Vater Sugar Maple Pianissimo Drumsticks — Maple, Round Tip
The Sugar Maple Pianissimo is a pair of sugar maple drumsticks, 16 in long and 0.635 in thick, with a round tip, intended by the manufacturer for orchestra, pit and jazz. That diameter puts it among the widest shafts in the maple lineup, and the proportion is no accident: it makes a large yet light stick, capable of precise sounds at low intensity.
What sets it apart
- 0.635 in (16.1 mm): among the widest shafts in the maple lineup
- Round tip, for a precise stroke
- Maple construction, light for its size
- 16 in (40.6 cm) long
- Orchestra, pit and jazz, as named by the manufacturer
- Designed for nuanced playing rather than volume
Playing softly takes a big stick
It sounds counterintuitive, yet it is the rule in an orchestra pit. To get a full note at low volume, you need mass in contact and a slow stroke. A thin stick forces you to speed up instead, which hardens the attack.
The Pianissimo applies that principle: lots of diameter, little density. You get the broad sound of a big stick with the energy of a small one, which is exactly what the model's name promises.
The sphere, and the control it gives
A round tip has no shoulder and no edge. It presses into the head the same way every time, which makes soft dynamics repeatable — the main difficulty of quiet playing.
The manufacturer speaks of precise tones. That is the right word: the precision here is not about volume but about repeatability. Three identical strokes must produce three identical sounds, even at a tiny level.
One stick for three settings
The manufacturer names orchestra, pit and jazz. On paper, these three situations have nothing in common, but they share one constraint: you almost always play below the level you would like.
A stick built for that constraint moves from one setting to another without relearning. For a musician who goes from a musical theatre pit to a jazz gig in the same week, it saves having to find new bearings.
Specifications
| Intended use | Orchestra, orchestra pit and jazz |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.635 in (16.1 mm) |
| Length | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Tip shape | Round |
| Construction | Maple, light for its size |
What it is for
- Orchestra pit and musical theatre
- Symphonic repertoire, orchestral percussion
- Jazz played at low intensity
- Any setting that calls for repeatable soft dynamics
Compare with other manufacturers
Large-diameter sticks for soft playing, elsewhere:
| Manufacturer | Similar size | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | SD2 Bolero | Maple, smaller round tip |
| Innovative Percussion | Legacy Concert | Greater length, different balance |
| Vic Firth | SD1 General | Maple as well, half an inch longer |
| Los Cabos | Maple Concert | Smaller diameter, different taper |
Frequently asked questions
- Why use a wide stick to play softly?
- Because the mass in contact produces the sound instead of speed. A thin stick forces you to hit faster, which hardens the attack.
- Can this model be used on a drum set?
- The manufacturer lists jazz among its uses. Behind a kit, it gives a broad sound at low volume, but it is not made for loud music.
- Is a round tip less defined than a teardrop tip?
- On a cymbal, it gives a slightly wider contact. On a drumhead, on the other hand, it is the most consistent shape there is.
- Does the diameter make it hard to hold?
- It fills the hand, but the maple keeps the weight moderate. That combination is what makes the model comfortable over a long performance.
Avis clients
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