Vater Sugar Maple Manhattan 7A Drumsticks (Maple, Nylon Tip)
The Manhattan 7A is a 7A drumstick stretched to a full 16 in, instead of the usual 15.5 in for the size. Its 0.540 in maple shaft ends in a moulded teardrop tip, which the manufacturer designed for very defined, clean cymbal sounds.
What sets it apart
- Longer 7A: 16 in instead of 15.5 in
- Thin 0.540 in (13.7 mm) shaft
- Moulded teardrop tip, for defined, clean cymbals
- Well-balanced, according to the manufacturer
- Sugar maple: less mass on an already thin stick
- Made for jazz and low-intensity playing
Making a 7A longer without making it thicker
A short 7A is easy to hold but makes you reach toward the cymbals. By taking the same thin shaft to 16 in, you get back the reach of a regular-length stick while keeping a tiny mass.
The balance point moves slightly forward, which gives the end of the stick some momentum. On a ride played continuously, that momentum does the work instead of your arm: you sustain the motion rather than restarting it.
The teardrop, the smallest useful tip
A teardrop tip narrows gradually to a small point. Contact with the metal shrinks almost to a single point, and that reduction produces the clarity the manufacturer highlights.
Moulded, this shape keeps its profile intact. On a thin cymbal played at low volume, where the slightest irregularity is audible, a consistent point of contact matters as much as its size.
A tool for dynamics, not power
This model is not made to fill a room. It is made so a drummer can play softly without losing articulation, which is far harder than playing loud.
Maple reinforces that intention: less mass to stop, so very soft strokes stay controllable. It is the club drummer's stick, for staying under the upright bass without disappearing.
Specifications
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
|---|---|
| Shaft | 0.540 in (13.7 mm) |
| Tip | Teardrop, nylon |
| Wood species | Sugar maple |
| Design intent | Jazz and light playing |
What it is for
- Club jazz and small-group accompaniment
- Ballads on brushes, switching to sticks now and then
- Thin cymbals that need a light touch
- Close-miked recording, drums in the background
Compare with other manufacturers
Longer 7A sticks or similar sizes from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | SD9 Driver | Maple, thicker shaft, barrel tip |
| Promark | Select Balance 7A | Taper designed around weight distribution, hickory |
| Los Cabos | Maple Jazz | Shorter, wood tip |
| Regal Tip | Jazz | Hickory, wood tip |
Frequently asked questions
- How is this 7A different from a regular 7A?
- The length: 16 in here, compared with 15.5 in for the classic size. The shaft stays just as thin.
- Is a nylon teardrop tip suitable for jazz?
- Many jazz drummers prefer wood for its warmth, but a moulded tip gives consistent definition on the ride, which helps when the cymbal is thin and played softly.
- Are these sticks strong enough for a rock rehearsal?
- That is not what they are for. A 0.540 in maple shaft breaks quickly under hard rimshots.
- Does the name Manhattan refer to a style?
- No, it is the name of the profile in the manufacturer's lineup. It distinguishes this long 7A from the 7A with traditional dimensions.
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