Choosing drumsticks for electronic or acoustic drums can be quite a search. You can easily get lost in the choice because of the many brands and types. You may also wonder what the numbers and letters (5A, 2B, etc.) on the stick mean.
Some drummers have a specific preference for a certain type of stick, such as length, width or weight. So in the end you will find that it all comes down to personal preference.
In this blog we discuss how to recognize different types of drumsticks and which are best in which situation.
Want to know what else you need before buying an electronic drum kit? Check out all the supplies for your electronic drum kit here .
| Image | Product | Webshop |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Vic Firth 5ABest choice
| View price |
 | 2. Vater 5B Power Drum Sticks
| View price |
 | 3. Vic Firth 7A
| View price |
 | 4. Pro Mark TX2BW 2B
| View price |
 | 5. Adoro SSE Silent E-SticksExtra quiet
| view price |
What types of drumsticks are there?
There are different types of drumsticks available, but what is the difference between them? We have listed some quality electronic drumsticks to help you choose.
Number on the drumstick (such as 5, 7, 2)
The numbers indicate the thickness of the stick. In general:
- The lower the number, the thicker the stick: 2 is thicker than 5, 5 is thicker than 7, etc.
- Thicker sticks (such as 2B) are often used for heavier genres, such as rock or metal.
- Thinner sticks (such as 7A) are lighter and better suited for softer music, such as jazz.
Letter on the drumstick (A or B)
The letters indicate the purpose or playing style for which the stick was originally intended:
- A stands for “All purpose” and is suitable for light music such as jazz, orchestra or acoustic music. The sticks are usually thinner and lighter.
- B stands for “Band”, these sticks are a bit thicker and less likely to break. They also offer more power and volume.
Examples
- 5A : This stick is almost always a good choice. It is a standard drumstick used by drummers of all levels.
- 7A : A lighter and thin stick for more subtle playing styles. With a thin stick you can add more nuance to your playing, which is desirable for jazz or acoustic music.
- 5B : A thicker stick than the 5A, perfect for drummers who want more power (e.g. rock or metal).
- 2B : A very thick and heavy stick, often used by marching band or drummers in a brass band.
What are the best drumsticks?
We highlight the 5 best choices for each type of drumstick:
Vic Firth 5A American Classic Hickory
Expired!
With the Vic Firth 5A American Classic Hickory you can't really make a wrong choice. These are the perfect all-round drumsticks that are suitable for every type of drums (and drummer). They can therefore be used for acoustic and electronic drumming, live, but also for example during your (online) drum lesson.
Suitable for : all levels and all playing styles
Vater 5B Power Drum Sticks Wood
For those looking for extremely sturdy drumsticks, these sticks from Vater are the way to go. These 5B Power Drum Sticks are virtually unbreakable and therefore also a bit thicker than the 5A.
Suitable for: Drummers who like hard genres like metal(core) and rock.
Vic Firth 7A American Classic Hickory
Expired!
The 7A American Classic Hickory drumsticks by Vic Firth are mainly suitable for playing jazz. Because these sticks are thinner, the accents come into their own better. These differences will be more audible on acoustic drums than on electronic drums.
The sticks may be a little more fragile, but in a genre where you don't hit hard, that doesn't matter.
7A drumsticks are also suitable for children because of the smaller circumference of the sticks.
Suitable for: Drummers who play jazz, light drumming or soft rock.
Pro Mark TX2BW 2B
Pro Mark is, besides Vic Firth and Vater, a well-known and reliable brand for drumsticks. These 2B drumsticks have a diameter of 1.60 cm, which makes them somewhat fuller in the hand. These sticks are therefore suitable for drummers who hit hard and do not want to break a stick.
Suitable for: Drummers in a marching band or drummers who want to play with a lot of power.
Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks
A big advantage of drumming on an electronic drum kit is the limited noise pollution. This does not mean that electronic drumming does not make any sound at all; the sound of the sticks hitting the rubber pads is definitely audible.
The Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks offer a solution for this. According to Adoro, these drumsticks provide no less than 80% less noise pollution than wooden sticks. I have tested these sticks myself and can recommend them to anyone who wants to drum as quietly as possible. You can read more about my opinion in the Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks Review.
Suitable for: Drummers specifically looking for drumsticks for an electronic drum kit that allow you to keep the noise level to a minimum so you don't bother anyone.
Conclusion
Choosing the right drumsticks depends entirely on your playing style and personal preference. It helps to understand the meanings of the numbers and letters: thicker sticks like the Pro Mark TX2BW 2B are ideal for drummers with power, while lighter options like the Vic Firth 7A American Classic Hickory are more suited to jazz or subtle music.
For all-round drummers, the Vic Firth 5A American Classic Hickory are a safe bet, while the Vater 5B Power Drum Sticks offer more power for heavy genres like rock and metal. Drummers with an electronic drum kit can purchase an additional set of Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks, which will reduce noise pollution.
By experimenting you will discover which stick suits your style best. What are your favorite sticks? Let us know in the comments!
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