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Moving up to 5B's

drumfreak - Sat, 12/13/2008 - 12:32 | 3,335 views

Billy came over to the studio one day and loaned me a pair of his Vic Firth 5B Heavy sticks. I was using 5A's for the longest time due to being fairly new, they felt comfortable to me, so I never moved to a heavier stick. Now that I've been playing with the 5B Heavy sticks, I cannot pick up a 5A. It feels like a feather and I have no control.

I have noticed that my control and discipline is much more there with a heavier stick. The drum sounds better to me with a heavier stick. It may seem backwards, but I feel I have to use much less energy to get more sound. I really dig these heavy sticks!

Thanks Billy!

Drummer Comments (11)

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Tam Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 - 1:14 AM

Everyone has to feel that process, my process found 7B Nylons, what feels best for you is what the stick is, friend.

Boone Hawks Says Re: Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 - 10:36 AM

That's absolutely right.
Also, I could never get used to those long sticks, what's the length? Is it 16 1/8"?
And those dense wood sticks (is it rock maple?) give me problems.

Boone Hawks Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 - 2:35 PM

Hi,
Boone Hawks here.
I played 5A's for 25 years and bought a pair of 5b's and will never go back. Playing them now for
15 years.
I've tried all the other sizes a little...5b is the perfect stick size. The type of wood is another story.

ThatDrummerKid Says Re: Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Friday, Aug 21, 2009 - 9:59 AM

I agree, i'v been playing 5B Vics ever since Billy turned me on to them!

- - D - - Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - 4:12 PM

I have to try these sticks out...i play with 5As, need to try out others.

ThatDrummerKid Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - 3:23 PM

I still love my 5b extremes :]

drummer21208 Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 - 9:51 AM

Ive been a 5B(nylon tip) user from the start with Ziljian's. About a year and a half ago I picked up a pair of Vader 5B Fusions (also nylon tipped)and found a better sound and much better reaction off the sticks. I only use the ziljians as back ups now.

You mention that going back to a lighter stick you have no control? I understand why, but it doesn't do that to me. I've got a few sets of 5A's incase I'm playing something with a bit more handspeed, but after practicing with the 5B's, i find it really fun to grab a set of 7A's. Its like baseball, swinging 2 or 3 bats before going up with 1 to hit. Handspeed becomes crazy, and even though you play a little harder to make up for a smaller stick, its much easier.

drumfreak Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Monday, Jan 26, 2009 - 2:22 PM

Awesome, I'm happy to see a nice discussion on this. I have also used Power Wrist Builders http://www.musicianswarehouse.com/power/index.shtml before and the results you get from those are incredible. I found that by warming up with those (after stretching) for about 15 minutes before doing any serious practice work does wonders. Be careful and get the weight you need and work your way up. you'll certainly feel the Power Wrist Builders in effect!

Hawkeyes83 Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Monday, Jan 26, 2009 - 1:11 PM

After looking at this post a couple weeks ago, I went out and picked up a pair of 5B's. I'd say the results were positive. I'm a new drummer so the heavier sticks really help me slow down and focus my movements. The first time I sat down with them it felt like my rolls were more even, and my timing was a bit more consitent (I was alot louder as well, probably not so good for my neighbors!).

Trippsol Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009 - 6:01 PM

I'm starting to run into the same ordeal. I've been a 5A guy for as long as I can remember, but something has happened... its called Winter NANMM 09'. I was given a pair of wood tip 5B VF's. I guess that's all I really had in my hand the whole show, so they sorta grew on me. For now I'm rocking 5B's for snare work, and sticking to 5A's for the kit...for now. :P

Drmn4fun Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 - 11:36 AM

I started out playing with 5B's while playing in high school band. Now I'm in a band where we are playing smaller venues and I've been asked to use smaller sticks. At this point I'm playing 7A's and it feels like I'm holding two drinking straws. Using those smaller sticks is taking a lot of time getting use to - and every time I get a chance to go back to a heavier stick, I notice how much crisper my chops are. I guess the solution is find bigger venues. 8)

King Says Re: Moving up to 5B's

Submitted On: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 - 9:57 AM

I used to play with 5B's YEARS ago. I've been using 5A's for a while now. Every now and then I'll by some Pro Mark 747 oak because I like the extra weight, but i like the size of a 5A. I like to do my pad work with marching sticks though.