Vater Vinnie Colaiuta Model Drumsticks (Hickory, Wood Tip)
The Vinnie Colaiuta model is a 15 15/16 in hickory drumstick whose grip area starts at 0.590 in, swells slightly to 0.600 in, then returns to 0.590 in. That swell of a few hundredths is the centrepiece of the design.
What sets it apart
- Grip at 0.590 in, swelling to 0.600 in, then back to 0.590 in
- 15 15/16 in long, just short of 16 in
- Medium acorn tip, for a full yet defined sound
- Taper calibrated with the drummer for rebound
- Hickory turned on a lathe, a process the signature drummer highlights
- Developed on stage, in the studio and on a practice pad
A swell of a quarter of a millimetre
The shaft does not follow a straight line: it opens by a hundredth of an inch in the middle of the grip before closing again. You cannot see it. In your hand, the palm finds a soft stop, and the stick stops sliding backward as the gig goes on.
It is a mechanical answer to a problem every drummer knows: the slow migration of the hand once sweat sets in. Here, the shape does what you would normally ask of grip tape.
Why a sixteenth of an inch shorter
The chosen length, 15 15/16 in, is not a round number. It revives an older dimension the drummer wanted to get back to, a hair under the 16 in mark.
This tiny reduction moves the balance point back. The stick turns over faster between two quick figures, without losing the reach needed for a cymbal set up high. It is the kind of detail that is only justified by hundreds of hours of testing.
A medium acorn, a middle-ground decision
A large acorn tip moves air and rounds everything off; a small one articulates but disappears in a loud band. This one sits in the middle, which is what a set list that goes from jazz to heavy rock in the same night calls for.
Combined with the taper, it gives a full yet readable cymbal sound. The pair stays the same from the lightest tune to the densest, which is exactly the brief the drummer had set.
Specifications
| Grip area | 0.590 in, swelling to 0.600 in, back to 0.590 in |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 15 15/16 in (40.5 cm) |
| Tip | Medium acorn |
| Taper | Calibrated for rebound |
| Wood species | Hickory |
What it is for
- Set lists that go from jazz to rock in the same show
- Studio work where consistency comes first
- Drummers who lose their grip when their hands sweat
- Technical playing that calls for fast turnarounds
Compare with other manufacturers
Signature models of comparable size from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Steve Gadd Signature | Shorter, thicker shaft, barrel tip |
| Promark | Simon Phillips 707 | Long taper, greater length |
| Zildjian | Dennis Chambers Artist | Constant cylindrical grip, larger acorn tip |
| Los Cabos | Jazz signature | Red maple, noticeably lighter |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the point of a shaft that swells and then narrows?
- To give you a tactile reference. The palm rests gently against the widest point, which limits sliding backward without forcing a sticky grip.
- Is it a 5A or a 5B size?
- Neither, exactly. At 0.590 in, it sits between the two, closer to a 5B in wood and to a 5A in handling.
- Is the unusual length a problem?
- No. A sixteenth of an inch does not change the playing geometry; it simply brings the balance point a little closer to your hand.
- Do I need grip tape with these sticks?
- Rarely. The shape of the shaft already does part of that job. Tape is still useful if you play with very damp hands or for very long stretches.
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