Vater Xtreme Design 5A Drumsticks — Wood Tip, Hickory
The Vater Xtreme Design 5A is a pair of long 5A drumsticks in hickory, 16.5 in long with a 0.580 in diameter and a rounded barrel tip. The manufacturer gives them a heavier taper, for a feel it calls solid, and places their grip between a 5A and a 5B. The whole series answers the same request: extra weight, without losing response or the extended length.
What sets it apart
- Heavier taper, for a feel the manufacturer calls solid
- Measurements: 16.5 in long, 0.580 in cross-section
- Rounded barrel tip cut from the wood
- Grip between a 5A and a 5B
- Hickory with the brand's usual lacquer finish
- Heavy, balanced and responsive stick, according to the manufacturer
What a heavier taper changes in your hand
The taper is the slope that connects the grip area to the tip. It decides where the stick's mass sits, and so what your wrist feels on every stroke and every rebound.
The manufacturer describes a heavier taper here, for a solid feel, and a stick it calls heavy, balanced and responsive. In the hand, that means a more solid hit on the head; in return, you guide the rebound more instead of letting it happen on its own.
An in-between size that answers a real need
Many drummers find a 5A too light and a 5B too bulky. This stick sits between the two in grip, while picking up the reach of a long size.
So the compromise is not a soft one: you get the agility of a thin stick with momentum closer to the next size up. It is a transition tool for anyone who wants more volume without losing all their bearings.
What the shape changes, and what it does not
These sticks get no protective finish and no band at the rim: the manufacturer gives them its standard lacquer, and everything else comes down to how the wood is distributed. The profile sets the character, not an added layer.
The upside is that nothing chips, nothing rubs off on the cymbals, nothing changes the grip as it wears. The stick ages the way wood ages, and its shape stays the same from the first show to the last.
Specifications
| Cross-section | 0.580 in |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.5 in |
| Taper | Heavier than on standard models |
| Tip | Rounded barrel, wood |
| Material | American hickory, lacquer finish |
| Grip size | Between a 5A and a 5B |
What it is for
- Moving up in volume from a light size
- Rock and pop on stage, without heavy hitting
- Drummers who want a firm feel rather than a lively rebound
- Regular rehearsals with a firm touch
- Firm playing on the toms while keeping speed
Compare with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers also beef up their sticks through the profile or the wood treatment:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Firth | American Classic Extreme 5A | Comparable reach, without this series' heavier taper |
| Promark | FireGrain 5A | Heat-treated wood, classic profile |
| Zildjian | Super 5A | Comparable reach, but a different profile and tip design |
| Los Cabos | 5A White Hickory | Traditional profile; the difference comes from the choice of wood |
Frequently asked questions
- What does a heavier taper actually do?
- The manufacturer links it to a solid feel and a heavy, balanced and responsive stick. In the hand, that means a more solid hit and a slightly less spontaneous rebound.
- Is it heavier than a regular 5A?
- Yes: 16.5 in long versus 16 in for a standard 5A, plus a heavier taper. The grip sits between a 5A and a 5B.
- Is there a protective coating on these sticks?
- No. They wear the brand's usual lacquer finish, with no reinforced coating or band at the rim. The feel comes from the shape.
- Who is this model the wrong choice for?
- A drummer who relies on a very lively rebound, in jazz or on very fast patterns. The weight of the profile will make them work harder.
Avis clients
Did the thicker profile suit you? Tell us what it changed.
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.