How to Choose the Right Drumsticks - The Ultimate Guide



Where does one begin.......?

Step into the stick section of Musicmaker Dublin, and you’ll feel it — that holy hush that falls when drummers face the wall of wood. 7A, 5A, 5B, nylon tips, tear drops, hickory, maple — it’s a forest of possibility.

Drumsticks are the purest link between drummer and drum. Too heavy, and you’ll fight your kit. Too light, and you’ll lose power. Get it right, though, and every hit should feel like an easy conversation.

So how do you choose the right drumsticks? Easy — start with Vater, one of the most respected stick makers in the world. Trusted by legends (I'm looking at you, Chad....), built for the everyday player, and refined through decades of obsession.

Let’s break down everything you need to know — from wood choice and thickness, to tip shapes, balance, and how to find your perfect pair.



The humble yet powerful Vater 5B Wood Tip - for when you need a touch more heft.


The Wood: Where Tone Begins

Different woods change everything — the weight, rebound, and tone. Vater’s secret weapon? Their meticulous selection of hand-graded wood, matched perfectly in every pair.

Hickory – The Gold Standard

The backbone of modern drumming. Hickory has the perfect balance of strength, density, and shock absorption, giving you control without fatigue. It’s durable, versatile, and simply feels right.

The hickory line is home to the classic Vater 7A, 5A, and 5B — the essential trinity of sticks you’ll find in studios, clubs, and stages worldwide.

  • Vater 7A: Slim, agile, and precise. Perfect for jazz, acoustic, and lighter pop. It dances off cymbals with speed and grace.
  • Vater 5A: The ultimate all-rounder. Balanced, musical, and comfortable for just about every style from funk to classic rock.
  • Vater 5B: The punchier sibling. Thicker diameter for louder gigs, stronger attack, and that satisfying weight for bigger stages.

When drummers talk about “the feel,” this is what they mean — the hickory Vater range. Tough enough for rock, refined enough for anything else.

Maple – Light, Quick, and Expressive

Maple is lighter than hickory, which makes it faster and more sensitive. It gives you finesse, nuance, and the freedom to play for hours without strain.

  • Vater’s Sugar Maple Phat Ride is a perfect example. It’s designed for players who want speed and shimmer — a lighter stick that keeps articulation crisp and ride patterns clear. Maple’s natural elasticity makes it ideal for drummers chasing touch over power.
  • If the Phat Ride is about lightness and motion, the Vater Sugar Maple Recording Wood Tip is about control and articulation. Crafted from the same premium maple, this stick delivers pinpoint definition on cymbals and an ultra-clean response on drums. It’s slightly longer than a standard 5A and finished with a refined wood tip that pulls warmth from toms while keeping your ride cymbal beautifully crisp. Lighter than hickory but still punchy, the Recording model is a favourite among session players and studio drummers who need consistency and nuance in every take.



Beautiful touch - be agile and free with the Vater Sugar Maple Phat Ride.


Thickness & Weight — The Great Balancing Act

Every drummer has their “home base” size, and Vater’s numbering makes it easy to find yours. The higher the number, the thinner and lighter the stick; the lower, the thicker and heavier.

In simple terms: thinner sticks = finesse; thicker sticks = force. Somewhere in that spectrum, your perfect stick is waiting.


Tip Shapes — Tiny Details, Massive Difference

It’s not just the stick body that matters — the tip shape defines how you sound on cymbals and drums. Vater offers a variety of tips, each giving its own voice:

  • Acorn Tip: The most versatile, producing a warm, full cymbal wash. Found on Vater classics like the 5A.
  • Oval Tip: Balanced and rounded, offering clarity without harshness. Great for hybrid styles.
  • Tear Drop Tip: Smooth rebound and warm stick articulation; perfect for drummers who love control and tone.
  • Barrel Tip: Fat and bold. Gives your snare and toms serious weight.
  • Ball Tip: Bright and articulate, especially on ride cymbals.

And then there’s the big debate: Wood vs Nylon.

Wood tips sound organic, warm, and vintage. Nylon tips brighten up your cymbals, cut through the mix, and last longer on aggressive gigs. Vater gives you both options across their bestsellers — it’s all about your personal flavour. But wood is better.



Vater Drumsticks will allow you to play like Chris "Daddy" Dave........probably......


Taper & Balance — The Feel in Your Hands

The taper is the section where the stick narrows towards the tip, and it secretly controls how your stick behaves.

  • Long Taper: More flex and rebound — perfect for speed, finesse, and lighter play.
  • Short Taper: Front-heavy punch, more power, and a solid feel for rock or metal.

Vater are famous for their consistent tapers. Pick up three pairs of Vater 5As — they’ll all feel exactly the same, every time. That reliability means when you find your stick, you can trust it, gig after gig.


Signature Vater Sticks to Try

When you’re ready to go beyond the basics, Vater’s artist range is a treasure chest of sound and feel — each stick shaped by the drummers who define modern playing. These models take the Vater foundation and inject serious personality.

  • Chad Smith Funk Blaster: Funk, rock, and pure energy. Slightly longer for reach, medium taper for rimshot power, and that unmistakable crack that makes every snare hit pop.
  • Vater Stewart Copeland Standard: Precision incarnate. Lighter than most rock sticks, these offer incredible rebound, speed, and finesse — perfect for drummers who live in the pocket but play on the edge.
  • Vater Elise Trouw Signature Model: Elegant and balanced. Slightly longer than a 7A with a rounded acorn tip for nuanced touch, ideal for hybrid drummers and dynamic performers.

Every Vater signature model is computer-matched for weight, pitch, and tone, ensuring consistency across every pair — so when you find your stick, you can trust it to feel identical gig after gig.



Still one of the absolute greats - Chad Smith.


How to Find Your Perfect Vater Sticks

  • Start with the classics. If you’re new, grab a pair of Vater 5As — the gold standard.
  • Think about your genre. Jazz or acoustic? Try 7A or Sugar Maple Phat Ride. Rock or pop? Go 5A or 5B. Metal or punk? 2B will feel like home.
  • Experiment with tips. Bring your sticks to the cymbal wall at Musicmaker Dublin and listen to the difference.
  • Check your grip. Your ideal stick should rebound naturally without forcing your wrist.
  • Ask the team. The crew at Musicmaker have guided drummers for decades — they’ll help match your playing style to your perfect Vater model.


Why Vater & Musicmaker Dublin Hit So Hard Together

Vater’s legacy is built on precision, passion, and playability. Musicmaker’s legacy? Decades of helping drummers in Ireland find the gear that makes them feel alive. Together, they’re a rhythm powerhouse.

At Musicmaker Dublin, you can try almost every Vater model — from the lightest 7A to the heaviest 2B — and feel the difference firsthand. No guessing, no blind online buys, just pure, tactile connection.

It’s the only way to know for sure: when the stick rebounds perfectly, when your ride sings, when the groove feels effortless — that’s when you’ve found your match.




Final Word

Drumsticks are the bridge between your hands and your sound. The right sticks turn effort into flow, time into groove, and ideas into music.

Vater have mastered that alchemy, shaping every model with care, balance, and an artist’s touch. Musicmaker Dublin keeps that magic alive, helping every drummer in Ireland — from first-time players to touring pros — find the perfect pair.


So come down, grab a pair of Vater sticks, and feel the difference. Because the moment your sticks feel right, everything else just clicks.



Check out all out Vater Drumsticks, Brushes, Rods and Accessories HERE.