Vater Tim Alexander Model Drumsticks — Sugar Maple, Small Round Wood Tip
The VMTAW is a pair of Sugar Maple drumsticks, 16 in long and 0.635 in thick, finished with a small round wood tip. It combines two choices that seem to contradict each other: a thick 2B-size grip, and a wood the manufacturer chose precisely for its lighter weight.
What sets it apart
- 2B-size grip, 0.635 in
- Sugar Maple body, lighter than hickory of the same size
- Small round tip for pronounced definition
- 16 in long
- Signature model designed with Tim Alexander
A thick grip without the weight that usually comes with it
Moving up to a 2B grip normally means accepting a heavy stick. Comfort in the hand is paid for in inertia: moves around the kit get slower and fast passages take more effort.
Hard maple breaks that link, and the manufacturer says so itself: it chose Sugar Maple for its lower weight, so you can move quickly around the kit. The drummer gets the steady hold of a thick stick with the mobility of a medium one; that is the whole idea behind this model, and it answers a specific need.
When a thick grip is not a matter of taste
Not every drummer has the same hand. A large hand or long fingers do not close well around a thin stick: the grip stays unstable, and the drummer compensates by squeezing.
For them, it is not about looks. A 0.635 in diameter fills the palm and steadies the hold right away. The choice of maple makes this size workable for fast styles that would otherwise rule it out.
The small round tip, a deliberate choice
A thick stick is often associated with a big cymbal sound. This model rejects that logic: its tip is small and round, so it focuses the contact and sharpens the attack.
The hi-hat stays articulate and the ride keeps its definition even under heavy playing. A specialist magazine summed it up by noting that the very small tips served hi-hat and ride clarity, while the 2B grip helped draw fuller sounds from the toms.
Specifications
| Grip size | 2B, 0.635 in (16.1 mm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Wood species | Sugar Maple |
| Tip | Small, round, wood |
| Type | Signature model |
What it is for
- Drummers with large hands looking for a stable grip
- Fast playing with a thick stick
- Rock and progressive metal
- Styles that need a very articulate hi-hat
- Drummers who find hickory 2B sticks too heavy
Compare with other manufacturers
Lightened thick grips from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Similar product | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Hickory 2B | Noticeably more mass at the same size |
| Promark | Thick maple models | Generally larger tips |
| Los Cabos | Thick maple sticks | Canadian maple, drier response |
| Zildjian | Thick-grip signature models | Hickory favoured on most models |
Frequently asked questions
- Does maple break faster than hickory?
- It is less dense, so it holds up less well to rimshots. On the other hand, it is lighter and sends less vibration into the wrist.
- Is a 2B grip right for a beginner?
- Rarely, unless they have large hands. A size that is too thick forces the fingers open and hurts rebound control.
- Why such a small tip on a thick stick?
- To keep cymbal definition. Without it, heavy playing quickly turns the ride and hi-hat into an indistinct wash.
- Is it only for metal?
- No. The size works anywhere you want a wide grip and fast playing, including fusion and show music.
Avis clients
Do your hickory 2B sticks slow you down around the kit?
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