop and then set back in motion.
Why a moulded tip on a light stick
On a thin stick, a wood tip eventually gets marked, and its wear slowly changes the cymbal sound without you noticing. A nylon tip keeps its shape: the sound of the first night is the sound of the hundredth.
The manufacturer describes bright cymbal and drum sounds that never become overbearing. That fits the size of the tip: being small, it concentrates the contact and gives definition, without the thickness a large tip would draw from the same motion.
Who this size is a sensible starting point for
The 7A is the classic entry point for a teenager's hand or a smaller adult, and the usual size for rooms where you have to play quietly. The stick is easy to guide, which matters more than power while technique is taking shape.
It then stays in the rotation. Many drummers who play 5A day to day keep a pair of 7A sticks in the bag for acoustic gigs and recordings where the snare has to stay behind the vocals.
Specifications
| Tip type | Small teardrop |
|---|---|
| Tip material | Nylon |
| Diameter | 0.540 in (13.7 mm) |
| Length | 15.5 in (39.4 cm) |
| Wood | Hickory |
What it is for
- Club jazz, alternating with brushes
- Small acoustic rooms, cafés, church services
- Beginners with smaller hands
- Recordings where the drums have to stay in the background
Compare with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers' 7A sticks with moulded tips:
| Brand | Equivalent product | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Classic 7AN | Very similar dimensions, different taper and tip design |
| Promark | Classic Forward 7AN | Long taper, oval tip |
| Zildjian | 7A Nylon | Standard production profile, different weight distribution |
| Regal Tip | 7A Nylon | Tip attached by the brand's own process |
Frequently asked questions
- What do the number and letter in a size like 7A mean?
- The number refers to the thickness of the shaft: the higher it is, the thinner the stick. The letter comes from an old classification by use, where A stood for models meant for lighter ensembles.
- Does a nylon tip really sound brighter?
- Yes, it adds definition on the cymbal because it is harder than wood. The difference is most noticeable on the ride and on thin cymbals.
- Is this model shorter than the brand's other 7A?
- Yes, by half an inch. The brand's long 7A measures 16 in and has a differently shaped tip.
- Can the tip come off?
- That is the risk with any attached tip, especially on glancing blows against a rim. In light playing, the joint is hardly put under stress.
Avis clients
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