Vater Sugar Maple Phat Ride Drumsticks — Wood Tip
The Phat Ride is a 16 in sugar maple drumstick with a 0.580 in grip, and its goal is right in its name: a clean, full ride cymbal sound that stays the same from one stroke to the next. Its short taper and medium round tip are tuned for that one result; maple softens the attack.
What sets it apart
- Short taper leading to a medium-sized ball tip
- 0.580 in grip, 16 in long
- Clean, consistent ride sound, the model's stated goal
- Same measurements as the hickory version, less weight
- A very versatile stick despite a precise goal
Why a medium ball tip and not a small one
A very small ball tip gives a very articulate, almost dry sound. A large tip gives body but blurs the edges. The in-between size chosen here looks for the point where the cymbal sounds full while each note stays distinct.
It is the right choice for a ride pattern played continuously in a band: enough substance to hear the cymbal come alive, enough precision to keep every eighth note in its place.
What the maple version brings to the same design
The dimensions are identical to the hickory model's: only the wood changes. The stick becomes lighter, and the attack on cymbals loses some of its hardness.
For a drummer who found the dense version too aggressive on already bright cymbals, that simple change of wood is often enough to settle the matter, without changing models or cymbals.
Specifications
| Grip diameter | 0.580 in (1.47 cm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 in (40.64 cm) |
| Tip type | Medium ball, wood |
| Wood species | Sugar maple |
| Pairing | Pair matched for weight and pitch |
What it is for
- Continuous ride patterns in a band
- Bright cymbals that need taming
- Varied repertoire that calls for a reliable pair
- Recording where the ride is exposed
- Drummers coming from the hickory version
Compare with other manufacturers
Sticks designed for the ride cymbal, elsewhere:
| Manufacturer | Similar model | How it differs from this one |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | Ride Stick | Hickory, distinct tip design |
| Promark | Classic Forward 5A | Hickory, general purpose rather than targeted |
| Los Cabos | 5A White Maple | Canadian maple, different taper |
| Regal Tip | 5A hickory | Dense wood, different tip design |
Frequently asked questions
- Can a drumstick really be made for the ride?
- It is optimized for it, not limited to it. The shape and size of the tip are chosen for the ride sound; it still plays normally on the rest of the kit.
- How do I get a softer ride sound?
- Three things help: a smaller tip, a lighter wood, and a less vertical stroke. This version works on the first two, while keeping the design that built the model's reputation.
- How is it different from the hickory version?
- Not at all in its measurements. Maple weighs less and sounds softer on cymbals; hickory projects more and holds up better to impact.
Avis clients
Did your ride sound too harsh? Tell us whether maple fixed it.
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.