Vater Sugar Maple SD9 Drumsticks — Wood Tip
The SD9 is a 16 1/4 in sugar maple jazz drumstick with a thick 0.610 in grip, and yet it feels quick in the hand: that is the whole point. The model is cut for jazz, with a rounded barrel tip that softens contact with the metal.
What sets it apart
- 0.610 in grip, a step above a 5B
- 16 1/4 in long, an in-between length
- Rounded barrel tip, generous midrange
- Lively response despite the size
- Sugar maple, which makes the thick shaft playable for jazz
A thick stick that plays fast: how is that possible?
A stick's speed does not depend on its diameter alone. Length, weight distribution and wood species all come into play. Here, a light wood and a well-placed taper offset the mass of a thick shaft.
The drummer gets a rare feel: the grip surface of a big stick in the palm, with a rebound that is anything but clumsy. That is exactly what jazz playing with a wide dynamic range calls for.
The rounded barrel: midrange rather than extremes
A rounded barrel tip has a straight side and softened shoulders. That side increases the surface in contact with the cymbal at the moment of the stroke, and the result is clear: this profile gives a sound centred on the midrange.
Neither the click of a small ball tip nor the thickness of a large acorn. On a jazz ride, that midrange sits perfectly between the upright bass and the piano, where it stays audible without biting.
Specifications
| Wood species | Sugar maple |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.610 in (1.55 cm) |
| Overall length | 16 1/4 in (41.28 cm) |
| Tip | Rounded barrel, wood |
| Finish | Natural wood, matched pair |
What it is for
- Jazz that calls for both mass and speed
- 5B players who want something lighter without changing grip
- Ride patterns with a present midrange
- Backing a large acoustic ensemble
- Playing with a wide dynamic range
Compare with other manufacturers
Thick, fast models from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Similar stick | Where it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Custom SD1 General | Also maple, different tip and length |
| Promark | Rebound 5B | Hickory, standard length |
| Los Cabos | 5B White Maple | Canadian maple, different tip shape |
| Zildjian | 5B hickory | Dense wood, different taper and length |
Frequently asked questions
- Can a thick drumstick work for jazz?
- Yes, as long as its weight stays in check. That is this model's bet: the grip surface of a thick shaft, with a light wood that avoids heaviness.
- What does a rounded barrel tip offer compared with a ball tip?
- More contact surface, so a sound more centred on the midrange. A ball tip favours clarity, a rounded barrel favours roundness.
- Does the extra quarter inch change the feel?
- It moves the balance point back very slightly and adds a little reach. At that scale, it is a comfort adjustment rather than a change of category.
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